Description
Additional photos of this Gilera CX125 are available here for your perusal.
A truly unique small-displacement motorcycle, the Gilera CX125 is best known for two things: dramatic bodywork that (even 30 years later) still looks like it’s from the future and an alternative front end design.
Gilera (named after founder Giuseppe Gilera) was founded over a century ago, and in the 80s they released a pair of fully-faired sportbikes called the KZ and KK. The two bikes would become the foundation for the 1988 SP-01, a fairly cutting-edge sportbike with a dry weight of 250 pounds that was capable of breaking into the triple digits thanks to a liquid-cooled 124cc two-stroke single that made a reported 35 hp at 10,600 rpm.
Gilera would pull the cover off of the first publicly unveiled CX prototype at EICMA in 1989. The concept was unique and exotic, but unlike most envelope-pushing prototypes, the CX would actually see production two years later without straying very far from the original design. Single-sided rear swing-arms were still a relatively new feature at that point in time and aside from the experimental race machines from ELF – such as the awesome 1984 ELF2 which the CX clearly took a lot of inspiration from –a single-sided front swing-arm was pretty unheard of in 1990.
Gilera called the suspenders on the CX the “Single Suspension System” or SSS, which consisted of a single-sided front fork and single-sided swing-arm, not a hub-center unit like on the Yamaha GTS or Bimota Tesi. This design didn’t have a particular advantage over the competition in any measurable way, but it also wasn’t a disadvantage – and it sure looks amazing.
Steering was controlled via the lower triple clamp that was connected to the main 45mm arm via a series of articulated alloy rods. The front suspension on the CX was manufactured by Paioli, who worked with Gilera on developing the component. While it does admittedly look a little unusual, when you start to examine the front-end of the avant-garde 125 that is the CX, it becomes increasingly clear how simple and straightforward it actually is.
The CX125 is one of the marque’s more memorable models for obvious reasons and was built to compete in a competitive European market twenty-five years ago. Because places in Europe like the UK and Italy restricted new young riders to motorcycles no larger than 125cc’s, a booming class of 125 two-stroke “beginner” sport bikes were being produced. At this same time, Gilera also built a number of entry-level enduro style machines like the RTT and ER 125’s. The CX125 would first hit showroom floors in 1991 and reportedly came with a price tag of $2,995, though according to one trustworthy source, pristine CX125 examples can fetch around $15K, while clean examples are supposedly worth around $10K. The CX125 would stay in production for two years before Gilera would pull the plug on the model.
This example is VIN: DGM53128OM. The seller acquired it in May 2020 from RMD Motors.
The seller did not ride it during his ownership, he only had it on display. The odometer shows 3,688 kilometers (2,291 miles).
The seller is letting it go as he’s thinning his collection – he’s also selling a pair of Nicky Hayden’s boots, a MV Agusta 125 Bialbero Racer, and a Bimota Tesi 3D on Iconic Motorbikes.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us install a new battery and show that it runs. Our White Glove Service would be glad to perform further work if the buyer would like to ride it. Steve did the work, he notes that the brake pads are 40%/35% front/rear and the tires have aged out.
Modifications:
We believe this CX125 is completely stock.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
The right rear stripe decal is faded.
The sale includes one key and a new set of decals from DecalMoto.com.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop tires that have aged out.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Gilera is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any CX125 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
