Update 12.2.2019: This bike is now on eBay. -dc
This is the second of four motorcycles being offered from the Stuart Parr Collection. Thank you for supporting the site and good luck to buyers and seller! -dc
Looking very 80s, the Gilera Saturno Bialbero could be mistaken for some sort of custom Ducati. But Gilera, of course, should be held in the highest regard by fans of this site, as they were the first company to slot an inline four into a frame transversely, solving in one fell swoop the difficult cooling issues that previously faced four-cylinder motorcycles. This bike has just one cylinder like the original Saturno and embodies the company’s racing ethos, stressing light-weight and handling.
In the 80s, Gilera was mostly producing a line of offroad-biased singles with a 350cc capacity that were obviously a far cry from their road-racing bikes of the 1950s. At the urging of a Japanese marketing company, they developed a retro-styled sportbike, and that updated Saturno sparked some minor interest worldwide.
In most markets, the Nuovo Saturno was motivated by a liquid-cooled, 491cc version of the company’s four-valve, dual-overhead cam single, although a smaller 350 was available in Japan. In fact, the “Bialbero” designation helps to differentiate the bike from the earlier Saturno and refers to the number of camshafts: two. That engine put out a seemingly unimpressive 44hp, but the complete trellis-framed machine weighted in at a claimed 302lbs dry. That’s 250cc two-stroke territory, with the same claimed peak output and a much broader powerband. Suspension was simple but modern, with 17” Marvic wheels front and rear and a set of Brembo brakes to slow things down. The ‘box has just five speeds, owing to the package’s off-road roots, but the torquey engine should make any gaps easy to ride around.
With just 72 kilometers on the clock, this may be the lowest-mileage Saturno on the planet, and you may be waiting a long time for an example this nice, regardless of miles: these very rarely come up for sale, as Gilera collectors aren’t flavor-of-the-week types. It helps that the Nuovo Saturno was intended for collectors in Japan, and only a few made it to other countries: in 1990, just 50 were imported to the UK. However, in spite of their rarity, they don’t sell for huge money, making them a reasonable proposition for regular folks who want something out-of-the-ordinary.
From the seller:
Imported in 2016 from Germany. Comes with original German registration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection entry form (Form 7501). This one can be registered and ridden. It is in out of the crate perfect condition.
The Gilera Saturno Bialbero 500 is a motorcycle road made the motorcycle manufacturer Gilera and marketed between 1987 and 1991.
If you’re looking for something rare, affordable, and very fun: these are extremely nimble bikes that would make perfectly lightweight track or racing machines. Iinquiries can be directed to Gregory Johnston on (631) 537-1486 or via email – here -.
-tad
I owned a Saturno and sold it at one point due to major forces. I then missed it so much and spent a lot of time looking for a good one… this year I found one with just 200km…It’s a great bike, so unique and so fun to ride on twisty roads, enjoying the featherweight handling and the great engine noise. I said this before, the way you ride a Saturno is: you put it in 4th gear and just focus on your lines trying to avoid any use of the otherwise powerful brakes. Ao much fun and what a great bike to look at. If you find one, keep it, trust me! If you can get this one anywhere below 7000$, that would also be a great investment !
What a great bike!
Was my first bigger bike after 2 years driving 125cc 2-stroke. Mandatory 20 years ago in Switzerland.
Perfect for learning how to drive a bike.
My friend bought one too so we was able to continue the battle between us.
We removed the e-starter and the big battery to save more weight. Also never put much gasoline in the tank. Steel brake hoses and replaced many steel screws with aluminium ones.
Sadly never had the money for upgrading the soft suspension. Exhaust sound and the rattling from the full floating brembo disc brake was amazing!!
Later with the much more powerful street bike’s never again this kind of fun on open roads.
I would buy anytime one when on sale here in Cambodia..
Just a note that the clock is metric. That’s 72 km or just under 45 mi. GL to both buyer and seller. This looks to be a gem!