BREAKING: The 2021 Aprilia GPR250R Is As Sharp As A Samurai Sword

Aprilia has launched the 2021 Aprilia GPR250R at the Xi'an Motor Expo in China. It is priced at CNY 26,800 (around Rs 3.08 lakh). The motorcycle was first unveiled back in 2019 and now the 2021 version comes with a host of new changes.

The latest iteration gets completely altered bodywork, including the fairing and tail panels. The sharper front fascia houses all-LED headlamps (unlike the halogen units in its predecessor), whose design is similar to its bigger sibling, the Aprilia RSV4. For a sportier appeal, the bike also gets intakes below the headlamps with a pair of winglet-like ‘lips’ flowing coherently with the fairing on the sides. Both the fairing as well as the tail panels look a little more aggressive than before.

  The semi-digital instrument cluster has also been replaced with a much more modern-looking full-colour TFT unit. We’d have liked it even more if Aprilia had included smartphone connectivity as well. The ergonomics are as aggressive as before thanks to the clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs. At 14-litres, the fuel tank capacity has also remained the same. 

The motorcycle is powered by a 250cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, churning out 27.87PS at 9000rpm and 21.5Nm at 7500rpm. This makes it 1.37PS more powerful and 0.5Nm less torquey than the 2019 version. The engine is mated to the same six-speed transmission with a chain drive as before. 

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The underpinnings have also remained unchanged. Aprilia has built the bike on a perimeter frame linked to an inverted front fork, rear monoshock, and asymmetrical swingarm. The disc brakes at both ends, with a radial caliper up front and dual-channel ABS as standard, ensure optimal braking prowess.

Alongside the GPR250R, the Italian brand also launched the GPR150R at CNY 22,980 for the ABS variant (Rs 2.64 lakh). Apart from the different colour scheme and the smaller 18.08PS, 14Nm motor, the rest of the motorcycle looks similar to its quarter-litre sibling. If you’re wondering whether the Aprilia GPR250R will make it to India, we’ve got good and bad news for you. 

Bad news is the Aprilia GPR250R won’t be launched in India. Good news is it will be launched in a 300cc single-cylinder avatar. The brand had already mentioned plans to go up the displacement range from the 150cc twins showcased back at Auto Expo 2018. Now with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affecting the industry, expect the Italian brand to launch the bike here in a year or two. It will likely be renamed to Aprilia RS300 and compete with the 2021 KTM RC 390, the upcoming 2021 TVS Apache RR 310, and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6, which, however, is a twin-cylinder 300cc bike.

Image Credit: newmotor.com.cn