Motorcycle specifications Cagiva600 River 1995

An inattentive glance might lead one to believe that Daniele Vitali, designer of the 600 River, had set out to design an inexpensive little GT. But the approach is somewhat different. In fact, this young designer's mission was to create an urban motorcycle that emphasized its practicality and ease of use in traffic, while keeping the price as low as possible. Released in 1995, the River 600 surprised a motorcycling community unaccustomed to this new genre.

Cagiva didn't bother to find an engine for it. The 601cc of the W16 trail bike is virtually identical, with the addition of a catalytic converter. Unfortunately, this reduces the power of the single-cylinder engine, which didn't really need it. It is, however, sufficiently flexible and does its job properly. Although the gear ratios aren't quite right for a city bike, and the clutch is frankly too hard, this 34-hp, 5-mkg-torque engine, fitted with a balance beam, still gets the River up to nearly 160 km/h.

On the chassis side, the picture is much more positive. The steel frame, combined with an inverted Marzocchi fork and Boge monoshock, provides excellent roadholding. And while the Italian manufacturer was keen to keep the price of its new model down, it didn't succumb to the temptation to cut back on the quality of its equipment. The bike is precise and stable in curves, yet easy to handle and lively in town. The brakes, too, are a credit to the manufacturer. The 320mm front disc is clamped by a 4-piston Brembo caliper, amply sized for the bike's 160kg weight. In short, a dazzling chassis in view of the engine's modest performance.

In everyday use, the River can't leave you indifferent. The bike is easy to ride, reassuring, comfortable and very practical. The seat and suspension keep both rider and passenger comfortable, and the small windscreen offers better protection than you might expect. When it comes to practicality, we immediately applaud the small pocket on the front of the fuel tank, where you can stash your papers, change or cell phone. The pair of fixed panniers (lockable) supplied as standard is also a good find on this sub-6000€ bike. Admittedly, they're not roomy enough to stow a helmet, let alone go on vacation, but they can accommodate a briefcase, a small backpack, an anti-theft device, etc., without detracting from the bike's overall size. Because, let's not forget, an urban motorcycle has to be able to weave its way through traffic. To conclude the "Equipment" chapter, we should also mention a fairly reliable fuel gauge, a watch, a really usable passenger handgrip, and the absence of a rev counter (even if the engine's natural placidity means it can be dispensed with).

The year after its launch, this urban motorcycle received a little trail brother: the 600 Canyon, which, although it didn't have a great commercial career in France, did take over some of River's sales. The Canyon's aesthetics and positioning were more classic (to the detriment of practicality). The River 600 left the Cagiva France catalog at the end of 1998 and was never replaced. It did, however, have a descendant in the shape of the River 500 (the same model, but with a smaller engine), but this model, produced from 2000 onwards, never put its gumshoes on French soil. Motorcyclists didn't forgive it for having too small an engine.

The press emphasized the qualities of the 600 River's chassis, but wished for a more modern, high-performance engine: a more modern, liquid-cooled single-cylinder, which never arrived.

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