We’ve come a long way in aerodynamics since the tracks of 1980; back then, Mike Hailwood’s experimentation with winglets on his Suzuki RG500 garnered a win for the Senior TT.
Today, the fight to break the least wind wreaks havoc with our good podiums as teams tinker with strakes, winglets… even knobs velcro-ed to leather.
Whatever aids the aerodynamic evolution, you can bet that it’s been thought up and tested… rigorously.
For Aprilia, winglets have been the main focus (ignoring the Velcro knobs for now); their RS-GP prototype came out with a bang back in the GP circuits of 2022, with a limited run of 2018 RSV4 RF LE’s sporting smaller winglets even before that (via AutoCar India).
Now, we hear the Noale-based motorcycle marque might have finally bitten the proverbial bullet, taking on the task of a new aerodynamic package for their production-happy RSV4 and Tuono V4 1100 range!
A recent Facebook post from one “Genesis Tuono Lanza” shows a large-and-in-charge winglet set installed to Aprilia’s new RSV4 and Tuono V4, alongside the caption, “alettoni a tutta 2024,” or, “wings for all 2024.”
The bit itself shows a near-identical inspiration from Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales’ RS-GP machines, with the Tuono’s package sporting a slightly shorter, more square design. No carbon fiber here, it seems… but then again, an affordable aero package would make more sense if produced in a more malleable, affordable material.
If Aprilia does release these winglets to market, they’ll be among the few who choose to take direct aero inspiration from MotoGP with such flair (Ducati’s 2023 Panigale V4 R carries winglets, though nothing like what the company has on their Grand Prix bikes).
Do you think Aprilia’s going to be giving us winglets for 2023?