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In today's winner-take-all economy, there continues to be no shortage of expensive baubles for the wealthy to collect, even in the motorcycle world. Three recent examples: An Aprilia with MotoGP-style ground effects, a Yamaha R1 that has sprouted wings, and (I'm including this one just for fun) whiskey infused with vintage motorcycle exhaust notes.
It's still a little too early for our annual holiday gift guide, but if you're wanting to pick up one of the just 30 examples of the most sophisticated Aprilia sport bike yet, you probably should shop early. So let's take a look at the new hardware.
Gift under $100,000: Aprilia RSV4 EX3MA
Aprilia began issuing its Factory Works program limited-edition, track-only X series sport bikes in 2019. Last year's version, the RSV4 XTrenta Final Edition versions, signed by Aprilia racers Maverick Viñales, Aleix Espargaró, and Lorenzo Savadori, sold out for $80,000 each. Now, Aprilia is introducing what it calls its "most advanced and high-performance RSV4 to date," the RSV4 EX3MA (sound it out in Italian: tre is three in Italian and extrema is extreme). It's a limited run of 30 motorcycles costing $99,000 each.
Aprilia touts some big numbers to back up the "most advanced" claim, starting with a 13,900 rpm redline and peak horsepower of 230 at 13,500 rpm. Aprilia claims a dry weight of 363 pounds, which is made possible by carbon fiber bodywork, carbon fiber wheels, titanium exhaust parts, and machined aluminum bits all over the bike. Naturally, you get top-quality Brembo brakes and Öhlins suspension parts.
The real first, according to Aprilia, is the inclusion of ground effects found on the Aprilia MotoGP bike.
"The EX3MA is the first motorbike on general sale with a complete ground effect package, increasing lateral load by three times compared to the previous X model," said Romano Albesiano, Technical Director of Aprilia Racing. That means more than just the very visible wings up front. The EX3MA also has the underwing beneath the swingarm and the carbon fiber fairing is shaped to use air pressure between the ground and the motorcycle to increase grip when the bike is fully leaned over in a turn.
While the EX3MA has aerodynamics derived from MotoGP, its electronics are related to Aprilia's WorldSBK race bike. The racing-based ECU includes an integrated data acquisition system and provides a range of options for the rider to adjust wheelie control, power, traction control, and engine braking for each gear. It even comes with its own laptop for accessing the system.
The "perla nera" black color and graphics allude to the Aprilia RS 250 of 30 years ago that Max Biaggi rode as he began his run of three straight 250 grand prix world championships.
"The bike is exciting just to look at, and the perla nera livery brings a glorious history to life," said Biaggi, after riding the EX3MA. "On the track, it was an explosion of emotions — you could feel the downforce from the ground effect fairing in fast corners, a wonderful sensation."
Orders can be placed now at the Aprilia Factory Works website for delivery next year. See the full specs on the RSV4 EX3MA below.
Gift under $30,000: Yamaha YZF-R1M
In this age of massive droopy mustaches on Superbikes, I admired the sleek and trim look of the fairings on the Yamaha YZF-R1 and its racier sibling, the R1M. But as usual, I'm out of step with the times, so now the Yamaha is joining the crowd and sprouting wings.
Actually, we should probably just be grateful that here in the United States we can still buy a street-legal R1 if we want. In Europe, the R1 and R1M will only be available as track-only models for 2025 due to not meeting the tighter emissions regulations there.
Both the R1 and R1M get the carbon fiber winglets for 2025, but since this is the upscale version of (not the) gift guide, I've focused on the R1M in the spec box below. Stepping up to the R1M gets you carbon fiber bodywork, the Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension, and an integrated data logger to go along with the already extensive electronics suite, which lets the rider adjust power delivery, engine braking, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, slide control, lift control, launch control, and three settings for the quickshifter. All this for less than a third the price of the EX3MA — but less exclusive.
Gift under $100: Whiskey infused with exhaust notes
Perhaps you don't have five figures to spend but you'd still like to impress your upscale friends with a gift they never saw coming. I can say I never saw this one coming.
American Metal, shop in Connecticut that builds custom cars and motorcycles and does restoration work also has a whiskey line on the side. The latest product in that latter endeavor is called The Disciple, and according to American Metal, it's a "limited-edition sonic-infused whiskey."
What's that, you might reasonably ask? According to the company's description, the 90-proof whiskey is distilled in Tennessee and aged oak barrels in Vermont. During the process, a waterproof speaker is submerged into the whiskey and the sound of a custom 1941 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead built by American Metal's co-founder is played through the speaker. According to American Metal, "This infusion technique imparts rich, complex tasting notes and a unique color to the whiskey."
I am not making this up.
I've visited a few of the distilleries that make bourbon whiskey in Kentucky and was fascinated to learn about the process used to make it, including how the charring of the oak barrels, changes in temperature and humidity, and more can affect the results. But I've never heard of sound being involved. If a chemist or a master whiskey maker can explain to me how a Knucklehead exhaust note can make whiskey taste better, I'm all for hearing about it.
Meanwhile, a bottle of The Disciple will cost you $80.
| 2024 Aprilia RSV4 EX3MA | 2025 Yamaha YZF-R1M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $99,000 | $27,699 |
| Engine | 1,099 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, V-four | 998 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, configuration cylinders |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Six-speed, chain | Six-speed, chain |
| Claimed horsepower | 230 @ 13,500 rpm | 197 @ 13,500 rpm (European version) |
| Claimed torque | 97 foot-pounds @ 11,000 rpm | 84 foot-pounds @ 11,500 rpm |
| Frame | Twin-spar aluminum | Aluminum Deltabox |
| Front suspension | Öhlins cartridge fork, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping | Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension NPX 43 mm fork, adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping; 4.7 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Öhlins TTX shock, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping | Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension shock, adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping; 4.7 inches of travel |
| Front brake | Brembo GP4 MS calipers, 330 mm discs | Dual calipers, 320 mm discs with ABS |
| Rear brake | Single disc | Single caliper, 220 mm disc with ABS |
| Rake, trail | N/A | 24.0 degrees, 4.0 inches |
| Wheelbase | N/A | 55.3 inches |
| Seat height | N/A | 33.9 inches |
| Fuel capacity | N/A | 4.5 gallons |
| Tires | WorldSBK-spec Pirelli racing slicks, SC-1 125/70R17 front, SC-X 200/65R17 rear | Bridgestone Battlax RS11F 120/70/ZR17 front, 200/55ZR17 rear |
| Claimed weight | 363 pounds dry | 452 pounds wet |
| Available | Order now for delivery Q2 2025 | March 2025 |
| More info | factoryworks.aprilia.com | yamahamotorsports.com |
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