Quick Ride

QUICK RIDE

CAGIVA RIVER 600 Practical chic for briefcase bikers

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHer, most of the major bike-makers have marketed a commuter bike. Italy’s Cagiva is the latest, with its River 600.

Cagiva’s aim was to deliver an everyday bike that was adept at handling city traffic, yet could be used for medium-distance touring, all at a contained price. The River will sell for 8.5 million lira in Italy-the equivalent of about $5200 at current exchange rates, including Italy’s 19 percent VAT/local tax. It helped that

Cagiva used its venerable T4 601cc air-cooled four-valve Single, which debuted back in 1988 and long ago covered its development costs. The riding position offers an upright stance, and the small, clear-plastic, handlebar-mounted windscreen does a good job of keeping wind blast at bay, even while cruising at the 85-to-90-mph speeds the River is easily capable of. Top speed is about 100 miles per hour.

The engine runs fairly smoothly for a Single, thanks to a balance shaft and hefty, tingle-damping weights at the handlebar ends. It could be more flexible, though. Part of the problem is the five-speed gearbox-its dual-purpose-derived ratios aren’t very suitable for a streetbike, with bottom gear too low, and too big a gap between fourth and top. Additionally, clutch pull is quite stiff. Considering that the River is targeted at customers who expect convenience and ease of use from their two-wheeled transportation, this is a key defect.

The rest of bike, though, sets new standards for the commuter-bike class. The steel, twin-spar chassis gives firstrate handling. Steering is stable and precise around fast turns, yet light and responsive on city streets. The quality of ride is superb-the River’s supple suspension really delivers the goods. With a claimed 353pound dry weight, the 600 gets by very well with a single 12.6inch Brembo front brake.

As good as all this sounds, it’s the River’s many bright design features that really make the bike endearing. A flip-top receptacle in the front of the fuel tank provides a stash location that saves you having to halfway undress at toll booths to pay the “rights” of passage. A cleverly designed grab handle provides a range of mounting points for bungee cords. Bolted-on lockable luggage boxes are big enough to hold documents, raingear and a bag lunch, though not big enough for a helmet.

With a host of low-maintenance features like an O-ring drive chain and sealed-for-life battery, as well as the proven nature of its sohc, four-valve, wet-sump engine, the River should earn itself a reputation for dependability in daily use, in spite of a balky clutch and weird gearing. It delivers practical enjoyment in a nicely relaxing way. You just let the River flow, and find its own way down the highway at a comfortable speed.

Alan Cathcart