Tag Archives: Piaggio

News

The Aprilia RS 457 Made Its Presence Known At EICMA 2023

The Piaggio Group had a significant presence at this year’s EICMA show, with Aprilia showcasing some of its models such as the Tuareg and SR GT. However, the spotlight was on the Italian brand’s latest small-displacement model, the RS 457.

Aprilia’s smallest sportbike was on exhibit at EICMA, and the new RS 457 garnered attention from spectators. While the pre-order books for the RS 457 are now open and the prices have been revealed in North America, this was the first time the bike was publicly displayed at the show. With a price of approximately $7,000 USD, the brand targets both beginner sportbike riders and experienced riders looking for a smaller bike.

The RS 457 marks a significant milestone for the Italian manufacturer. It was developed from the ground up as an entirely new project, boasting lightness and the best power-to-weight ratio in the A2-restricted motorcycle category. Leveraging the company’s racing expertise, its technological features are designed to enhance the rider’s experience and skill progression on both road and track.


2024 Aprilia RS 457 - Studio - Prismatic Dark - Right Side

7 Photos

The bike is powered by Aprilia’s new 457cc parallel-twin engine, producing 46.9 horsepower, which is at the legal limit for A2-restricted riders in the European Union. Its 270-degree firing order is similar to the setup of the CFMoto 450 SS and other models. The use of an all-aluminum frame and the engine as a stressed member of the chassis results in a lighter weight compared to other motorcycles in the segment.

Additional features include an optional quickshifter for the six-speed manual transmission, a front 41mm upside-down fork with 120mm of travel, rear mono-shock with up to 130mm of travel, preload adjustment on both ends, a braking system with a 320mm front disc brake and a 220mm rear disc, and 17-inch wheels on both ends with respective tire sizes. The bike also incorporates luxuries such as a five-inch TFT display, ride-by-wire throttle, traction control with three levels, and ride modes.

It will be interesting to see how the RS 457 competes with other small-capacity sportbikes in the market, including the KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 400, and Honda CBR500R. The competition will also involve the CFMoto 450 SS, offering a more affordable option, but the RS 457’s lighter weight and more advanced features make it a compelling contender in the segment.

News

Michele Colaninno Takes Over as Piaggio CEO Following His Father’s Passing

Michele Colaninno has been appointed as the CEO of Piaggio after the death of his father, Roberto Colaninno, who held the position of chairman and CEO. Prior to his promotion, Michele served as the chief executive of global strategy, product, marketing, and innovation.

After the passing of Roberto Colaninno on August 19, 2023, Piaggio’s board of directors had to restructure the corporate governance. Following shareholder recommendations, Michele Colaninno assumed the role of CEO, with similar powers and responsibilities to his previous position. In addition, Carlo Zanetti has been appointed as a new non-executive director, maintaining the number of board members unchanged.

The board of directors of Piaggio & C. S.p.A now consists of Michele Colaninno as CEO and Matteo Colaninno as Executive Chair. Additionally, Graziano Gianmichele Visentin, Rita Ciccone, Patrizia Albano, Federica Savasi, Micaela Vescia, and Andrea Formica serve as independent directors. Carlo Zanetti has been appointed as a non-executive director.

Piaggio has announced that its shareholders’ meeting will take place on December 31, 2023. During this meeting, shareholders will need to approve the company’s financial statements. It will also mark the end of the current board’s term.

Besides his role as the head of Piaggio, Michele Colaninno is the founder of Piaggio Fast Forward, a robotics company based in the United States. He is also the CEO and COO of the Immsi Group, a financial, real estate, and industrial holding company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. Additionally, Michele Colaninno serves as the president of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM).

Michele Colaninno joins KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, BMW Motorrad’s head Markus Schramm, and Yamaha Motor Europe President Eric de Seynes as one of ACEM’s three vice presidents.

News

Recall: Some 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Could Have Rear Shock Break

Piaggio Group Americas has submitted a safety recall report to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for certain 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello and V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale motorcycles. The recall is due to a rear shock absorber that could break, potentially leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

This recall only affects certain V100 Mandello and V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale motorcycles that use a specific run of Kayaba suspension components. The V100 Mandello S, which uses Öhlins suspension components, is not affected.

About 260 bikes in the US may be involved in this recall, representing one percent of the population. Of these, 76 have been sold to customers and 184 are currently in dealer inventory across the country. The affected bikes were produced between October 28, 2022, and July 14, 2023. The affected VINs range from ZGUMGUA09PM000002 to ZGUMGUA09PM000212 and are not sequential.

The issue with the affected motorcycles is that the Kayaba rear shock absorbers did not meet the established standards and were supplied missing one or both bushings. This non-conformity could cause the rear shock absorber to turn at an angle in its mounting point, becoming rigid and potentially breaking at the lower shock mount.

Two cases of this failure have been reported in the Italian market so far, with one occurring on July 7, 2023, and the second on July 27, 2023. After investigating and identifying the problem, Piaggio presented an update campaign plan on August 4, 2023.

To address this issue, Piaggio will conduct a safety recall of motorcycles within the affected VIN range. Owners will be instructed to take their bikes to authorized Moto Guzzi dealers for a complete inspection of the rear shock absorber. If a rear shock absorber is found to be missing one or both bushings, the mechanics will replace the entire shock absorber with a correctly outfitted unit. This service will be provided to affected owners free of charge.

Piaggio plans to notify dealers and owners on August 22, 2023. Owners can contact Piaggio customer service at 1-212-380-4433 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). Additional information is available at www.nhtsa.gov, and the NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 23V-572.

News

Italian Brand Malaguti Updates Madison 125 With Styling Revisions

Malaguti, the historic Italian brand, continues to operate under a joint venture between Piaggio and Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zongshen. The brand primarily focuses on the European market and offers small displacement motorcycles and scooters that comply with beginner and entry-level regulations in the region.

One of Malaguti’s latest offerings is the Madison 125, a sporty maxi-scooter designed to provide a convenient and practical riding experience in the city. For the 2023 model-year, Malaguti has implemented several updates to the scooter. The Madison 125 still adheres to A1 regulations, positioning it as both an entry-level scooter for first-time riders and a practical urban mobility option for riders of all backgrounds.

Italian Brand Malaguti Updates Madison 125 Scooter With Styling Revisions

One of the significant updates to the Madison 125 is its restyled bodywork featuring more rounded lines, giving it a sleeker and more elegant appearance. It now includes a small tinted windscreen and gold-painted alloy wheels for a sportier aesthetic. The scooter also receives restyled LED headlights, further enhancing its overall look. It is available in three color options: Snow White, Toro Black, and Albero Green.

Italian Brand Malaguti Updates Madison 125 Scooter With Styling Revisions

In addition to the cosmetic updates, the Madison 125 retains its approachable underpinnings. It is powered by a 125cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine equipped with Bosch’s EFI technology. The engine produces 12 horsepower and 11 Newton-meters of torque. A conventional CVT sends power to the rear wheel, as commonly found in scooters of this specification.

Italian Brand Malaguti Updates Madison 125 Scooter With Styling Revisions

The Malaguti Madison 125 features standard telescopic forks at the front and a pair of shock absorbers at the back. It is equipped with a 250-millimeter disc at the front and a 220-millimeter disc at the rear for braking. The maxi-style scooter weighs only 147 kilograms, making it beginner-friendly and easy to handle. It is priced at 3,399 Euros or approximately $3,715 USD.