Derbi Mulhacen 659

Derbi Mulhacén 659

Make Model	Derbi Mulhacén 659
Year	2005 -
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	659.7 cc / 40.2 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	100 x 84 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	10.0;1
Induction	Fuel injection 44mm throtlel bodies
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	48.6 hp / 36.2 kW @ 6000 rpm
Clutch	Multi-plate
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Aluminium trellis
Front Suspension	43mm Upside down forks, 120mm wheel travel.
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Progressive lateral link, 110mm wheel travel.
Rear Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Front Brakes	Single 320mm disc 4 piston calliper
Rear Brakes	Single 240mm disc 1 piston calliper
Front Tyre	120/80 -18
Rear Tyre	150/70 -18
Length	2120 mm / 83.4 in
Wheelbase	1386 mm / 54.5 in
Seat Height	810 mm / 31.8 in
Dry Weight	160 kg / 352.4 lbs
Fuel Capacity	13 Litres / 3.4 US gal
Consumption average	23.6 km/lit
Standing ¼ Mile	14.3 sec
Top Speed	168.0 km/h

Named after the tallest mountain in Spain, the Derbi Mulhacén 659 is the largest-displacement motorcycle ever produced by Spain. Built by Minarelli for Yamaha in Italy, the fuel-injected, sohc, four-valve, liquid-cooled Single is a willing mill, producing 47 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 41 foot-pounds of torque at 5500 rpm. The dry-sump engine serves as a stressed member of the tubular-steel frame, the front downtubes of which double as an oil tank. A 43mm Marzocchi inverted fork handles suspension duties up front, while at the rear a link-actuated shock is offset to the right side of the cast-aluminum swingarm. Wheelbase is 54.5 inches.

Weighing a claimed 357 pounds dry, the Mulhacén feels light and accelerates briskly. Naturally, the 659 is best-suited to dancing through the corners of a twisty mountain road, where it is quick and sure-footed. The front brake—a radial-pump Brembo master cylinder mated to a radial-mount four-piston caliper pinching a 320mm stainless-steel rotor—is a good compromise, especially if you plan to ride off-road; but if Nennewitz proceeds as planned to design a road-only version with 17-inch wheels and radial tires, a twin-rotor setup is a must.

At 32.6 inches, the seat is rather tall, but its narrowness where it meets the gas tank allows 6-footers to easily reach the ground. Shorter riders will have to tiptoe to maintain their balance at stops. This is one detail of the project that needs to be revised. Since seat padding is already thin, though, lowering the seat may require re-designing the subframe.

Source Cycle World: