According to Aprilia the Pegaso 650 takes it name from the Greek legend of Pegasus, the winged horse, as a symbol of power and freedom. Motoaus recently test rode the latest in a long line of the "Pegs"

Aprilia Pegaso 650

According to Aprilia the Pegaso takes it name from the Greek legend of Pegasus, the winged horse, as a symbol of power and freedom. Motoaus recently test rode the latest in a long line of the "Pegs" as they are known, and whilst the power isn’t sportsbike-like, with its all round nature the freedom factor of the Pegaso is high.

This latest version of the Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail, some twelve years after the Pegaso name first appeared, sports a four valve, fuel injected motor. Liquid cooled and dry sumped, the 649cc single cylinder pumps out about 50 horsepower at the crank. Electric start, five speed gearbox and 6250rpm redline from the oversquare 100mm x 84mm stroke, with 10:1 compression, are the other details you may or not need to know. The 650 motor appears to be the same as that used in Yamahas XTX660.

This particular Pegaso was fitted with the optional Akrapovic twin Titanium muffler kit, giving it a pleasing bark on throttle, with a nice overrun crackle, making the riding experience that much nicer. Other optional accessories available but not fitted to this bike include panniers, top boxes and a range of guards. The Aprilia exhaust option will add around about 1500 dollars to the price though. Lower cost aftermarket mufflers are also available.

The 16 litre fuel capacity is reasonable for this type of bike giving a range of somewhere between 200-300kms at a guess, as we didn’t test this out, though for serious long distance, a larger tank might be in order. Refilling is accessed via a push button on the left handlebar switch, which opens a small compartment on top of the "tank", exposing the filler cap and a small, handy storage space.

This feature is possibly also designed as a trap for us lower IQed people, as I spent several frustrating minutes, clawing at things and pulling at the lid trying to open it, before the method of opening it dawned on me. Bike thieves would no doubt abandon this bike as soon as it runs out of fuel. Whilst the compartment is extremely handy as a place to put small necessities like wallet, phone and change for tolls, care must be taken when refilling, a shaky hand could deliver a refreshing dose of unleaded fuel over your goods.

The instruments on the Pegaso also feature an impressive menu based trip computer with a large range of other features, controlled by a handy mode button on the left switch block, to save fumbling down one handed on the dash pushing minute buttons as found on some other bikes. I managed to continuously push the button which controls it with a blank look on my face, but I believe it also boasts a lap timer, a PIN number immobiliser, along with access to dealer servicing functions, and shift indicator settings.

Another neat Aprilia feature found on the bars include the combination start/kill button, makes great sense, all bikes should have this in my book. Push one side to start- flick to the other to kill.

Ride Impression: DA.

I really enjoyed riding the Pegaso 650, it was light and has a lovely engine, in fact feels like it’s a twin, no stumbling down low, and an absence of annoying vibration. I’d imagine a lot of people would be happy using this bike as a commuter. It has plenty of top end speed, but is agile enough to flick around the twisties and the city car parks. I didn’t take it off road, but found a packed clay based road that had loose gravel topping on it to test the limits of traction with Aprilias choice of Pirelli Scorpion S/T tyres. A softer dirt or sand based road would have been much less taxing. More demanding off-road conditions may require a more dirt oriented tyre.

On the bitumen however, the Pegaso could be ridden in the same fashion you would ride a sports bike, it was stable, handled well, and was effortless through corners. I imagine that if you went over the speed limit, it’s possible the bike would run at over 160 kmh without a problem. Obviously I didn’t try that, but other Pegaso owners have reported indicated speeds in excess of that. Id be wanting those Akropovic mufflers too, even if just for the sound effects.

 
Ride Impression: Rebecca

What can I say…I loved it! After riding it for a weekend, I hadn’t expected to like it as much as I did. Plenty of low down torque from the grunty single, with enough top end for the freeway. At 110km/h it had plenty left in reserve. I found it light and nimble enough for a girl like me to easily flick through the twisties. The seat height and handlebar position was fine even for someone vertically challenged like me. The seat felt lower and more comfortable than I was expecting.

The Pegaso would give any hard edge sportsbike a run for its money through a tight mountain road and offer a more comfortable ride at the same time. The Akropovic pipes it had gave it an added appeal in looks and sound..

Although this dual sports single looks like it would be more at home off the beaten track, and handled the dirt roads I travelled with ease, it adds an exciting dimension with its fondness for corners on the bitumen. Well done Aprilia!

Aprilia Pegaso Specifications

Engine: Single-cylinder four-stroke with light alloy cylinder. Liquid cooling with three way pressurised circuit. Single overhead cam with chain timing drive; four valves. Anti-vibration counter-shaft.

Fuel: Unleaded fuel
Bore and stroke: 100 x 84 mm
Displacement: 659 cc
Compression ratio: 10:1
Max. power at crank: 50 HP (37 kW) at 6,250 rpm
Max. torque at crank: 6.25 kgm ( 61.31 Nm) at 5,200 rpm
Fuel system: Integrated electronic engine management system.
Electronic fuel injection. 44 mm throttle body
Ignition: Electronic Starting: Electric starter
Alternator: 290 W
Lubrication: Dry sump with oil pump
Gearbox: 5 speed
Clutch: Multiple disc in oil bath. Cable operated
Primary drive: Spur gears
Transmission ratio: 36/75
Final drive: Chain Transmission ratio: 15/44

Frame: Steel, open cradle, single spar frame
Front suspension: 45 mm fork
Wheel travel 170 mm
Rear suspension: High strength steel swingarm, Aprilia Progressive System (APS) rising rate linkages, Sachs hydraulic monoshock with adjustable rebound and preload, Wheel travel 170 mm
Brakes: Front: Brembo stainless steel disc, Æ 300 mm. Two-piston floating caliper
Rear: stainless steel disc, Æ 240 mm. Floating caliper
Wheels: Aluminium spoked, Front: 2.15 x 19", Rear: 3.00 x 17"
Tyres: Front: 100/90-19, Rear: 130/80-17 Dimensions:

Max. length: 2,160 mm,
Max. width: 810 mm,
Ground clearance: 270 mm,
Seat height: 820 mm
Wheelbase: 1,479 mm
Tank: Capacity 16 litres, 3.5 litre reserve.
Accessories: Adjustable front brake lever; luggage rack; 28 and 45 litre top boxes; semi-rigid panniers in high-tech textile with secure, lockable fittings; tank protector and tank bag in high-tech textile; high seat (+40 mm), Slip On Street Legal Aprilia by Akrapovic titanium exhaust kit, carbon hand guards hinged on handlebars, carbon parts (exhaust pipes protection, heel guards, sump guard), electronic anti-theft system.