Aprilia has trademarked the RSV1000 name, hinting at a new litre-class motorcycle the company is working on. While the trademark – filed in the US – does not necessarily mean that Aprilia is working on a new motorcycle, it is a positive indication at least. The RSV1000 name was last used in 2010 with the Aprilia RSV1000 Mille V-twin superbike. With the trademark being filed, it brings in two questions — what happens to the RSV4? Can we see Aprilia in WSBK?
Aprilia RSV1000 — What to expect?
While we cannot say anything about the motorcycle itself, it does make sense for Aprilia to have a litre-class V-Twin. Currently, there is a huge gap in Aprilia’s lineup between the RS660 and the range-topping RSV4. A litre-class motorcycle can fill this void — similar to what Ducati has done with the lineup. The Panigale V4 sits on top of the food chain while there is a mellower V2 that sits below it.
Yamaha has also done the same with its sportbike range, having introduced the new YZF-R9. Aprilia won’t be reviving an old engine, but it already has a V-Twin mill that powers the Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro motorcycles.
While there is a market for the larger and more powerful Aprilia RSV4, the market is also shrinking, which is why other manufacturers have mellower-litre-class motorcycles on offer. That said, the new V-Twin can also spawn an adventure motorcycle, a segment that is popular globally, while Aprilia may also enter WSBK.
