AF1 or 'Aprilia Formula 1' is a series of small capacity motorcycles from (at the time) a small Italian motorcycle manufacture Aprilia that seemingly came out of nowhere in the late 80's and in to the 90's.
The 125 category in the UK was fairly stagnant for years with the mainstream Japanese only rally offering colour updates on long running machines. We had the Honda NS125F which was made in Italy and featured a larger chassis, but Kawasaki's AR125, Suzuki's RG125 (actually based on a RG80) were tiny. Yamaha updated the ageing RD125 with the more modern TZR125 but even this was skinny. All of these bikes had similar performance as in the UK all learner 125's had to be restricted to 12hp giving a maximum speed of around 70-75mph.
Meanwhile in Europe and in particular Italy 125's were about to turn in to serious motorcycles with almost 30bhp and reaching speeds of up to 100mph!
Aprilia first showed there intentions by showing a prototype AF1 125 at the Milan motor show in 1985 and although styling was maybe influenced by the Japanese it was light years ahead of anything else.
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| 1985 AF1 125 prototype |
In 1986 Aprilia release the AF1 50 making the 50cc version the first production AF1.
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| 1986 AF1 50 |
1987 - AF1 Project 108 Type AC/1
The production version of the AF1 125 made its debut in 1987 and was called the 'Project 108'. The biggest change over the prototype was the addition of a single sided swing arm. The Aprilia name for the swing arm was 'Project 108', hence the model name. This was a technical first for a production bike on sale in Europe, although Honda did have it on the VFR400 NC24 in Japan. It also featured a steel box section frame, 3 spoke 17" wheels (16" on the prototype), anti dive forks and RAVE power valve on the Rotax 127 engine.
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| 1987 AF1 Project 108, white, black |
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| 1987 AF1 Project 108, blue with white panel |
With new rivals hitting the market in the form of the Cagiva Freccia C9, Gilera ZK and the Honda NS Aprilia made a quick update with a twin headlight fairing.
1988 - AF1 Project 108 Type AC/1
With a striking paint scheme inspired by the 250 gp race bike if Loris Reggiani or the first time the 'Replica' is offered. For the Second colour Aprilia really embraced the era using contrasting colours, something they will embrace of the next few years.
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| 1988 AF1 Project 108 Loris Reggiani Replica |
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| 1988 AF1 Project 108, white, black, red |
1988 - AF1 Sintesi Type EH
First shown in June 88 the all new AF1 Sintesi changed the game more so than any other generation. With more than a passing resemblance to Honda's RC30 the Sintesi featured the new Rotax 123 engine with RAVE 2 power valve, aluminium beam frame, 38mm upside down forks, single sided swingarm with new muli-spoke wheels. Colour options are black, purple, white, red or blue, aqua, white, red
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| 1988 AF1 Sintesi, black, purple, white, red |
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| 1988 AF1 Sintesi, blue, aqua, white |
For the export markets like the UK a Replica was also produced, this is another Reggiani replica with a number 6 on the tail piece.
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| 1988 AF1 Sintesi Replica |
1989 - AF1 Sintesi Type EU
In keeping with Aprilia's mid-model updates the Sintesi was updated for 1989 and featured a new top fairing with smaller headlights, new 'AF1' alloy top yoke, new clocks (loosing the fuel gauge) and a new 'aircraft' style fuel filler cap. This model was offered in the Sintesi colour scheme and the Replica. The Replica now had the number 4 on the tail piece reflecting Aprilia's current GP rider of the time Didier De Radigues.
1990 AF1 Futura Type FM
Aprilia launch the Futura as successor to the Sintesi in Feb 1990, although its looks like a big redesign in reality it has minor updates to the chassis and engine and keeps the 34mm carb from the Sport. The new fairing features a flush single headlight but for the UK market twin headlights were used.
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| 1990 AF1 Futura |
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| UK version with twin headlights |
1990 AF1 Europa Type PV
Launched shortly after the Futura was a naked roadster version called the Europa. The Europa was produced to appeal to riders that didn't want a race replica and competed with the new NSR-F but with lower gear ratio's it actually accelerated quicker than its faired stable mates. Made in both 1990-91 without change.
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| 1990 AF1 Europa, Metallic amaranth |
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| 1990 AF1 Europa, Metallic electric blue |
1991 AF1 Futura Type GE & GR
Another mid-life update for the Futura, this time with a modified seat unit rather then the headlights. Offered in both a stock colour scheme and the return of the Reggiani Replica.
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| 1991 AF1 Futura - Type GE - show bike with original Futura bodywork |
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| 1991 AF1 Futura - Type GE - production |
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| 1991 AF1 Futura Reggiani Replica - Type GR |
1992 AF1 Futura Sport Pro Type HC & FM
Although from a technical point of view the Sport Pro is identical to the Futura '91, there are a few detailed updates including a new control unit for the exhaust valve control that opens at 8400 rpm. (7800 rpm on the other Futuras), a new exhaust can in aluminum with a carbon wrap and a 28mm carb, (which was needed for racing), an adjustable rear shock absorber and a wider 140/70 rear tyre.
Type HC were the original Sport Production bikes (772pcs), Type FM are in fact 91 Futura's in Sport Pro colours (2228pcs). For the road the FM is faster due to the 34mm carb.
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| 1992 AF1 Futura Sport Pro |
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| 92 Sport Pro UK version, note twin headlights |
After the Sport Pro Aprilia had a wholesale redesign and dropped the single sided swignarm for a double sided with the RS 125 which continued on sale in various forms until the two stroke engine effectively got outlawed by emissions.
