Capitalizing on the credentials of a strong Dakar Rally campaign of the 450cc v-twin RXV 4.5, Aprilia, Motociclismo.it and MCN are reporting that the Italian brand will be showing a mid-displacement adventure bike based on the Shiver platform.  It follows that the bike, called the Tuareg, will have a 750cc v-twin motor as found in the Shiver and steel tube chassis, but there’s a 21″ front wheel in the works for proper off-road capability.

Reports indicate that the Aprilia Toureg will weight under 200kg (441lbs), that is slightly more than the Shiver’s dry weight giving the rumour further credibility.  It’s reported that a road version with a 19″ front wheel and 1200cc motor may also join the 2011 line-up. Really though, with a lighter, easier to manage and more dirt-capable 750cc available one wonders how much traction that variant would have in an  adventure market increasingly increasingly crowded with road oriented adventure bikes?

Ultimately, a 750cc Aprilia Adventure bike is a well placed alternative to the BMW F800GS which has proven the mid-displacement Adventure market. A slot largely left vacant in North America with discontinuation of KTM’s 640 Adventure and the lack of importation of European models like the Honda Transalp and Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré.  Indeed this could be the hint to companies like Ducati to rework existing platforms and capitalize on the hot adventure meme and the strengths of “smaller” adventure bikes.  We’d have no complaints if there were a Hypermotard 769 Adventure with stronger dirt capabilities than the new Multistrada 1200, which has received criticism over its tire fitments and front wheel choice among the adventure cognoscenti.

The Aprilia Toureg should be making an appearance at the 2010 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.