Review of the 2000 Aprilia Pegaso Cube 650
From: Jeffrey York ( jeffyork@bikerider.com )
The Bike:
The Aprilia Pegaso Cube 650 has a beautiful fit and finish level. The best I have seen. I work as a QA Manager, so I am very fussy. The Fairing does a good job of keeping wind off my torso. I am 6' tall and all the air seems to hit about neck high, so with my Arai RX7 Read, it is very comfortable at highway speeds and above. In addition, the hand guards do a great job of keeping the cold air off your hands. The seat is another story. It is plush and soft and really lets your butt go numb after 150mi in the saddle. However that is just about the time low fuel level light turns on warning you your about to hit the mechanical reserve. You still have 2.5 gal of gas at this time and at 50+ MPG, you still have 125+ miles before it runs dry. I wish I had that much warning when I rode to Belize.The Engine:
The 650 Pegaso engine is the well-proven water cooled Rotax single with five valves per cylinder and double overhead camshaft, controlled by a chain drive system. This motor uses an anti-vibration countershaft that balances the forces of the crankshaft and piston. Adoption of this technology results in an engine with excellent power, torque and output characteristics with extremely low vibrations. It really is substantially smoother than a KLR650 though not as much torque on the bottom end it definitely has more power and really feels more comfortable and relaxed at 80MPH about 5000 RPM. The power is very freight train predictable with some surging below 2500 RPM.The 5-valve engine puts out 5 more horsepower (for a total of 53HP) than the 4- valve twin plug engine aprilia puts in the Funduro it builds for BMW. However, for the 2001 model BMW has built a plant next to the old BMW plant to manufacture the F650GS.
Dry sump lubrication:
Aprilia has made use of "dry sump" lubrication, enabling the block to be more rigid and compact than in a "wet sump" version.
The system uses a second trochoid recovery pump and an external oil tank built into the frame of the motorcycle.Exhaust:
The 650 Pegaso exhaust system has been designed to respond to four precise requirements: lightness, aerodynamics and respect for the environment and type approval standards. The choice of dual exhaust increase CFM to be the most appropriate in that, while obtaining a large internal volume, the size and weight are lower than with a single exhaust of similar volume. Even with all this in mind it still produces a nice thump on the exhaust note. In addition, the system is made entirely in stainless steel to ensure long-term good looks and durability.Suspension:
The up side down forks up front though not adjustable work really well. Giving the bike a very stable feeling at highway speeds. They will bottom over heavy whoop de doos. However, that's when you need to slow down anyway, you don't want to be catching air when your on some little dirt road 15000 miles from home.Luggage:
Wow, what can I say but wow. The luggage is great lots of room completely water tight, very solid and very nice looking. Definitely better than BMW luggage. Remember though when packing; keep the heavy things toward the bottom and lighter stuff up top.Overall riding impression:
I really like the bike. It just does what I do. It is a relaxed all purpose bike that is a fine commuter, very sporty (Without Luggage), go anywhere touring bike and just plan fun to ride. The ergonomics are very natural feeling you don't feel as if the bike is twisting in some strange position, reminiscing on my GB500TT that was some kind of unusual torture on a day ride (800mi). The stock tires seem to stick pretty well and are predicable when they start to get lose. The seat is about my only complaint. I talked to Mike Corbin, he said "Though I have no plans at this time to produce a seat for the Pegaso. As it popularity grows keep checking".
Specifications:
Dimensions:
Engine Type Single-cylinder, 4 stroke, with balancing countershaft.
Light alloy cylinder, with Gilnisil coating.
Liquid cooled, 2 radiators with separate expansion chamber and three-way thermostatic valve with electrovalvesBore and Stroke 100 x 83 mm Displacement 651.8 cc Compression Ratio 9.1:1 Valve train double camshaft at the head, chain control, 5 radial valves (3 intake valves, 2 exhaust valves) Carburetors (2) Mikuni BST 33 with vacuum Ignition electronic with capacitive discharge Start-up electric with automatic decompressor Generator 12V-180W Lubrication dry carter, with two trochoidal pumps Clutch multidisc in oil bath Gearbox 5 speeds Frame aluminum double beam with front boxed section in steel operating as oil tank Suspensions front: Upside-down fork ÿ 40 mm., travel 180 mm.
rear: boxed swing arm with variable section in steel at high resistance, with single shock absorber, travel 165 mm.Brakes Front: stainless steel disc, ÿ 300 mm., floating caliper with double piston with different diameter (30 and 32 mm).
Rear: disc ÿ 220 mm. (with floating caliper) stainless steel.Rims aluminum alloy
front 2.15 x 19"
rear: 3.00 x 17"Tires front: 100/90 x 19"
rear: radial 130/80 x 17"
Overall length 2180 mm. Overall width 880 mm. Overall height 1433 mm. Seat height 845 mm. Wheelbase 1480 mm. Ground clearance 250 mm.
Dry Weight 161 kg
Fuel tank capacity 22 liters (reserve 5 liters)
Overall Comparison to the KLR650:
Will the Pegaso do everything the KLR will do?
Yes
Will it do more?
Yes, it has better street ability that the KLR.
Is it worth the double price tag compared to the KLR?
Yes, it is definitely a more refined machine capable of higher comfort and better performance than the KLR.
How would you feel if you dropped it out on a ride?
I would rather drop the KLR.In close:
This has been to present the most enjoyable bike I have owned.
If you would like more on my riding background.
Please check out:
http://www.jeffreyayork.com and
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/adventureridersrideUpdate 10/27/01
I have since sold my Pegaso, after the messy oil changes and a local dealer that was not fun to deal with, It is gone. I traded it in and took the biggest loss I have ever taken in my ownership of more than twenty motorcycles. Different dealers traded the bike as it finally ended at Pro Italia. A gentleman has purchased it for an unknown price to me. He has contacted me thought this site and seems quite happy with the bike. I have no real ill feeling of the Pegaso experience. However, cost of ownership seemed to be quite high and working on the bike was always an enveloping experience. The only problem I had with the bike was some bad gas. (The Texaco station on Hwy 1 in Malibu, California) Anyway both low speed jets were clogged in both carburetors. I took it to the dealer, knowing it was difficult to get to the carburetors. After a full day the bill was over $500.00 dollars US. I have had the same problem on my new Buell M2 Cyclone, (Same Gas Station) it took me about 15 minutes to do the work myself (I like that). The job I have now did not let me ride the Pegaso like it was meant to be ridden. (Long and Adventurous). So, I needed a stronger drug, and the Buell seems to be filling that void very well at this time.
Jeffrey York ( jeffyork@bikerider.com )