Alligator A-6 2017 — Specifications

One might have believed that the neo-retro custom scene had definitively turned its back on pure performance. The Alligator A-6, with its 710 cm3 single-cylinder engine and stripped-down café-racer look, comes to remind us that some manufacturers refuse this compromise. Here, minimalism is a philosophy of substance, not an excuse for weakness.

The large, four-stroke single-cylinder engine, air-cooled and fuel-injected, announces 70 horsepower. On a dry weight base of 145 kilograms, these figures take on another dimension. They promise a lively, responsive motorcycle, whose claimed top speed of 225 km/h seems perfectly credible. The torque, although not quantified, must be substantial from mid-range, typical of a large single that pushes more than it revs. The five-speed transmission and final chain drive complete a simple, robust mechanical layout, designed to be stressed without frills.

The chassis reveals a resolutely sporty approach. A chromoly frame accommodates an inverted 43 mm cartridge fork at the front and two rear shock absorbers, a rare configuration on a custom that generally relies on a monoshock. Tires in 120 and 180 on 17-inch rims, combined with dual front and single rear disc brakes, confirm this orientation. The wheelbase of 1524 mm is short for road use, guaranteeing agility in corners that Harley-Davidson Sportsters or even Triumph Bonnevilles cannot offer.

The true stroke of genius lies in the all-carbon fiber bodywork. This choice, more common on a Ducati Panigale V4 R than on a café-racer, underlines the obsessive quest for lightness. With a 12.5-liter tank, range will be limited, but it’s the price to pay for such a taut and aggressive silhouette. The A-6 makes no concessions to comfort or touring. It is the embodiment of a motorcycle purism: a charismatic engine, a responsive chassis, a radical look. It is aimed at the rider who seeks raw sensation, who prefers direct dialogue with mechanics over electronic assistance. Faced with Yamaha XSR900s or BMW R nineTs, it offers a much narrower road, but infinitely more personal.