The tour may not feature the latest name in rock or pop, but the travelling roadshow will bring the latest motorcycle models from Aprilia to performance enthusiasts.

Brought together by Aprilia USA, the North American importer and distributor of award-winning motorcycles, the Ride Like a Champion tour has started in Southern California.

Organizers are calling the tour an education and training program for Aprilia dealers and comes just in time for the 2010 riding season. But reportedly the public will also get into the two-wheeled act with dealership-based customer events, such as open houses, RSV4 demo rides and other local market activities.

The tour will give select Aprilia dealers additional technical expertise, product knowledge and informational tools they need to provide enthusiasts with an incredible experience on the RSV4.

The summer-long tour starts in Southern California and then moves to other major markets, including:

• April 26 – May 24:      Southern California
• May 17 – July 5:         Northeast
• May 31 – June 28:     Northern California
• July 7 – July 21:         Northwest
• July 26 – Aug. 9:        Central (Denver)
• July 11 – Aug. 9:        Southeast
• Aug. 16 – Sep. 20:    Texas
• Aug. 16 – Sep. 6:       Michigan

Exact locations and updates to the tour as they happen can be found on Aprilia's American website.

Already a multi-award recipient from leading media in the USA and from around the world, the Aprilia RSV4 continues to take podium finishes in the 2010 World Superbike Championship. Team Aprilia Alitalia, with racers Max Biaggi and Leon Camier will compete in the only American round of the series, taking place May 31 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT.

“The Aprilia RSV4 is one of the most technically advanced super bikes on the market and customers deserve to hear every exciting chapter of its story,” says Paolo Timoni, president and CEO, Piaggio Group Americas. “That’s why we’re bringing another very personalized training experience directly to Aprilia dealers, including the opportunity to unleash the RSV4 on the race track.”