DERBI MULHACEN 659 (2006 - on) Review

Derbi 659 Mulhacen motorcycle review - Riding

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£140
Power:	49 bhp
Seat height:	Medium (31.9 in / 810 mm)
Weight:	Low (353 lbs / 160 kg)

Prices

New £4,999

Used £2,300

View bikes for sale

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Derbi Mulhacen 659 is Derbi's first stab at a motorcycle bigger than 125cc, and is a brazen, trend-setting joy. The combination of concept motorcycle styling, Yamaha XT660R mechanicals and funky. Top notch cycle parts adds up to a street-savvy, flat track styled city scalpel of a motorcycle. Outside Soho, however, the Derbi Mulhacen 659 is an irrelevant ornament…

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

3 out of 5 (3/5)

True to its flat tracker inspiration the Derbi Mulhacen 659 is low, narrow and… hard. All of which makes it a rabid whippet of a motorcycle when hooning down nadgy B-roads or a darting jam-buster through town traffic. The Derbi Mulhacen 659 can get a bit flappy at speed, though, M-ways are, quite literally, a pain and its horrible to ride this motorcycle for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Derbi Mulhacen 658 uses Yamaha’s tried and tested four-valve 660 engine, which is pretty much the definitive modern thumper and rightly popular both with the public and industry (the Aprilia Pegaso uses the same engine) alike. The Derbi Mulhacen 659 haas impeccable manners and predictability, decent (rather than exactly thrilling) performance and utter reliability are the reasons why this motorycle is loved so much.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

4 out of 5 (4/5)

There’s little doubting much of the Derbi Mulhacen 659's quality but it’s too early to say how well the motorcycle hangs together – or whether they instead blow off into the wind. Derbi’s 125s aren't exactly the most robust motorcycles under the sun, after all. That said, Derbi Mulhacen 659 owners will surely pamper rather than pulverise their motorcycles…

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

At only a few hundred pounds more than the comparable (but much more lowly specced) Yamaha MT03 and Aprilia Pegaso Strada, there’s no doubting the Derbi Mulhacen 659 seems good value new. How durable it turns out to be, howevere, remains to be seen. Find a Derbi Mulhacen 659 for sale.

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Derbi Mulhacen 659 is a mouth-watering joy, from its funky instrument panel to its wavy discs and LED tail light. So well equipped, in fact, it makes any other sub-£6K rival motorcycle look like they’re made from scaffold poles and dustbin lids. That said, the Derbi Mulhacen 659 is a bit flimsy here and there. But as a glitzy ornament, there are few roadster motorcycles that are better…

Specs
Engine size	659cc
Engine type	4v dohc single 5 gears
Frame type	Aluminium trellis
Fuel capacity	13 litres
Seat height	810mm
Bike weight	160kg
Front suspension	None
Rear suspension	Preload
Front brake	320mm wavy disc
Rear brake	240mm disc
Front tyre size	120/80 x 18in
Rear tyre size	150/70 x 18in

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	42 mpg
Annual road tax	£117
Annual service cost	£140
New price	£4,999
Used price	£2,300
Insurance group	10 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	49 bhp
Max torque	41 ft-lb
Top speed	105 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	14.3 secs
Tank range	90 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2006: Derbi Mulhacen 659 motorcycle launched.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the DERBI MULHACEN 659 (2006 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their DERBI MULHACEN 659 (2006 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your DERBI MULHACEN 659 (2006 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Engine:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Reliability & build quality:	3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Value vs rivals:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Equipment:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£140

5 out of 5 a lovely little commuter

12 October 2015 by tim hammett

Version: cafe (black)

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £140

almost everything you quote about the bike is wrong. I have had the bike from new and average 65mpg in all driving conditions which makes it an ideal commuter and i have achieved 172 miles on a tank. Hope this will encourage people not to be off by poor reviews of this bike.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

ride is a little vibey above 80 mph but is ok for 20-30 miles (not a motorway bike). Brakes are excellent as they are Brembo but the rear disc will warp if used too often. Not really a two up bike except maybe to the shops!

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

an early split of the oil return pipe (to the frame) was annoying but since then i have had no problems and am currently on 17330 miles

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

Buying experience: from dealer came with 3 years unlimited mileage warranty

4 out of 5

02 September 2015 by YesEvil 53

Version: Angel Nieto Limited Edition

Year: 2010

A great little bike.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

A fun bike to ride would be 5 of 5 if is was not for the hesitencey at around 3k rpm (I believe this how the ECU fueling is set by the manufactures to get past the euro 3 emmision laws) Brembo Brakes with braided lines the brake are very sharp and powerful for a single disc. (No ABS)

Engine 5 out of 5

Great engine very tunable. I am ignoring the ECU fuelling here.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

The bike has never let me down. Replaced the battery after 5 years and 6k miles and that has been it. The frame welds are not the cleanest I have seen though.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

because over 600cc it is in the highest road tax bracket. insurance is cheap. servicing cost about average

Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: bought from J&S

4 out of 5 Created for Comfort

06 January 2008 by ErnsTT

I disagree strongly with the lousy seeting comfort, we rode it for 18.000km now, and it still rocks, the shock actually gets a bit soggy now, and build quality is a little off perfect, but the sheer fun of the little bratbike compensates for the little nigles. The fuelling is a little off the beat at slow speeds, once ont the free road it's a real joy, we rode it to its actory near Barcelona, sure a langer ride than the afore mentioned quarter of an hour :-) A complete ride report is to be found here: http://www.sylviastuurman.eu/motor/derbiride/

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5