With the occasion of Max Biaggi’s double win at the Monza WSBK round in Italy, Aprilia took the wraps off their all-new racing replica RSV4 superbike. The bike is destined for the racing track and can be used as an entry-level WSBK race machine as it offers a heck more performance over the production street version and also meets FIM regulations.
Claiming 200bhp and 92lb/ft of torque (that’s an impressive 20bhp and 7.4lb/ft over the production RSV4) from the 65-degree V4 motor, Aprilia sure seems to have done their homework when creating this proper Ducati Desmosedici RR competitor. But it is the ingenious stuff that makes the difference and in the case of the RSV4 Max Biaggi Replica this consists into: a six gear transmission with a multi-disk oil bath clutch with a mechanical anti-skipping system, ride-by-wire throttle control system, QuickShift assisted shifting, an Akrapovich 4-2-1 titanium exhaust and carbon fiber fairing.
All in all, the bike weighs in at 385.8 lbs (dry), which is definitely an achievement over the standard version’s 405.6 lbs. Still, we also have to mention the Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes and Marchesini forged magnesium alloy wheels before hitting you with the price - 50,000 euros (US$64,142). The clearly exclusive bike is available in Biaggi’s Alitalia Aprilia livery or bare carbon.
Gigi Dall’lgna, technical and sport manager of Aprilia Racing says:
“With the RSV4 Biaggi Replica we offer the sports enthusiast a motorcycle which is as close as you can get to the RSV4 that Max rides on the track in World Superbike. In this project, which was developed in parallel to our re-entry into SBK, we poured out all of our knowledge and years of experience on tracks all over the world. This is the bike which came out of it, conceived and developed within Aprilia Racing to offer unique sensations to the shrewd user.”
Full story
BMW has launched four new special edition models to celebrate the GS model’s 30th anniversary. The bikes, which are R1200GS and Adventure, F800 and F650GS models, mainly stand out thanks to the new BMW Motorrad Motorsport paintscheme, decals, handguards, spoked wheels, red seats and tinted windscreens.
These modern machines pay tribute to the first GS model, the famous 1980 R80GS, also acknowledged as being one of the first enduro bikes around, also thanks to its Dakar success. BMW’s celebration range is called “30 Years GS” and you can check out each model’s details after the jump.
Full story
Ever since the germans from BMW launched their S1000RR superbike and especially after the liter bike turned out to be 2010’s best, the question just popped: will BMW build an S600RR? The answer is no, they won’t! At least not so soon. The news comes from the car and motorcycle manufacturer itself and it’s as bad as it can be.
BMW was actually needed to release a statement saying they haven’t developed a 600cc machine to enlarge their superbike lineup after the word was out that they own the internet domain name www.s600rr.de. Apparently, that’s just to make sure someone else won’t use it in Germany. In other words: no BMW S600RR for you…at least not for now.
BMW explains why:
“Developing a 600 supersport bike is more or less as expensive as a 1000cc superbike; the production costs aren’t very much lower but the retail price would be.
"Therefore, trying to recoup development cost for such a project would be much more difficult.
“Now BMW already has developed a successful superbike there are other market sectors for us to concentrate on that offer a better return on investment.”
A couple of days ago we presented you Oberdan Bezzi’s Ducati Desmocross concept, but in the meantime the maestro has been occupied tweaking his sketch to transform the motocross bike into a veritable supermoto. Called the Ducati Desmotard concept, the bike only features different wheels, but it looks like a whole different kind of fun both on the track and on the streets.
Also powered by a 450cc single-cylinder engine, this Duck looks just like
what the Bologna-based company would build…if only. Read the designer’s description past the break.
Full story
Former 250 racer Roland Sands recently finished work on his latest café racer, one that originally started life as a Harley-Davidson XR1200.
The bike looks miles away from the production version and considering the multitude of upgrades and modifications, it’s hard to find the best starting point. Probably the Ohlins forks, radial brakes and the front billet aluminum wheel from Performance Machine might represent just that, but it is a long way to the Ducati-like tubular single-sided arm and Ohlins shock at the back.
You’ll find that Roland Sands’ Harley-Davidson XR1200 cafe racer features clip-on handlebars and rearsets, a 2-1 from Vance and Hines as well as chain drive, just to mention a few of its unique features. Furthermore, the single seat behind the standard tank is what gives the bike that café racer look.
With a black-out chassis and a pentagram RSD logo and a 666 number over the matt black paint, this also qualifies as Satan’s machine. So what do you think about it?
Full story
