It’s been a busy week for European motorcycle marques. Ducati revealed the new limited edition Diavel V4 RS, Aprilia wrapped their zippy SR GT scooter in MotoGP colors, and Husqvarna treated the popular 701 Supermoto to a major update.
Ducati Diavel V4 RS
Would you like to hazard a guess at what the fastest-accelerating production motorcycle is in Ducati’s current range? Hint: it’s not a superbike. It’s the new Ducati Diavel V4 RS, with a blistering zero to 100 km/h [62 mph] time of 2.52 seconds (as set by MotoGP legend Marc Marquez).
Released alongside the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS, the limited edition Diavel V4 RS cranks the monstrous Ducati power cruiser up to eleven. Its 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale engine makes a stonking 182 hp at 11,750 rpm, with 120 Nm of torque delivered at 9,500 rpm. It uses Ducati’s ‘Twin Pulse’ firing order, which promises a smooth ride at low revs and utter hooliganism at full tilt.
The Diavel’s dry clutch offers the typical Ducati whirr at full tilt, while a stacked titanium exhaust end cap makes more pleasant noises. A quick-shifter, TFT display, and endless list of electronic rider aids are standard fare.
All of this is packaged in an aluminum monocoque frame, with fully adjustable Öhlins suspension at both ends, and a single-sided aluminum swingarm out back. Special RS forged aluminum wheels are part of the package, as are Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires and Panigale V4-derived Brembo brakes.
The Ducati Diavel V4 RS also gets a set of carbon fiber body parts exclusive to this model. The set includes the air intakes, fenders, tank covers, and single-seat tail section, all of which bring the Diavel’s overall weight down by 3 kg [6.6 lbs]. (The bike comes with a two-seater kit too, in case you need to accommodate a plus-one.)
Then there’s the Diavel V4 RS livery, which brings a fresh sportbike-like aesthetic to the beastly cruiser. The RS logo is splashed over the bodywork, but is also present on the tail, the dashboard, the ignition fob, and the rear cylinder head cover, which also bears each example’s series number.
European Ducatisti can expect the Diavel V4 RS to arrive at dealerships in December. The US gets it a month later, before it rolls out to the rest of the world. If you love the Diavel’s unapologetic sport cruiser vibe, the RS might just be the best version of it yet. [Ducati]
Aprilia SR GT Replica
It’s been a weekend to remember for Marco Bezzecchi and the factory Aprilia MotoGP team at Misano. The Italian earned pole position in qualifying, won Saturday’s sprint race, and came second in the main event, conceding the win to Marc Marquez by the narrowest of margins.
If their success inspires you to add a dash of Aprilia MotoGP flavor to your garage, but your pocketbook isn’t deep enough to afford the eye-popping RSV4 X-GP, we present the Aprilia SR GT Replica.
Yes, it’s a scooter—but it’s a damn fine looking scooter. Available in ‘125’ and ‘200’ versions, the SR GT Replica wraps Aprilia’s plucky SR GT scoot in a livery plucked straight from Bezzecchi’s race bike. The design uses a matte black base, punctuated by red and purple stripes, with a giant Aprilia logo emblazoned on the side.
The wheels are finished in black too, with red accents on the front hoop, while the SR GT’s usual dual-sport tires have been traded for sportier options.
That’s about the extent of it. Behind the graphics lies a regular Aprilia SR GT—which, if we’re being honest, seems like barrels of fun already. The SR GT 200’s Euro-compliant 174 cc motor makes a claimed 13 kW at 8,650 rpm and 16.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Aprilia pitches it as an “urban adventure scooter,” so it also features a sporty build, wide bars, 14F/13R wheels, and more ground clearance than your average scoot.
The Aprilia SR GT Replica will no doubt cost significantly more than your run-of-the-mill commuter scooter, but it’ll still sell like hot cakes—especially to race fans who want to grab groceries in style. [Aprilia]
Husqvarna 701 Supermoto
Given the rocky road that its parent company, KTM, has been on, we had begun to worry that Husqvarna would fade from existence or be sold off to recoup losses. Thankfully, the Swedish-born, Austrian-owned marque is still alive and kicking, with an update of one of their most popular street bikes—the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto.
Although Husqvarna’s bikes are typically rebadged KTMs, the brand somehow manages to elevate the base bike to new heights. The 701 Supermoto is no different. Sporting the same 692.7 cc single-cylinder LC4 engine as the KTM 690 SMC R, it kicks out 78 hp and 73 Nm of torque, with a dry weight of just 152 kilos [335 pounds].
The new engine boasts a laundry list of upgrades, including a new airbox design, a new exhaust, updated valve timing, a new fuel pump, and more. A redesigned TFT display offers access to the bike’s myriad rider aids, which, on the 701 Supermoto, include Supermoto+ and Sport ABS modes, an optional Track package, and connectivity features.
The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto’s chromium-molybdenum trellis frame is hooked up to WP Apex suspension components, rolling on 17” laced tubeless wheels. The polyamide tail section acts as its own subframe and the bike’s fuel tank, with an aluminum swingarm finishing off the chassis package.
The 701 Supermoto also wears all-new bodywork, differentiating it heavily from its orange counterpart. The design is as slick as we’ve come to expect from Husqvarna, with a stark yellow and white livery leaving little doubt about the company’s Scandinavian heritage. [Husqvarna | Images by Tschann E.]
