Aprilia RSV4
The sharp-edged RSV4, shaped by Aprilia’s design chief Miguel Angel Galluzzi, incorporated Aprilia’s trademark triple headlights and twin-spar aluminium frame layout. The Italian firm made no secret of the fact that the ultra-powerful and compact RSV4 was created from a clean sheet of paper, with the aim of being the world’s fastest superbike on both road and racetrack.
Aprilia’s stunning RSV4 was first seen as the works' World Superbike racer on which Max Biaggi made a storming start to the 2009 championship. Such was the Aprilia V4’s speed and exotic, infinitely adjustable chassis design that rival teams complained it was a pure competition machine, not a modified production bike as the regulations demanded.
Shortly afterwards Aprilia unveiled the production RSV4 Factory, and the critics were forced to back down. The gorgeous and technically brilliant V4 had clearly been built to an exceptionally high specification. The Factory represented the birth of an important new family of bikes for Aprilia, whose parent company Piaggio had invested more than 25 million euros in its development.
Engineers from Aprilia’s streetbike and racing departments collaborated in the RSV4's design. They used computer programmes to analyze potential lap times of alternative engine layouts before deciding that a dohe V4. with cylinders set at 65 degrees apart, offered the optimum blend of performance and compact size.
The 999cc unit had over-square bore and stroke dimensions, and featured lightweight titanium valves plus magnesium engine covers. A sophisticated intake system combined ride-by-wire throttle control with intake ducts whose length varied according to revs. Other features included a slipper clutch and removable cassette gearbox. The I8()bhp maximum output matched that of rival Japanese fours: the motor’s light weight contributed to a competitive dry weight figure of 395lb (179kg).
Aprilia’s heritage demanded a polished, twin- spar aluminium frame. This was welded from cast and pressed sections, and fine-tuned for optimum stiffness. Most of the fuel lived under the seat, for improved weight distribution. A key chassis feature was a level of adjustability unprecedented in a production bike. Steering head geometry, rear ride height and the engine’s position in the frame could all be fine-tuned.
The result was a stunningly aggressive and capable bike that was bursting with character and fearsomely fast. It accelerated out of bends with a guttural growl, revving smoothly through the midrange then kicking harder at 8000rpm with a stirring V4 howl. Top speed was a genuine 180mph (290km/h) plus, helped by excellent aerodynamics. In adverse conditions the rider could select from three engine modes, giving the option of softer power delivery.
Chassis performance was every bit as sublime as that of the engine. The frame’s carefully specified levels of rigidity combined with the high-quality Ohlins suspension and lightweight forged wheels to let the Factory slice through turns with minimal effort and maximum control, yet for such a short, light bike it was also very stable at speed. Brembo’s Monobloc calipers ensured fierce stopping power.
The Factory was a fast and desirable machine that confirmed Aprilia’s renewed challenge as a superbike force. Perhaps its only slight drawback, apart from an unashamedly racy nature, was the lack of electronic aids such as ABS and traction control, as featured by some rivals. That criticism was addressed by the Special Edition model that was unveiled in September 2010 - just weeks after Biaggi had won Aprilia’s first World Superbike title. The RSV4’s triumphant introduction was complete.
Almost as Fast: the RSV4 R
Aprilia has a tradition of producing super-sport models in alternative levels of chassis specification so few were surprised when, a year after the Factory's arrival, the
RSV4 R was launched combining an identical engine and frame with less exotic cycle parts, and paintwork in white or black. Inevitably the R-model couldn't quite match the Factory's majestic composure under maximum duress, but it combined a substantially cheaper price with similar straight-line speed, plus very impressive cornering ability of its own.
The RSV4’s tendency to wheelie under acceleration was curbed in 2011 by the Factory APRC Special Edition, with its electronic wheelie control.
The Aprilia's rigid aluminium swingarm had an adjustable pivot - just one of several ways in which the bike’s chassis could be fine-tuned.
Specification Aprilia RSV4 Factory (2009)
- Engine Liquid-cooled dohc 16-valve 65-degree V4
- Capacity 999cc (78 x 52.3mm)
- Maximum power 180bhp @ 12,500rpm
- Transmission Six-speed, chain final drive
- Frame Aluminium twin spar
- Suspension Telescopic front; single shock rear
- Brakes Twin discs front; disc rear
- Weight 395lb (179kg) dry
- Top speed 185mph (298km/h)
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