Back in 1992 I bought my (at the time) dream bike, a 1991 Aprilia AF1 Futura, reg number J671 JOR. This bike was a UK specification machine with the twin headlights, which at the time I thought they were quite ugly (love them now!) compared to the faired in Italian version. The UK version was specific for our market and actually differed quite a bit form the original Italian spec machine which makes it an interesting model. It actually has more in common with the later Italian spec GE and GR models than the FM type Futura, even in the owners handbook the drawing of the Futura had the GR type seat unit.
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| My original owners manual for the UK spec Futura |
Here are the main differences:
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| Type FM 1990 |
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| Type UK - 1991 |
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| Type GR - 1991 |
*Fork - newer updated 40mm fork with different brake mount
*Headlight - twin headlight with rubber surround, also used on the UK Sport Pro
The FM model uses what looks like Sintesi parts, certainly the sprocket guard, 38mm front fork and mudgaurd are. the frame is Sintesi based but a little wider at the top to accommodate the different sized tank. The updated components used on the UK bike remained the same until the AF1 was discontinued.
According to the 125 Stradali the type GE 1991 ran from the 25th September 1990 and was updated to GR spec on the 31st Jan 91."Curiously, the approved tailpiece and tank are still those of the Futura 90, although they were never adopted in production, moving directly to the 1991 bodywork as you can see in the photo. (Evidently at the time of approval it must not have been clear yet what the definitive bodywork for the '91 model would be)." Note the UK Futura had a metal fuel tank while the replacing model (GR) had a plastic fuel tank with a cover.
This part is pure conjecture. I would probably suggest buy the time Aprilia UK decided to import the Futura (1yr after launch) production on the type FM had finished and Aprilia had moved on to the type GE/R. Probably Aprilia still had good stock of bodywork so decided to produce a UK specific version with the twin headlights to suit our regulations. I do remember the Futura being sold side-by-side with the Sintesi replica (type EU), hence why even though the Replica is a 1989 model mine was registered is a 1992
If anybody has any additional info or can confirm any of the above I would love to hear from you?
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