Thanks for the info guys. Nomadic1 - much as I would love a 1200GS I can't afford one. Probaly too big as well - I'm vertically challenged at 5'5".

I mainly want the bike for weekend camping trips and day to day commuting. Not intending on any RTW trips for the time being.

Hi Mooster,


seems to be appropriate!

Your original question was about the Pegaso and no one seems to be discussing it with you, up to now anyway.

I haven't owned one I have to say, so there is no expertise on my part about the bike - I have talked with a few owners, the way you do when out and about, and they all seemed to like the Pegaso.
It used to have a Rotax engine, like the 650GS BMW, and I reckon that engine is a good one and very reliable (it goes well on my wife's bike!), especially in it's later versions with fuel injection - recent models are being fitted with the Yam 660cc engine I learnt a short time ago from another thread in here. You may want to look closely at that new bike and see how new it really is - some Aprilia models have not sold well and you can get, say, a two year old one very cheap because it has been in the crate that long. Nothing wrong with that as such, but it is worth being aware of why a bargain price may be offered.

As for the price, it is a good time of year, say over the next month or so, to be haggling over the price of bikes; it will be a buyers market now that the new registration number has been issued in the UK and it slows down anyway, heading into winter.
If YOU like the bike then don't worry too much what anyone else thinks on the subject but it is interesting to glean information and opinion (which I guess is why some of us read these posts!).

For Aprilia in general, you can do a search on keywords, such as "aprilia", in here (search facility on the left of your screen) and you will find lots more postings that may interest you.

Hope this is of some assistance,

Oh yes, I suggest you have a read of the Kawasaki KLE threads; tremendous enthusiasm in there for a very simple, reliable and very good value bike that may not be around much longer in the 500cc form.

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Dave

The other thing about the Pegaso is many of the parts are compatible with the equivalent model BMW F650 (those one that have the Rotax engine that is) and here's the kicker... mostly the BMW sourced parts are cheaper! In NZ, the mirrors are exactly the same but NZ$30 less from BMW.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

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Walkabout & Nigel,

Thanks for this - sounds like the peggaso could be a good choice. Just need to pass my test now...I have the theory part tomorrow morning so fingers crossed.

Ah, you'll fly through that!! (but good luck!).

Here's a thread to read:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ish-over-29182

See if you can get the A owner to tell you more about them.

Cheers,

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Dave

Mooster, i think you have picked a good first bike, i am a relative newbie and bought a XT660R and find it excelent for my needs. The pegaso has the same engine. I recently toured Iceland on mine and found it the perfect bike for the job, not too heavy, dual purpose, plenty of power fully loaded.

Passed the theory

Start my practical course tomorrow - test next Wednesday...cool

Oohhh, be careful now... once you enter the hallowed portals of Bikedom you become one of us! You enter a world of cold/damp/lust(of bikes you don't yet have)/stress(of the motorist-dodging variety), and financial hardship(see Lust). But you also enter a world of friendship/fun/, and on this site at least an appreciation of chasing the horizon.
As for the Pegaso, for a first bike it seems ideal, as if you don't like it after a while you can change it without too much of a financial hit. Just get some miles under your belt to decide this - all hail roads,trails,tracks and byways!

No worries. How about a factory lowered 650GS then? My missus is selling hers too (we're emmigrating) and that also has abs, heated grips, luggage etc?

She's 5'2 so should be perfect for you?

£3,500 and its yours.

Also note, that BMW are offering reduced insurance - meaning that you can get fully comp for £120 and unlimited mileage as well as including full european break down cover.

Cant be bad when my 1st insurance quote was £1200+!

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Nomadic - interesting - can you tell me anymore about the bike (age, mileage) and where are you based?

Cheers
Rob

Sure no worries. Im based in Sheffield.

F650GS
The bike was bought for my wife by me back in February of this year from a fellow traveller. It has 16k on the clock, is MOT'd and Taxed to May 08. The bike is factory lowered, meaning that straight out the door its got specially lowered shocks and smaller travel forks (not dropped through the clamps like other 'lowered' bikes) so that geometry is not affected. It also has the added bonus of the optional BMW 'low' seat, knocking a further couple of inches off the overall height.

The bike is standard except for the following:-
Puig touring screen (very similar to the 650GS dakar version)
Autocom
Kenwood radio for bike to bike intercomms
FAMSA tank bag
Vario panniers + rack (with locks key coded to ignition)
ABS + heated grips
Hand guards



R1200GS


The bike is an 04 R1200GS in rock red/silver side panels. The bike itself is totally standard, bought from Rainbow BMW in Nov of last year as a approved used motorcycle. It came complete with 1 year warranty and european breakdown cover (which can be transferred to you). It is taxed until Nov and MOT'd until Apr 08.

The bike is totally standard, except for the following additions:-
touratech zega panniers + rack
touratech gps mount
touratech 2610 anti-shake cradle
autocom
garmin 2610 sat nav
kenwood radio for bike to bike intercomms
FAMSA tank bag
touratech tail bag


Never dropped, crashed, or 'mistakenly dropped on the garage floor'. Its got 35k on the clock, full bmw service history, and I think am the 3rd owner. Got full paper work, spare set of keys, data tag and bmw alarm.

Absolutely great runner, and has never failed on me.

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forgot to mention, if it helps, email me at xing_yi_fist at hotmail dot com, I dont get opportunity to check this site as often as i'd like.

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