Moto blog
Jeff Koons-style RSV4
Wed, 10 Oct 2012Spotted this Aprilia RSV4 showing off its fancy new paintjob. I'm guessing it's based on the Jeff Koons M3 GTS that raced at Le Mans in 2010, pictured right. I love the car, the paint makes it look like it's going at 150mph even when it's standing still.
WSBK: 2012 Magny-Cours Results – Championship Decided by Half a Point
Tue, 09 Oct 2012You would think carrying a 30.5 point lead into the final round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship would be a safe enough margin to win the title. Aprilia‘s Max Biaggi made it interesting, inexplicably crashing out of the first race at the finale in Magny-C0urs before scoring a fifth place finish in Race Two to give him a 0.5 point margin over Kawasaki‘s Tom Sykes to win the title. The 358 to 357.5 point difference is the narrowest finish ever in WSBK.
Intermot 2012: More Power and ABS for 2013 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Tue, 02 Oct 2012Current World Superbike points leader Max Biaggi was on hand as Aprilia announced a number of updates to its RSV4 flagship sportbike at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. The Aprilia RSV4 Factory returns with its impressive APRC electronics package and 1000cc V4 engine, but adds anti-lock brakes, and a larger fuel tank. Aprilia also gave the RSV4 a performance boost, claiming 181.5 hp and 86.3 ft-lb.
WSBK: 2012 Moscow Results
Mon, 27 Aug 2012The historic race first-ever World Superbike Championship round in Russia provided plenty of drama with several top riders crashing out of both races and a new leader emerge in the chase for the 2012 WSBK Championship. Superpole qualifying made for four different manufacturers lining up in the first row of the grid, with Carlos Checa taking pole position for Althea Ducati ahead of Kawasaki‘s Tom Sykes, Aprilia‘s Eugene Laverty and BMW rider Leon Haslam. A slightly damp and unfamiliar track likely contributed to a number of crashes and collisions.
Piaggio Reports Q2 2012 Results
Fri, 27 Jul 2012The Piaggio Group reported a 4.8% drop in motorcycle and scooter sales over the first half of 2012 thanks to the continuing struggles of the European economy. The Piaggio Group includes the brands Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa. According to the company’s second quarter report, the Piaggio Group sold 216,700 motorcycles and scooters in the first half of 2012, compared to 227,700 units in 2011.
2013 Aprilia SR50 Biaggi Race Replica Scooter Arrives in US Dealerships
Thu, 26 Jul 2012Aprilia 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.
WSBK: 2012 Brno Results
Mon, 23 Jul 2012Marco Melandri bit a chunk off of Max Biaggi‘s World Superbike championship points lead by taking a pair of wins at Brno. The double was the first in Melandri’s career and the first for BMW. Biaggi, who arrived in the Czech Republic with four wins and nine podium finishes in ten previous races at Brno, was held off the podium this year, shrinking his lead in the championship to 21 points from 48.
Aprilia RS4 125 WSBK Replica Announced – Still Waiting for North American Arrival
Wed, 18 Jul 2012Aprilia 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.
Piaggio Multimedia Platform iPhone Connectivity Announced for Piaggio X10 Maxi-Scooter
Thu, 05 Jul 2012Piaggio announced a new iPhone connectivity system set to debut on its new X10 maxi-scooter. The Piaggio Multimedia Platform (PMP) will be available as a kit for the 125cc, 350cc and 500cc versions of the Piaggio X10, and eventually may be introduced to other models in the Piaggio Group (which would include the brands Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa.) Designed by Re:Lab, the PMP system turns an iPhone into an onboard computer and secondary display. The kit mounts the iPhone over the Piaggio insignia on the center of the X10′s handlebar which, from the rider’s perspective, puts it just below the scooter’s standard instruments.
Aprilia SRV850 Maxi-Scooter Gets Optional ABS and Traction Control
Wed, 20 Jun 2012Aprilia announced it will produce a new version of the SRV850 maxi-scooter with an anti-lock braking system and traction control. The Aprilia SRV850 ABS/ATC is the latest scooter from the Piaggio Group to include both technologies, following the Piaggio BV350 and the Piaggio X10. The Aprilia SRV850 uses a sensors located in both wheels.