Aprilia GPR 250 Unveiled In China; India Launch Soon?

The motorcycle’s design is similar to the RSV4 1100 Factory

• The GPR 250 packs a 249.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine.
• It also comes with premium features like inverted fork, aluminium swingarm and radial tyres on both ends.
• Its smaller brother, the GPR 150 was showcased in India at a dealer event earlier this year.

Aprilia has unveiled a quarter-litre faired bike, the GPR 250, in China. It is essentially the bigger brother of the GPR 150 which is already on sale in the country. Interestingly, the GPR 150 was also showcased at a dealer event in India early this year hinting at a possible launch. Aprilia had also showcased the RS150 and Tuono 150 at the 2018 Auto Expo but its launch never materialised. A new development a few months ago revealed that the brand is planning to offer something more powerful with a bigger engine. Now with the unveiling of the GPR 250, it seems likely that Aprilia could bring this motorcycle to the Indian market. 

The GPR 250 comes with styling similar to the RSV4 1100 Factory, the Italian brand’s top-of-the-line faired bike. It also gets proper race-inspired livery on the fairing. The styling exercise should help in instantly recognising the bike’s sporty genes. Powering the bike is a 249.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which produces 26.5PS and 22Nm. It is paired to a 6-speed transmission linked to a chain final drive. 

Like the GPR 150, the quarter-litre sibling also features premium components like inverted fork, monoshock, aluminium swingarm and disc brake with radial caliper at the front. It uses a disc at the rear as well, and there’s a dual-channel ABS for safety too. 

Interestingly, the fuel tank capacity stands at 14 litres which is 1.4 litres less than the GPR 150’s fuel tank capacity. At 150kg, the quarter-litre motorcycle weighs 10kg more than the 150cc sibling. The low-set clip-ons coupled with the rear-set footpegs offer a properly sporty riding stance. 

As far as rivals in the Indian market are concerned, the GPR 250 will be a sportier alternative to the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and the Honda CBR250R. But that’s only in terms of ergonomics and underpinnings as the GPR 250’s powerplant makes more or less the same amount of power and torque as the Gixxer SF 250 and CBR250R.

If Aprilia brings this motorcycle in India, it will likely be renamed the 'RS 250'. The brand could also bring in a naked iteration in the form of the Tuono 250 for riders who want more easygoing ergonomics. Expect Aprilia to price the faired bike at Rs 3 lakh and the naked at Rs 2.5 lakh, ex-showroom. If we’re lucky, Aprilia might just unveil the bike in India at next year’s Auto Expo! Stay tuned for more updates.

Image Credit: www.newmotor.com.cn