AUGUST 13, 2008 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS ❘ 5
www.motorcyclenews.com
tests at Mugello
MCN REVEALS: DEC ’06
6 ■ First prototype breaks cover showing the basic frame and engine design.
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JUN ’06
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■ An Aprilia insider leaks dyno pics of the new bike in reliability testing.
OCT ’07
2 Rear angle of the RSV4 reveals many of the new bike’s secrets ■ 1. ROAD KIT – This pic clearly shows the quick-release numberplate hanger that’s likely to feature on the final production machine. Like the mirrors, it will pop off quickly for track use, though the LED taillight doesn’t appear to be the final version. ■ 2. WHEELS – OZ supply the current Aprilia RSV-R range, and these stylish, lightweight wheels with thin delicate spokes appear to be from the same firm. Given the top-level suspension and brakes on the RSV4, they’re likely to be top-spec forged aluminium rather than basic cast alloy.
■ 3. HEAT – Those blue stripes aren’t plasters, they’re simpletemperaturesensitive stickers. Their presence indicates Aprilia are conducting final checks to ensure that the rider and components aren’t subjected to excess heat from the engine and exhaust. ■ 4. EXHAUST – The massive silencer is likely to look like this, though the twin exits will probably have a shroud to tidy up the appearance. ■ 5. CHASSIS – Ohlins suspension and Brembo monobloc brake calipers are the last word in top-notch road com-
ponents. Their inclusion here suggests Aprilia is pitching the RSV4 as a premium product – so expect a price tag approaching £15,000. ■ 6. DASH – Ducati has set the precedent for GP-spec instruments with its 1098, and for the first time our spy pictures show Aprilia has followed suit. The three lights at the top are likely to be ‘idiot’ lights, though a gear indicator is almost guaranteed. ■ 7. FRAME – The Aprilia’s alloy beam frame is very compact – the main frame rails hug the
cylinders so closely that the engine side covers protrude significantly. The bike is very small overall – Aprilia’s pocketsized test rider looks in proportion to the rest of the bike! ■ 8. ENGINE – The 65° V4 is designed to be compact – the camchain for example only drives the inlet cam to keep the head compact. The exhaust cam is driven by a sprocket on the inlet. The massive clutch cover contains a slipper clutch, and the gearbox is a cassette design to allow fast removal and gear ratio swaps for track fiends without splitting the cases.
■ Former GP racer Alex Hofmann is spotted testing the WSB version.
FEB ’08
■ Aprilia reveals the race bike at a dealer conference – in its own bodywork.
THE MOLE
New bike rumours from MCN’s man in the know... 1125 BUELL ULYSSES DUE FOR 2010
BUELL’S 2009 range has two notable omissions – the XB12S Lightning and XB12S Super TT have been discontinued as the new liquid-cooled 1125CR joins the air-cooled bikes in the streetfighter range. I’m predicting more of the air-cooled bikes will be quietly pushed out of the range, and the Ulysses is the last product line to stay solely air-cooled. The Ulysses is a personal favourite for Erik Buell, so I’m willing to bet he is working on an 1125 with Adventure Sport running gear as we speak...
TRIUMPH DEALERS DENY 675 TIGER – BUT STILL TAKE ORDERS!
I WAS amused to hear from a friend looking to buy a Tiger 1050 that his local dealer denied that Triumph would ever produce a Tiger with the Daytona 675 engine – but claimed to have taken 10 deposits for the bike!
It’s not uncommon for dealers to take speculative deposits on new bikes, but with demand like that Triumph best hurry up and release the bike before dealers look silly. I’m reliably informed it’s due to lead the next part of Triumph’s 2009 model release at the Cologne show in October.
NEW BIG DAYTONA RUMOURS – AGAIN...
EVERY year a rumour about Triumph building a new big-bore sportsbike crops up – some more credible than others. A recent conversation with a man very close to Triumph brought a fresh rumour my way. He reckons some of the 2009-spec Daytona 675 prototypes seen coming out of the Hinckley factory are in fact bigger; like the GSX-R750, which shares most parts but with larger pistons to create an easy new model. My mole claims a capacity of around 900cc.
JUN ’08
■ The road bike – with headlights and other road kit – resumes testing.
Is this 2009 Daytona 675 mule really hiding a 900cc motor?