All Tests – The Right Price! – Used DERBI

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The right price !

All Tests - The Right Price! - Used DERBI

Presented in Munich in 2004, the Mulhacen 659 represents the culmination of a daring approach on the part of a brand hitherto confined to small engines. Victim of a price too high when it was released, it is now displayed at 4490 €. Banco? Test.

Launched on the French market in May 2006 at 7,500 euros (read), the Derbi Mulhacen has so far achieved confidential sales: of the 200 models available in France, the importer still has some "fifteen"in his garage, despite significant price reductions (read) linked to the evolution of anti-pollution standards (the Mulhacen 659 meets Euro2 standards).

However, several elements suggested that the Mulhacen (named after the highest peak – 3,482 m – in the Iberian Peninsula) was promised a better future:

In addition to a clever mix between Scrambler and Roadster, the little Spanish girl offers quality equipment and the single-cylinder engine of the Yamaha 660 XT R / X (read our "Technical" box), renowned for its reliability and goodwill.

Technical side

Developed around the single cylinder with single overhead camshaft 4-stroke with four valves Yamaha, the 659 Mulhacen takes all the characteristics of this engine with liquid cooling archi proven that one finds on the range XT and on the MT-03 of the manufacturer with three tuning forks: the bore of 100 mm coupled with a stroke of 84 mm bring the displacement to 659.7cc developing 47 hp. The torque of 5.95 mkg is available earlier than on the original engine, thanks to work on the Nippondenso electronic injection and on the airbox / exhaust assembly.

On the chassis side, Derbi chose a tubular steel element with a thin section "to ensure rigidity and stability"and the magnificent aluminum swingarm (one-piece), coupled with an imposing inverted Marzocchi fork with a diameter of 43 mm (120 mm of travel) and the Sachs lateral mono-shock absorber, take care – rather well – to ensure the ground connection.

Braking is provided at the front by an impressive Brembo device comprising master cylinder and radially mounted four-piston calipers that pinch a 320mm "Wave" disc, while the rear uses the same type of material (a single piston ) and a 245 mm "Wave" disc. Finally, the weight contained (162 kg dry, or 15 less than an XTX) combined with the small width of the Pirelli Skorpion mixed tires (110 at the front / 150 at the rear) and the measured wheelbase of the machine (1,386 mm) give it diabolical agility !

  • Its design is also undeniably successful: the firm Derbi, created in 1927 – and attached to the Piaggio group since 2001 – also explains that it is the reception of the public in front of the prototype presented at the Intermot of 2004 that has them. convinced of investing in the mid-size market: "it was initially only a project, a bet, a design exercise which obtained the third prize of the Open Category awarded by the Motorcycle Design Association (MDA). Over the next twelve months, the members of Derbi worked hard to make the necessary alterations to the initial concept and to materialize it on a motorcycle. The idea was to offer a return to the motorcycle of the past based on modern technological elements."…

    Mixture of genres

    Imagined and designed by Klaus Nennewitz (a Dirt Track fan), the 659 Mulhacen is inspired by these earth racing machines: we thus find a wide handlebars with flat bar, the 18 "spoked wheels mounted on mixed Pirelli tires. Skorpion, a reasonable seat height (83 cm) and a huge side exhaust which is reminiscent of Scott Parker’s XR 750 from which Harley – Davidson was recently inspired for its XR 1200 (read the test) !

    However, Derbi was not content to capitalize on the fashion of vintage: if the stripped and stocky look of the Mulhacen indeed gives desires of "great escape", its modern equipments contrast radically with the Triumph which allowed Steve McQueen to fly to the Swiss border in the film by John Sturges, shot in 1963 !

    In fact, the first big displacement of the manufacturer of Barcelona is based on a formidable "full radial" braking device stamped Brembo (as effective at the front as at the rear) as well as on an imposing inverted fork of 43 mm and a well-crafted swingarm to ensure top-notch road performance.

    The clean, tapered lines of the rear part blend well with the two LED taillights and the original seat cowl. This can easily be replaced by a saddle for a possible passenger, but the high perched footrests and the small space allocated to the seat will soon discourage the more daring. !

    Favorite motorbike exclusively focused on driving pleasure, the Mulhacen can be eaten as an egoist and overlooked the practical aspects: the storage space shines by its absence and if the dashboard is ultra modern, practical (a flicking on the left stalk allows you to scroll through the information and adjust the light intensity) and readable, it skips a gasoline gauge which would be welcome with a tank of only 12 liters and an average consumption of more of 6 liters per 100 km. Especially with such a range (140 km approximately before the reserve indicator light comes on), the difficult filling of the tank quickly becomes a priesthood. !

    The finish is neat, although the tangle of wires behind the (small) windshield swears a bit, as is the "gas plant" side of the single cylinder on the right side and the oil tank breather – installed in the frame – located just under the pilot’s gaze. The unique white and red color is perfect for the Derbi and the mix of the sharp edges of the gray side scoops, the gold anodized treatment of the inverted fork and the chrome of the imposing exhaust even exudes a little chic touch..

    Full of good will !

    Stuck in the Parisian traffic jams, the handling of the Mulhacen is obvious: the driving position is not uncomfortable thanks to a handlebar that keeps the bust straight and notches in the tank that allow you to place your thighs. However, these will suffer from being a little too folded for users over 1.75 m, a pain in tune with that felt in the rear after only a few tens of kilometers! The upholstery of the seat was obviously not at the top of the manufacturer’s specifications !

    In terms of annoying details, the limited turning radius (thank you for the inverted fork!), The mirrors (effective) at the same height as those of cars and the engine which hiccups at low revs do not facilitate urban wanderings either. Complicating matters further, the staging of the five-speed gearbox is questionable in built-up areas: at 50 km / h, the mill runs at 2800 rpm in third and at 4800 rpm in second. Either not fast enough in the first case (we regularly find ourselves exceeding the legal limitations to reach the optimal use threshold of mono) and slightly too much in the second…

    However, the four-stroke single-cylinder appears as a precious ally in the discovery of the machine: round and well filled from 3000 to 6000 rpm (the ignition cut off at 7250 rpm), the Yamaha thruster takes the 162 kg dry of the whole with bonhomie! However, the driver will have to deal with the specifics of an engine that had its heyday at the end of the 1970s: vibrating slightly, the mono pounded generously below 2,500 rpm and sent torque and power over only 3,000 rpm: after 6000 laps, it is better to change gear !

    The opportunity to use a gearbox with undeniable pleasure … when you go up the gears! Downshifting lock-up is sometimes rough, slightly tarnishing driving pleasure. The other controls are smooth and efficient, even if the bite of the front brake may surprise in case of inexperience, braking in the wet or, why not, in TT !

    Because the concept of the machine also includes – slight – predispositions to off-road escapades: the Mulhacen plays the card of the versatile machine, as at home in the city as in the countryside! However, trying the Trèfle Lozerien on the Derbi handlebars would be quite a challenge: of course, once off the beaten track, the 18 "rims and the notched profile of the tires provide satisfactory agility and grip, but the low travel of the tires. suspension elements (120 mm) and the absence of an engine protection shoe do not encourage gaudriole !

    Long live the small roads !

    It is finally on the secondary network that the 659 Mulhacen fully flaunts its dynamic qualities: the bike fits there with good will and you can take full advantage of the enjoyable revivals of its single cylinder! This then demonstrates all the merits of this motorization slightly fallen into disuse, making it possible to keep the same ratio over many kilometers as long as the cruising speed is between 80 and 120 km / h..

    Bluffing rigor on the angle (once the apprehension of studded tires has passed!), The little Spanish girl uses her tubular frame and quality fittings to ensure rigor and stability, whatever the speed! The opportunity to salute the good health of the mono which takes its crew to an optimistic 175 km / h counter: it cheats in effect from 10 km / h to 130 km / h and about 15 km / h at beyond: the ideal solution to avoid being "radar" ?

    The powerful braking (a finger is enough most of the time!) Allows to take care of its entries in turns so as to arrive on the good report, and especially the hand frozen on the throttle grip: the engine having a strong torque at low and mid revs, the slightest hesitation or stammering re-acceleration in a curve will soon make you deviate from the trajectory. Live on the changes of angles, the bike requires however dexterity when arousing in rows carried out drum beating: the front (not adjustable) can then play the girls of the air – in particular on big re-accelerations – and the Sachs side single shock absorber mounted on a rod ends up losing its rigor…

    At this price, why deny it ?

    Endearing, fun and efficient, the Mulhacen plays the motorcycle card that we buy above all for its aesthetics! But to reduce the Derbi to an artificial beauty would be a mistake: the machine has exciting dynamic capacities, barely marred by non-existent practical aspects and a very perfectible comfort..

    The single-cylinder is a big part of driving pleasure and even if the modest power (47 hp) can make you smile, the torque available very early on and the character of the mill between 3000 and 6000 rpm are well worth the trip. !

    Placed against Yamaha MT-03 or other Scrambler Triumph, the Spaniard can now advance a weighty argument at the time of the final choice: at 4490 euros, the 659 Mulhacen is a more than interesting alternative for a young driver who wants to stand out from the flow of Bandit and other ER-6, especially since it is available in 34 hp version. Finally, the possibility of going to try out some sliding off road is also a significant asset. !

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