In the motorcycle industry, summer 2023 is heating up. While Moto Guzzi and Aprilia haven’t made any major announcements yet, these two Piaggio Group brands are clearly ready to make waves in the coming months.

Rumors have been circulating about the return of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio by the end of June, with an expected release before the end of 2023. There have also been hints about the development plans for a 400-450cc Aprilia sportbike. Now, in July 2023, spy photos have emerged showing the Aprilia RS 440 in action, with a Moto Guzzi Stelvio (based on the V100 Mandello) following closely behind. It’s nice to see riding buddies, isn’t it?

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The styling of the Aprilia RS 440 closely resembles that of the existing Aprilia RS 660. In fact, Aprilia has cleverly disguised the RS 440 as an RS 660 with a graphics decal on the side. However, a closer look at the front wheel reveals a single brake caliper and disc, indicating a potential cost-saving measure in the RS 440 model.

Recently, another test mule of the same model was spotted testing on public roads in India. The photos show similar features to the previously mentioned spy shots, including the single-disc brake setups, alloy wheels, frame design, mirrors, and windscreen. Although the dash is slightly obscured, it provides a small glimpse of what to expect.

If the estimated unveiling of the RS 440 in September during the Indian MotoGP round is accurate, it makes sense to see these near-production test mules in different locations. However, until official information is released, everything remains speculative.