TEN MINUTES WITH…

Piero Soatti, Aprilia & Moto Guzzi Head of Motorcycle Engineering

FB: In comparison with other bikes, where did you want the RS 660 to fit?

PS: When this concept was presented, we were not totally focused – I mean a new 600 today almost seems crazy. But when we properly looked into this concept, and looked at how the market has changed over the past two years and how sportsbikes are becoming more popular, it just fits perfectly; think in between something not sporty, such as a Ninja 650, and something very sporty, like an R6.

FB: So how difficult is it going from designing Moto Guzzis to jumping on bikes like this?

PS: Pft, yes I know! They have different guidelines, different needs, they’re just very different! When it has an Aprilia badge, it always has to be about performance. You can’t do an Aprilia without being cutting edge; on a Moto Guzzi it’s so different, it’s all about the shape, the material.

FB: How much of a longterm place is this engine and chassis platform?

PS: It’s very long, and has already been going for quite a few years! It obviously depends on the success of what we’ve just released, but there is a full model range with this combination, and we wanted to make it as good as possible. This is the new flagship for us, so we wanted to go big.

FB: Did you look at other engine configurations?

PS: Oh yes, we looked at many! For instance, we looked at the V90, like we have in the Shiver; we evaluated a V with a small angle, such as on the original Mille; we even tried three cylinders… we have gone through lots! Overall, this layout and scheme of engine is very suitable for many different types of motorcycle, and it works perfectly for what we want.

FB: Will there be a spec’d up Factory model coming in the future, covered in Öhlins and other goodies?

PS: Well, aha, erm, I cannot say this thing. It’s possible, and I would like to!