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sportbike_pilot · 03-30-2004, 02:05 PM

It is a miracle to me that anyone outside of Honda and HD can afford to produce a line of motorcycles. Startup costs are high and the economic risk/profit ratio must be enormous. Surely the motorcycle industry, aside from the marquee names and pretenders to the throne, must be a tough sell to investors on paper. It's the classic passion vs. profit scenario. Thank goodness there are visionaries out there who are willing to take risks to produce cool motorcycles. Good luck Aprilia and MG!

sarnali · 03-30-2004, 02:29 PM

There you go guys, pick up an Aprilia and a Moto-Guzzi and you'll have an instant collector....Better run!

tomhorn · 03-30-2004, 06:35 PM

H-D buy Aprilia? Didn't Steve Schieb say that 60 degree V-twins just wouldn't work?(obcure VR-1000 reference). Think what Eric Buell could do with access to RSV1000 mills.

Jexter · 03-30-2004, 07:27 PM

Think what Eric Buell could do with access to RSV1000 mills.

Bore it out to ~1200cc, rip off the radiator, shove it into a bicycle frame, and put a big ol' rear tire on it. Somehow, it would manage > 3 G's when turning.

pdad13 · 03-30-2004, 08:10 PM

Awwwww...They can't go under! I had my lustful eye on a Tuono or Falco.

Maybe if we take up a collection...

Wouldn't mind seeing HD come to the rescue as long as they don't introduce the FXDLLXRYZ Fat Boy Mille FXRSV (weighing in at a svelte 670 lbs. with chrome and billet accessories. MSRP of $37,999...plus $1500 dealer markup).

Seriously, I don't see it happening. Seems like HD has got a pretty serious commitment to Buell. Taking on Aprilia would cannibalize from them too much and also doesn't fit into the American-made market position. Plus, Buells already get short shrift at Harley dealers. Where they gonna put the Aprilias?

As far as I know, Aprilia doesn't have a strong existing dealer network in the U.S., either. It could work outside the U.S., but I'm sure this country is their biggest target. But who knows?

tomhorn · 03-31-2004, 05:44 PM

Yeah, and make it vibrate like a worn-out hardware store paint shaker at idle.

Pacer · 04-03-2004, 01:13 AM

Tell him to call Rotax.

03-30-2004, 02:05 PM	#1
sportbike_pilot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 729	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too It is a miracle to me that anyone outside of Honda and HD can afford to produce a line of motorcycles. Startup costs are high and the economic risk/profit ratio must be enormous. Surely the motorcycle industry, aside from the marquee names and pretenders to the throne, must be a tough sell to investors on paper. It's the classic passion vs. profit scenario. Thank goodness there are visionaries out there who are willing to take risks to produce cool motorcycles. Good luck Aprilia and MG!

03-30-2004, 02:29 PM	#2
sarnali Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,416	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too There you go guys, pick up an Aprilia and a Moto-Guzzi and you'll have an instant collector....Better run!

03-30-2004, 06:35 PM	#3
tomhorn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 72	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too H-D buy Aprilia? Didn't Steve Schieb say that 60 degree V-twins just wouldn't work?(obcure VR-1000 reference). Think what Eric Buell could do with access to RSV1000 mills.

03-30-2004, 07:27 PM	#4
Jexter Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 129	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too Think what Eric Buell could do with access to RSV1000 mills. Bore it out to ~1200cc, rip off the radiator, shove it into a bicycle frame, and put a big ol' rear tire on it. Somehow, it would manage > 3 G's when turning.

03-30-2004, 08:10 PM	#5
pdad13 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,733	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too Awwwww...They can't go under! I had my lustful eye on a Tuono or Falco. Maybe if we take up a collection... Wouldn't mind seeing HD come to the rescue as long as they don't introduce the FXDLLXRYZ Fat Boy Mille FXRSV (weighing in at a svelte 670 lbs. with chrome and billet accessories. MSRP of $37,999...plus $1500 dealer markup). Seriously, I don't see it happening. Seems like HD has got a pretty serious commitment to Buell. Taking on Aprilia would cannibalize from them too much and also doesn't fit into the American-made market position. Plus, Buells already get short shrift at Harley dealers. Where they gonna put the Aprilias? As far as I know, Aprilia doesn't have a strong existing dealer network in the U.S., either. It could work outside the U.S., but I'm sure this country is their biggest target. But who knows?

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03-31-2004, 05:44 PM	#6
tomhorn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 72	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too Yeah, and make it vibrate like a worn-out hardware store paint shaker at idle.

04-03-2004, 01:13 AM	#7
Pacer Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 217	Re: Aprilia Struggling Too Tell him to call Rotax.