It kills me to admits this but sometimes you just don't need 140+ ponies, or pull-your-skeleton-from-your-body-torque, or brain-crushing acceleration.
The horror!
Okay, "need" in this instance is entirely relative. But for those of us who never smile more broadly than when perched up over the tank and cracking open the throttle with nothing ahead but smooth, car-free pavement, curves and twisties before us, well, "need" is an accurate description of how we feel about our sportbikes.
Except there's a problem with high-performance, track-ready motos.
They may do fast very very well. But slow? Rush hour, stop-and-go traffic? And in the case of the Ducati superbikes, first gear?
Yeah. Not exactly on the engineers' list of priorities when designing these bikes.
The sportbike's inherent dislike of all things gridlock can become an issue if you live in the city.
The ability to jump from 0-100mph before you can utter a four-lettered "Oh @#&%!!!" is not necessarily a good thing for the new rider who may not yet possess the skill set necessary to survive a ride on a world class speed machine.
Like I said, sometimes you just don't need a high-performance motorcycle.
But if you prefer the looks, or seating position, or handling of a sportbike, swapping your faster machine for a stodgy standard when commuting just doesn't provide the same sort of riding joy. And that is a "need" too.
Kawasaki's Ninja 250 has been the only alternative to the non-sportbike substitute. Honda recently released its own answer to the Ninja in the CBR250r. Great bikes. But not everyone wants to ride a Japanese sportbike, even if that's exactly what it seems like everyone rides.
Enter the solution: The Aprilia RS4. A four-stroke, 125cc, Euro-mini that looks enticingly like Max Biaggi's World Superbike.
It may not go as fast as your Aprilia RSV4. But it is all Italian in looks, balance and stance. Gorgeous!
And practical? Works for me.
So, for those days when you don't need 150-horses to sit in traffic during your morning commute; if you are still learning to ride; or if you are new to the track: this little superbike-mini is not only a replica, but a potentially suitable compromise.
I may have found the perfect replacement for my urban commuter Yamaha FZ6, and suitable mini-me sidekick for my Ducati 848EVO.
Cheers!
The horror!
Okay, "need" in this instance is entirely relative. But for those of us who never smile more broadly than when perched up over the tank and cracking open the throttle with nothing ahead but smooth, car-free pavement, curves and twisties before us, well, "need" is an accurate description of how we feel about our sportbikes.
Except there's a problem with high-performance, track-ready motos.
They may do fast very very well. But slow? Rush hour, stop-and-go traffic? And in the case of the Ducati superbikes, first gear?
Yeah. Not exactly on the engineers' list of priorities when designing these bikes.
The sportbike's inherent dislike of all things gridlock can become an issue if you live in the city.
The ability to jump from 0-100mph before you can utter a four-lettered "Oh @#&%!!!" is not necessarily a good thing for the new rider who may not yet possess the skill set necessary to survive a ride on a world class speed machine.
Like I said, sometimes you just don't need a high-performance motorcycle.
But if you prefer the looks, or seating position, or handling of a sportbike, swapping your faster machine for a stodgy standard when commuting just doesn't provide the same sort of riding joy. And that is a "need" too.
Kawasaki's Ninja 250 has been the only alternative to the non-sportbike substitute. Honda recently released its own answer to the Ninja in the CBR250r. Great bikes. But not everyone wants to ride a Japanese sportbike, even if that's exactly what it seems like everyone rides.
Enter the solution: The Aprilia RS4. A four-stroke, 125cc, Euro-mini that looks enticingly like Max Biaggi's World Superbike.
And practical? Works for me.
So, for those days when you don't need 150-horses to sit in traffic during your morning commute; if you are still learning to ride; or if you are new to the track: this little superbike-mini is not only a replica, but a potentially suitable compromise.
I may have found the perfect replacement for my urban commuter Yamaha FZ6, and suitable mini-me sidekick for my Ducati 848EVO.
Cheers!