Motorcycle specifications Gilera600 Nordwest 1991 The first sports trail

Inspired by the success of the Yamaha TDR 250 and single-bike and supermotard competitions, Gilera brought out the first homologated motorcycle marketed under the supermotard label in 1991. The idea was to offer a sporty trail bike 100% dedicated to the road.

To achieve this, Gilera adopted certain elements from its RC 600 hardened trail bike. The Nordwest and RC share the same engine and swingarm bases. The frame is also very much inspired by the RC, although its dimensions have been slightly revised, and this time it's designed with round-section tubing instead of square-section tubing. This is the frame that will be reused in 1992 for the evolution of the RC600 (less enduro-oriented than the first model).

On this basis, the manufacturer adapted a pair of wheels that a supersport bike would not disavow, fitted with 120/60-17 tires at the front and 160/60-17 at the rear. By way of comparison, Honda used the same tire size the following year for its CBR600, the first in its class to exceed 100 hp. Brakes are also up to the task: 2x 270mm front brakes squeezed by 2-piston calipers, and a single 240mm disc at the rear. In other words, the Nordwest holds the road perfectly and brakes masterfully.

The engine, while not as spirited as that of a CBR, has undergone a bit of a revamp, gaining 5 more horsepower than the trail bike it's borrowed from. This evolution gives it much greater length. It has little inertia, thanks to its relatively "small" displacement (this 600 is in fact only a 558cc). It is therefore very lively at high revs (between 5,000 and 8,000 rpm), but remains recalcitrant below 3,000 rpm. On test, this engine gives the impression that Gilera has tried to give its 600 a taste of the TDR 250's "push to crime": the gniak of a big single at mid-range, with the added pep at the top end. And the result is more than pleasant.

With the bike weighing no more than 140kg dry, the moulbif has no trouble grilling just about anything that moves, as long as the horizon isn't too clear. Extreme manoeuvrability and superb braking make this machine the queen of cornering. All the more so as the front axle is an example of balance. At no point does stability seem to be sacrificed for maneuverability.

The 600 model is backed up in some countries by a 350cc model with identical chassis and bodywork.

All in all, the Gilera Nordwest is a fun and easy bike. And if it was the first of its kind, few have reached this level since. Strangely enough, at the time, virtually no major manufacturer followed the Italian brand into this niche (apart from the 125cc categories).

Tanthallas - Manufacturer's photos / D.R.