The left-hand side of the Runner sees the kickstart that I hope never to have to use as starting the thing from cold does require the electric starter to be used quite aggressively. Towards the front where the Gilera logo is resides manual controllable air vents. These can be opened in the colder days to direct jets of warm air to the riders shins and feet! I kid you not, air conditioning it aint, but I have found similar very useful on the K100LT during winter. Quite usefully [you may just be able to see] the Centre Stand has foot levers on both sides of the machine. There is also a Side Stand on the this side where you'd expect it to be. It is sprung-loaded and you have to be careful to make sure that you keep it in place with your foot while you lower the bike onto it.
Not much going on at the right-hand side. The key fits in the steering column below the hand bars and poke out directly at the riders right knee cap. This could be potentially dangerous in the vent of an accident, I did come across a web-page from a rider who said that he had sustained severe knee injuries as a result. I'm going to see if I can have a modified key made up that does not act as a scalpel in such cases. It is not very clear on the photo but just behind the air vent is a small panel that can be removed to gain access to the cylinder head and spark plug. In earlier models the battery used to be in here too, and required removing to get at the spark plug! How do some people hold down their jobs as designer? In the 1999 model the battery has been relegated to a neat compartment under the seat. Talking of which, there is a large compartment available there which is designed for an adult crash helmet, lock, tool kit (har har) consiting of a reversible screwdriver, box spanner and T-bar, and some few bits and bobs, but not too much mind you.
This is the riders eye view of the Runners dash. Actually, with a full face helmet on it is difficult to see the dashboard without tilting the head downwards. Same goes for the mirrors. It could just be a quirk of my 6'2" frame but I suspect that even shorter riders will experience the same. Anyway, I've labelled up the main bits of interest that will greet you from the pilots seat.
What can I say? The rather funky front end of the Runner sports a 12" alloy wheel running 120/70-12 Maxxis hoops (the rear is a 130/60 on a 13" rim). The standard upside-downers add to the aesthetics of the front end and do a rather good job of soaking up most of what our British roads have to offer, although the more serious pot holes should be avoided as that little 12 incher could get stuck in there with catastrophic results! A nice little single-sided disk brake system finishes off the jobbie quite nicely thank you. 
The pooey end of the Runner is finished off rather well with a large black silencer can and brushed stainless steel heat shield. Lots of plastic covers abound at the back end masking the mechanics of the engine which is here too. Lurking just to the front of the Hugger mudguard is the carburettor which has an electronic choke. Here you can also adjust the idling speed very easily. You can also just see the rear spring/shock unit which is adjustable by hand (no real need for the ring-spanner suggested in the owners handbook). The little flash of red between the wheel's spokes hints at the presence of a rear disk brake, hence this model being known more formally as the Gilera Runner SP 180 DD (Double Disk). Controlled by the left-hand brake lever it is a very powerful unit and a little care will need to be taken in the wet.
© 1999, Danny Thompson
Last edited 4th September 1999
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