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Posted by MikeE
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Monday, 20 September 2004 |
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Page 2 of 4
Next up were the new clothed and freshly massaged 04's. Q. When is an R not an R? A. When it's a factory. This years bikes are labeled R and R Factory. The base is now called an R and the top of the range bike is now labeled an R Factory. The difference is pretty much the same as last years Mille and Mille R. More R's that a drunken pirate, to say the least. Confused? Don't be. Just reread this paragraph or go buy a parrot, my Matey.
I was supposed to equally ride both versions, but having expensive tastes, combined with a fools-gold mentality, I was mostly drawn to the shinier gold laden Factory version - I promise to retest the R at a later date... Honest Guv. |
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Aprilia's Press guy, Robert Pandya, kindly reminded us that these were the only nine bikes in the North American press fleet. Dinging one of these would seriously jeopardize our ability to take "ownership" of one for a street test later in the year (Was he looking at me when he said that?) Needless to say we all ignored him and the press GP started, with me looking for at least a podium finish. |
The adage for this year's supermodel was the stereotypical, less weight and more power. They did very well on both accounts.
The bike has seen a major restyle yet still retains that distinctive and classic Mille "look". The front in particular, now has a bold central air intake and a much slimmer fairing upper. That nose intake is now responsible for a 3% increase in air speed driving through to the airbox. The rear seat has also been "Jenny Craiged" with a slimmer profile and the whole package looks trim and purposeful. |
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The frame, although similar in design, has also received a major workout. The whole bike lost eight pounds in its dietary makeover (it was never really fat, it just looked fat) with the frame losing just over a pound, yet being 5% stiffer in torsional rigidity. Under the new clothing is a redesigned engine that features that familiar and ultra-reliable 990cc 60º V-Twin motor. That motor now enjoys some swanky (and lighter) magnesium alloy cylinder head covers with revised inlet and exhaust ports. It's been moved to the right some 4mm to achieve perfect balance especially with a corresponding 5mm forward positioning of the rear swinger. Power is now a reputed 138 peak gee gee's at 9,500 rpm, with maximum torque of 78.9 ft.-lbs. (107 Nm) at 7,500 rpm. |
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