One of the most hotly debated topics is the future of World Superbike, with various ideas and proposals aimed at improving the Championship for the years ahead. At Misano, during the MSMA meeting, the manufacturers gathered to discuss the most viable path to follow in the years to come.
Among these is the proposal to increase the engine displacement limit, which would effectively give new manufacturers the opportunity to enter and invest in the Championship. In this regard, the name Aprilia—which has the RSV4 1100 in its lineup—has been circulating in the paddock.
According to information gathered after the Misano round, however, discussions regarding the expansion of the displacement limit will have to wait quite a while longer. The reason is actually very simple: Ducati, just to give an example, already had the 1100 in its lineup, but under the current regulations, it decided to launch the latest-generation Panigale V4, revising its investments and market strategy.
If the displacement limit were to be raised to 1100cc today for 2027, it would render the investments made by the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer null and void. BMW would also find itself in this situation—as we all know, it launched the new M 1000 RR last year—as would Bimota, which recently received homologation for its new bike.
In short, the Superbike landscape for 2027 and 2028 is expected to remain as it is now, with no major upheavals on the horizon. This is confirmed when we consider the manufacturers’ preference for regulations that prioritize stability without constant changes midway through the season.
On this point, Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Bimota, Kawasaki, and BMW are in agreement. That is why, through 2028 and likely into 2029, the current course will continue. Aprilia, whose priority is to focus heavily on MotoGP—where all its investments are concentrated—will therefore have to wait.
Furthermore, just for the record, the current Aprilia RSV4 1100 traces its roots back to a project over twenty years old, considering that its frame was designed by Marco Zambenedetti, who is now in charge of Ducati’s Superbike project.
Certainly, Aprilia’s return to the paddock would be a major coup for the Championship, but as of now, looking ahead to the next two years, it remains nothing more than an early-summer pipe dream.