Aprilia Pegaso Strada…mini review

[rictus01]

I had to work a little to find a bike to test ride as following a policy change by Aprilia to not use outside engines anymore the Pegaso although Aprilias first “big bike” was dropped from the range at the end of 2009, although as it was a good seller a lot of dealers over ordered, so you can find 2010/2011 registered bikes, so what do we have, a 50bhp single 660cc street bike, with a nod to the supermoto side of things, the engine is a Yamaha unit taken from the XT660, but Aprilia have breathed on it a bit and stolen some of the bottom end to give it a bit more zip up near the top (where traditionally these type get a little breathless).

Looking around the bike it’s a fairly modern design with some styling in common with other bikes in the range, RSV design wheels in the striking blue (although obviously narrower) being one, a small fairing/binnacle houses the headlight and instruments, those being the single rev counter, multi function display and various indicator lights, it’s fitted with fairly chunky straight bars and conventional switchgear with a mode switch and a button (under the L/H cluster) to open the integrated glove box type thing built into the tank (nice touch that), the seat is fairly contoured meaning you sit lower than you’d think with a seat high of just 780mm, the pegs are slightly forward to make a relaxed riding position and the bars aren’t a stretch either, the pillion isn’t bad either, perhaps not as generous as a dedicated tourer, but far better than most sports bikes, this one had the optional rack fitted, but as standard a grab rail is provided, the seat lifts to reveal possible the largest underseat space I’ve seen on a bike in a very long time, easily get a rain suit under there or even a big lock and chain, the bike has twin underseat (sort of to either side) pipes and the rear is finished off with a smart led tail light (and indicators front & back are also leds).

I’ve filled in the paperwork, signed my life away, had my licence copied and have the key in my hand, time to use it, sitting on the bike it’s quiet narrow and moving it about proves to be easy as it’s a light bike, stick the key in and turn it, the needle goes round to about 5k before resets to zero and a fancy sweeping road graphic is displayed before resolving into the digital speedo (also clock and trip meter), by going through the modes you can select various other things like gear indicator, even things like a service manual in many languages, loads of stuff in there but I’ve no time for more than a quick look, hit the start button and the single kicks into life, the bike has standard cans fitted and is a bit subdued in the sound it makes (which is to be expected I suppose), not as much vibration as I expected, but that’ll be down to the balancer shaft that’s fitted.

The near 60 miles getting here had been mostly drizzly grey and the day hadn’t improved at all, I pull away and I’m slightly surprised how rev happy and willing the engine is, a very different beast to the twin scrambler I had out a couple of days ago although both had the same power, the bike is quiet “wiggly” and as I snake up through the gears I find myself enjoying zipping through the traffic, the front forks although not adjustable; you can feel there‘s some quality there, but the back is a little soft for me (but apparently this is something most owners address with a heavier spring or aftermarket replacement), as at idle the engine is surprisingly lacking the vibration I was expecting at normal road speed, approaching a set of lights I apply the brakes; the single calliper on the front 320mm disc is most effective, well being a brembo 4 pot you’d expect nothing less really, not a bad town bike at all.

Coming out of town I open the bike up a bit it sits at 70 with no problem and unlike most singles of this type that would tire you out; you could hold that speed all day if you wanted to, leaving enough in reserve for the odd overtake when needed, fortunately that private runway from Tuesday has miraculously followed me down to these parts, so I take full advantage, flat out the speedo shows 111mph, the surprising thing is you get very little warning of the power tailing off, it pulls quiet nicely and then it’s gone, not like a rev limiter or anything it just gets so far and then has no more to give ( an SV would obviously have more top end, but I’d be surprised if it out pulled the Pegaso up to the 75-80 mph or so by much at all), one worry I had was could I live with the limited power, and that is answered, yes I could, this is fun, handling is “zippy” because of the light weight, slower corners had me sticking my leg forward (motocross style) at times, the engine is a dry sump, meaning good ground clearance, decent mirrors help to, a few back roads after an hour see me headed back to the shop, stopping at a petrol station to top it up (as agreed) I’m momentarily vexed, where’s the filler cap?, then I remember it’s within the little cubby hole on top of the tank (it’s divided off from the glovebox bit), I’ve done 52 miles and it was full when I picked it up, although I wasn’t taking it easy it takes only 4.84ltrs, which by my reckoning is about a gallon


So to sum up, light, zippy, modern looks, a few gizmos, and fun, I like it, I think a day spent up & down the motorway or heavily loaded would show the limited power, as that’s not really what this bike is for, but it’ll do the rest happily.




Cheers Mark.

[littleoldman2]

Nice write up, thanks.

He keeps finding those private runways, its a sixth sense he's developed

[Bibio]

nice write up Mark. 780mm that's 30mm down on the SV , i could get on that with tippytoes down

have you thought about Yams bigger brother?

[dyzio]

Factory?

[rictus01]

to be honest the factory doesn't get a lot extra, the spoked wheels mean you need tubes, which means you can't use a puncture kit, for someone like me that kind of thing is important.

[dyzio]

Didn't look into the Factory, didn't even realise the Pegaso has a F. version.

So overall, sounds a decent bike as long as you accept it's limitations?

[rictus01]

yeah, not one for the power hungry, but real world it's got enough and being narrow and light makes it better than most in town.

[andrewsmith]

Thanks for the review Mark, all the bikes that have the XT660 lump seem to be cracking

[rictus01]

So ended up getting one of these

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=178178

Not really the plan and as titled got on impulse, a bit rough around the edgesbut at a really good price, a quick service and then onto a bit of heavy cleaning, fitting a few bits the previous owner provided and addressed the side pods which were scratched up a fair bit, I'd normally respray, but I didn't have any plastic primer, but did have some decent 3d carbon look vinyl, so I gave that a go, here's the results of an hours work.

the vinyl comes in a matt finish (3rd image), I prefer the gloss look (4th image), so a quick layer of clear over the top done the job.









also a good clean of the wheels and new decals applied made a world of difference , as you can see they were pretty grubby to start with.



But came up really well I think.





Also fitted the handguards I got with the bike, nice chunky metal reinforced ones to.





coming along nicely, still more to do, exhaust clean, fit some electric bits (Alarm/12v socket & HID unit), then more mechanical stuff to service, swingarm pivot,suspension linkage, wheel bearings, nothing wrong with any of them, but I like to make sure they're well greased.

I've done 600 odd miles on it now and it's a fun ride, well pleased with it.

Cheers Mark.