< AllMoto's Motorcycle Investor mag

Motorcycle Investor mag

Aprilia Moto 6.5 on the block

(Oct 3, 2022)

Divisive style exercise

Love it or hate it? Apparently there is no middle ground with the radical curves on Aprilia's Moto 6.5 of the mid-nineties.

It was intended as a vision of the future, with urban use in mind.

According to the Bonhams auction description: "Widely recognised as a motorcycling design icon, the Aprilia Moto 6.5 was created by Philippe Starck, the famous French industrial designer whose portfolio ranges from wind turbines to lemon squeezers, which perhaps explains its passing resemblance to one of his kitchen appliances.

"Introduced in 1995, the Moto 6.5 was powered by the Aprilia Pegaso's (Rotax) five-valve single, which went into a curvaceous bespoke frame.

"With 42bhp on tap, a low seat and weighing a mere 150kg dry (181 wet) Starck's Moto 6.5 effectively fulfilled Aprilia's brief to produce a chic and user-friendly urban roadster."

Sales were sluggish and reviews deeply divided, mixed with criticism of some of the quality and consistency of the finish. The first batch lasted in the market until 1997.

However the model had a near three-year return, starting in late 1999.

It has over the years gained traction on the international art motorcycle circuit, starting with Guggenheim's Art of the Motorcycle show in 1998. More recently it featured in the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (aka QAGOMA, Australia) show in 2020-21. See the YouTube video.

This 1996 example claims around 23,000km on the odo and is carrying an estimate of Au$2600-4400 (US$1700-2800, GB£1500-2500).

In Australia, they were listed new at a premium price of Au$14,990 (US$9700, GB£8600).

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