When people think of Italian motorcycles, they tend to immediately think of Ducati. However, Ducati isn’t the only Italian company making motorcycles. Aprilia may not have as much brand recognition, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it the same level of attention.
While Aprilia may have struggled since its founding in 1945, it has also achieved several highs. Unfortunately, the company developed a reputation for building unreliable motorcycles. This reputation didn't develop overnight, similarly, it takes just as long to fix this type of reputation. While you have been out riding, Aprilia has been working hard. These ten reasons will convince you to give Aprilia another chance.
10 Aprilia Has Improved Reliability
There was a time when Aprilia motorcycles were not the most reliable. However, Aprilia has taken care of this. Modern models in the lineup are generally reliable, with engines that run better for longer. Part of the improved reliability is better dealer service and support. The other part is improved manufacturing consistency, with Piaggio Group owning the brand.
Higher quality materials and construction also contributes to a better quality motorcycle that runs better and more consistently for longer. Unfortunately, proven reliability takes time. Because older Aprilias have a reputation for being unreliable, it will take years before their latest motorcycles prove themselves.
9 Aprilia Stands Out From The Crowd
Japanese sport bikes are all over the road and are practically everywhere. You end up having to do aftermarket upgrades and changes to make your bike stand out. When you buy an Aprilia motorcycle, you don’t have that problem. Aprilia is not common in the U.S., so your bike will naturally stand out from the crowd. Not only do Aprilias have a unique build and design, but they also have unique color schemes that you do not see from other manufacturers. You will notice that people turn their heads to watch you roll by. When parked, they will come up and want to talk about your bike.
8 Easier To Maintain Than Other Italian Bikes
Typically, Italian motorcycles have a reputation for being high maintenance. This is partly because they are mostly high-performance machines. When engines run faster with more power, they also run hotter. When there is more stress on the engine, it needs more routine maintenance. Aprilia has worked hard to engineer engines that are lower maintenance than other Italian motorcycles without sacrificing performance. If you want an Italian motorcycle without all the work, consider an Aprilia. For example, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory comes with a Magneti Marelli ECU 11MP control system and improved exhaust to run cleaner and produce less emissions.
7 Aprilia MotoGP Racing Performance
It took three decades for Aprilia to fight its way to the top of the MotorGP rankings. The company tried a variety of motorcycles and engines to finally find the winning combination. While one could say that means there were a lot of failures, this is not the way to view it. Instead, you have to respect Aprilia’s dedication to excellence. Despite several failures, the company persevered. All of that research and development means the company has learned a lot about motorcycle engine performance. This means the Aprilia bikes coming off the production line today are top-performing machines with MotoGP-derived technology and performance.
6 Improved Rider Ergonomics
Sport bikes are not known for having the best rider ergonomics. First, there is comfort, and then there is mechanical performance, and these two things don’t always find common ground. The Aprilia engineers were once so focused on performance that rider ergonomics suffered. Thankfully, this did not last as owners and riders made their opinions known, and they were not positive. Thanks to improved ergonomics, the bike has a new fuel tank shape, lower seat, and the foot pegs got moved down by around 3 inches. The result is a more relaxed riding position that is more comfortable for both shorter and taller riders.
5 Incredible Performance Figures
The engines in the Aprilia motorcycles deliver impressive performance. This is thanks to various weight reduction techniques, including a lighter battery that reduces the bikes’ overall weight without sacrificing performance. In addition, the upgraded suspension has fully adjustable KYB forks and a Sachs rear shock. For the engine, Aprilia engineers use a shorter final drive and pinion gear with fewer teeth. The engineers also listened to owner feedback and added a ride-by-wire throttle and six-axis inertial platform. Finally, in the RSV4, you will find the high-performance narrow V4 which pumps out an impressive 217 horsepower.
4 They Have Improved Owner Support
In addition to improving the actual motorcycles, Aprilia addressed the other half of the issue. This centered around the difficulty that owners experienced when trying to deal with servicing their bikes. Aprilia, being based in Italy, has a disadvantage to other motorcycle manufacturers. For example, Harley has headquarters in the United States and an extensive dealer network. The big Japanese manufacturers have the financial resources to build an extensive dealer network. Aprilia were not able to provide support to owners and their bike maintenance needs. With consistent hard work, Aprilia has now got a more extensive dealer and service network.
3 Piaggio Group Ownership
In 2004, the Piaggio Group bought Aprilia. The company went to work bringing Aprilia back to life. The Noale Racing Division got reorganized and brought a new approach to World Championship Motorcycle Racing. It also ventured into the off-road racing world. Under the watchful eye of Piaggio, Aprilia racked up 28 world World Titles and multiple European and national titles. This improved racing performance creates a trickle-down effect where the performance capability and technology developed for the track gets built into the production bikes destined for the street. Piaggio has the financial backing and resources necessary to develop Aprilia motorcycles into a force to be reckoned with.
2 Aprilia Has Unmatched Style
There is no denying that the Aprilia lineup is beautiful. Each of the bikes features elegant styling that incorporates performance and functionality with sophisticated styling. Aprilia does an excellent job at incorporating the chassis into the design of the fairings. Looking at the front of the bike, you will see modern styling with angular dual headlights that give each bike an aggressive and slightly angry look. The low front end makes the bike look like it is prowling down the road.
1 New Rider Assist Features
Once you get past the elegant styling of Aprilia motorcycles, you will see they have plenty to offer in the performance category. Multiple ride modes make it possible to customize the performance of your bike for a variety of riding conditions. In addition, there are rider-assist features that improve the bike's performance and help you push your skills further. These include features like engine braking, ABS brakes, cornering control, APRC electronic system, multi-level traction control, and anti-wheelie control. To help you monitor the performance of your motorcycle, a full-color TFT instrument panel lets you monitor all the data relevant to your bike’s performance.