Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)
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Mar 8, 2000
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:thumb:

Bill, have you ever seen Harry Hoffman's CR/NT 650 dual sport?
It's a 650 Hawk engine in a CR 500 chassis.....
 

bclapham

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Nov 5, 2001
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lets hope they can achieve what cannondale failed at. Joel Smets was going to race the apprillia in the world GP's but has now gone to ride the new rm450 thumper
 

380EXCman

Sponsoring Member
Sep 15, 1999
721
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The motor looks further along in development than they are letting on. It looks to me to be a little on the heavy side (bulky maybe) then throw in the estart. I would like to see the motor next to a CRF or RFS motor..... But I do like the idea of Aprilla getting into the game. Maybe they can do a better job than the their countrymen have done with Husky.....
 

Jon K.

~SPONSOR~
Mar 26, 2001
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Cool! Aprilia has invented the twin-cylinder engine!! :worship:
 

BunduBasher

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Feb 9, 2000
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I wonder what dirt bikes they are looking at - dirt trackers maybe - supermotard - how heavy will that engine be, what will it do to the handling characteristics of the bike, will it turn etc.

I had in my minds eye a 500 twin a while back, thought it would be cool if it was light enough, should be interesting to see how this turns out.
 
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Senior KX Rider

Super Power AssClown
Nov 9, 1999
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Aprilia Off-Road Engine

from aprilia.com

15-09-2003 TIME 18:05

EICMA: THE 45.V2 ENGINE, SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY NEW!

A never seen choice, a great project. A totally new engine, thought and realized in order to open a new dimension in the off-road field. Aprilia explores the frontiers of technology with their 45.V2 engine for the world of off-road bikes, consisting of two ultracompact V-cylinders with high specific horsepower and record light weight. It was considered an impossible feat to exploit the benefits of a twin-cylinder engine in off-road races: only Aprilia could try something as brave and as innovative with such great confidence.

The passion for off-road bikes is not new to Aprilia. Its first love was in fact the off-road world and its first sporting successes were had in motocross and trial. Aprilia has always distinguished itself in these sectors through its contribution towards technological innovation. Innovation also marks Aprilia's great return to the off-road world... not a quiet return, but a return in grand style, with technology never before seen in this sector: revolutionary ideas with which Aprilia once again leads the way along the road to innovation.
The 45.V2 lays the foundations for a revolution in the sector. The project has been entirely developed in Aprilia's R&D department: engine specialists and frame experts worked side by side to transform a revolutionary idea into reality. Months of extremely hard work have led in record time to a working prototype which has already given positive preliminary test results. As is tradition in Aprilia, the project initially set out to win races, but the engine was also designed for all the enthusiasts in this continually growing sector, where Aprilia intends to leave its exclusive technological mark.

THE FIRST TWIN-CYLINDER OFF-ROAD ENGINE
Innovative and even daring choices. After analysing all the alternatives, a 77° V-twin engine was chosen. This choice was dictated by the need for maximum possible power and at the same time a wide range of use. The sophisticated engine management electronics, developed by the Aprilia racing department, introduces several innovations in the sector. Thanks to the limited unitary displacement, an extremely compact and equally light drive shaft was made possible, giving rise both to an engine which is highly responsive to the rider's control, and to a very fast easy-to-handle bike owing to the low gyroscopic effect. Even when decelerating or idling, the typical inertia of large bores and strokes is minimized. For an off-road bike, the size of the engine is as important as its performance. Aprilia's extremely advanced know how has got round all the typical size limitations of twin-cylinder engines and has pulled off a true miracle in compactness. The dimensions of this twin-cylinder engine are, in fact, smaller than the single cylinder engines currently on the market. An incredible work of refinement led to solutions such as a single overhead driveshaft as the best compromise between compactness, light weight and performance. Every single engine component has been optimized not only for maximum performance, but also for quiet running, in order to meet the sound-level limits currently being proposed for the sector; equal attention was also paid to limiting pollutant emissions. Weight was certainly not overlooked: the engine actually sets a record for its type and is moreover fitted with electric starting, the only one on the 45.V2. In order to achieve this result Aprilia did not skimp on the use of noble metals and ultralight materials. The central casing is made of aluminium-silicon, all the covers are made of magnesium, the valves are titanium, and the gearing has been made much lighter. Utmost attention was paid to fluid dynamic efficiency, thanks to powerful calculation programs which not only optimized the thermodynamic components, but also the intake and exhaust systems.

THE 45.V2 ENGINE IN A NUTSHELL

· Displacement: 450 cc.
· Type: 77° V-twin
· Timing system: single overhead shaft controlled by a silent chain; four titanium valves per cylinder
· Maximum revs: 14,000 rpm
· Starter: electric
· Gearbox: front clutch, with 4 / 5 gears
· Clutch: multiple disc wet clutch with hydraulic control (or mechanical on request).
· Powerful compact the “Terre Rare” alternator provides sufficient power for the injection system, electric starter, battery charger and auxiliary circuits
· Lubrication: separate dual circuit. The engine oil is separate from the drive oil. The pressurized oil circuit consists of a paper cartridge filter, an oil tank and a check valve
· Forced liquid cooling with centrifugal pump.
Aprilia is forward-looking, and the 45.V2 engine has an eye to the future, even as regards regulations. With a smaller unitary displacement, it is easier to meet the sound-level limits expected for the future, and with total electronic engine management, emissions are improved, which has also become an important factor for off-road and racing bikes.

“I'm happy and thrilled to start working on this ambitious, innovative, high-tech, off-road project of Aprilia's; it's exciting for the technical choices made.”

Ivano Beggio
 

Senior KX Rider

Super Power AssClown
Nov 9, 1999
8,577
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Aprilia_vtwin.jpg
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,217
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It's pretty. ;)

How hard would it be to change spark plugs? Will they be buried like some of the newer 4 strokes?

Maybe I missed it, but what is it going in?

It won't be AMA legal for racing--isn't there a clause against twins? I know there have been other twins, years back, and they weren't race legal.

At least they share a carburetor--no hassles with synching multiple carbs, which is bad enough on street bikes but unacceptable offroad.
 

Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Mar 8, 2000
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Originally posted by firecracker22
At least they share a carburetor--no hassles with synching multiple carbs, which is bad enough on street bikes but unacceptable offroad.

ahhh, Sharla, look again.... 2 fuel injector bodies
 

bsmith

Wise master of the mistic
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Jun 28, 2001
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What do I know, I'm just a dumb girl

I think were making huge progress here. You have passed the 1st stage of Denial and jumped straight to stage 4, Acceptance :p
In our next session we can discuss how you skipped the depression, anger, and bargaining stages :laugh:
 

CO Dan

~SPONSOR~
Apr 20, 2001
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the first twin cylinder dirt bike?

I don't think so...early British twins come to mind, as does the Honda SL350 from around 1970. Perhaps their dirt bike qualities are questionable though :laugh:

Somebody did a custom and put a Suzuki T500 twin 2-stroke in a dirt bike frame, TrailRider mag had something about it some time ago.

And KTM has their adventure 900 which is a twin...

But, still pretty cool
 

cujet

Member
Aug 13, 2000
826
5
That engine looks like a dream come true for me. I have wanted a big HP smooth engine for years.

Chris
 

Taliesin

Member
May 11, 2000
121
0
Appart from the old British twin specials.First dedicated twin dirt bike?!! .. Didn't Gilera have a twin cylinder LC 125 back in production in 1982.
Cagiva Had the awsome Elefant 944 Ducati engined Paris Dakar winner in 1993 or 94.Cagiva did a works replica version which sold for £18K back in 95.
Aprilia have also recruited the entire engineering team from Husky who developed new TE250/450/510 series.I heared they were looking to use the Yamaha 450 engine, looks like they may have a more radical solution.I like it!!!! Could it really end up in an MX bike!! Surely too heavy maybe Aprillia trying to maximise it's range of uses for the engine??
 

DEANSFASTWAY

LIFETIME SPONSOR
May 16, 2002
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Ive been to Aprilia training and I can say they are a great company just not yet mainstream in the states. The Mille and Millie R and scooters are cool ,kinda pricey though . They also built a 700cc Pegaso dual sport type but was heavy and didnt catch on too good in US maybe better in Italy or other EURO.Theres a radical 250cc twin road racer with the Suzuki motor that has 2 RM125 electric power valve type cylinders @ 45degrrees and a quick acess cassete style transmission.It revs to the moon. That 77 degree 450 motor will be smooth Im sure but maybe it should be bigger. Might go good in a quad or dirt track or something.
 


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