The history of Aprilia begins with the dream of a visionary man, Cavaliere Alberto Beggio, who founded the company in 1945 in post-war Italian society. Growing up surrounded by the hum of early motorcycling, I’ve always been fascinated by how brands shape an industry, and Aprilia is one that truly stood out to me. This wasn’t just any company—it was destined to change the motorcycle world forever.
What started as a small workshop would go on to dominate international competitions, stepping into the high-speed world of racing in the 1970s. Aprilia’s story isn’t just about machines—it’s about passion, precision, and a relentless push for excellence that turned it into an icon of racing legacy.
Origin Story
The roots of Aprilia trace back to 1945, when Alberto Beggio opened a small shop in Noale, a quiet Italian town. Initially focused on the production of bicycles, the company had modest ambitions. But what stood out, even then, was the dedication and hard work that formed the foundation of what would become a global icon. I remember riding my first Aprilia scooter and instantly feeling the legacy built by the Beggio family—a feeling crafted over 23 years of precision and passion.
In 1968, Ivano, Alberto’s son, joined the business and shifted focus to scooters and small-capacity motorcycles, helping Aprilia grow into the largest producer of motorcycles in Italy.
Through generations of Beggios, the brand became one of the most recognizable names in motorcycle racing, collecting Grand Prix championships, Superbike titles, and setting a standard for quality, innovation, and design. Today, as a subsidiary of Piaggio, the leading European manufacturer of two-wheeled vehicles, Aprilia holds its place as the world’s fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer by unit sales.
History
One of the most well-known brands in the world for bikes is Aprilia. However, how much do you know about its past?
These are some significant turning points in the history of this venerable motorcycle brand.
Key Milestones
First Motorcycle
By the late 1960s, Aprilia had shifted its focus toward manufacturing motorcycles, and it was around 1970 when they introduced their first motocross bike—a 50 cc model that quickly evolved into a more powerful 125 cc machine. What fascinated me most, even as a young rider, was how fast Aprilia adapted to competition standards, crafting purpose-built bikes that stood toe-to-toe with established names. By the mid-1970s, Aprilia had produced its first true motocross bike for racing, marking a bold new chapter in its journey from everyday transport to high-performance sport.
Racing Triumphs
The successful debut of Aprilia in 1975 marked a major turning point in its rise within the World Championship Motorcycle Racing series. I’ve always admired how the brand didn’t back down when facing fierce competitors, especially the dominant Japanese teams. Aprilia took on the fiercely contested 250 class with sharp precision and bold engineering.
- 1985: By 1985, Aprilia was again ahead of its time, launching its first mountain bike featuring a lightweight alloy and aluminum dual-beam frame, matched with a Marzocchi fork and a rear mono-shock system suspended by pro-lever shocks. The heart of the bike was a two-cylinder 2T Rotax motor, with its cylinders mounted side by side—a setup I remember marveling at the first time I saw it up close. The bike performs so well that it finishes 3rd in its very next race, first at Rijeka, then again at Imola, proving that Aprilia’s racing DNA extended far beyond just motorcycles.
The Rise of Aprilia
1987: This year marked a breakthrough for Aprilia with the introduction of the 250cc AF1, a bike that featured a new chassis and significant engine advancements. I still remember the buzz in the paddocks when the bike climbed to the top, taking second place in the world championships at Salzburg and Rijeka. A major race victory came later at Misano on 30 August, proving Aprilia’s engineering direction was on point.
1988: Aprilia entered the 125 class race for the first time, starting with the French Grand Prix. In that very event, they secured their first podium finish, which showed that even in a new category, their bikes were ready to compete.
1991: The RS250V was a radical departure from previous designs—a move that paid off. The bike was an exceptional machine, and wins came quickly in its first year, raced by Chili at Assen and Reggiani at Paul Ricard. Later, Max Biaggi exploded onto the scene by winning the European 250 championship, while Alessandro Gramigni delivered Aprilia’s first-class victory in the 125 category at Czechoslovakia.
First World Championship Win
1992: Aprilia wins its first-ever world championship as Alex Gragmigni rides to victory in the 125cc World Championship. Meanwhile, Chili wins races at Hockenheim, Assen, and Donington Park, while rival company Reggiani takes victories at Jerez and Magny-Cours. In off-road racing, Aprilia also secured two manufacturers’ titles, with Tommy Avhala winning the Trial World Championship.
1994: Max Biaggi becomes World Champion in the 250cc class, winning races in Malaysia, Australia, the Czech Republic, Holland, and Barcelona—all on an Aprilia.
1995: A highly successful season for Max Biaggi and Aprilia, with multiple victories and confirmations of their world champion status. The year ended with their first manufacturer title. In the 125 class, Sakata finished in second place.
1996: A great year for Max Biaggi, who won three world championships in a row. His team also secured the manufacturer title with help from Tokudome, Perugini, Valentino Rossi, Oettl, and Gary McCoy, all delivering strong victories.
1997: Aprilia dominated the racing world, winning two World Championships—one in the 125 class for riders, and another for manufacturers. The team’s star, Valentino Rossi, won 11 out of 15 races.
1998: The brand dominated the 250 class, taking 13 of 14 victories in GP races. Aprilia riders secured every podium position four times, helping the team win the Manufacturer Championship by a large margin over the competition.
1999: The 250 RSW, piloted by Valentino Rossi, claimed 9 races and made him champion of the 250 class. Teammates like Battaini, Waldmann, McWilliams, and Lucchi finished in the top 3, contributing to another Manufacturer Championship, their second time in a row. It was also the year Aprilia entered Superbike with the RSV Mille.
2000: Aprilia delivered a brilliant performance in its debut Superbike year, with five victories and four Superpoles. They also won the World Motorcycle Racing Championship’s 125 class, marking the 15th world title in Aprilia’s history.
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21st Century Aprilia
2001: Aprilia secured three SBK victories, with Corser winning two and Laconi one, along with multiple podiums and Superpoles. In the World Motorcycle Racing Championship, they earned five victories in the 250 class and two in the 125 class.
2002: A strong year with four world championships—two in the 125 and 250 classes and two rider championships with Marco Melandri and Arnaud Vincent. The eighth-liter Aprilia won 8 out of 16 races, while the fourth-litre RS Cube made its debut in the brand-new Regina MotoGP class.
2003: Aprilia captured three titles: 125 Manufacturer (with 10 wins), 250 Rider (Manuel Poggiali in his debut season), and 250 Manufacturer (14 victories). In MotoGP, the RS Cube set the fastest race lap during the French GP and delivered a promising performance.
2004, 2005: The focus shifted to off-road, where the Noale Racing Division (N.R.D.) pushed into Enduro and Supermotard categories. Jerome Giraudo, a test rider, won the S2 class world championship, and in the Motocross World Championship, Aprilia became Manufacturer Champion.
2006: With the Piaggio Group’s reorganization of the Racing Division, Aprilia set a record by winning 6 world championships. Jorge Lorenzo took the 250 class, Alvaro Bautista won in 125, and Van Den Bosch earned two World Supermoto titles in S2.
2007, 2008: Aprilia continued its dominance with manufacturer titles in 125 and 250 cc across both seasons. In 2007, they celebrated Lorenzo’s last championships in both classes, while the S2 Manufacturers title came via World Supermoto. In 2008, Aprilia won the manufacturer title again in both categories.
Aprilia’s Return to Superbike Championship
2009: Aprilia made a major move as it launched the RSV4 on the market and returned to the World Superbike Championship. In its first year, the bike made headlines by scoring its first victory at a race in Brno. On top of that, Aprilia also claimed three world titles in MotoGP that year.
2010: Rider Max Biaggi won the World Superbike Championship, becoming the first Italian to reach such an accomplishment. His performance also secured the manufacturer’s title for Aprilia.
2011: Aprilia Racing took the Supermoto S1 World Championship, with rider Adrien Chareyre, racing for the Fast Wheels Team, winning both the Rider and Manufacturer titles during the final French GP.
2012: Max Biaggi did it again, winning the Superbike World Championship for the second time, while Aprilia took home the World Manufacturer title, proving their dominance once more.
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Worldwide Recognition
2013: Aprilia finishes the season as World Superbike Manufacturer World Champion, completing an undefeated season. The manufacturer claimed five of the six spots on the podium at the Phillip Island round, marking a historic achievement in racing history.
2014: The RSV4 won the 2014 World Superbike Championship, with French rider Sylvain Guintoli taking the rider title. Aprilia also secured its third consecutive manufacturer title, showing continued dominance.
2016: This championship marked the debut of Aprilia’s new MotoGP bike, the RS-GP, which was fully designed and built by the Italian team. Featuring a narrow V4 engine, now a signature feature, riders Álvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl consistently scored points, finishing 26 races in the top six of the 18-race season, placing the team seventh overall.
Noteworthy Statistics
Aprilia holds the record for the most Grand Prix victories by any European motorcycle manufacturer, with an impressive 294 wins in the Road Racing World Championship.
The brand has claimed a total of 54 world titles in racing, which include 38 road racing titles, 7 Superbike wins, and 9 off-road victories.
In 2004, Aprilia was bought by Piaggio & C., forming the fourth largest motorcycle group in the world.
Their global reach is reflected in sales of 1.5 billion euros, an annual production capacity of 600,000 vehicles, and a presence in over 50 countries.
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Models by Type
Since its inception, Aprilia has transformed from a company known for simple scooters and lightweight bikes into a respected force in the motorcycle industry. After its founding, Aprilia didn’t just stop at everyday rides—it began to produce a wide range of motorcycles, from urban-friendly models to some of the most powerful machines on the market. I remember walking through a dealership and seeing the variety of Aprilia models lined up by type—sport, naked, adventure—each one built with purpose. Whether you’re into daily commutes or high-speed thrills, there’s an Aprilia for every rider, and many of these models are still available today.
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- Scooters:
When I first got into two-wheelers, scooters were the obvious starting point. For new motorcycle riders, they offer unmatched ease of use and impressive fuel efficiency, especially in urban areas. Aprilia’s variety of scooters is built for both functionality and fun, with small wheels, step-through frames, and automatic transmissions that make riding smooth on dirt roads, through forest trails, or just across town. Aprilia produces scooters in a range from 50cc to 850cc, balancing sporty vibes with vintage styles. Some standout models I’ve seen and recommended include the SR 125, SR 160, SXR-160, SXR-125, and the Storm 125—all offering something for every rider’s style. - Sportbikes:
If you’re after speed and precision, Aprilia sportbikes are where the thrill lives. These fast, sleek, and agile machines deliver an exhilarating ride whether you’re on the street or pushing it on a track. Designed for racing and high-energy endeavors, they excel in high-speed acceleration and smooth cornering. Best part? You can get all of this at an affordable price. I’ve had the chance to ride both the RSV4 RF LE and the RSV4 RR LE, and I can say these bikes represent the peak of sportbike design. - Motocross Bikes:
For rougher terrain, Aprilia’s motocross bikes bring rugged build and performance. Whether it’s a track or dirt surface, these bikes are equipped with advanced suspensions with long travel, allowing them to jump over obstacles without bottoming out. They also come with powerful engines for sharp acceleration, perfect for off-road excitement. Models like the RX 125 and SX 125 offer different engine capacities, depending on how intense you want your ride to be. - Supermoto Bikes:
Now, if you’re torn between off-road and street performance, supermoto bikes strike the perfect balance. They take a motocross frame, give it larger wheels, and tune it for both pavement and off-road terrains. Aprilia really nails this category with models like the SXV 450, SXV 550, RXV 450, and RXV 550. - Naked Bikes:
For those who want raw power with a touch of personality, Aprilia’s naked bikes combine performance, style, and affordability. These models are great for everyday riders looking to get a premium experience without burning through their budget. My personal favorite is the Tuono V4 1100 Factory, but the RSV4, Shiver, Dorsoduro, and the Tuono V4 Factory Superbike are all standout options.
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FAQs
Who owns Aprilia?
Aprilia Motorcycles became part of the Piaggio family in 2004, marking a major moment in its evolution. As someone who has followed the brand closely, it’s clear that being owned by a trusted Italian motor vehicle manufacturer only strengthened its legacy. Piaggio, the same company that was founded back in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio, brings over 130 years of experience in the automotive industry. Known globally for brands like Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Derbi, and Gilera, Piaggio’s influence has helped shape Aprilia’s direction without losing its racing roots.
What is the meaning of the name Aprilia?
The name Aprilia has deep and poetic roots. It comes from the Latin phrase Venus Aprilia, which means “Venus Fertilises”—a tribute to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, rebirth, and prosperity. When Alberto Beggio founded Aprilia Motorcycles in 1945, he was inspired not only by mythology but also by design. He was deeply captivated by the Lancia Aprilia, a stylish car launched in 1937 by the Italian manufacturer Lancia.
What is Aprilia's first motorcycle?
The journey of Aprilia into the world of two-wheelers began with its first motorcycle ever produced, a small two-stroke, 50cc scooter named the Colibri, launched in 1968. This modest start soon expanded with the introduction of the Daniela and Packi mopeds, which added variety to the lineup and helped Aprilia reach a wider audience. But the real turning point came when the brand focused on developing its first proper motorcycle, the Scarabeo, which made its debut in 1970.
What is Aprilia's motto?
Aprilia has built a reputation as a race-bred manufacturer, and over the years, the brand has truly proven itself on the track by winning countless races. I still remember watching their first MotoGP Championship win, and it was clear they weren’t just participating—they were dominating. It started as “Be A Racer,” a powerful call to action, and later transformed into something more focused—“Be A Successful Racer,”.
