Aprilia’s new SL 1000 apparently will be substantially lighter than the bike it borrows its motor from, the RSV. Motorcycle News of England has reported that the SL will be approximately 22 pounds lighter due to a unique frame design and a smaller, lighter fairing. The expected colors are black and burgundy (pictured here in MD). The Milan show in Italy in September is the expected debut of the bike.
Motorcycle News also reports that the motor is nearly full power. Unlike Honda’s VTR 1000 (which has a relatively low horsepower motor, tuned for huge low-end torque), the SL 1000 will be only slightly down on horsepower compared to the RSV. It is also expected that the SL will have fully adjustable suspension, both front and rear, unlike the Honda VTR. As the picture reveals, it will have upside down forks and Brembo brakes. This is high quality stuff.
At less than 400 pounds (its expected weight, which is quite rare for a street legal twin of this capacity), this should be one fun bike.
