Issue:
Spring 2002

Text:
Andi Seiler

Photography:
Christian Neuhauser and Andi Seiler

Pages:
78 - 84

Visit the gallery for more pictures

The roaring of the engine's intake tract makes my stomach feel like a bucket of butterflies. The deep growl of the exhaust isn't any less exciting. No doubt about it, it's always been a pleasure and a special moment to ride a V2. And then this unequivocal direct feel from the front wheel that tells you exactly what's goin' on. Of course, it's a sportbike and you feel it. Aprilia's Falco is definitely one of the most desirable bikes on the market.

However, in its class of sport touring machines (to mention the proper classification), it has a new sister for 2001, the RST1000 Futura, which is even more of a bike for touring because of its travel-orientated full fairing and luggage system. And it has the same V2 engine with some changes for more torque over a wider rpm range. The patented big single muffler underneath the seat adds its special note to the newcomer's appearance. Once again, riding an Aprilia is special.

Talking about Newcomers
Who's Aprilia? This isn't an unusual question, even from people who are interested in motorcycles. Although the company is quite successful in Europe and in racing circles, not a lot of people know of it in the U.S. The reason for that is simple. Aprilia USA, Inc., located in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area, was incorporated only three years ago, in June 1998. But since then the company accomplished great results over here. As of May 2001, Aprilia USA has 106 operational dealers offering a product range of ten different units from 500 to 1000cc....