APRILIA MOTO 6.5 (1995 - 2002) Review

Whatever star quality the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5 may possess as a motorcycling design icon (and it has lots), it’s sadly more than matched by its overwhelming ‘averageness’ in terms of performance. The Aprilia Moto 6.5 is OK, in a F650/Pegaso sort of way, but you’ve got to love to weird looks to contemplate it. 

The Aprilia Moto 6.5 was designed as a chic town motorcycle and that’s where it works best: nimble steering, narrow seat and plush, pot-hole-proof suspension makes it ideal at traffic carving. Thin saddle means, however, that it’s ill suited to long rides.

The Aprilia Moto 6.5's straightforward Rotax five-valver is identical to that powering the last generation Aprilia Pegaso so it’s fairly brisk, flexible and fault-free. Like most big single powered motorcycles, though, the Aprilia Moto 6.5 quickly runs out of puff if pushed hard on fast A-roads or motorways and it’s transmission is a tad clunky at low speeds.

Not as good as hoped. Materials are a little thin, finishes a bit, er minimal, and not only is the Aprilia Moto 6.5 more susceptible to corrosion than most, bits occasionally fall off or break, too.

As a future classic, the Aprilia Moto 6.5 is currently fairly good value with decent-ish examples to be had for not much over £1000. As a useful road motorcycle, however, you’d be far better off with a more conventional road trailie… Find an Aprilia Moto 6.5 for sale.

Remember Starck’s minimalist ‘Rocket’ orange juicer? Well the Aprilia Moto 6.5 follows the same basic is beautiful mantra, too. So, there are no frills clocks, no extra comforts and bare-bones essentials. Less, apparently, is more… Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia Moto 6.5 in the MCN Shop.