BikeTest: Aprilia Pegaso 650 StradaFor city streets or mountain and moors, the Aprilia Pegaso is a real contender, writes Conor Twomey
With traffic gridlock only set to get worse, there really is no faster way to get around than on a motorbike. Unfortunately, most people's commute involves a little of everything - open road, dual carriageway or motorway and tight city streets - so it's tough to know which bike will suit your needs best.
Now that the Aprilia franchise has been taken over by Ducati Motorpoint, they invited us to take their Pegaso 650 Strada for a spin, as they reckoned it just might be the ticket for Irish enthusiasts looking for a fun all-purpose bike.
Launched around two years ago, the Pegaso 650 is still an unusual looker: definitely a streetbike, but with more than a hint of supermoto about it - but despite the hybrid styling it's actually quite a handsome thing.
With minimal fairing and lots of exposed piping, the Pegaso looks tough and purposeful although our black test bike could have used a splash of colour to brighten it up a little bit.
The Pegaso is powered by a 660cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine that boasts dry-sump lubrication, a four-valve head and a balancer shaft, all of which conspire to make it surprisingly smooth and responsive, even from fairly low revs.
Naturally, it comes into its own in the mid-range, but even with 6,000rpm approaching it's still pulling strongly, which helps it feel much gruntier than its 48hp and 59Nm official output suggests. A factory-fitted restricter will soon be available, too, which will make it accessible to new bikers and cheap to run, too, with low Group 5 insurance likely.
Indeed, it's an ideal bike for riders just starting out with its comfortable riding position, relatively low seat and light, fluid controls. The clutch and gearbox are particularly slick, with powerful and responsive Brembo brakes and a sharp throttle helping to make the Pegaso feel surprisingly sporty and eager.
As a commuter bike, it's also got a few useful features such as a trip computer, small under-seat storage box and a compartment on top of the fuel tank that's ideal for your wallet, keys or change for the toll booth. The plastic cover is electronically unlocked via a little switch on the handlebar and it also doubles as a fuel cap cover.
Those with longer commutes should really opt for the optional windscreen (it gets a bit blustery on the motorway), grip guards, heated grips and an addition rear box. ABS isn't offered.
There are lots of good commuters out there, but what really sets the Aprilia Pegaso 650 apart is its handling. Around town it's super agile, with its light steering, low centre of gravity and light weight (168kg) but on the open road it's a genuine hoot, responsive and communicative, but also forgiving and playful - a great machine to hone one's skills on before graduating to something with a little more oomph. Gripes include a digital speedometer that reflects sunlight and is difficult to read at times, the lack of lever adjustment and the odd shape of the seat, which prevents taller riders from stretching out a little bit, but overall we're very taken with the Pegaso 650 Strada.
A cool Pegaso factory is also available, with gold spokes and wheels, matching handlebars and livelier graphics and detailing, while the rugged Pegaso Trail is better suited to riders seeking even more adventure than a rainy Irish rush hour.ENGINE: 660cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single cylinder
Factfile
OUTPUT: 48hp, 59Nm
PERFORMANCE: 170km/h top speed (est)
TRANSMISSION: five-speed gearbox, wet clutch
FRAME: Steel, open cradle, single spar
DIMENSIONS: Length: 2,173mm, Width: 810mm, Seat height:
780mm, Wheelbase: 1,479mm.
WEIGHT: 168kg (dry)
SUSPENSION: 45mm USD telescopic forks, high strength steel
swingarm, gas-filled Sachs shock absorber with hydraulic shock
absorber (adjustable). Wheels: 12-spoke alloy wheels, 17" front and
rear. Tyres: 110/70 R17 at the front, 160/60 R17 at the rear.
Brakes: four-piston Brembo caliper, single 320mm front disc;
single-piston Brembo caliper 240mm single rear disc.
PRICE: €8,250