2008 Aprilia FV2 & SMV750 - Dorsoduro

The Milan Motorcycle Show continues to spew out its moto madness and this time the psychosis' epicenter is Noale, Italy. There's two distinctly different shockers from Aprilia: The FV2 concept bike is sure to send a shiver down your spine because it looks plain insane, but it showcases a 1200cc V-Twin based off the Shiver mill. Then there is the new SMV750 Dorsoduro - also based on the Shiver platform.

FV2 Concept

It's difficult not to be drawn to that which we cannot have, so we'll address the FV2 first. At the heart of this rolling art is a large displacement V-Twin that is essentially a super-sized Shiver motor. Exactly what other bike this motor might make its way into over the next few years is yet to be revealed, but if this is a sign of things to come then we are going to be quite impatient. Details are vague at this point but fly-by-wire throttle, ABS and traction control are all reported as electronic goodies integrated into this machine. A pair of slash-cut exhaust outlets do not exactly look like they are capable of meeting any type of sound restriction requirements, but this is, after all, a concept bike at this stage.

The motor is wrapped in a completely carbon-fiber construction chassis that, according to Aprilia, will pull double-duty as an airbox. The unique front suspension/fork arrangement is also entirely carbon fiber and holds the radial-mount Brembo braking system. At the rear of the bike is an interesting subframe which appears to be constructed of, you guessed it, more CF. Below the subframe lies a linkage-less rear swingarm with exposed shock. Although it looks like a runner there is no word on how or if this bike fits into Aprilia's future, but stranger things have happened.

SMV750 - Dorsoduro

The supermotorad craze knows no bounds. Look no further than this latest entry, the SMV750 - Dorsoduro. Based on the Shiver, the SMV750 appears to be geared at taking on the Ducati Hypermotard with its stylish lines and top shelf components, including radial-mount 4-piston Brembo front brakes and a pair of massive wave rotors. A matched rear brake/rotor combo should provide loads of stopping power for this lightweight beauty which Aprilia claims will produce 95 horsepower from its liquid-cooled V-Twin mill. The potent engine will be operated through Aprilia's, so far reported to be smooth, 'ride-by-wire' ECU.

One look and it's hard not to make an immediate comparison between this bike and the Ducati. From the wide bars, pointed nose, integrated minimalist intake shroud/bodywork, flat seating area to the dual underseat exhaust - it just doesn't seem to be a coincidence. Not that this is a bad thing for Aprilia.

The chassis is a combination trellis and aluminum alloy with an inverted front fork and single rear shock. The swingarm is traditional, except that it is cast with stylized gaps between the top and bottom pieces with a linkage-less rear shock assembly attaching to a boss in the swingarm and the alloy section of the frame. The arrangement is similar to the Shiver but the swingarm looks quite a bit different.

While the new SMV750 is an unknown commodity on the street thus far, there is no doubt that Aprilia knows a thing or two about supermotard. The company has won a few titles the recent years with its lightweight SXV taking the international supermoto scene by storm. Stay tuned for more information.