Could Gilera Be Making A Comeback Through Zongshen’s New 900cc Engine?

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Zongshen RA9 Strategy Bike

An Aprilia-derived 896cc 90-degree V-twin is in the works.

Piaggio and Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zongshen have had a lengthy-standing partnership considering that 2004, whereby the Italian big outsourced the improvement and output of some of its versions to Zongshen, precisely all those for the Chinese domestic current market and neighboring Asian nations around the world. In January, the company verified the advancement of a 900cc-driven design.

It was without a doubt confirmed that the bicycle would be run by an iteration of the 896cc V-twin motor found in the Aprilia Shiver naked bike. What is intriguing, nevertheless, is the simple fact that the business has just not long ago submitted patents of a V-twin motor with Gilera branding. In a report posted by Cycle Environment, the just about neglected Italian manufacturer is additional than very likely building a comeback to the massive bike entire world via this motor. What accurately the bike will be is nonetheless up for debate, nevertheless, the Gilera-branded V-twin engine was showcased at the 2021 CIMA in China.

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What we do know, nevertheless, is that Zongshen is developing a quality avenue bike beneath its Cyclone branding known as the RA9. Mechanically talking, the engine discovered on the RA9 and the Gilera-branded power device are each derived from the Aprilia 896cc, 90-degree V-twin. Of course, it is convoluted, but do notice that the widespread denominator in all of this is Piaggio, so it is basically seriously uncomplicated for them to shuffle engineering concerning brand names. Even though we do know that the RA9 idea bike is a muscular bare bicycle, there is not any sign just yet as to what kind the Gilera will just take.

The engine, nevertheless, is certainly a effectiveness-oriented powertrain. Identical to what we uncover in Ducati’s machines, this motor usually takes the type of a 90-degree DOHC V-twin, albeit sans Desmodromic valves. It places out very respectable electrical power with 95 horsepower at 8,750 RPM and 66 ft-lbs of torque at 6,500 RPM. At existing, the engine is no for a longer time observed in any existing-spec Aprilia machine, other than the Dorsoduro 900, which, in reality, is fairly tough to arrive by these times. It is, just after all, a Euro 4 rated motor, out of date when it comes to European expectations, but properly within just Chinese and other Asian industry requirements.

Piaggio has owned the Gilera model because 1969, and seemed to have some high hopes for it, specially in the world of sportbikes. Nonetheless, next Piaggio’s acquisition of Aprilia in 2004, it appeared that the strategies for Gilera had been sidetracked, and the Italian model was relegated for use on scooters and mopeds. Now, it is truly fascinating to think that engineering from Aprilia could pretty nicely be what could bring Gilera again in the match.

Supply: Cycle Earth, MCN