Intl Moto Show: Aprilia SXV
Daniel Bannon
Aprilia SXV450 and offroad-cousin, the RXV450. I took the opportunity
to observe, up-close-and-personal.
They didn't have the 550cc version(s) on display. What, if anything,
this bodes for availability in the U.S. isn't clear to me. Presumably
they'll need both 450 and 550 to compete in the two main Supermoto
classes, however, given KTM and Husqvarna aren't sitting on their
open-class laurels.
The Aprilia website details functional details between the RXV and
SXV. Obvious differences I saw include wheels, discs, and front
caliper. I see from the website the SXV's front fork is
larger-diameter (48 vs. 45mm). Surely they're sprung differently,
also. Still, they're more similar than different yet somehow might
satisfy both the Supermoto and off-road crowds.
The SXV is a small bike, smaller than pictures suggest. A Sport Rider
"First Ride" article the other month listed "semi-wet" weight of the
450 as about 260 lbs. Assuming the usual fluff-factor, call it less
than 300 lbs wet. Tossing it around on the event floor, it sure felt
like a whole lotta nothin', in the best possible way. If it really
makes 65-70 hp at the wheel, this bike could be a serious force at
tighter racetracks and Supermoto cart-circuits.
Riding position appeared about what you'd expect, with a brick seat
and no fairing to speak of. I read the transmission's a close-ratio
5-speed, so clearly this isn't a long-distance hauler. Probably a
dream on tight roads, though.
Price wasn't listed. Either they haven't decided yet, or it's
frighteningly high. With Aprilia, anything's possible.
Personally, if the SXV appears on Aprilia showroom floors by
mid-summer 2006, I'll take a close look depending on price and other
factors. I'm still thinking about crossing-genres, slowing down the
track riding a little and maybe trying some Supermoto. Or, just
slowing down and trying a smaller bike with more-physical riding style
at regular tracks. Not sure yet.
Oh, btw: Peckhammer noticed first there wasn't a Triumph booth at the
Intl Moto Show this year. Odd, and disappointing. Harley-Davidson,
Vespa-Piaggio(!)/Aprilia, and Kawasaki had big areas. Suzuki didn't
disappoint. Honda was shoved off in a corner. BMW had a minor
presence, if anything overshadowed by Toyota's auto display. Very
strange.
'-----------------------------------------------------
' Daniel Bannon
' NW WA State, U.S.A.
' 2003 ZX636B Hercusaki, 1999 CBR1100XX
'-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Striemer
Any good photos from the show?
re. Datona 675:
if interested
UK dealers web site show a retail price of 7200 pounds = $12500 USD
Rob
"Daniel Bannon" <daniel_...@hahtmail.dott.c0mm> wrote in message
news:jb96p1dqekidoash3...@4ax.com...
Robert Striemer
a supermoto package seems a revolution. Its going to be expensive. We're
months away from the cycle show here. Please, anyone going to the shows
check out the SXV and post your impressions.
The two video clips on this page (link below) will give some impression of
the riding position and sound of the SXV.
Watch the second (.avi) first. I wish there was some perspective or scale in
the second video as given the big MX high seat the bike looks small for this
rider. He must be very tall.
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=269824
Robert Striemer
"Daniel Bannon" <daniel_...@hahtmail.dott.c0mm> wrote in message
news:jb96p1dqekidoash3...@4ax.com...
Daniel Bannon
<rjstr...@shaw.ca> wrote:
>SXV is very interesting.
>
>Any good photos from the show?
>
>re. Datona 675:
>
>if interested
>
>UK dealers web site show a retail price of 7200 pounds = $12500 USD
>
>http://www.windycorner.co.uk/shop/product.php?xProd=521&xSec=1&jssCart=fa9d707318039f66dc0ff8ade62b8757
>
>Rob
>
There are no pictures I can offer superior to those on the Aprilia
website.
Some of the Internet forums indicate the 450 will be first out of the
gate in the U.S., and may or may not be street-legal for awhile. We
have odd emissions laws. Not too many available, either.
If it costs the equivalent of 7,500 pounds/12,000 dollars, they won't
sell many here. Not with Husqvarna and KTM open-class Supermoto going
for $7,200.
But hey: it it's on the Internet, it must be true! Who knows: I'll
believe when it arrives to showrooms in Seattle, WA, then take a test
ride at Moto International, our local dealer.
Triumph didn't show for the Seattle version of the show. Big
disappointment for some.
sqidbait
> This year's Seattle International Motorcycle Show featured the new
> Aprilia SXV450 and offroad-cousin, the RXV450. I took the opportunity
> to observe, up-close-and-personal.
>
> They didn't have the 550cc version(s) on display. What, if anything,
> this bodes for availability in the U.S. isn't clear to me. Presumably
> they'll need both 450 and 550 to compete in the two main Supermoto
> classes, however, given KTM and Husqvarna aren't sitting on their
> open-class laurels.
>
> The Aprilia website details functional details between the RXV and
> SXV. Obvious differences I saw include wheels, discs, and front
> caliper. I see from the website the SXV's front fork is
> larger-diameter (48 vs. 45mm). Surely they're sprung differently,
> also. Still, they're more similar than different yet somehow might
> satisfy both the Supermoto and off-road crowds.
>
> The SXV is a small bike, smaller than pictures suggest. A Sport Rider
> "First Ride" article the other month listed "semi-wet" weight of the
> 450 as about 260 lbs. Assuming the usual fluff-factor, call it less
> than 300 lbs wet. Tossing it around on the event floor, it sure felt
> like a whole lotta nothin', in the best possible way. If it really
> makes 65-70 hp at the wheel, this bike could be a serious force at
> tighter racetracks and Supermoto cart-circuits.
I wonder if that engine will find its way into the RS250 chassis?
That would be a very interesting streetbike!
-- Michael
Peckham
"Daniel Bannon" <daniel_...@hahtmail.dott.c0mm> wrote in message
news:jb96p1dqekidoash3...@4ax.com...
> Oh, btw: Peckhammer noticed first there wasn't a Triumph booth at the
> Intl Moto Show this year.
Odd since it was reported that
Triumph Motorcycles has reported that there was a 42 percent surge in group
turnover for the 2005 financial year.
"The motorbike maker announced in a statement that group turnover soared in
the year to June 30th from 125 million pounds in 2004 to 177 million pounds.
Worldwide pre-tax operating profit was up from 1.5 million pounds in 2003-04
to 10.7 million pounds in 2004-05.
The company attributed the steep rise in sales to the strong global
performance of its Speed Triple, Rocket III and Sprint ST models. Unit sales
of Triumph motorcycles rose to 31,600 over the year to June, an increase of
29 percent.
Commercial director of Triumph, Tue Mantoni, commented: "Our growth does not
stem from an entry into any new, major markets.
"Triumph's popularity with customers is growing across the board and it is
satisfactory to see that all our markets have performed well above the
levels of the previous year."