Aprilia Goes Moto

APRILIA GOES MOTO

Aprilia's ever-evolving RSV Mille R was one of the show-stoppers at Milan, but the really big news from the Italian bike-maker was a new twin-cylinder motocross/supermoto enqine desiqned by the Angelo Macchi-led team of technicians who deserted Cagiva-Husqvarna earlier this year. Said to weigh about the same as the latest four-stroke Singles, the 77-degree, liquid-cooled, sohc 450cc V-Twin allegedly revs to 14,000 rpm and produces more than 80 horsepower. Bore and stroke were not announced, but the cylinder heads are compact and the included valve angle is narrow. Top-end design is similar to that of the Honda CRF450R, with the single camshaft acting directly on the inlet valves, while rocker arms open the exhausts. The engine will be equipped with an electric starter, while a high-output generator will provide all the energy necessary to power the digital ignition and fuel-injection systems. -Bruno de Prato