MaxMoto News: 05/09/03

(Update 18.09.03: This item is updated here)

But what is it?

The marketing guys at Aprilia are playing a clever game. They are drip feeding us with tiny bits of criptic information about this bike launch in the run up to the Milan show.

We started with just the phrase "45.v2".

Speculation has included the forthcoming all carbon exclusive "Nero" version of the new '04 Mille, (using Colin Edwards' number 45), a 450cc v-twin to replace the 250cc 2-stroke, a 750cc v-twin aimed at the American market (750cc is 45 cubic inches).

Our bet is a 450cc supermoto of some description.....but even this doesn't quite add up. We're really trying to find out more, but our usual sources aren't playing ball.

Update 06/09/03: Aprilia have now added "The off road spirit continues". Sounds like were heading in the right direction(ish) with the supermoto. We think we've narrowed it down to a Motocross bike that they're going to compete with next year in the FIM World Championship Motocross Series. The "45" is a Yamaha derived 450cc 4 stroke and the "v2" might refer to their second stab at this market after they made some successful dirt bikes in the 70s and 80s. But then it might not.

We shall see.

Milan Show 16-24th September