The Aprilia RSV4’s 65° V4 motor produces a claimed 180bhp@12,500rpm and 85ftlb@10,000rpm. It has a single block crankcase with integrated cylinder liners, titanium inlet valves and balance shaft. The six-speed cassette gearbox is removable, handy for racing and a slipper clutch comes as standard. Being a V4, the engine is incredibly small and has allowed Aprilia to make a tiny bike around it, but the power delivery is the best part. It’s so smooth and wide the motor doesn’t actually feel that powerful and you don’t realise how fast you’re going, until you look down at the speedo! The engine note is similar to the deep, metallic boom of the RSV twin and the spread of power is actually very reminiscent of the new ‘long bang’ Yamaha R1.
Ride and Handling
We can’t give the RSV4 a perfect score for handling as we only rode it in rain conditions, albeit on racing wets. What is impressive is that the Ohlins forks and shock have the adjustment in them to make the Aprilia soft and plush to suit the conditions, giving masses of feel and confidence to the rider. Monobloc Brembo brakes are powerful, but unlike a Ducati easy to use and not too brutal. Being so compact, the RSV4 is a bit of a squeeze for riders over six-foot.
Equipment
The Aprilia RSV4 is packed with toys, gadgets and trickery. There’s an evolution of Aprilia’s ride-by-wire system, which first appeared on their MotoGP racer and the Shiver road bike. The system allows a three-way engine map (track, sport and road) offering varying levels of power delivery from soft to extreme. The RSV4 also gets electronically controlled variable-length inlet trumpets, an exhaust power-valve and a new Magnetti Marelli ECU to control all the electronic systems. You also get Ohlins forks, shock and steering damper, a carbon fibre mudguard and hugger, forged aluminium wheels, Brembo monobloc radial brakes and sticky Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP tyres.
Quality and Reliability
It’s too soon to say how reliable the RSV4 will be, but if it’s anything like Aprilia’s of old, there will be little to worry about. Build quality and reliability is up there with the best, and to say Aprilia is an Italian version of Honda isn’t stretching it at all. Aprilia now benefits from the huge cash reserves that new owners, Piaggio, have brought to the Noale-based company since 2005, so each new model goes through vigorous research and development.
Value
Just looking at the sexy metal, the race developed V4 engine, top-grade chassis parts and fancy electronics you get for your money, fifteen grand doesn’t sound that expensive, especially when you compare it to the £1500 dearer Ducati 1198S. The fact that the RSV4 is a ridiculously brilliant motorcycle, just seals the deal. We can’t wait to ride it in the dry.
Tags: Aprilia, Aprilia RSV4
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