Aprilia Pegaso 650 Factory

Bringing you the meanest, most thrilling performance around, the Pegaso Factory is the most sports-oriented of all Pegaso models. The latest technology and graphics mean that the Pegaso Factory is almost a specialist supermotard, but with that legendary Pegaso versatility.As with all Aprilia sports bikes, the word "Factory" has a precise meaning when used in the context of the Pegaso 650. The Pegaso 650 Factory is the most exclusive and fastest Pegaso ever, featuring a performance chassis, lighter materials and, of course, the latest Aprilia technology.

Review

The special 'Factory' version of Aprilia’s evergreen fuel-injected 660cc single-cylinder Pegaso (it’s been around in 1989 in various guises - it was the Italian firm’s first ever 'big' motorcycle) is a true gem. With its chunky new radial front brake, lightweight spoked rims, a smattering of carbon fibre and finished to look like its big brother Tuono or RSV Factory, the Aprilia Pegaso Factory oozes Italian cool and style. All this for just £4999.

Ride Quality & Brakes
Such a modest amount of power is never going to test the well set-up, lightweight chassis or grip from the Pirelli Diablo tyres, allowing you to ride the Aprilia Pegaso Factory pretty much flat-stick everywhere, including corners if you so wish. Because it’s hard to get into trouble on the Aprilia Pegaso Factroy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously it’s a giggle to ride. It’s one of those motorcycles you can’t wait to get back on, even after a long ride. Around town the Aprilia is nimble, roomy, comfortable and user-friendly.

Engine
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Aprilia Pegaso Factory was a burbling twin rather than a single cylinder motorcycle; it’s jus so smooth. There’s none of the chugging, clattery bad manners you’d associate with such a large capacity single-cylinder engine, just smooth power from tickover all the way to 6000rpm, where the Aprilia makes its 48bhp maximum power. Although there’s enough power to have fun with around town or on very tight B-roads, for faster roads, touring or long distance touring you’re going to need to look something bigger.

Build Quality & Reliability
Aprilia have really put to bed the old view that Italian bikes are unreliable. Such is the build quality, the durability of the engines and faultless operation of the electrics in the Aprilia Pegaso Factory as well as the other bikes in Aprilia’s range like the RSV and Tuono it wouldn’t be far wrong to think of Aprilia as a kind of ‘Italian Honda’.

Insurance, running costs & value
Five grand places the Aprilia Pegaso Factory in the ball-park of less exotic competition like, the Suzuki V-Strom 650, Kawasaki’s ER-6N, the Yamaha FZ-6 Fazer and the Honda Hornet. Granted, these motorcycles all have lots more performance than the Pegaso’s 48bhp engine could hope to dish out, and are better for riding long distances, but if you fancy funky bike to zip around town on, or a few hours going bonkers on backroads the Aprilia Pegaso Factory is well up to the job.

You get a lot for your £4999 with the Aprilia Pegaso Factory: a bullet-proof liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 48bhp single-cylinder motor, funky looks and a ‘boot’ to put stuff in, like sunglasses and maybe a Twirl on top of the tank, which has a cool electronic catch. With the Aprilia Pegaso Factory you also get special lightweight gold anodized spoked alloy wheels, a four-piston radial front brake, a radial piston master cylinder, braided steel hoses, Tuono handlebars and solid machined billet aluminium handlebar clamp and carbon fibre bodywork side guards exhaust shield and mudguard. The seat is slightly taller and there are new graphics too.