From a press release issued by Aprilia USA:

First Aprilia RSV Nera Goes Home with Matt LeBlanc



Motorcycle enthusiast and actor LeBlanc will get keys to first Nera available in the U.S. on December 13 during Aprilia press conference

Woodstock, GA (December 4, 2003) – Actor Matt LeBlanc will receive the first RSV 1000 Nera available in the U.S. The limited edition motorcycle will be presented to LeBlanc at the 23rd annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California, Saturday December 13, at 1:00 PM at the Aprilia exhibit. Only 200 of the $40,000 Nera, the first of Aprilia’s new Dream Series of motorcycles and scooters, are available world-wide.

LeBlanc, a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, visited Aprilia world headquarters in Noale, Italy this past summer. He toured the Dolomite Mountains and Northern Italy countryside for three weeks on an RST 1000 Futura, ending with a visit to the Mugello GP and his friend, Grand Prix pilot, Colin Edwards.

LeBlanc discovered the Aprilia brand in 1999 while working on a film in Austria. Since then he has owned a 2000 model year RSV 1000 R super sportbike that he has substantially modified with performance hardware and carbon-fiber body panels to suit his tastes. “When I was given a sneak preview of the new Nera by (Aprilia SpA President) Mr. Beggio, I knew I had to have one,” said the Boston-born actor.

“We are happy to have Mr. LeBlanc in the Aprilia family,” said Aprilia USA General Manager Tom McDonald. “Matt’s passion for all forms of motorcycling makes him a real asset to our community of enthusiasts. I know he’ll enjoy the performance of the Nera, and we share his love for motorcycles.”

The Nera represents the highest level of motorcycle performance offered by Aprilia SpA, and is available exclusively at www.aprilia.com/nera. Buyers are escorted through every step of the sale by an Aprilia concierge, who is based at Aprilia world headquarters in Italy. In addition to personalized service, each Nera also comes with a unique list of standard “equipment,” including custom-fitted Dainese leathers, Aprilia helmet and gloves and a performance exhaust system. Original Nera owners are also members of an elite club that includes such benefits as a trip to a 2004 Motorcycle Grand Prix event and VIP hospitality from the GP squad. Owners can also take advantage of a personalized tour of the Aprilia SpA factory, located near Venice, Italy.

“Our Dream Series machines have been designed for the most discriminating enthusiast,” said Robert Pandya, Aprilia USA’s promotions manager. “While the series will expand into other model lines, it was natural for the RSV 1000 Nera to be the premier edition. After all, it was born out of our desire to have the highest specification and most confidence-inspiring superbike available in the market, and its DNA comes straight from 22 world championships.”

For more information on the RSV 1000 Nera, visit www.aprilia.com/nera. For more information on the 23rd annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, visit www.motorcycleshows.com.

About Aprilia

Aprilia is Europe’s second largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Noale, Italy—just outside Venice—the company is privately owned and has eight subsidiaries in key world markets. Aprilia USA is the company’s U.S. importer and distributor. The subsidiary is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia, just a few miles north of metro Atlanta. Aprilia USA’s 128 U.S. dealerships offer an exciting line of award-winning performance motorcycles, the country’s largest choice of scooters as well as innovative electric bicycles. For information on Aprilia’s complete model line, visit the company’s website at www.apriliausa.com.