Must be in pain. And whether the Aprilia Moto 6.5 is beautiful? Well, opinions are divided on that. Is it a motorcycle or is it a designer thing? But just like so many motorcycles that were (almost) unsaleable in their time, the APRILIA Motó 6.5 is now a sought-after classic. Thanks to the man who designed ill-fitting chairs and a bizarre orange press: Philippe Starck. Philippe Starck (Paris, January 18, 1949) is a French designer of interiors and utensils… One of Starck's most famous designs is that of the Motó 6.5 motorcycle. But of course there are also those chairs and that orange press.
Aprilia was mainly known for the circuits in the mid-XNUMXs. But on the public road you saw few. And the brand wanted to change that. Phillippe Starck should have done something for Aprilia before: he designed a scooter that would not get further than a prototype.
The 6,5 would change all that. The motorcycle was actually the first 'urban bike'. A beautiful motorcycle for fashionable people in a dynamic urban environment. Or for the sunny edges of the Mediterranean Sea. With the Aprilia Motó 6.5, the emphasis was clearly on maneuverability and controllability. And the looks. Something that Aprilia succeeded well in. The suspension was also praised for its perfect compromise between comfort and handling. But above all, the 6,5 was a design piece, a statement for 'the young and the rich'.
But of course the Franco-Italian approach is different from the German one. The Aprilia Motó 6.5 was such an obvious piece of design work that ordinary motorcyclists didn't want much with it. Plus, there were some structural quirks to the thing. In the first version, for example, the tank could never be run empty because the fuel tap was located far above the lowest part of the tank. On the other hand: the cylinder head with 5 radially placed valves was a nice thing. To ensure correct operation of the radially placed valves, four of the five cams were ground conically. The Aprilia Motó 6.5 was completely destroyed in various German magazines.
That was partly because Philippe Starck had no clue about motorcycles. But with his creation he has actually put 'the design' on the map in motorland. And he did that in a beautiful, super simple way. However, the durability of Starck's idea is questionable. The engines were sloppily assembled and the plastic and paintwork were also not very convincing quality. There was little to worry about when rambling, strolling and cruising. But the Aprilias didn't like plenty of trotting. The top-designed exhaust system was a restriction when exhaling from the Aprilia Motó 6.5.
After production ended in 1996, it took another four years before the last Aprilia Motó 6.5s were sold. In the meantime, they are offered and sold again. Maybe now is the right time to buy one. Because they will probably be very expensive soon. Oh, yes: such an Aprilia Motó 6.5 is also a very nice motorcycle to ride. You would almost forget that. Only the front suspension is too much and the rear suspension is not damped enough. And the Aprilia Moto 6.5 doesn't like brine.
The black 6,5 in the photo is for sale in Flanders for 2.000 euros. At Roadrunner Motoren and Velp there is an almost immaculate orange / silver copy. Think of a maximum of 4.000 euros for a very nice copy. And that is not expensive.
And we also know Stack from all kinds of (some very beautiful) instruments from the automotive and motormotive industry
Hey! I did not know that! Thank you!
In Hilversum there is even 1 as a work of art.
If that isn't proof of taste. .. . .
An absolute top piece!
I doubt Starck didn't have a clue about engines. He had a Honda single-cylinder with identical keys in every city where he had assignments as an architect. (Tokyo, New York). He designed 3 Aprillias, of which the 2 cylinder is certainly a beauty; this 6.5 Citybike is great for cities like Paris, not for outside or in towns like in NL. As an owner, I find the driving behavior too restless, especially in bends. But she is reliable and has been trouble-free for 20 years.
An owner's considerations always outweigh those of an observer! Thanks for the additional info!
Amorphous? Well, as a visual thinker I see the shape of an egg looming around the power source and tank. Still a nice thing, especially the one with orange indeed
Nice that the Aprilia Moto 6.5 is back in the spotlight at 'AMklassiek'. The popularity is increasing and that is noticeable. Where the introduction on December 6, 1994 in Bologna received very mixed reactions from the press and the Aprilia dealers, the appreciation is now growing. This is also reflected in the rising prices. For the first time there will be a special stand for the Moto 23 (in hall 26) at the Motorbeurs in Utrecht (from 2023 to 6.5 February 9). The three versions (orange, ivory and black) will be shown.
Actually a very nice design. Especially in the orange / gray color scheme. Often looked at with a slanted eye, but never dared to purchase. As a conservative BMW driver I kind of regret it
I recently saw one for only two grand in Flanders. That was cheap. And they are getting scarce! Time for a quick decision!
Nice stubborn thing to see, and (or because) it is a one-cylinder. Typically Italian impractical, and that was my 5-valve Yamaha SZR (aka Belgarda). Both, in my opinion, are particularly good for only a few – and for many too few – goals. The opposite of a UJM, with which you could go to work for years without having to repair much - but they are not much fun. Or actually not at all.
So keep this bike in the street scene, because I really appreciate this 'trip'.
And I think the term 'too little fun' is fantastic!
As a rule, engines have horizontal or slightly diagonal predominant lines that give the design unity. But this engine has no lines whatsoever. He is amorphous.
I think that's a nice description! Thank you!