A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT A TRUE ENTHUSIAST OF APRILIA BIKES AND MOTORCYCLE RACES. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HIS NEW BIKE ARRIVED AT HIS HOME IN SYDNEY. AND NOW HE CAN'T WAIT TO TEST IT ON THE HIS FAVORITE LUKEY HEIGHTS AT PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT.
Simon Walters and his new Aprilia RSV4 1100 Stock1 MM Race by Aprilia Racing.
January 2023 (G.T.) - At the beginning of January, the Aprilia Racing team reported to the editorial staff of Wide magazine a video sent by a customer from Australia, Simon Walters, featuring his new Aprilia RSV4 1100 Stock1 MM Race model year 2022 that had recently arrived in Sydney.
Where was the video set? Simon explains: “RACE DYNAMICS in Sydney with AL Samuels who has worked with many race teams and riders over the years. This is where the bike was delivered to prepare it for starting and to run-in the engine on the dyno to be ready to ride. I preferred this option of a controlled environment as it would enable me to do a specific run-in process rather than attempting to do it amongst other riders on track.”
Simon's previous email, dated December 16, 2022, documented the arrival of the fantastic bike, prepared by Aprilia Racing and equipped with various kits (such as fairings, exhaust, handlebar accessories, footrests, which mounts a standard electronics kit reprogrammed for track use).
Described here, on the Aprilia Racing Factory Works website:
factoryworks.aprilia.com/en-GB/full-bike/rsv4-1100-stock1-mm-race-2022
Simon had to wait some time to get the bike (due to the necessary regulatory validation times): a patience well rewarded, judging by his enthusiasm upon receiving the large shipping box containing his new Made in Italy bike: “She has arrived and she is spectacular! Next will preparation to start her and do the run in process. Then to racetrack we go!... Definitely worth the wait”, Simon wrote.
Congratulations Simon for your new bike; but we are curious (as are our many worldwide readers) and we want to know better Simon Walters and his passion for Aprilia and motorcycle racing. And here is his interview.
From left: Simon Walters and his new super-sport Aprilia RSV4, along with Al Samuels from Race Dynamics, Sydney.
First of all, who is Simon Walters…
“I am 51 years old and live in Sydney Australia. I am a chiropractor. I have been married for 23 years and have two daughters aged 21 and 18.”
When did your passion for motorcycles start?
“The passion for motorcycles started with me at a very young age - my father would take me on the back of his bike to my football games already dressed in my boots and shin pads. He has always owned and ridden motorbikes and still does to this day. The sense of freedom and connection felt with my father sealed the passion for bikes. I have always loved riding bikes. One of my first jobs was delivery rider for a local chemist at the age of 13. I couldn’t believe someone paid me to ride my bike! My cousin lived on a farm, and we would ride the little 50cc bikes all over the property. We would usually only stop to eat or get fuel or if it got too dark to continue. I couldn’t get enough. I always remember thinking that one day I would own a superbike. When I eventually did get a superbike, I ended up taking it to the track. There was no turning back from there.”
SIMON’S FAMILY MEMORIES: ON THE ROAD.
A LITTLE JOKE: SIMON’S EVOLUTION, FROM THIS…TO THIS!
Did you dream of becoming a motorcycle racer as a child?
“I used to think motorcycle racers were crazy and never imagined I would do that. Now I know they are definitely crazy, and I am totally addicted. It is the ultimate feeling riding these bikes the way they were designed to be ridden. There is always more to learn and the quest to improve is never ending. The racing community is like a big family. Racing each other one minute and next minute helping each other working on bikes to get out there and do it all again.”
Simon said: “This Is my family (wife Kim and daughters Paris and Amelie), along with one photo of my father and I when I first saw the bike.”
Are you a motorcycle expert from a technical-technological point of view or a “pure” enthusiast?
“I definitely fall into the enthusiast category. Having said that, I have learnt a lot over the years and do a lot more work on my bikes than I ever used to or ever imagined I would.
As my riding has developed I have found myself moving further up the grid. This also means I have been pushing to improve further still. I have spent a good deal of time and money developing the bike in terms of setup and geometry to suit my style of riding. This has involved suspension specialists giving me a good base setup and tuning from there.
I have grown to enjoy this part of riding and racing. There are so many variables that affect the way the bike performs on track. As I better understand my riding I am better able to determine the effect different changes have on the bike and the way it handles.
I still have so much more to learn. Enjoying the process means I look forward to becoming more of an expert over time. Especially when there are so many people out there that are happy to share their knowledge. The Aprilia riders have a great bond. Even those riders that have changed to different brands for different reasons always seem to have a special spot in their hearts for Aprilia.”
Why did you choose this Aprilia bike, what do you particularly appreciate of this innovative and advanced Italian bike?
“My first track specific bike was a 600 and when I was looking at stepping up to 1000cc’s one of my riding/racing mentors who raced Aprilias said the RSV4 was a great way to step up as it handled like a 600 but with the extra power. That and the fact that I loved the look and sound of the bike. I was already a fan of Aprilia’s from back when they were V-twins. Especially the RSV1000R models that came out in 2005/6. Since then I have owned, built, ridden and raced a 2012, 2013, 2016 and now a 2022 RSV4.”
You write that you will use it on the track: can you tell us something more about your future plans? And more: do you already have driving experience on racing circuits? If so, when and where…
“This bike is purely for track riding and racing. However I can’t promise that I won’t test it up and down my street when it first comes home!
The plan will be to test the bike, get a comfortable setup and develop it to suit my riding style.
Next will be to race it in the local club sprint and endurance series. I would love to travel interstate and do some racing around the country but I think that will most likely be in 2024.
My home track is Sydney Motorsport park SMSP (formerly known as Eastern Creek) and I plan to compete in the night racing series there under lights next summer. It is a series that is growing in popularity with Josh Brookes from BSB competing this year along with many of the nation’s best riders from ASBK.
Simon said: “The pictures for this article are of me racing, including my favourite one from Lukey heights at Phillip Island GP circuit.”
I have also ridden at Phillip Island. I have to pinch myself every time I ride there due to visions I have of the epic battles I have watched there over the years in MotoGP and WSBK. It is a magical place.
My favourite circuit that I have ridden is The Bend which is a relatively new circuit in Tailem Bend South Australia (15-hour drive). The circuit layout and facilities are fantastic. Jack Miller has raced there as a privateer the last 2 years after finishing his MotoGP season commitments.
I have also ridden at Winton, Broadford, Wakefield Park, Pheasant Wood and Oran Park.
There are a few more Australian circuits on my list to ride but the big dream is to ride some famous circuits in Europe. The top of that list is Mugello! This would mean the new bike would have to make the trip back home to Italy with me.”
Which are the emotions and sensations of riding a sports bike on a circuit? Is it just about speed or something else?
The emotions and sensations of a sports bike on track are like no other. Being on track allows you to ride the bike and explore its capabilities in a way that is not possible on public roads.
When riding and pushing to the limits of your abilities (not the bike’s limits) there is nothing else. You are purely in THAT moment doing THAT thing that you love. I have heard it referred to as mindfulness. A state that some try to reach through meditation and reflection. As riders and racers we know that peace that comes with total focus. A sense of flow that we catch glimpses of on occasion. A feeling that is powerful and addictive. Something that once you have tasted there is no satiating.
Milan Kundera said it well… “The man hunched over his motorcycle can only focus on the present…he is caught in a fragment of time cut off from both the past and the future…he has no fear, because the source of fear is in the future, and the person freed of the future has nothing to fear.”
Do you live your passion of racing on the track alone or together with passionate friends like you? And, by the way, how did your parents/friends comment on your decision to choose an Aprilia motorcycle?
“Definitely not alone. The racing community is like a big family. A big family who share a passion that quickly becomes an addiction. Sharing the highs and lows is all part of it. Helping mates when they need a hand and sharing the success stories from personal best lap times or race wins or maybe even just finishing a race. Everyone has their own goals and achieving them is better when shared.
My wife was very patient with me and the process that was involved in getting this latest race bike imported directly from Aprilia racing. One could say she was partly to blame for fuelling my addiction after she bought me my first track-dedicated bike as a surprise for father’s day one year. It was probably so I would stop talking so much about it with her!
Friends know I love Aprilia so I don’t think anyone was surprised. They mostly seem happy for me along with being enthusiastic to see what the bike will be like as it is the first one of the new model to hit our shores. Of course, there is the usual joking and banter from those mates that ride other brands of motorcycles but that is a big part of what makes it fun.”
Finally, what is your ‘philosophy’ of life applied to your passion for motorcycles?
“That’s simple…
All that is left to say is that I am very much looking forward to riding the new bike to get a feeling for how far the bike has been developed in the last 6 years. I am aware of many of the changes with regards to engine performance along with a new exhaust supplier who has created a work of art. I am also interested in the effect the new aero design might have on the way the bike feels. The new electronics package, along with the amazing new dash and race ECU have developed a lot since my last bike. I will now have the ability to control many more variables, providing both better performance along with increased safety. I am already dreaming of the big smile that I will have on my face after my first ride. Possibly even at the first twist of the throttle!”
Thanks, Simon, for this interview, we can only wish you to enjoy many laps on the track astride your new Aprilia.
