Aprilia USA announced the arrival of a new Max Biaggi race replica version of its two-stroke SR 50 scooter as a new 2013 model.

The Aprilia SR50 Race Replica is dressed to match the livery of Biaggi’s RSV4 World Superbike racer. Aprilia had previously produced a race replica SR50, but that was with the white Aprilia Alitalia livery from 2009. The current model matches the livery from the 2012 machine and, with Biaggi’s contract ending at the end of the season, may be the final edition with the Roman Emperor’s #3.

The SR50′s racing ties go beyond the paint job however. The 50cc scooter is also a fixture in race paddocks around the world. Continue Reading »

Aprilia announced a new replica version of its entry-level RS4 125 sportbike, making it look even more like the company’s World Superbike Championship contender, the RSV4. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the eighth-liter sportbike to arrive in North American showrooms despite Aprilia‘s promise of a late-2011 availability.

The replica version features graphics including the #3 to match the RSV4 of Max Biaggi who captured the 2010 WSBK title on the RSV4. The Aprilia RS4 125 replica also comes with a color-matched tail cover which can replace the passenger seat.

The changes from the base model are more than cosmetic however. The replica version will also come standard with Aprilia’s quick shift, making it easier for new riders to upshift without having to worry about cutting throttle or operating the clutch. A quick shift is available as an add-on to the base RS4 125. Continue Reading »

As the World Superbike championship makes its next stop at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah this weekend, Aprilia USA will be on hand and is inviting everyone to be a part of the “Aprilia Experience.” Continue Reading »

Norton Motorcycles announced it will compete in the 2012 Isle of Man TT with a new racebike.

The as-yet-unnamed racebike will use an Aprilia RSV4 engine with a chassis from Spondon Engineering. If that formula sounds familiar, it’s because it sounds like of MotoGP’s new Claiming Rule Team machines. Norton doesn’t mention MotoGP directly in its announcement, though it did say it will receive no factory support from Aprilia just like several CRT efforts.

Critics will argue the racebike is not a real Norton as it uses an engine and frame from other manufacturers (though it should be noted Norton had previously used a Spondon chassis in its NRV588 racebike). Norton did make a number of its own components at its Donington Park facility, including its traditional polished aluminum fuel tank. Continue Reading »

A new marketing campaign from Aprilia USA is intended to “connect riders with the brand’s heart, soul and racing DNA” via a new multi-media strategy that includes videos, online trivia with user rewards, an infographic featuring company firsts and its race achievements, plus news about its test-ride tour for the incredible Tuono V4 APRC we fell in love with in our European Literbike Streetfighter shootout. Continue Reading »

Italy-based Ioda Racing presented its 2012 MotoGP and Moto2 race bikes including the Aprilia RSV4-engined TR003 prototype.

The Ioda Racing TR003 machine (pictured above, to the left) uses a trellis-frame produced in-house while the engine is based on the RSV4′s 999cc V4 powerplant. The team will compete as CAME IodaRacingas a Claiming Rule Team entry. Continue Reading »

Aprilia officially presented its 2012 World Superbike Championship team in Milan, Italy, showcasing its RSV4 superbikes as well as factory riders Max Biaggi and newcomer Eugene Laverty.

For Biaggi, the Roman Emperor says he feels motivated to rebound from a difficult 2011 season and regain the title he won in 2010.

“It doesn’t matter how many seasons we have under our belts and how many titles we’ve won. At the beginning of a new season I am always motivated to the maximum,” says Biaggi. “If anything, I must say that for 2012 I am even more motivated after what happened last year. More than one set of circumstances and a lot of hard luck kept us from defending the title down to the last round. And yet, in spite of a serious injury and having to sit out six races, I took third place in the overall standings. That says quite a lot about the effort we put in, but for the new season we’ll have to do better. ” Continue Reading »

The Aspar racing team announced the signing of Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró to compete in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship on a CRT racebike powered by Aprilia engines.

De Puniet (pictured above with his Playboy model girlfriend Lauren Vickers) rode a mystery race bike for Aspar this week at a MotoGP test, believed to be a modified version of Aprilia‘s WSBK-spec RSV4 with MotoGP-issue Bridgestone tires and carbon brakes. CRT rules require the use of a prototype chassis, so the Aspar machine cannot use the RSV4′s chassis. The RSV4 engine however is eligible for the new MotoGP regulations.

Continue Reading »

Updated with additional photographs.

Aprilia announced it will present a new 850cc V-Twin engined maxi-scooter with an RSV4-influenced design at the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy.

The 2012 Aprilia SRV 850 will be the Italian brand’s largest scooter. The SRV will be powered by a fuel injected 850cc four-valve 90-degree V-Twin engine, claiming 75 hp at 7750 rpm and 56 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm.

Continue Reading »

The very successful viral video BMW created for its S1000RR sportbike earlier this year has yet again been made fun of by another manufacturer, this time being Aprilia with their RSV4.  Now I am sure its not going to get the same amount of attention as the BMW spot but I love a good cat fight, hopefully BMW will respond…  stay tuned.

Continue Reading »