Two sophisticated Aprilias that are built for lots of fun, practicability, and teaching beginners how to ride: the 2009 RX 50 and SX 50 meet their purposes with excellence and situate themselves in a class of their own.
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Aprilia carries on the production of their latest Supermoto and Enduro 125cc models, the SX 125 and RX 125, in 2009. Currently not new in the lineup, but radically improved, the models announced a whole new kind of fun both on dirt tracks and on paved ones with the occasion of last year’s revision. Now, we got the chance to swing a leg over each model and couldn’t be more impressed, given the category.
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Aprilia came across a unique recipe for the enduro/supermoto world, one that enables their riders to rule the trails as well as the supermoto competitions in the same time. The big secret is the 450/550cc V-twin motor found on the RXV models and on the much more interesting and versatile SXV ones that now got our attention.
Although the transformation from an off-road bike into a super motard is rather facile, Aprilia went the whole way and created completely new rides in order to dominate the tracks. Furthermore, the SXV 2008 VDB Replica comes as a purely competition motorcycle born from the need to deliver the very best of engine performance and chassis refinement, the results being even elbow scratching 90-degree turns.
This video shows racers David Checa and Dani Ribalta doing their thing on Supermotos and, along with it, prove that backing it in and scratching elbows isn’t just for MotoGP. Make sure you don’t miss the end!
We’ve long been craving to find which specific motorcycle could have possibly met the demands necessary to shoot the kind of action footage used for Terminator Salvation and not in a thousand years would the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 have emerged from our apocalyptic images-intoxicated brains. Yet, the answer was always there only that we couldn’t pass over the Ducati’s impeccable finishing and spot the very essence of the bike.
Back in 2008, KTM introduced the all-new 690 SMC model, a performance bike built for the track and yet which ended up being street legal and implicit available for the large public. But what precisely did this model offered we could only now find after getting the chance to take it for a spin. Meanwhile, it carried on as a 2009 model year, sells good despite the economy going from bad to worse and deals with the stiff competition ensured also by European manufacturers.
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It is now official! The world witnessed the unveiling of Zero’s S model, the first ever road legal supermoto powered by a lithium-ion battery. Like all early technologies, the electric bike doesn’t dethrone any traditionally powered supermoto, but the 31 horsepower and 84.6 Nm powerplant performance figures aren’t to be ignored either. Considering the bike’s 102kg, the top speed is of 96.6 km/h. Ok, so it isn’t that impressive, but the bike is expected to sell in a great number.
Instead of fuel capacity and mpg, now we’re talking about charging time (which in this case if of four hours) and range (also, a decent 97 km). From the very first glance, the Zero S doesn’t look quite like any regular supermoto two-wheeler because of the battery replacing the noisy four-stroke motor. That’s also most likely the reason why this bike features a fairing, apart from the basic one that the bodywork was needed in order to call the thing attractive.
The bike has a price tag of $9,950 and will start being delivered next month. We’re just waiting to see the most ostentatious of you out there on the supermoto tracks. But until then, here’s Zero’s official video for this bike precisely on a supermoto track.
When you have a job to do, I say stick to it as tempting as the vehicle you’re commuting on might be. This guy clearly didn’t and all the fooling around on his supermoto bike messed out his delivery. Just wait for the second run.
L-R-G performed their “routine” on the 2009 Suzuki Gladius and, strangely, their goal wasn’t speed, but off-road performance. By modifying the swingarm, adding the Leo Vince exhaust, a pair of standard-spoked Excel wheels and RM-Z front end, complete with MX fender and mudguards, the small commuter was transformed into a veritable supermoto. The standard seat and license hanger have been stripped down in order to obtain a sleeker design.
The tricked-out Gladius gets a Green and White paint scheme while the brake calipers and transmission cover are gold painted, just like on last year’s L-R-G Suzuki Hayabusa.
While we’re so caught up by this bike, we can’t help wondering if Suzuki will start thinking about an entry-level alternative for the continuously growing supermoto market.
The movie “Yes Man” features Jimmy Carrie playing the Carl Allen character, a man who suddenly decides he must take all opportunities and stop saying “no” to everything. How about a ride with a Ducati Hypermotard 1100? Yes Man!
