Aprilia Nera For Matt Leblanc

APRILIA NERA FOR MATT LEBLANC

ROUNDUP

EMMY AWARD-NOMINAted actor Matt LeBlanc has a new “friend:” Aprilia boss Ivano Beggio. The two met last July when LeBlanc, a lifelong motorcyclist who owns an RSV Mille and an RST Futura-not to mention a barnful of Suzukis-was given a tour of the factory and VIP passes to the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

“We had lunch with Mr. Beggio in his apartment at the factory,” LeBlanc remembered. “It is just a great facility, really impressive. Toward the end of the tour, he said, T want to show you this one special thing.’ He took us into a room and there was the new RSV 1000 R, Factory and Nera. I was just blown away.”

First in the Italian bikemaker’s so-called “Dream Series,” the limited-edition, 139-horsepower Nera is based on the Brembobraked, Ohlinssuspended RSV 1000 R Factory (CW,

November,

2003).

Carbonfiber bodywork and forgedmagnesium O.Z. wheels replace the Factory’s plastic panels and forged-aluminum hoops, and titanium hardware is employed throughout. Claimed dry weight is 386 pounds, a 22lb. drop. Included with the purchase of the bike are passes and transportation to the Rio Grand Prix, a factory tour and custom Dainese leathers. Given all that, the $40K asking price begins to look like a deal.

Last December at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, LeBlanc was presented with the very first Nera, complete with a -clamp that reads, “MLB001.”

Up until a few years ago, the Boston native knew little about Aprilia. “I was working on a film in Austria,” he explained. “My driver used to race for Honda in World Supersport. All he talked about was bikes, bikes, bikes. He asked if I knew about the new Mille, but I didn’t even know Aprilia made four-strokes! So we went to a dealer, and I just flipped over it.”

When LeBlanc returned to the States, a brand-new Mille was waiting in his driveway. “It’s all hot-rodded now,” he enthused. “Stage II heads, carbon bodywork, O.Z. magnesium wheels-basically all the stuff that comes stock on the Nera.”

Despite the special nature of Beggio’s gift, LeBlanc has already ridden his new Nera-to the “Friends” set, no less. “The motor is more linear than mine, and more refined,” he said. “It feels smaller, tums-in better. The brakes are incredible, like hitting a wall. It’s just a joy to ride.” -Matthew Miles