Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail 2012 — Specifications

When Aprilia decides to evolve the Pegaso, it’s never for nothing. The Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail 2010 represents, in a way, the culmination of a long process of adjustments that has been running since the first versions of the lineage, with this Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail 1997 which already laid the foundations for an assumed versatility. In the meantime, the model had shifted towards a more urban profile with the Strada, seeking to compete with machines like the Yamaha XT660X. This return to a mixed vocation, between tarmac and rough tracks, resembles an admission: the Pegaso has never been more comfortable than when it can get its wheels dirty.

The transformation is visible at first glance. Spoked wheels replace the cast wheels of the road version, fitted with mixed tires in 100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-17 at the rear. The high-mounted front mudguard gives the machine this characteristic trail posture. The suspensions, with their 170 mm of travel on both sides, display a generousness appreciated for overcoming the obstacles that dot the forest tracks. The 45 mm fork and the Sachs mono-shock with Aprilia’s APS progressive linkage manage the whole with a rigor that should reassure those accustomed to occasional excursions off the asphalt. It’s not a competition trail-raid, but the intention is clear.

The heart of the machine, however, has not moved. The Yamaha 660 cc single-cylinder, taken from the Strada version, delivers 50 hp at 6000 rpm and 59 Nm of torque at 5200 rpm, with a specific mapping that gives it two horsepower more than its Japanese counterpart. These figures seem modest, especially compared to current trail-roadsters, but they are perfectly suited to the machine's temperament. Injection manages the pickups with frankness, the single-cylinder pushes regularly without jerks, and the five-speed gearbox works with satisfactory precision. The top speed is limited to 160 km/h, which is quite sufficient for the intended uses. With 168 kg dry weight and a seat height of 820 mm, the machine remains accessible, even if Aprilia offers a raised seat of 40 mm for taller riders looking for more clearance.

Practical aspects are not lacking. Two storage compartments, one under the seat and the other above the 16-liter tank, allow you to carry the essentials. The screen is adjustable in two positions, depending on whether you prioritize protection or ventilation. The combined instrumentation, analog and digital, is controlled from the left handlebar control stalk. These attentions make the Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail a machine designed to be used daily, not simply displayed on weekends. Owners looking for an Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail used often find well-equipped machines, because users of this generation, especially the Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail 2005 and Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail 2007 versions, tend to take care of their equipment.

At 6215 euros in the catalog, the positioning is consistent. This Pegaso Trail is aimed at versatile riders who want a reliable, easy-to-maintain machine capable of getting off the beaten track without requiring advanced off-road skills. It is neither a pure enduro, nor a supermotard, and that’s precisely why it retains its audience. Discussions on Aprilia Pegaso 650 Trail forums confirm this year after year: the recipe works because it doesn’t pretend to be what it is not.