KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India debut on 7 September
- Design will be similar to the RS660
- Likely to be powered by a 440cc parallel-twin engine
Aprilia is soon going to enter into the middle-weight performance bike segment in India. The upcoming Aprilia RS440 sports bike has been officially confirmed for launch. It is going to debut on 7 September in India. Read all of its known details below. Meanwhile, you can join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Group for the latest updates from the automotive industry.
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Aprilia RS440 - A New Competitor To KTM RC 390?
The RS440 will be the first affordable sports bike from Aprilia in India. It has already been spied on multiple times on-road tests. Now, Aprilia has teased it online with a debut date of 7 September. Taking an idea from the spy shots circulating online, we can predict that it'll be similar to the RS660 in terms of design. While its sports bike design will be evident via the committed riding posture & side fairing, the elements like twin-pod LED headlights and raised rear end will mimic other Aprilia superbikes. Also, the sculpted big fuel tank indicates that it'll offer a good riding range as well.
Feature-wise, we suspect that it'll get a TFT colour display, Bluetooth connectivity, multiple ride modes, etc. Hardware-wise, Aprilia will equip it with USD forks at the front, a preload-adjustable monoshock suspension at rear, dual-channel ABS, and disc brakes at both ends. The most interesting part will be its engine. It is expected to get a 440cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine. This engine shall generate a peak power of around 48 bhp. Also, a 6-speed transmission with a slipper clutch shall be offered as standard.
Verdict
The middle-weight performance bike segment is already enriched with competent bikes. KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 300, & now the new RS440 will make it even more exciting. However, with its premium brand tag, prallel-twin engine, we expect the RS440 to be pricey. It can cross the price barrier of Rs 4 lakh upon the launch. Meanwhile, Yamaha R3 is also on its way & we think that it is a competent rival to it.
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