Yamaha and Aprilia have rewritten the middleweight sports bike segment ever since the introduction of the YZF-R7 and RS660.
Despite coming with a host of electronics and aggressive riding ergonomics, both the RS660 and R7 offers accessibility and affordability.
This triggers digital designer Oberdan Bezzi to envision other entries in the class, including a digital rendering of the Honda CBR656RR and Suzuki GSX-R660R.
This time around, Bezzi envisioned another middleweight sports bike from the Bavarian factory which he named as BMW F 702 RR.
Despite portraying the F 702 RR as a mid-size machine, the overall layout of the motorcycle is heavily inspired by the BMW S 1000 RR.
However, Bezzi redesigned certain aspects of the bike including the fairing and trellis subframe.
The design concept also includes a light alloy frame, high-spec suspension and top-shelf braking components.
While the design itself is exciting, we couldn’t really see BMW working on such a platform in the near future. However, considering the middleweight segment is growing, the opportunity for BMW Motorrad to produce their version of a mid-size bike is always relevant.
Aprilia is one manufacturer that’s missing a dual-sport model. That’s why Italian designer Obedan Bezzi created this Aprilia Tuareg 900 concept.
Aprilia used to boast a complete line-up in the catalogue, from 125cc right up 1000cc superbikes. But they’ve got only four volume production models now, all sport-based. Let’s see, there’s the Shiver 900 and Dorsoduro 900, besides the Tuono V4 1100 and RSV4 1100.
The Shiver 900 is upgraded from the Shiver 750 which was in the market for an incredible 15 years. Part of its longevity was its simplicity of operations and reliability. Yes, the Shiver 750 was one of the most reliable big bikes. It fills the role of a naked sportbike truly well.
However, Bezzi thinks it could be developed into a DP, merely by sticking to its current platform and adding long-travel suspension to it. A beautifully curvy bodywork completes the package.
The designer christened his creation aptly as the “Tuareg” after the semi-nomadic people who live in the Sahara Desert. Saying that the bike is fixes your wanderlust.
The 900cc V-Twin produces 93 horsepower and 89.5 Nm of torque, putting it squarely as a contender in the middleweight dual-sport segment. Its competition are the sublime Tiger 800, new BMW F 850 GS, and newer KTM 790 Adventure. So, his concept really does make sense.
So, will Aprilia take this as a cue? Another marque under the Piaggio umbrella, Moto Guzzi certainly did so with the V85 TT, after all.
When it comes to the world of touring motorcycles, there are many candidates to fill in the place but none more so than BMW Motorrad and their hyper-capable GS series. From its birth up until the present, there’s basically a GS model for anyone and everyone looking for the perfect adventure machine that’ll basically take them everywhere. (more…)
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