First Spy Pics of Aprilia V-4 Prototype on the Track: Apriliaforum.com

[Tyrroneous]

Personally, I think there should be a racing class with NO equipment restrictions except that the thing has 2 wheels. Fastest bike wins.

There is....its called MotoGP.  Okay, it does have a displacement restriction, but thats about it.

[Lon]

Looks like Aprilia just might deliver what some VFR owners have spent the last several years begging for...

[ol Rocket]

Looks like Aprilia just might deliver what some VFR owners have spent the last several years begging for...

Yep, I was thinking the same thing.  I think you'd have to have a separate model like the Falco that would offer softer ergonomics for the all-arounder market.

[Schneegz]

Yep, I was thinking the same thing.  I think you'd have to have a separate model like the Falco that would offer softer ergonomics for the all-arounder market.

Unfortunately (or furtunately, depending on your point of view) I think Aprilia plans to use the 1200cc V-Twin they're developing to power their street bikes, including the next Tuono and maybe a new Futura.

[keystonejenks]

I don't know but after seeing that my pee-pee just went "pheeeeeeft"

[ol Rocket]

It deflated?

[keystonejenks]

It deflated?

No, it inflated.

[MisterSmooth]

Yep, I was thinking the same thing.  I think you'd have to have a separate model like the Falco that would offer softer ergonomics for the all-arounder market.

If history holds true...

1.  The new V-4 will be excellent right out of the box (remember the first Mille in 1998?).
2.  The next year, there will be a SPORT-touring version (like the Falco) that will be excellent and reliable as an anvil but sell for crap (like the Falco).
3.  The next year, there will be a "Tuono" version that will rip your tits off.


For one, I hope that Aprilia hits a home run with this bike.  Bottom line for the US is that until Aprilia establishes a good dealer network, they're going to be a niche player here.

However, what if all those Vespa dealers expanded into big bikes?  It's all Piaggio now.  That might give Aprilia the market penetration they deserve.

[Mr Sunshine]

So locally there is a new Aprilia dealership where the Race Director for WMRRA (my local racing club) works (I think as a sales manager but I'm not positive). Anyhow he is working on getting some Aprilia contengency money.

I'm hoping that in a couple of years time I'm good enough to be willing to race liter engines.  If so and I can afford it...I'll race the V-4 Aprilia if it is available.  Shall be fun.

[Schneegz]

1.  The new V-4 will be excellent right out of the box (remember the first Mille in 1998?).
2.  The next year, there will be a SPORT-touring version (like the Falco) that will be excellent and reliable as an anvil but sell for crap (like the Falco).
3.  The next year, there will be a "Tuono" version that will rip your tits off.

I sincerely hope you're right, but I'm afraid that won't be the case.  Aprilia is developing a 1200cc V-Twin for their street bikes.  While this is a good thing in some ways - 1200cc versions of the Tuono, Futura and maybe Falco are on the way - I think it will also mean that the V-4 will be reserved exclusively for their race replicas.

If you are right, however, it could mean that Aprilia will branch out into two basic "big bike" lines - a 1200cc V-Twin line and a 1000cc V-4 line.  That way, whether you prefer big torque or big horse power, Aprilia has you covered.

[stk0308]

Maybe forester is thinking about racing applications?

Personally, I think there should be a racing class with NO equipment restrictions except that the thing has 2 wheels. Fastest bike wins.

The original Formula USA was like that, over 10 years ago now.  In the same race you'd see hot rod ZX10s running against GSXR7/11s, against TZ250s(some say they were overbored), against monster motored YZF1000s.  It was beautiful, well, accept when Kenny Roberts got serious and brought the previous years Yamaha 500GP bikes to the party.  They killed everything with those.  The first AMA Forumla Extreme rules were loosely stol....er, based upon the original Formula USA rules.

[Snowbird]

Tyrroneous and stk0308, thanks for the replies... did not consider those racing classifications.

As for the new Aprilia, MD now reports the Mille frame is "lightly modified" (I think that means that the new motor will fit the frame) and that the motor is only slightly larger overall than the v-twin. Going back to the "lightly modified" frame, that could still mean big handling improvements if the engine hangs off the frame differently to tune sideways flex during cornering.

Personally, I won't get excited until there's an iteration with comfy egros and hard bags.

[MilleArp]

I think it's an all new chassis wrapped in old bodywork for the sake of testing.  ......

Yes.


ALL manufacturers do that, car, bike, or sled.