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aprilia TUAREG RALLY
Following a remarkable sporting journey that saw it triumph on its debut in the Africa Eco Race – the gruelling rally-raid that retraces the routes of the legendary African Dakar – Aprilia presents the Tuareg Rally at EICMA 2024 , an adventure bike dedicated to peak off-road performance and , in many respects , very close to the competition version that , with Jacopo Cerutti in the saddle , was crowned Queen of Africa .
The Aprilia Tuareg Rally was developed based on the invaluable experience gained by Aprilia Racing in creating the Tuareg racing bike in technical collaboration with the Guareschi brothers ’ GCorse . Building on the already excellent off-road capabilities of the standard Tuareg , this bike quickly became the new benchmark for twin-cylinder adventure bikes . It clinched the 2023 Italian Motorally Championship with Jacopo Cerutti – who retained the title this year – before astonishing everyone on its debut in the desert dunes , dominating the Africa Eco Race from the first stage to the legendary finish line at Dakar ’ s Lac Rose .
An Aprilia Racing official rider Jacopo Cerutti , the star of this remarkable African triumph aboard the Italian twin-cylinder , also contributed to the development of the Aprilia Tuareg Rally .
“ It was fascinating to be involved in developing a production model like the new Tuareg Rally ,” Cerutti said . “ The goal was to make it as similar as possible to the bike with which we won the Africa Eco Race , and I can say we succeeded !
“ The Tuareg was already an excellent starting point for problem-free off-road riding , but with the Rally version , we ’ ve taken it a step further , coming very close to a full rally-raid bike . With the right tyres , it can easily take you over the desert dunes .
“ My experience has been particularly useful in providing feedback on the electronics , leading to the creation of a new engine map that delivers quicker and more decisive throttle response , and in the chassis adjustments , with a fork that offers better support and a shock absorber that absorbs potholes at speed more effectively , improving the bike ’ s overall stability .”
A production motorbike with a racing soul
The distinctly off-road character of the Tuareg Rally is immediately evident , with its high mudguard and a new , thicker aluminium skid plate , designed with a more protective shape and a deliberately rugged finish for better mechanical impact resistance . Additional protections include sturdy hand guards with metal cores . A new chain guide also comes as standard , ensuring better safety even in the most extreme off-road conditions . To improve off-road control , special attention went to the rider ' s ergonomics , with a seat that is 20mm higher to make transitions between seated and standing positions easier and a taller handlebar with a redesigned shape for better handling .
The heavy-duty spoked wheels with high-strength forged aluminium rims come with treaded tyres that use inner tubes , while the KYB suspension – offering an impressive 240mm of travel – remains the same as the standard model but now features springs with a linear elastic constant K instead of a progressive one . Although this slightly compromises comfort , it significantly improves off-road riding feel and gives the rider greater control over rough terrain . The stiffer suspension also reduces static sag , making the Tuareg Rally taller and effectively increasing its actual suspension travel . The stand has a support foot with an enlarged surface , so the motorbike tilts less when parked . It also offers stable support even on rough or soft surfaces .
The Tuareg Rally – and the entire new Tuareg 2025 range – has its own specifically developed engine mapping to ensure quick and responsive throttle action . This allows the rider to overcome obstacles more easily with a twist of the throttle in the most challenging offroad sections – a crucial advantage in off-road riding .
The Tuareg Rally has a dedicated SC Project exhaust system , complete with a fully titanium silencer , and features an aggressive , racing-style end cap with a generous 60mm outlet .
The wheel assembly and exhaust system contribute to reducing the Aprilia Tuareg Rally ’ s overall weight from 204kg to 199kg in running order .
The Aprilia Tuareg Rally comes in the unmistakable Rally race replica colour scheme , closely resembling the design of the victorious Tuareg that crossed the legendary Dakar finish line . Visually , the Tuareg Rally stands out with its sporty gold-anodised forks , wheel rims , and handlebars .
New look for the Tuareg 2025 range
The updates to the Aprilia Tuareg at EICMA 2024 are not limited to the debut of the Rally version ; all models benefit from new styling and technical
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