This page is to be seen as an addition to all existing MOTO-Sites. It is tried to be kept in English as there are plenty of MOTO-riders around the world, and English is spoken by the majority of all. So first let me begin with my MOTO experience, starting in October 1999.
There is quite a lot to say to the moto.
Let me do the main thing first: I never felt sorry about having bought a moto 6.5. I
really like it very much, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.
The dificulty is the point that my oppinion is as less objective as all the other
oppinions you will find within a bulk of MOTO-fans.
But let me try to give you a short summary of the experience I made with my moto since
October 1999.
I decided to bike again. I paused for about 10 years, only riding 50 cc's or scooters. In
advance I was making up my mind, what motorcycle I would like. I had a few favorites in
the past: Yamaha SR 500, or Honda 500 XL. I always liked one cylinder engines. I didn'
want a bike having sort of "racing character" like Moto Guzzi LMIII, or Ducati
600/900 (not to mention all this japanese stuff i can't get warm with).
In the end the SR 500 techniqe was robust but about 15 years old. The models I saw were in
bad condition and/or too expensive. All XL 500 were a case for the scrap yard. I didn't
want to repair all day. All other one cylinder cycles in the 500/600 ccm range had far too
much plastic, reminding me of dinosaurs.
So in the end it was very much a question of taste that lead me to the moto 6.5. I bought
it with 9500 km. Black anthracite.
First I felt a bit insecure on a "heavy" bike like this. This feeling left after
a few weeks of riding. I guess I only had to get used to this new feeling of motorcycling.
I were looking for details: The engine ist without doubt. BMW uses the Rotax 650 engine
slightly modified for the "F 650", and the austrian Rotax company is well known
for their competence in motors. The "Pegaso" uses the same type also. So there
should be enough support and spare parts. In fact you can use oil filters and other engine
wear off parts from each of those model for the MOTO too.
Other replacement parts are a quite a point. In fact you can reliably get any original
part from aprilia. For all parts you regulary have to wait a few days, because no known
dealer has MOTO-parts on stock. The MOTO is too rare. There are parts that are more
expensive than Japanese pendants, others are much cheaper. So this should not be the
point.
But there are many parts you can take from other motorcycles instead. The break pads for
example can be taken from BMW F650 (front) or Kawasaki KE 600 (rear), as the
"Brembo" breaks are used on these bikes also. There is an equivalent for the
geardrive (chain) and many other parts also. Mass production really makes it worth having
a closer look at those substitutes. You find the tips on the MOTO-site.
Nevertheless there is one major part many MOTO riders changed very quickly: The tyres.
They are widely judged as bad. Although I know some drivers that use the original tyres
from beginning to the end without any problems.
The other problem many drivers (me too) encounter is the fuel consumption. 9 to 10 liters
per 100 km seems normal. But with a few and easy tuning tips consumption can be adjusted
to about 6 to 7 liters/100 km. You will also find these tips in the MOTO-site.
What should be mentionend is a construction "bug" of the petrol tank. Early
models didn't have the second fuel tap and no fuel pump. The result was, that about 3
litres of fuel were traped on one side of the tank and couldn't be used. Later, Aprilia
changed this construction, so all 16 liters of fuel could be burned. In fact the range of
the old models were about 100 to 120 km with one tank, having 10 liters for normal use and
3 liters in spare (the other 3 liters were not accessible). For those drivers, including
me, fuel saving tips were even more relevant than for others, having a new tank.
If you're able, you should look out for this detail. If you aren't, you will have to
reduce consumption. But never mind, I can do about 180 km before I switch to reserve fuel.
And after all this is not really a handicap for me.
All in all I would consider the moto as a very reliable motorcycle that can be used for
small to medium distance travel. I didn't have any serious technical problems so far. And
what I know from other MOTO-fans within the forum, there haven't really been any serious
ones either. Apart from the usual wear-offs, oil changing intervals, chain exchanges,
a.s.o. everything works fine. There is no typical "moto-illness" known to me.
In general I would recommend the moto to ride. It's reliable and doesn't make a lot
trouble. It's technique is modern. The price is fair (the ones they offered to me were).
And not to forget: It looks really great.
So I hope I could help you with my information. Let me hear how you decided. Bye for
now.