Aprilia Blue Marlin

Unveiled at the 2001 Milan Show, the Blue Marlin is an advanced prototype model designed in collaboration with French company Boxer Design. It uses a back-to-basics approach to provide a rawer sportsbike experience. The 60° V-twin engine common to all of Aprilia's large-capacity bikes is housed in a steel-tube frame with aluminium rear plates. The line of the frame continues back up to the tail unit, in the style of race machines from the 1950s and 1960s. There are modern elements to the design too, with an aluminium tube swingarm, upside-down front forks and a purposeful twin headlamp nosecone. While the Blue Marlin looks simple, its components are very high quality, including Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes.