Aprilia in 2009 AMA Daytona Sportbike class

Aprilia USA, the North American importer and distributor of Aprilia sport bikes, announces the debut of an all-new factory-sponsored road racing team in the new 2009 AMA Daytona SportBike class, part of the 2009 AMA Superbike Championship series. The Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies team will be managed exclusively by KWS Motorsports and will compete on the Aprilia RSV 1000R. The 12-race Daytona SportBike class premieres at the historic, first-ever night-time running of the Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway, March 6.

With the debut of Italy’s Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano onboard Aprilia’s much anticipated new RSV4 superbike in the 2009 World Superbike series, Aprilia USA is considering its rookie season on the Daytona SportBike circuit as an important American circuit test bed for 2010.

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Tuscon Superleggera finished

Tucson has beaten its goal of creating a 100kg, 550cc Aprilia v-twin-powered sportsbike. In an independent weigh-in conducted by French magazine Moto Journal, using a calibrated scale, the Tucson BT550 came in at just 97kg (214lbs). That figure includes oil in the engine and water in the radiator, but not fuel. For some perspective, the road-going two-stroke Aprilia RS250 weighed 141kg (dry). Had Tucson decided to use the Strawber solid carbon fiber wheels that it had originally planned, instead of these forged aluminum items, it reckons that weight would be 2.5kg less. But this isn't the end for project BT550.

The French custom firm now plans to have the engine converted to run on E85 and to have body panels produced from organic (rather than carbon) fiber. Both should combine to reduce the BT550's impact on the environment when it's raced next year. That E85 should bring another benefit: more power. Already rated at 70bhp, Tucson's engine uses a custom cam for more peak power, while the E85 fuel should increase that figure by a further 10%.

We're seriously impressed by the end result of this project. Check out the size of the BT550 as it sits in front of its creators, Bako and Jeff; bikes of this size simply aren't produced any more. In fact, we'd like to see a picture of it next to a 125GP racer to see which is smaller. Using that 70bhp figure, it achieves a power to weight ratio of .7:1, in comparison, a CBR600RR is around .6:1.

Source & more pics: HellforLeather

V2 Racing Dorsoduro RR

V2 Racing is an Italian Company that specializes in tuning in modifying Aprilia's. They have their own Supermoto team and next year they will be competing with this Dorsoduro RR in the new FIM Hypermoto class that will be racing next to the FIM Supermoto. This Dorsoduro is heavily modified and has lots of trick parts. For more info about this bike check out Supermoto Central

Times of the last day at the Kyalami WSBK test

Today Biaggi and Nakano dedicated their testing to the development RSV4 engine, trying different configurations and parts. Max Biaggi has totaled 49 turns and with his best time of 1 ' 40” 768 he secured eighth place in today's ranking. Shinya Nakano has realized 32 laps with a best time of 1 ' 40” 968, which was good for the 9th place in the rankings.

" These three days helped us a lot - Biaggi has declared - we have worked a lot and collected a lot of information. The problem of the vibrations at the entry of the corner remains, now in this period of pause we will work hard to find a solution to this problem. They are the typical problems for a new V4 engine like this, it's nothing big but we will have to tuck up the sleeves and work on it, I really trust in the abilities of the Aprilia technicians “.

“I am satisfied about the three days of testing - Nakano has said - we learned a lot and where also able to set good times . These tests where very valuable, I have studied this circuit from top to bottom and the feeling with the RSV4 has grown. Too bad today we had a small technical problem that has forced us to spend to much time the box”.

1. Michel Fabrizio Ducati Xerox 1min 39.714secs
2. Ben Spies Yamaha Italia 1min 39.978secs
3. Noriyuki Haga Ducati Xerox1min 39.984secs
4. Jonathan Rea Ten Kate Honda 1min 40.035secs
5. Carlos Checa Ten Kate Honda 1min 40.170secs
6. Max Neukirchner Alstare Suzuki 1min 40.394secs
7. Yukio Kagayama Alstare Suzuki 1min 40.675secs
8. Max Biaggi Aprilia 1min 40.768secs
9. Shinya Nakano Aprilia 1min 40.968secs
10. Ryuichi Kiyonari Ten Kate Honda 1min 41.067secs
11. Troy Corser BMW 1min 41.102secs
12. Tom Sykes Yamaha Italia 1min 41.562secs
13. Ruben Xaus BMW 1min 41.996secs

Succesful first day for Aprilia at WSBK Kyalami test

Ahead of what is anticipated to be an incredibly close season of racing, three different manufacturers filled the top three positions, while newcomers Aprilia and BMW showed they will be a force to be reckoned with as they kept up with the pace.

Behind Fabrizio, hotly tipped rookie Ben Spies was an impressive second best on the Yamaha, the American edging out Max Neukirchner on the Suzuki, even if he was some three tenths down on Fabrizio's best.

Neukirchner's team-mate Yukio Kagayama led the way early on, but while he eventually slipped to fifth, Suzuki will be encouraged with the strong early pace of their K9 GSX-R1000.

Aprilia's Shinya Nakano was also one of the day's stars as he belied his lack of Superbike knowledge in an excellent sixth place. Given how new the RSV-4 still is, the team will be pleased to see Nakano getting to within half a second of Fabrizio's leading pace.

Team-mate Max Biaggi, who missed much of the day after a series of problems with his flight, was just behind in seventh, albeit six tenths off Nakano, but ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari, who led Ten Kate Honda's fairly quiet challenge. Team-mates Carlos Checa and Jonathan Rea, who collided with Haga early on, were 11th and 12th respectively, but completed just 26 laps between them.

WSBK - Kyalami - First day Pirelli test

01 Fabrizio (Ita-Ducati) 1′41″204 (66 giri)
02 Spies (Usa-Yamaha) 1′41″599 (46)
03 Neukirchner (Ger-Suzuki) 1′41″713 (69)
04 Haga (Jap-Ducati) 1′41″730 (31)
05 Kagayama (Jap-Suzuki) 1′41″755 (39)
06 Nakano (Jap-Aprilia) 1′41″846 (51)
07 Biaggi (Ita-Aprilia) 1′42″446 (29)
08 Kiyonari (Jap-Honda) 1′42″744 (62)
09 Corser (Aus-Bmw) 1′42″975 (33)
10 Xaus (Spa-Bmw) 1′43″274 (41)
11 Checa (Spa-Honda) 1′43″418 (10)
12 Rea (GB-Honda) 1′44″496 (16)
13 Sykes (GB-Yamaha) 1′46″780 (16).

More MCN news about the RSV4

More news about the RSV4 from MCN. This time its the street version they talk about. They also talk about the upcoming RSV4 naked and there is talk about future Aprilia models like a V4 Supermoto,V4 Adventure bike and other models.

Very interesting read! Go check it out here

thanks to Henrik Faber-Madsen

MCN RSV4 video

MCN disects the RSV4

More RSV4 news. MCN did a writeup on the RSV4 WSBK version and it's also viewable online. Very interesting read.

Go check it out here

Very cool RSV4 video

Found this great video about the RSV4, it even shows some of the technical details of the bike like the shower injectors.

Simoncelli tests RSV4

Marco Simoncelli was given a special reward for winning this year's 250cc World Championship, when he rode Aprilia's new RSV4 World Superbike machine at Valencia on Tuesday.

Simoncelli clinched his first world title riding for Gilera - which, like Aprilia, is owned by Piaggio - allowing the Italian to try the 1000cc four-stroke which Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano will race in WSBK next season.

Marco completed 37 laps was a best time of 1min 36.3sec, which was one second slower than Nakano (69 laps) but one second faster than Aprilia test rider - and former MotoGP racer - Alex Hofmann (50 laps).

"It was great fun. The motorcycle is much bigger than I am used to, but I was able to lap quite quickly and therefore I am happy," said Simoncelli. "The RSV4 has a lot of power, which I could really feel during acceleration."

Simoncelli will remain in 250cc to defend his title next season, and is then expected to make the move to MotoGP in 2010. Simoncelli has already been linked with Yamaha and Ducati.

Aprilia's 125 and 250cc teams have been testing alongside the marque's WSBK squad at Valencia this week.

Nakano: "The RSV4 feels just like a MotoGP bike"

Shinya Nakano got his first taste of the Aprilia RSV4 he will campaign in next years World Superbike Championship at Valencia yesterday.

Nakano will use the test to get the base setting of the bike set-up before heading to the first official top teams test which takes place in Kylami, South Africa during the second week of December.

Shinya Nakano was testing with Alex Hofmann, Nakano did an 1'36.3 which is not bad at all for a first ride on the bike. The fastest Valencia WSBK time was a 1'34.9 during free practice this year.

After the fast lap Nakano told technical director Gigi Dall'Igna that driving the RSV4 isn't that much different from riding a MotoGP bike and that was a nice compliment for the Italian technician.

Aprilia RSW 500 V2's for sale

Direct from the Aprilia Racing Department, an opportunity not to be missed for all enthusiasts.

For the first time, collectors can acquire an Aprilia RSW 500 V2.

… these are the original bikes which took part in the 500 cc World Championships during 1999 and 2000 with Tetsuya Harada and Jeremy McWilliams.

Only a very limited number are available:

- n° 2 RSW 500 V2 model Harada 1999

- n° 2 RSW 500 V2 model Harada 2000

- n° 2 RSW 500 V2 model Mc Williams 2000

RXV550 vs KTM300exc

After all the RSV4 news it's time for some offroad news. Motociclismo.it compared the 2009 RXV to the KTM 300 EXC. Kind of a weird comparison a twin four stroke 550 to a 300cc two-stroke but they must have had their reasons. The review features a nice gallery with plenty of beautiful pics.

Go check it out here

RSV4 WSBK in new colors

Spotted at the Aprilia factory is a RSV4 WSBK with new red decals. It's not sure if these will be the colors of the Aprilia WSBK in 2009 but I think these colors will be used in the valencia test next week. Aprilia still hasn't announced a big sponsor for their team but I must say I really like this version with the red and carbon.

More pics at MCN

Source: Omnimoto

Aprilia owner interview: Rene's Dorsoduro

Which Aprilia model do you own?

I own a 2008 Dorsoduro

Did you add any mods to your bike?

No there are no modifications yet, the Dorso is 460 Km old.

Why did you buy an Aprilia and what do you like so much about it?

The looks of the Dorsosurso made me decied to make a test drive, but after the test drive i know it for sure There has to be a DD.

And what don’t you like about your bike?

After 460 Km its hard to say .... nothing so far.

If you could ask Aprilia to design a new model what would it be?

I will ask for a big bore high power one cilinder supermotard that is good to drive on the normal roads.

And finally do you have any motorcycling tips for the readers of Aprilia News?

Yes i have, please drive safe.

Order one of the 150 numbered RSV4's

Italian citizens are now able to order one of the first 150 RSV4 Factory's at Aprilia's website. The RSV4 Factory will cost €20.000 People that will sign up early will get a numbered Aprilia RSV4 Factory and a 2 person VIP trip to one of the WSBK races in Italy. The RSV4 Factory will be available in July as it seems. You can sign up for one of the 150 until 30 May 2009.

So if you live in Italy and are dying for one of the first 150 RSV4 Factory's go here

thanks to Dennis for the heads up.

New RS-XV550 project blog

The RS250's with SXV engines projects are getting more and more popular. Joey from the US decided to build his SXV engine into an RS250 chassis. The good thing is that he started a blog dedicated to the build of this project. That way we don't have to be bored this winter.

Check out the project here

Sorry for the lack of news btw lately. There just isn't much news lately.

Biaggi at Portimao video

Too bad about the wind noise..

Video from the EICMA

Nice video from the EICMA showing the RSV4 Factory & WSBK, the Shiver GT,Mana and new Scarabeo 300.

Motonline

Akra for the Shiver

Seems like Aprilia is going to have an Akrapovic slipons added to their shiver accessoires catalogue soon.

The slip on was already available at Akrapovic but the one on the pics has a little Aprilia logo on them and the carbon ends of the cans are different.

New colors for the Shiver

New colors for the 2009 Shiver. Also no more golden frames (I personally am glad Aprilia dropped the golden frames).

Biaggi tests RSV4 at Portimao

Biaggi has been testing the RSV4 at the new Portimao track since monday. Biaggi continued to get acquainted with the all-new Aprilia RSV-4, the former MotoGP racer pounding round in 1min 45.4secs. Spies was the fastest rider of the day riding around 1.44. Biaggi had sole use of the bike all day, with newly signed team-mate Shinya Nakano expected to step out Wednesday.

Info & Pics from Crash.net

New Aprilia scooters

Scarabeo 300


In continuous evolution, the scarabeo family welcomes the new arrival. elegant and sporty, rich in character and unmistakably scarabeo, this is the debut of the new 300 special. It has a 273cc 4 stroke engine producing 16.4hp and 22nm. Will be available in white,black and grey.

Sportcity 50

Agile, comfortable, lively, and carefree: one 50 is the “youngest” sportcity. a scooter with a fresh and sporty look and great value for money. “medium-sized” wheels and a modern design, a debut for the new plucky lightweight engine. It has an aircooled 50cc engine producing 4hp in stock form. It's not fuel injected but it has a 17,5mm Dellorto carb. Available in black,white and red.

No 1200 models at the EICMA

Some of you are awaiting the release of the 1200 Shiver and Dorsoduro at the EICMA but I have to inform you will have to wait a little longer. The 1200 models will not be at the EICMA this year. I kinda expected them to be but apparently they are not. It's a shame because Aprilia really doesn't have anything special to show at the EICMA except for some new scooters, the Mana X and the 2009 SXV.

News about the RSV4 Factory

The Aprilia RSV4 Factory

The RSV4 WSBK with Max Biaggi's number on it

Nextmoto reports that the RSV4 Factory will first come as a limited edition of 150 pieces. Every Factory will have his own number. Why 150 you might ask? This is the amount of bikes Aprilia needs to produce to enter the WSBK in 2009. The RSV4 will cost about €20.000 and will be available at the beginning of next year. Nex year Aprilia is releasing a RSV4 R that will be €5000 cheaper than the Factory.

What can we expect on the Factory model?

-Adjustable geometry,engine and steering head
-Ohlins suspension
-Forged wheels
-Carbon mudguards

Source: Nextmoto

Mana X concept model.

Aprilia unveiled a new concept model at the EICMA called the Mana X. Based on the Mana frame and engine this bike shows what could be in the future for the Mana line.

2009 Aprilia SXV

Just new colors and a new shape tank for the 2009 model of the SXV.

EICMA 2009: what can we expect from Aprilia?

Tomorrow is the first day of the EICMA show in Milan. This show has been the show of the year for Aprilia fans since Aprilia tends to release their new models at this show. But I'm afraid it won't be as spectacular as the last years since Aprilia already released the RSV4 and the Shiver/Mana GT models. So what can we expect the following days from Aprilia? This list is in no way certain it's just a guess of what's to come:

- 1200cc Shiver (and maybe the 1200cc Dorsoduro too)
- 2009 SXV (probably only new colors)
- new scooters

I also hope they will present the RSV4 in WSBK colors but that's just a personal wish and probably will not happen.

Keep your eyes on Aprilia News the coming days for the latest news from the EICMA!

Nakano second WSBK rider next to Biaggi

Having seen his last chance too remain a full time MotoGP rider next season, on a third Kawasaki, evaporate Shinya Nakano has officially called an end to his ten-year grand prix career by signing to ride for Aprilia in the 2009 World Superbike Championship, alongside Max Biaggi.

"I am happy indeed, for me it is a joy to belong to the Aprilia family," said Nakano, whose deal includes an option for the 2010 season. "Here I have found a big tradition and extraordinary competence in the races that Aprilia faces with high professionalism, and the 33 world titles won up to today are confirmation of this.

"Superbike is a new challenge, I want to risk all of my experience to help the new Aprilia RSV4 project. It will be a honour to be able to race beside Max Biaggi, he is a hero of mine and he was an inspiration to me in the first phases of my career, I am sure that together we will succeed in developing the best motorbike and to already get good results in the season 2009," added the Japanese.

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New website for Aprilia

Aprilia launched a new website at www.aprilia.com. Not much to say about it go check it out yourself!

They also launched a new accessories website which is really nice, now the Aprilia owner can actually see whats available for their bikes. Check out the Accessories site here

Nakano in talks with Aprilia WSB team

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano is poised to clinch a deal to partner Max Biaggi in Aprilia’s new World Superbike squad in 2009, MCN can reveal.

Nakano has been frozen out of MotoGP after the San Carlo Honda squad released him to make way for Toni Elias.

The collapse of a third Kawasaki deal with Jorge Martinez during last weekend’s Sepang GP in Malaysia ended Nakano’s hopes of a last-minute reprieve.

Late moves by Kawasaki to salvage the deal have proven to be unsuccessful so far, and MCN understands Nakano can't keep an interested factory team in World Superbikes hanging on for an answer on his future much longer. That team is Aprilia, with Japanese sourcess confirming to MCN that the former 250GP title runner-up is in talks with the Italian factory.

Nakano’s failure to clinch a MotoGP deal looked like he might have to take up a test and development rider role with HRC.

But Aprilia is desperate for two experienced riders to lead its factory WSB assault in 2009.

Rumours that Gianluca Montiron, current boss of the JIR Scot Honda MotoGP squad, will run Aprilia’s World Superbike assault, has added to the speculation about Nakano.

Montiron signed Nakano for his Konica Minolta-backed Honda squad in 2007.

Source: MCN

Roland Sands designs Aprilia SXV road racer

picture by Micah Shoemaker

Roland Sands the famous custom motorcycle builder has been working on several new prototypes which are basicly MX bikes fitted with road race suspension and fairings. After building prototypes for the big japanese four he decided to turn the Aprilia SXV into a road race prototype as well. You can see the results above. For more info go here

Max Biaggi's first ride on the RSV4

At Valencia this past week Max Biaggi had his first outing on the Aprilia RSV4 he will race for the next two seasons in the Superbike World Championship. The two-day test was made possible thanks to the kind authorization of Marco Borciani's Sterilgarda Go Eleven team, with whom the Italian still has a contract for the remainder of this season.

Biaggi encountered damp conditions on the first day, which prevented him from getting to grips with the new four-cylinder Italian bike. The weather cleared up on day 2, and he was able to concentrate on getting the seating position, ride height and handlebar adjustments sorted out. He made frequent visits to the pits for technical debriefings with his future crew chief Giovanni Sandi and Aprilia engineer Gigi Dall'Igna.

Biaggi, who lapped on standard Pirelli SC3 road tyres, made no comments and no times were released from the tests.

His first official test with the Aprilia RSV4 will take place the week after the Portimao race on November 2 at the Algarve circuit.

(Photo courtesy of Vallespi)

Max Biaggi will test the RSV4 today

From the Max Biaggi website:

Hi everybody, Tomorrow there will be my debut on the Aprilia. I want to say thanks to my Sterilgarda Team that has approved this test before the end of the Championship. Thank you! I write you these few lines to tell you that I cannot make any declaration regarding the test, so you will have to wait the end of the championship. However, I do not hide my feeling for the" Return to my home place… where I have born. We will be on track for two days and then I will come back home waiting for the last GP of the year in Portugal. The tests will immediately continue in Portimao after the race and in particular 4th and 5th of November. Take care guys,

Max

Aprilia 3rd overall in Pharaons Rally

The RXV450 Africa prototype ridden by Alessandro Zanotti of team Giofil came 3rd in the overall standings of the Pharaons rally.

Alessandro Zanotti came first in the 450 class. His teammate Angelo Barbiero came in 7th overall and 3rd in the 450 class. Paolo Ceci the 3rd member of the team came in 11th overall and 4th in the 450 class.

Small piece from the press release:

The other leit motiv of the Rally organized by JVD International, the debut of two Italian brands with unusual motorcycles (Aprilia and TM, both in the 450 class), has been the most passionate challenge in the challenge. The winner has been Alex Zanotti with Aprilia, after a fight lasted the whole competition with the TM of Luca Manca. Not only a splendid class win for the rider coming from San Marino of Aprilia Giofil Team, but above all the third step of the podium of Pharaons – a thing absolutely unimaginable at the eve.
The tension for this last stage was immense, but Zanotti has had the precious help of his team mate Paolo Ceci, who has waited for him and “escorted” for all stage. In order to return the favour he is stopped before the finishing line, few more than two minutes, enough to make win the stage in the 450 class to Ceci.
Luca Manca has had to be satisfied of the fourth absolute place and of the “plaza of honour” in the 450, result however that has underlined the validity of the project TM, as the one of Aprilia: two Italian brands launched in a world that for a long years has been too much similar to a KTM monobrand. Excellent the race also for Oscar Polli, fifth, to complete the Italians finished nearby the two unattainable riders.

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