The Eclectic Biker: August 2004

Please Aprilia, don't die...

Please Aprilia, don't die...

NOTE: At the time of this writing, Ducati was in negotiations with Aprilia for purchase of the company's assets. A decision had not yet been made.

This is an open letter to the powers that be at Aprilia...

To whom it may concern:

I have been a fan of the Aprilia marque since I first discovered it three years ago. I know all too well the financial dificulties your company has faced in recent times. I also know you're in negotiations with Ducati over the sale of the company. While that may sound like a good decision, I implore you, please don't let the company die.

Ducatis are nice bikes. They have character, soul and emotion. But to me, compared with an Aprilia, there is no comparison. While the 999 is a nice bike, the RSV1000 stirs my emotions in a profound way. It speaks to me on numerous levels - from its beautiful proportions to its solid engineering to, yes, its superior build quality, it's the motorcycle I most want to have in my garage, when the time is right. This bike cannot be allowed to die.

And it's not just the new RSV. The last-generation Mille is an absolutely beautiful bike. The RS250, in its pure, elemental glory, is my all-time favorite bike. The Falco is, in my opinion, the best road bike available.

You have built a great reputation in 125 and 250 Grand Prix racing. Your bikes are the ones to beat in each category. Your World Superbike program was just beginning to take off before the program was axed. Which brings me to my next point - you need to re-establish yourself in production-based road racing. The new RSV belongs in World Superbike. And in AMA Superbike. Racing improves the breed, and gives bikes exposure to potential buyers. I don't understand the MotoGP project. The engine has nothing to do with any of your production bikes (it uses automobile techonolgy, for Pete's sake). The money used on this unsuccessful project could have been used to fund a much more promising WSBK and AMA program, and would have sold more Milles (and RSV100s).

Please, do whatever you can to keep Aprilia alive. Sell off Moto Guzzi (Ducati can have it, you don't need it). Dump the Laverda brand. Get out of MotoGP. Whatever it takes. You can't let this wonderful marque die.

Sincerely,

A die-hard Aprilia fan