The sports bikes segment is expected to have a new entry soon: Aprilia recently posted an image on their social media, mentioning September 7th for the probable unveiling. Little can be guessed from the considerably obscured photo, but it is almost certain that the 2024 novelty from Noale presented in the teaser is a sports road bike, probably intended to expand the RS range, which currently includes the two-cylinder RS660 and the four-cylinder RSV1100 to accompany the small RS125.
So, what could be the bike that will be presented on September 7th? Assuming – without confirmation from Aprilia – that it will be a sports bike, some disguised prototypes have been seen on Indian roads in the past, speculating about an RS with a displacement of around 450 cc.
The possibility is not to be dismissed: the segment of small-displacement sports bikes with a power output of around 50 hp (possibly 48 to accommodate A2 license holders) is expanding with offerings like the CFMOTO 450SR, Honda CBR500R, Yamaha R3, KTM RC390, and so on, bikes that then have a derived platform in corresponding naked or streetfighter versions (KTM has already introduced the new Duke 390, for example), as could also be the case for Aprilia’s potential novelty.
However, requests are also emerging from some quarters for bikes that can bridge the power gap between the around 100 hp of the RS 660 and the over 200 hp of the RSV4. In this case, an RS with a displacement of around 800 cc would be a good middle ground, with a conceivable power output of around 130 hp and a frame equipment capable of adequately supporting sporty riding.
Which of these two? Or maybe none of them and we are completely wrong? Assuming that nothing else has been disclosed by Aprilia so far, we will have to wait less than a week to find out more.
