Aprilia Busts into Superbike Scene With V4-Powered Literbike
Aprilia is feeling lucky. After two straight years of dominating 125cc and 250cc racing, the Italian company has announced a new street bike that will hit the road by the end of this year and crash the World Superbike party in time for the 2009 season.
In race form (seen here at its unveiling in Milan-- click to enlarge), the 65 degree V-four literbike promises "ride by wire" technology and "well over 200 horsepower." Though Aprilia's press release is deliberately vague, they do suggest the electronics-heavy powerplant will offer "almost infinite possibilities for controlling power output and traction"-- sounds like traction control to me!
Whether this new kid on the block will beat the likes of Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki or Yamaha remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for superbike supremacy is about to get more epic.
Photo © ApriliaClick to enlarge
Comments
God love Italy!! The finest motorcycles, food & cars on this rock!!
While I’m not quite as enthusiastic as Johnny, Aprilia appears to have built one beautiful machine.
Yow!! Waaaaayyyyyyyyy tooooo much information!
Enthusiastic but crude comment has been deleted…
Basem
Yes! In red please!!!
Choice is a good thing. Now folks wanting a four cylinder Italian sportbike that isn’t an MV Agusta F4 have that choice.
I’m curious how much horsepower she will actually have. For some reason, upwards of 200 seems like a stretch. But YOWZA anyway.