2004 Aprilias?

[ApriliaFox]

I see on MCN (UK) website that their new issue has:


'The Ultimate Tyre Guide is free in your June 18 MCN a special Silverstone WSB souvenir issue you?ll also find <strong>2004 Aprilias</strong>, reaction to Ducati?s historic MotoGP win and full coverage of David Jefferies funeral.'


Are there any MCN UK readers here who can shed light on thist?

[Key Walshe]

Basically it has a sketch of the SP-1/2 look alike I'm sure we've all seen spy shots of by now but in Aprilia livery (black/red/white).
It goes on to say that there will be 2 models produced, one of which being an SP model using the original SP's engine but 'thanks to technical advances the new SP should top 150bhp' compared to 145bhp of the original SP at the crank, which would be the most powerful production V-twin. It also says it will have an all-new black finished frame with adjustable yokes and swingarm pivot. Rumoured to use the latest Ohlins road & track forks, an aftermarket exhaust and previously unseen OZ Racing wheels and will include a paddock stand and bike cover :eek: o0o0o0o0o aaaaaah !!

A factory insider said: "it is so secret even we were told off for looking under the cover. But it is super-sexy and very small - quite unlike anything you have seen before."

They should both be unveiled next month and MCN says it will have the first pictures of the new RSV Mille range in July.

It also has a 600 aswell on the other side of the page. It says it will probably use a Jap engine, most likely the YZF-R6's or GSX-R600's. It will be an entry level 600 and will fill the gap in Aprilia's range left by the defunct Rs250. It says it will use styling cues from the Rs250 and Aprilia's MotoGp Cube and will have twin stacked exhausts (like the Rs250's but abit bigger) and that's about as much as it says.

In my opinion the 600 picture looks like an Rs250 (98+ model) with a Cube front fairing with 2003 CBR600's headlights stuck on! And the Mille is identical almost to the spy shot pics, but they are only drawings! :rolleyes:

[AngeloRSV]

In the tyre test section, all the brands were tested...

1st in the Sports tyre section... Pirelli Diablo with 95%

1st in the Performance tyre section... Pirelli Diablo Corsa with 100% these really are the tyres to have :D , I LOVE them...

[RichL025]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>It will be an entry level 600 and will fill the gap in Aprilia's range left by the defunct Rs250[/quote]

Defunct? Aprilia killed the RS250? What a shame....

[stevehonn]

Rich,
ever tightening emission regs in Europe finally killed it. There will be no strokers over 125cc - this seems to be a watershed for the regs. No more screaming 2 strokes - I will have to find one to re-live my youth of Kwak triples :D

Steve

[RichL025]

Steve,

Do the regs ban the 2-strokers now in circulation, or just production of new ones?

[Key Walshe]

It bans registration of any new bikes which do not comply with the new emission regulations. This also includes bikes like the ZX-7R, Honda CB500, Fazer 600 so it's not just 2 strokes which are suffering from the new legislation. As the Aprilia Rs250 was pretty much only sold in Europe in numbers it seems there is no reason for Aprilia to produce it anymore if they can't sell it as a road bike.
Over the coming years bikes like the Rs125, Cagiva Mito, and other smaller 2 strokes which maybe in production will come under threat and probably be phased out, probably only 50cc bikes will be safe but even they maybe under threat, even 125's have took a hit already as Honda have stopped producing the long running NSR125 now due to tightening emissions (also probably due to their almost hatrid attitude towards 2 strokes).
That is why the words used by MCN to describe the passing of the Rs250 as 'defunt' where true, it's not that Aprilia killed it, but it was sent to the grave by EU legislation wether it liked it or not!

I'm just glad I got in there quick and snapped one up myself...
I can only suggest you all do the same!

[ApriliaFox]

Thanks for the info Key - much appreciated! Sounds very exciting ..... out of interest where did the Bridgestone 012s come in the tyre test?

[ApriliaFox]

ah it's ok just saw the MCN tyre test results posted ...

[2pist]

does anyone know a link to some of these "spy shots" on the web? I must be living under a rock, I haven't seen any yet!8o