Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory: the superbike with wings ready to conquer EICMA 2018

Aprilia RSV4 – The name Aprilia RSV4 has always evoked sportiness and performance, and is certainly an example of how the work done by the Racing Department can be transferred effectively and not just as an end in itself to road products.

Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory

The RSV4 was created to be the best and fastest superbike, the closest in performance and effectiveness to the Aprilia motorcycles dedicated to racing. In short, a premium product dedicated to extremely demanding customers who want maximum performance and technical refinement, also offered thanks to the use of noble materials, such as aluminium, titanium and carbon. The latest step in this evolutionary line boasts exceptional performance combined with a racing chassis and a package of electronic controls, both further evolved. Aprilia is the first to introduce aerodynamic appendages on the fairing on a production superbike, thanks to the development done by Aprilia Racing in the RS-GP prototype, from which they derive. The particular shape studied in the wind tunnel and the inclination with which they are mounted exploit the downward pressure of the channeled air, allowing the winglets to increase stability at high speeds, helping to reduce the tendency to wheelie when exiting corners and at the same time increasing stability during hard braking. Maximum power has risen to 217 HP at 13.200 rpm, an absolute reference value in the category; the maximum torque also benefits from these changes, obtaining a clear increase across the entire range of more than 10% compared to the 1000 cc engine and reaching a maximum value of 122 Nm at 11.000 rpm. A very important value to make the RSV4 1100 Factory not only more effective in acceleration even at low revs on the circuit, but also more electrifying to drive on the road. Finally, the exhaust system has been optimized not only in the layout of the collectors, but also by adding the approved Akrapovic titanium muffler as standard, considerably lighter than the previous unit.

A peculiarity of the RSV4 (both RR and Factory) is the exceptional possibility of adjustments that the standard chassis is able to offer. Aprilia RSV4 is in fact the only superbike that allows you to adjust the position of the engine in the frame, the inclination of the steering head, the adjustment of the swingarm pivot and the height of the rear axle, as well as of course the suspensions in all their functions. Just like a real racing bike. The highly appreciated and successful frame structure of the Aprilia RSV4 has remained unchanged and uses cast and molded aluminum elements capable of guaranteeing exceptional performance, also thanks to perfectly balanced torsional rigidity and flexibility values. The curb weight with a full tank of the RSV4 1100 Factory stands at 199 kg, thanks to the introduction of the new Akrapovic titanium exhaust muffler and the new very light Bosch lithium battery.

Aprilia RSV4 1100: premium electronics

Aprilia RSV4 1000 RR and RSV4 1100 Factory are equipped with an exceptional dynamic controls package designed and patented by Aprilia. Each of the two models benefits from a specific calibration of all the controls in line with the different performance levels that the two bikes can boast. The APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) is the well-known package of control systems directly derived from the winning technology in the Superbike world championship, among the most complete currently on the market. The particular positioning and orientation of the inertial platform that governs the operation of the system allows for an optimal possibility of detecting the dynamic conditions of the motorbike and, consequently, more effective electronic control strategies. The fourth evolution of Aprilia's APRC integrates best with the fine electronic management guaranteed by the fully integrated full Ride-by-Wire throttle control, which does not require further components for the electronic management of the throttles, with evident benefits on the weight (compared to a traditional system the saving can be quantified as 590 grams). In addition to the fourth generation APRC, RSV4 RR and Factory adopt the advanced multi-map Cornering ABS as standard, developed in collaboration with Bosch to guarantee not only extreme safety on the road, but also the best performance on the circuit. The 9.1 MP system, with its very low weight and dimensions, is able to optimize braking and ABS intervention when cornering, thanks to a specific algorithm which constantly keeps different parameters under control such as lateral acceleration, the pressure exerted on the front brake lever, the lean, pitch and yaw angle, modulating the action of the brakes to guarantee the best relationship between deceleration and stability.

The ABS works in unison with Aprilia's RLM (Rear Liftup Mitigation) system, which limits rear wheel lift during hard braking. The Cornering ABS, developed according to Aprilia's specific indications, is adjustable on 3 intervention levels. Each of the three Cornering ABS maps can be combined with any of the three engine maps (Sport, Track, Race), allowing drivers of different experience and ability to find the best possible combination. The three maps are "full power" and differ in the way the power of which the Aprilia V4 is capable of being discharged to the ground in the two available configurations (1000 cc for the RR and 1100 cc for the Factory), as well as in the percentage of engine brake dedicated to each of them. The color TFT instrumentation is a true digital computer with exceptional viewing possibilities, now further improved thanks to increased brightness.