Piaggio Beverly 300 Police, medium displacement style [ROAD TEST]

Piaggio Beverly 300 Police – Over 15 years of experience for Beverly, an important milestone that has led it to be one of the references on the Italian market. In fact, it was 2001 when Piaggio presented it for the first time. Since then, many versions of this lucky scooter have been sold, with displacements between 125 and 500 cc. With the entry into the price list of the 350, which with an innovative and very sporty engine has effectively replaced the higher displacements, the 300 became the entry level, also due to the birth of the Medley, which filled the space left free by the exit of the smaller versions of the Beverly. Only two displacements therefore, declined in 3 versions in the case of the 300, with the sporty "S" alongside the "standard", while the "Police" of our test represents the most stylish and fashionable option, offered with a small increase in cost (100 euros). Let's go and discover it and tell you about it.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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It focuses on design and construction care, with a refined and elegant look

Before going into the merits of the actual test, the look and aesthetic aspect of the Beverly 300, even more so in this setup by Police, certainly deserve some words of praise. Gone are the years in which the level of care and quality of plastics could be the subject of some notes. Beyond a mere judgment (which is obviously subjective) on the shapes of this scooter, it is enough to look around it with a critical eye, looking for defects and problems, to realize that it doesn't have any, or at least that we can't. to find anything noteworthy. The Beverly tip in fact a lot on design, which cannot ignore perceived quality and construction care, as well as the choice of the best materials. Thinking about its direct competitors, it is objectively ahead on this front, despite not being a cult object in terms of design, as the Vespa can be in its various declinations, which has led to it becoming a brand in its own right, precisely because of the Heritage and tradition in terms of design that is behind this historic model from Piaggio, which recently turned 70.

The Beverly is not much less, because despite not having a refined (and expensive) metal body, the finishes are really very pleasant and the appearance is well cared for. In this Police version the contrast between glossy and matt black gives an extra touch of grit and class. Police, a lifestyle brand known throughout the world, has teamed up with Piaggio by creating a set-up of the Beverly characterized by a bold matte black color, with shiny chrome details and blued mirrors, just like the lenses of the Police sunglasses. To complete the look of the Beverly by Police there is a helmet with a dedicated aesthetic, which however we replaced in our test with a Shark Evo One. Moving on to the more practical aspects, the underseat is spacious and, in addition to a full-face helmet, rather bulky objects can also be stowed.

Alternatively There's room for two compact jet helmets, without being forced to purchase an additional top case. What is now almost a trademark for some Piaggio models is beautiful, that is, the beautiful rims with the black channel contrasting with the side edge with a raw metal finish, a truly nice mix of elegance and sportiness. The tank, positioned in the footboard area, is useful for centralizing the masses, offers shiny finishes around the cap which are aesthetically pleasing, but which tend to become marked over time, given that the feet often pass through that point.

Engine and performance:

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Medium displacement, perfect compromise. Euro 4 of course

The dilemma, once the "Beverly objective" has been framed, is mainly one: 300 or 350. Those 50 cc (52 to be precise, given that the first is a 278 cc and the second a 330), are as heavy as a boulder. This is because the approach is diametrically opposite. While the smallest of the current Beverlys is aimed at guaranteeing a cost/benefit ratio at the top of the categorya, the 350 aims to be a GT, with refined solutions such as the transmission with oil bath clutch and high performance, thanks to 30 horsepower (30,2). While keeping consumption low, the difference is then felt with a price list of around 5.750 euros, almost 1.400 more than its little brother the 300. Two products therefore much further apart than the displacement suggests, because the horsepower of the 278 cc single-cylinder is 21, therefore approximately 30% less (double the difference in cubic volume). Few? After trying it, without any fear we can tell you that they are enough to move more than well and even with a fair amount of panache.

The perfect compromise we would say, especially for those who travel a long way in the city, always maintaining the possibility of taking a nice extra-urban trip. The Beverly 300 is well also at ease on the motorwaya, perhaps for a short or medium distance journey, before entering congested urban traffic. If you go and reread our test of the 350 (here the link) you will notice how it emerged that in the city its exuberance was almost wasted and in fact we wanted to test it where you usually go with a real motorbike, to be able to experience its limits and peculiarities first-hand.

Going back to 300, power is delivered at 7.250 rpm, with 22,5 torque arriving 1.500 rpm earlier. A fact that makes it clear that the Beverly systematically works in the optimal range to exploit the engine, given that the transmission with automatic CVT variator keeps the speed precisely around these values. Then with MY2017 there is the transition to Euro 4, while The ABS/ASR package is confirmed as standard, with a useful traction control which protects above all from the dangers of the city, where a wet pedestrian crossing and a moment of distraction could put even an expert driver in more than a few dangers. His intervention is invasive only in certain situations, but if someone feels the need, just deactivate it with the appropriate button and the "problem" is solved.

In all sincerity, just like when ABS first began to be seen in the motorcycle field, the fears of purists have gradually been overcome by the real and tangible advantages that these active safety systems make available. Returning to the initial question, between 300 and 350 we remain undecided, the type of use you want to make of it must act as a referee, with the most powerful of the Beverlys which can easily stand comparison with a small touring motorbike, from certain points of view, but with the more accessible 300 which does not fear any criticism in terms of performance and inspiration, which are definitely already more than sufficient. In simple terms, At the traffic lights, at full throttle, few will be in front of you, if that's what you fear...

Ride and handling:

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Easy to handle and well placed, among the high wheels it is one of those that offers the best sensations

High wheel yes, but with the solidity and pleasant sensation of stability that few other rivals can boast. The merits of such high driveability go primarily to the choice of combining the 16" front wheel, 14" rear wheel, with generous 140/70 section tyre. Going down and up from the fiercest rival, as well as the only one capable of staying ahead of the Beverly 300 in the 2016 sales charts in Italy, the Honda Sh300, the differences are evident. The Japanese is very light and very easy to handle, but the sensation that the Beverly 300 gives is more pleasant from many points of view. To give a direct idea, it's more "gnucco", but in a positive sense. Stay anyway very easy to handle and agile in the city, where it's just a little more physical to drive, a feature further underlined by what, at least in our opinion, it is the only flaw worth mentioning: the front brake master cylinder is slightly undersized, forcing a higher lever effort than expected.

Many opponents now drive with just one finger on the lever (obviously everything depends on the strength of the driver), while with the Beverly, in the event of major braking, at least two are needed. The action of the ABS, on the other hand, is excellent, never invasive and able to better manage braking. Two double-piston calipers act on the discs, 240 mm at the rear and 300 mm at the front. The suspension action is very good, with the front fork with 35 mm stanchions that works together with the double rear hydraulic shock absorber, with preload adjustable in 4 positions. Also in this case, despite being very stable and responsive in sporty driving outside the city, the Beverly takes a nice advantage from the SH300, decidedly drier in the reactions of the rear shock absorbers, while the Italian also digests cobblestones and city potholes very well, without the driver's back complaining. The saddle is placed 790 mm from the ground, a height which is already contained and capable of allowing excellent support on the ground even for those who are less tall, in addition to this the platform is profiled in such a way as to further facilitate this.

Price and consumption:

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In relation to the contents, the price is very interesting, as is the consumption

The Beverly deserves a positive note for its tank capacity. They are 12,5 liters, so the autonomy is very high, potentially in the area of ​​350 km in total, but above all the 10 euros are there for the automatic even before going into reserve. The data declared on the consumption front is 31,3 km/l on the WMTC cycle, not far from what we found, with a somewhat careful guide. However, you practically never go below the threshold of 25 with a liter, even using all the power available. From the 4.430 euros of the Beverly 300ie and the 300S ie, the Police version rises by 100 euros, up to 4.530 euros. An excellent compromise, as well as in performance, also from this point of view, given that the brother 350 is listed much higher, with a cost of 5.780 euros.

The list of accessories available is extensive, starting from Tom Tom Vio Special Edition Piaggio, a navigator that we recently had the opportunity to test (here is the link to the article), moving on to the matching 37-litre top box, backrest for the passenger included. Various anti-theft devices and fairings/windshields are also available, as well as a tunnel bag designed to be positioned above the central tunnel without disturbing driving. As mentioned, a matt black jet helmet is also available for the Police, dedicated specifically to the Piaggio Beverly 300 by Police.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Design, decidedly good performance, excellent price/performance/quality compromise
We do not like it:
Braking requires significant effort on the lever

Piaggio Beverly 300 Police: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Gloves: Alpinestars Polar Gore-Tex Gloves
Pants: Alpinestars Denim Pants – Raw Indigo
Shoe: Alpinestars Vulk Shoes
All these items are part of the Alpinestars 2016 collection which you can find described in this article:
https://moto.motorionline.com/2016/01/21/alpinestars-comfort-e-protezione-in-tutte-le-situazioni/
Helmet: Shark Evo-One, a modular helmet perfect for urban use or for a trip out of town, one of the few able to offer a visor that can also be used with the chin guard open, while closed it becomes as silent and comfortable as a full-face helmet.
Jacket: Bering Jaap