Aprilia’s New Racing and Riding Adventures
Aprilia USA made big news times two at Daytona Bikeweek with the announcement that it is finally going racing for real in the USA and by introducing a new twist to their enthusiasts’ demo rides, making them real rides.
Aprilia broke the news about these happenings inside and outside the speedway at a press lunch followed by a ride arranged for the journalists. Team Aprilia Millennium Technologies, the experienced team assembled to race Aprilias in the U.S., was introduced at the lunch also.
A serious “factory” effort, the team has Chaz Davies, winner of the 2008 Daytona 200, on-board as its lead rider, and its second rider is Ben Thompson. In the 200, the day after the introduction, Davies set the fastest lap of the race and brought his Aprilia Mille home in sixth.
That’s great, and we wish them well, but more importantly, for you and me, the announcement of the Aprilia Adventure, the company’s new take on demo rides, takes precedence. It’s scheduled to launch at various motorcycle events around the country in 2009. Check your local listings.
The difference between the Aprilia Adventure and every other demo ride is that it takes enthusiasts on a one-hour journey instead of a frustrating 20-minute prowl around a congested block. Eight riders are in each group, and at a halfway point on the Adventure, riders get to stop for beverages and chips and chatting. And then it’s back in the saddle for another 30 minutes of the best roads in the area.
However, unlike all other demo rides, this Adventure isn’t free: it costs $20. And “So what?” I say. Aprilia charges a fee only to dissuade professional demo riders looking to get their dance card signed by every manufacturer – people with no intentions of purchasing a bike any time soon.
Think about it. For only $20 you get to spend an hour riding a really cool, brand-new Italian bike of your choice, fuel included. Plus, the price of admission includes a soda and a bag of chips. Where else can you get this level of entertainment value for that little? The rusty Alpine Express at the county fair costs four bucks for two minutes, and if you get a soda and chips too, you’ve doubled the cost for only a few hundred seconds of excitement. So, go on, visit www.apriliausa.com and click the big graphic banner near the top that says, “Aprilia Adventure,” then pick a date and have a blast.
And by the way, I was paying attention during my Adventure and found the Dorsoduro 750 to be an excellent bike. Essentially a 750cc Super Moto, it’s just small enough that it handles like a little bike while nearly having the power of a big one. Go ride it and see.
