Introduction(Racing History)
Aprilia RSV4 is an Italian superbike , with V4 engine layout. RSV4 revolved from World Superbike, where the Italian company opened it’s checkbook to make the RSV4 the winner right from the starting. The RSV4 has been developed in the supervision of former GP racer Alex Hofman. Legendary rider Max Biaggi is a promising man on RSV4 , he had very impressive results since the time he has been with Aprilia Racing team. RSV4 has also created loads of attention in racing circles due to its class-leading top speeds at just about every track it visited so far . From the time it appeared on the scene, it was clear to all its rivals that the Aprilia RSV4 was the bike to kill every other machine on track. The RSV4 is conceived around a 65° V4 engine never before seen on a factory sport bike, a frame which is great to a dynasty that has won 18 titles and 143 Grand Prix races in the 250 GP class, enhanced by the most advanced applied electronics systems to manage the engine and the bike’s dynamic performance.
Performance
There is difference of performance on the road legal bike as compared to the race spec bike. It has a 65-degree, 999.6cc V-Four engine that revs to a whopping 12,250 rpm, churning out 180 horse power. In simple words you can say it’s the performance beast and it’s not that easy for everyone to control that power hence RSV4 has loads of electronics , which makes it easy to be ridden by inexperienced riders.
List of electronics-
– ATC: Aprilia Traction Control, the traction control system that can be adjusted on the fly, without closing the throttle, to 8 levels thanks to a practical joystick on the left handlebar, gains even higher performing and refined operating logic;
– AWC: Aprilia Wheelie Control, which can be adjusted to three levels, has been recalibrated for better performance;
– ALC: Aprilia Launch Control, for use on the track only, with 3 settings;
– AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift, a system for extremely fast gear changes without shutting the throttle and using the clutch.
In addition to the second generation APRC system, both the RSV4 versions come standard with highly advanced ABS, the antilock braking system designed and developed to guarantee not only maximum safety on the road, but also the best performance on the track. Aprilia worked in close cooperation with Bosch to define the best calibration of the ABS 9MP unit, which represents the maximum in refinement and technology currently available. The system, weighing in at just 2 kg, can be disengaged and adjusted to 3 different levels by easily accessing the sophisticated instrumentation control menu:
– Level 1 Track: dedicated to the track (but also approved for street use), it acts on both wheels and guarantees maximum possible performance, even in the most intense braking situations at any speed. This setting takes nothing away from the pleasure and performance of “pushing the envelope”.
– Level 2 Sport: dedicated to sport riding on the street, it works on both wheels and is combined with an advanced tip over system (RLM – Rear Lift-up Mitigation) which has progressive action based on the vehicle speed.
– Level 3 Rain: dedicated to riding on surfaces with poor grip, it acts on both wheels and is combined with the advanced tip over system.
Each of these 3 ABS mappings can be combined with any of the 3 engine maps (Track, Sport, Road), in order to allow riders with different experience and skill levels to find the best possible combination for their style.
With this high level of electronics you cannot doubt on the braking and handling of the bike on any terrain.
Brakes
with super power, you need super brakes. With the goal of improving the already exceptional deceleration capacity of the RSV4, the new Aprilia RSV4 R ABS and Factory ABS models have a brand new front braking system, which is dressed up with refined Brembo M430 radial mounted monoblock callipers and the new radial master cylinder on the handlebar.
The rear brake calliper was replaced with a more advanced and more efficient one, perfecting the combination with the new front brake. In the braking phase, as delicate as it is important, optimum weight distribution is fundamental: for this purpose the RSV4 ABS engine benefits from different positioning within the frame.
Ergonomics
The possibility of adjusting the position of the engine within the frame is a peculiarity which is usually reserved for racing bikes and which sets the RSV4 apart from all the other bikes in the segment. This, together with a different adjustment of the swingarm pivot, guarantees greater stability and control of the bike in more intense braking situations; at the same time, it allowed the height of the saddle off the ground to be lowered to 840 mm, to the advantage of riders of all sizes.
Design.
Aprilia really worked hard on it’s design as they cleverly fitted a giant 999.6cc engine in a frame and with that the bike looks very compact from every possible angle, it got the sharp edges all around it’s body making it an extreme aerodynamic machine with beauty. Even the sleek tail piece ,headlight consisting of a high- luminosity LED unit, was conceived with the aim to reduce the surfaces of the bike in order to reduce weight and increase aerodynamic efficiency .
Verdict
Today even in Indian market you have lots of options , if you want to buy a complete powerful superbike. But are you really capable of riding these monsters on our roads, actually it’s not that easy to control the massive powerof these machine, but RSV4 is still 1 of the bike which is the high performance machine but can be easily handled even by new riders .
Specs.
Engine: Aprilia longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder
Fuel: Unleaded fuel
Bore x Stroke: 78 x 52.3 mm
Total displacement: 999.6 cc
Compression ratio: 13:1
Maximum power at the crank: 180 HP (132,4 kW) at 12.250 rpm
Maximum torque at the crank: 115 Nm a 10.000 rpm
Fuel system: Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Weber-Marelli 48-mm throttle bodies with 8 injectors and latest generation Ride-by-Wire engine management. Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the rider with bike in motion: T (Track), S (Sport), R (Road)
Ignition: Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system integrated in engine control system, with one spark plug per cylinder and “stick-coil”-type coils
Starting: Electric
Exhaust: 4 into 2 into 1 layout, single oxygen sensor, lateral single silencer with engine control unit-controlled butterfly valve and integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 3)
Generator: Flywheel mounted 420W alternator with rare earth magnets
Lubrification: Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)
Gear box: 6-speed cassette type gearbox 1st: 39/15 (2.6) 2nd: 33/16 (2,063) 3rd: 34/20 (1.7) 4th: 32/22 (1,455) 5th: 34/26 (1,308) 6th: 33/27 (1,222)
Clutch: Multiplate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system
Primary drive: Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1,659)
Final drive: Chain: Drive ratio: 40/16 (2.5) or 42/16 (2.625)
Frame: Aluminium dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements. Sachs steering damper
Front suspension: Sachs upside-down Racing fork, Æ 43 mm stanchions with Tin surface treatment. Low profile forged aluminium radial calliper mountings. Completely adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. Wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear suspension: Double braced aluminium swingarm; mixed low thickness and sheet casting technology. Sachs mono-shock absorber adjustable in: spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. APS progressive linkage. Wheel travel: 130 mm
Brakes: Front: Dual 320-mm diameter floating stainless steel disc with lightweight stainless steel rotor and aluminium flange with 6 pins. Brembo monobloc radial callipers with 4 Ø 34-mm opposite. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose Rear: 220-mm diameter disc; Brembo calliper with two Ø 32 mm separate pistons. Sintered pads. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose
Wheels: Aprilia 3 spokes in aluminium alloy. Front: 3.5” X 17” Rear: 6” X 17”
Tyres: Radial tubeless. Front: 120/70 ZR 17 Rear: 200/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17)
Dimensions: Max. length: 2040 mm Max. width: 735 mm (at the handlebar) Max. height: 1120 mm Min. height from the ground: 130 mm Saddle height: 845 mm Centre to centre distance: 1420 mm Trail: 105 mm Steering angle: 24.5°
Dry weight: 184 kg *
Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres (4-litre reserve included)
