Written by Administrator

Published: 04 January 2011

Created: 04 January 2011

Last Updated: 02 December 2018

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About the Gilera Network

From the editorial in 'The GeN' #1 June 1994:

"Why a network ? It has to be recognised that unless Gilera production is started again we are unlikely to ever have enough members to be a one make club in the usual way with local sections. What is achievable, is a network via which we can exchange information about all aspects of Gilera motorcycling. Technical information is always of interest to theriders of any motorcycle. Once a marque goes out of production it becomes even more vital. This newsletter will provide a way of keeping in touch with the experience gained by others and to share your knowledge with them.

An idea before its time. The needs of Gilera enthusiasts have not changed, but the means to achieve those objectives have matured to a degree that even the founders of the original Gilera Network didn't foresee.

By registering on this site you will be able to gain access to the accumulated experience of people who have owned and ridden Gilera motorcycles for many years.

However, we think that the Runner, DNA, Hexagon and other Piaggio group scooters are well served by other on-line groups, forum and web sites. Whilst the owners of bikes from any era are welcome 'The GeN' will concentrate on the last of the Arcore breed. This is the place for owners of Nuovo Saturnos, Nordwests, RC600s, GFRs and the other late 80s/earlly 90s Gileras.

Techical information, hints and tips and owners' experience is already available in the archived oriiginal GeN Newsletters which can be found in PDF form here:

The GeN Issues 1-25 PDF

We aim to mine the data from those 25 issues and combine it with recent technical information sources and present it an easily searcheable form to assist owners new and old alike to keep their Gileras on the road.

Written by Administrator

Published: 04 January 2011

Created: 04 January 2011

Last Updated: 04 December 2018

Hits: 12125

Gilera Network History

The Gilera Network was founded in June 1994. The interim aim and objectives stated in the first issue of 'The GeN' were:

"The aim of the association shall be to promote the interests of Gilera motorcycle owners, riders and enthusiasts in the United Kingdom in accordance with the rules of the association."

A quarterly Newsletter was published until April 2003 and displays were put on at the BMF and Classic Mechanics Show. In the early days after the closure of the Arcore works 'The GeN' was an invaluable source of information for Gilera enthusaists, particularly owners of the last of the breed: Nordwest, Saturno, RC600 and GFR.

As the new amazingly innovative Runner and DNA began to sell in volume, organisations for the "Twist & Go" Gileras were formed and the numbers of bigger bikes began to dwindle as older machines were scrapped. Owners of older Gileras were always welcome, but there was always going to be a limit on total membership with no more 'big' Gileras being built.

There was a brief glimpse of what might have been with the supersport four cylinder project but it never went in to production.

A Gilera Owners Club of Great Britain (Igottagilera) replaced the Network for a while, but sadly that too has now been wound up.

As Piaggio now own Aprilia it seems doubtful that the name Gilera will ever grace the tank of a conventional motorcycle bigger than 125cc again.

There has, however been a resurgence of interest in the bikes from the late 80's and early 90's and enthusiasts are rebuilding them to once again discover the delights of a truly sporting motorcycle.

The re-launched Gilera Network aims to provide such enthusiasts with the information and advice to continue to enjoy that experience.