At Aprilia, we have a MotoGP program in progress with the RS-GP and we can boast of having dominated the Superbike category with the RSV4. And yet, when we talk about Italian sports motorcycles, it's not really the Noale firm that spontaneously springs to mind. It hovers over the Piaggio group brand as a misunderstanding damaging to the achievement of a positive image. Theoretically, the means are there, but the mayonnaise does not work. Aprilia is not discouraged however. We are even considering an arrival in Supersport with the new RS 660…
Since many years, Aprilia only sells motorcycles equipped with the 4 cc V1000 engine. In 3, something new RS 660 of 100 hp will be marketed. At the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in November, Aprilia will officially present the model whose two-cylinder engine corresponds to half of the RSV4 engine.
« We estimate the average age of RSV4 buyers to be 50 » communicated Aprilia. “ The same goes for the Ducati Panigale. With the RS 660 we are addressing a younger audience, like Ducati in the SuperSport… It should not necessarily be a machine for the track, but a truly sporty motorcycle for the road ».
It will therefore be necessary to build an image, and what could be better than a competition record? Promoter Dorna, who deals as much with Grands Prix as with Superbikes, would undoubtedly like to have this Aprilia in the Supersport category. A grid currently dominated by Yamaha. There are also Kawasaki, Honda and MV Agusta.
Regulations are considering opening it to engines other than the 4cc 600-cylinder. Like a 675cc three-cylinder and 750cc twins. With a rule of balance, Dorna also wants to inspire companies such as Aprilia, BMW or KTM. Ducati does not have a suitable motorbike and will not bring one in the foreseeable future.
« Current Supersport engines have four cylinders and plenty of power ", said Roman Albesian, technical director of Aprilia, on Speedweek. “ Our RS 660 is more comparable to other 650s in terms of performance. We didn't want to build a supersport machine, but a lightweight sports car. I don't want to rule out that we will see this bike in racing one day, but at the moment there is no category ».
What about Aprilia's return to the World Superbike Championship? “ As long as we don't succeed in the MotoGP category, that's not the question,” said Albesiano. “I'm not talking about victories, but we want to be at least five places higher than where we are at the moment. If this succeeds, we can start talking about other commitments ».
