Royal Alloy Tiagre Grande 300
Is there a new challenger for Vespa’s crown?
For rally-going scooterists looking for reliability and modernity, Vespa has long since been the go-to choice with its wide range of 125 machines and the top-of-the-line GTS 300. But there’s a new(ish) kid on the block: Royal Alloy and its TG300. Stan from Scootering magazine got his hands on one as soon as possible. Here’s how he got on.
Five years ago Royal Alloy wasn’t even a registered trademark, but by pricing the TG in the £5k bracket they’ve decided to enter territory dominated by the GTS. As such they’re inviting comparison, which is another trap I’ve already fallen into. With seven decades of heritage to draw upon, Piaggio has created a loyal following that’s often prepared to turn a blind eye to shortcomings, notably rust. A new manufacturer tends to have a less accommodating audience, so tackling Piaggio in their own backyard is a brave move. The TG could be described as a ‘halo model’, one built not just to sell itself but also to create brand awareness and drive sales of less expensive models. No one builds such a machine without being confident of success and all indications are of good quality control. The question remains, is it the auto that can convert those raised on a diet of two-strokes? If a scooter that takes the best of current two-wheeled technology and then wraps it up in a credible tribute to Lambretta’s bestselling model doesn’t sway popular opinion, then nothing will.
1. CHASSIS
“In urban conditions the TG has plenty of torque to handle both traffic light getaways and enthusiastic filtering. Steering is positive and the ABS brings things back under control very quickly. The bone-shaking solid shocks of early models have been consigned to the waste bin, while the link’s new geometry also minimises dive under braking.”
2. HANDLING
“Throw the TG into a corner and it holds the line without difficulty; take several ’S’ bends in succession and exploring its capabilities becomes a joy. I managed to hold 60mph while snaking across the rolling countryside - and I’m assured that 80mph is possible, an entirely credible figure given the engine’s origins. In one sentence: It’s a lot of fun to ride.”
3. STYLING
“From the brushed alloy trim, to indicators incorporated into the panel ‘handles’, the attention to detail never fails to impress. Although the TG isn’t a direct copy of the original, its designers have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of a Series 2 Lambretta with all the major key design cues.”
4. TECH TALK
“For the TG, Royal Alloy have introduced a completely new speedo unit, featuring a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display of the type found in high-definition monitors. It has multi-functions which can be switched using touchscreen technology.”
5. GETTING COMFORTABLE
“Most of the criticism I’ve seen of the TG has been related to the seat. With a height of 770mm it’s a full 20mm lower than the GTS, an intentional move by the design team to help shorter riders. In use it’s not uncomfortable as it feels more like a gel pad than foam, but it was slightly too low for my 6ft 2in bulk. The good news is that all Royal Alloy seats are interchangeable, so it’s possible to fit the GT’s Ancillotti-style bench or a king and queen from the GP.”