Along with the introduction of the 450cc v-twin off-road engine at Milan by Aprilia (see our story here), there are rumors that Aprilia will combine this engine with an extremely light chassis for motocross use. How about a carbon fiber swingarm on a stock bike?
If Aprilia could indeed match the weight of the single cylinder four-strokes of the same displacement, it would undoubtedly have a power-to-weight advantage. Could it use this advantage? In my opinion, not in motocross.
The 450cc thumpers from Honda, Yamaha and KTM still have plenty of development potential, and are already making more power than most pros need, or use (ask Kevin Windham). Although the Aprilia v-twin should, in theory, have a higher peak horsepower than a single of the same displacement, traction might be its biggest problem.
A twin will have more frequent power pulses than a single, giving the 450 v-twin some of the traction problems associated with two-strokes. Motocross does not really seem to be the best arena for this powerplant.
Supermoto racing, on the other hand, particularly on faster tracks, could be the place for Aprilia to exploit a horsepower advantage. Otherwise, Aprilia might just as well put this new motor in a trick, lightweight street bike.
