The Aprilia RSV4 has raced and been compared to a number of different things over the years so it’s a little refreshing that for a change, Aprilia USA is taking its competitive juices aside to pay tribute to the the of man’s greatest technological achievement: the space shuttle.
When the first shuttle mission launched back in 1981, it opened the gates for a golden age in technological advancements that coursed through various industries, including the automotive and motorcycle segments. The space shuttle program made so many things possible in this world and opened our eyes to a world full of never-before-though-of possibilities.
Now that the space shuttle is nearing its end, the folks over at Aprilia USA have released a pretty cool video paying tribute to the space shuttle program and all the men and women responsible for designing, building, and operating the very machine that made space travel possible.
As part of the video, Aprilia uses facts from both the space shuttle and their very own RSV4 superbike to note how the former set the precedent - in more ways than one - for the latter, and so many other machines, to become the technological marvels that they are in their own right.
It’s not so much a comparison video this time around for the RSV4, but more of Aprilia tipping their helmets off to one of mankind’s finest achievements as it makes its final voyage into the cosmos.
Usually tests of this kind are made between two models from the same class. But this time the car put one next to each other a bike - the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE and a sports car: the Nissan GT-R.
The bike uses the most sophisticated set of performance-enhancing electronics ever fitted to a road legal motorcycle. The Nissan GT-R similarly relies on revolutionary electronic driver aids to set lap records the world over.
Both vehicles in this race are completely stock down to the tires and piloted by professional racers. The question is who do you think will win in the end? Make a guess and then watch the video to see if you were right. We only have to tell you that the lap times in this video are for real. Enjoy!
Aprilia has brought a new limited edition RSV4 to the US market. Called the RSV4 Factory APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) Special Edition, this special edition was developed using data from this year’s Superbike Championship and is equipped with a new electronic management system that includes traction control, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift.
The new bike is powered by a water cooled, 999cc, 65° V4 engine that develops 180 HP and 115 Nm of torque. The APRC package uses an automotive inertial platform with two turn meters and two accelerometers that enable the ECU to track dynamic conditions and adjust engine control consequently. The rider can adjust any component of the APRC system independently at will.
Also, the RSV4 Factory APRC SE is the first Aprilia bike that comes with the Aprilia Quick Shift as standard. Basically, the quick shift shortens spark advance for an instant and then gradually restores it, making for super-fast shifting with no need to close the throttle or use the clutch. The system works hand in hand with the new closer spaced gearbox to limit RPM drop during shifting for faster lap times.
With the occasion of Max Biaggi’s double win at the Monza WSBK round in Italy, Aprilia took the wraps off their all-new racing replica RSV4 superbike. The bike is destined for the racing track and can be used as an entry-level WSBK race machine as it offers a heck more performance over the production street version and also meets FIM regulations.
Claiming 200bhp and 92lb/ft of torque (that’s an impressive 20bhp and 7.4lb/ft over the production RSV4) from the 65-degree V4 motor, Aprilia sure seems to have done their homework when creating this proper Ducati Desmosedici RR competitor. But it is the ingenious stuff that makes the difference and in the case of the RSV4 Max Biaggi Replica this consists into: a six gear transmission with a multi-disk oil bath clutch with a mechanical anti-skipping system, ride-by-wire throttle control system, QuickShift assisted shifting, an Akrapovich 4-2-1 titanium exhaust and carbon fiber fairing.
All in all, the bike weighs in at 385.8 lbs (dry), which is definitely an achievement over the standard version’s 405.6 lbs. Still, we also have to mention the Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes and Marchesini forged magnesium alloy wheels before hitting you with the price - 50,000 euros (US$64,142). The clearly exclusive bike is available in Biaggi’s Alitalia Aprilia livery or bare carbon.
Gigi Dall’lgna, technical and sport manager of Aprilia Racing says:
“With the RSV4 Biaggi Replica we offer the sports enthusiast a motorcycle which is as close as you can get to the RSV4 that Max rides on the track in World Superbike. In this project, which was developed in parallel to our re-entry into SBK, we poured out all of our knowledge and years of experience on tracks all over the world. This is the bike which came out of it, conceived and developed within Aprilia Racing to offer unique sensations to the shrewd user.”
Aprilia initially thought at the RSV4 R superbike as to an affordable version of the RSV4 Factory and ended up calling it “the world’s most exclusive motorcycle.” While we cannot agree with the Italian motorcycle manufacturer on that matter as their Factory model is obviously the uncompromising and much more expensive motorcycle (which is precisely what makes it exclusive), we do like the fact that performance figures haven’t been reduced and they still managed to offer it for a $16K price tag. Full story
