Just as in the automotive world, the world of motorcycling has also adopted the idea of track-ready bikes, offered to people like us. These fast machines are usually adapted versions of a brand’s conventional bikes, or a step below racing bikes.
Aprilia is the latest manufacturer to take action with the launch of the RS 660 Trofeo; a limited edition sports bike, for track use only, based on the brand’s previous success and a bike that we can’t help but get excited about.
The bike itself is based on the RS 660, but unlike the road bike, the Trofeo is actually built by the competition department. According to Aprilia, “the limited production, which takes place between racing seasons, is done directly by Aprilia’s competition department as part of the Factory Works program.”
With this in mind, Aprilia Racing and the Factory Works program set out to build a better bike. The program removes the ignition switch assembly, along with the ABS – although “the ABS control unit, however, remains on the bike and connected to explore the strategies of the integrated electronic system – while the rest of the braking system is “simplified with separate lines.” The bike’s ECU is then reprogrammed with “mapping (all ‘full power’) developed by Aprilia Racing.” It has also been tuned for the SC Project competition exhaust.
To keep everything level, the suspension system has been updated, with the front fork receiving an adjustable internal cartridge “Misano by Andreani”, which works for both compression and damping and preload, while the rear shock absorber Öhlins AP948 “has hydraulic adjustment of preload, compression and damping”.
The frame of the motorcycle has also been improved, as Aprilia lowered the riding position, while the brand made the footrests adjustable. The brand also lowered the dry weight – an absurd metric as we have discussed in the past – to just 153 Kg.
