EICMA 2022: Piaggio Group Comes Out Swinging for 2023

The motorcycles on display at EICMA always present a pleasant sneak peek of what’s coming in the new year. Aprilia and Moto Guzzi—both in the Piaggio Group stable—will be stirring the marketplace and emotions with several new machines for 2023.

Aprilia’s aptly named Extrema heads the brand’s RS 660 line-up, setting an impressive power-to-weight ratio with a dry weight of just short of 366 pounds matched to 100 hp. A slate of standard electronics keep the inherent performance manageable, including traction control, cornering-ABS, an engine brake system, selectable engine mapping, and wheelie control.

The RS 660 Extrema has software that allows the rider to set the quickshift to accommodate a reverse shift pattern for track riding without any special componentry or altering of the bike.

A new, lighter exhaust system with a carbon terminal snakes along the right side of the machine, as opposed to running underneath the engine. The front mudguard and lower fairing are made of carbon fiber.

The aerodynamic, wedged bodywork is augmented by a single-seat tail section. Race-inspired graphics and paint scheme preserve Aprilia’s racing pedigree.  

Aprilia ELECTRICa Project    

Entering the Aprilia line will be the new ELECTRICa project.  This electric motorcycle benefits from the company’s breakthrough experimentation with electric vehicles, which began in 1975.

The project machine has a dynamic, modern look with decidedly familiar Aprilia lines and branding. The ELECTRICa is compact, with a low seat to accommodate a wide range of rider dimensions.

Placing both the front and rear brake controls on the handlebar helps facilitate rider transition from scooters. Keyless operation and LCD instrumentation provide ease and practicality, while a host of Aprilia’s pioneering electronic aids ensure safe riding.

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

On the Moto Guzzi side of Piaggio’s garage, there’s the new, striking V100 Mandello. Maintaining Moto Guzzi’s penchant for uniqueness with its signature transversely-mounted V-twin engine, the new Mandello ushers in a new page in the storied history of the Italian manufacturer.

Fitting neatly within the realms of sport riding and touring, the V100 is laden with advanced technologies mixed with a colorful heritage and innovative adaptive aerodynamic tank-mounted wings, making their first appearance on a production motorcycle.

Equipped with cornering-ABS, semi-active suspension, and a quickshifter, the Mandello is fitted with the next-generation compact block V-twin, which continues the lineage of its 90-degree configuration in the famous transverse mount. The torque pull of the V-twin has been significantly reduced by new counter-rotating balance shafts.

The aerodynamic wings deploy at preset speeds to route air more efficiently and improve riding conditions with regard to air temperature, as well as working as rain deflectors. The wings work in conjunction with the adjustable windscreen to control cockpit turbulence.

Four ride modes manage three different engine maps, with four levels of traction control, two levels of engine braking, and adjustable calibration of the semi-active Öhlins suspension. The system allows the rider to tailor the Mandello to personal preference.

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone SE & V9 Bobber

Also in the line-up for 2023 is the V7 Stone Special Edition, one of Moto Guzzi’s most popular models, renowned for its bold character and classic design cues. The V7 is tastefully dressed in a special Shining Black gloss livery accented by red graphics (which harken to the Eagle), red shock springs, and tasteful red seat stitching.

Head covers are in graphite coloring while bar-end mirrors and the Arrow exhaust system give the V7 a sporting profile. A plate on the handlebar riser identifies this special, prestigious edition of a classic Moto Guzzi.

Stepping further into nostalgia for Moto Guzzi there’s the V9 Bobber, which takes its bold looks from the chopped bobbers and dirt trackers that emerged stateside in the ‘40s, with fat tires and blacked-out components. The teardrop gas tank is rendered in a special two-tone black and gray scheme, set off by the billet aluminum cap and side panels. The retro 850 Guzzi generates its unmistakable sound through matte black slip-on exhaust pipes.