MaxMoto News. 06/10/07

At this years EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Aprilia showed us a new concept model, the FV2, which they strongly hint illustrates the future direction that they'll taking the technology on their bikes.

Designed by Aprilia Style Studio's Miguel Galluzzi, who's most famous for designing the original Ducati Monster.

The concept was there partially to showcase their developed (but yet to utilised) 1200cc fly-by-wire engine based on the existing Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro 750. Although some of the technology shown here is more likely to be seen with Aprilia's new V4 engine in the RSV4.

The revolutionary Parallelogram front suspension is lifted from GP250 bikes and is thus an already proven system, with some of the parts made from carbon fibre.

The chassis is largely made of carbon fibre, the hollow structure of which doubles up as the airbox, which, with the aluminium/carbon fibre subframe, gives the bike an overall weight of under 160kg. Although it's difficult to see how this could be mass produced cost effectively with the current state of carbon fibre technology.

The electronics also feature strongly beyond the ride-by-wire fuel management. Included is electronically managed suspension that can adjust to the prevailing road conditions on the fly, with telemetry data being available through an interface to the users PC giving rider a new wealth of information and control of their bike and their riding style. To make this point, a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) was used as the dash display (there has been a long association between Aprilia Racing and the PlayStation brand), implying that such a device could be used as for data-logging and fine tuning suspension settings and engine mapping, as well as GPS and as a mobile communications device.

Traction control and ABS are also in the bike's extensive electronic feature list, as well as lights whose direction turns with the bike.

Going back to the electronically managed suspension, Dutch company WP have their EDS system that's used in some BMWs (they call it ESA and it can adjust preload when stationary and damping front and rear on the fly), and there have long been rumours of it being picked up by Italian manufacturers. But with Aprilia's long association with Öhlins of Sweden, we think that they may looking along the lines of their Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension technology.

Have you got something that you'd like to share on this topic? If so, visit MaxMoto's Message Board on the Aprilia FV2 Milledue ( 3 comments).

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