Aprilia Moto 6.5

Make Model	Aprilia Moto 6.5
Year	1995-02
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 5-valves
Capacity	649 cc / 39.6 cu in
Bore x Stroke	100 x 82.7 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Induction	Mikuni carburetor, Ø40 mm
Ignition	Digital
Starting	Electric
Max Power	31.3 kW / 43 hp @ 7000 rpm (rear tyre 40.8 hp @ 6500 rpm)
Rear Tyre Power	30.4 kW / 40.8 hp @ 6500 rpm
Max Torque	53 Nm 5.4 kgf-m / 39.1 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Tubular steel
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks, Ø41 mm, Marzocchi
Rear Suspension	Rising rate monoshock. preload adjustment, Matzocchi
Front Brakes	Single Ø298 mm disc, 4 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Single Ø220 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	100/90-18
Rear Tyre	130/90-17
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight	150 kg / 330 lbs
Fuel Capacity	16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Consumption Average	5.6 L/100 km / 17.9 km/l / 42.1 US mpg
Braking 60 km/h / 37 mph - 0	14.3 m / 46.9 ft
Braking 100 km/h / 62 mph - 0	40.7 m / 133.5 ft
Standing ¼ Mile	14.2 sec / 146 km/h / 90.7 mph
Top Speed	149.9 km/h / 93.1 mph

Aprilia's latest bike, the Moto 6.5, is a very different machine, albeit one that follows the Italian firm's tradition for style. It was created by French star designer Philippe Starck, whose portfolio includes everything from boats, toys and lemon squeezers to numerous buildings and interiors, including the recent museum at Groningen in the Netherlands and Bordeaux airport's control tower, his latest project.

Mr Starck is a keen motorcyclist and has produced a distinctive non-aggressive roadster, aimed particularly at tempting urban travellers away from cars, buses and trains. The Moto 6.5 certainly looks like nothing else on two wheels, thanks to its fuel tank and seat/sidepanels. It is powered by the 650cc single-cylinder unit from Aprilia's Pegaso 650 trail bike. Detuned slightly for this bike, the watercooled, five- valve engine produces a maximum of about 45bhp.

The chassis is based around a steel frame whose main tubes form a graceful curve. That shape is followed by the visible pan of the exhaust system, much of which is hidden beneath the engine. Unlike the Pegaso, the Moto 6.5 is intended to be ridden only on the road, and has considerably less suspension travel than the trail bike. Its telescopic forks and single rear shock unit, both from Italian specialist Marzocchi, hold wire-spoked wheels whose tyres are designed purely for the street.

Riders of average height or less will quickly notice one advantage of the road-biased suspension: the Moto 6.5's seat is reasonably close to the ground. The Aprilia is very light, too, at just 150kg which, in conjunction with the softly tuned engine, makes it both lively and easy to ride.