The 2012 RSV4 was born from Aprilia’s desire to develop a motorcycle that’s able to be a champion on the track but also on the road. Thereby it received the latest technologies from Aprilia and comes with first class ergonomics and features.

For the starters, is powered by a 65° V-4 engine which is the first unit of its kind ever used in a sports production bike. The unit is combined with Ride By Wire and multimap engine management, two features which help the bike deliver astonishing performance levels and excellent rideability.

We also like the unique adjustable traction control system which is capable of self-adjusting to suit different types of tyres, wheelie control, launch control or quick shift.

The 2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC is equipped with new, ultra-light forged aluminum rims wrapped in racing sized 200/55 ZR17 tyres that offer a excellent contact pattern in bends.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC.

2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC
  • Engine/Motor: V-4 cylinder
  • Horsepower: 180
  • Torque: 85
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press Release

Engine

While the incredible APRC system is without a doubt the most important new feature introduced with this latest version of the RSV4, there has also been a raft of significant updates made to the engine of the RSV4 Factory APRC, drawn from experience in competion to improve its already legendary technical and mechanical characteristics.

Aprilia RSV4 is the only production super sport bike using a narrow 65° V four-cylinder engine with unique features. Extremely compact, as slim as a twin-cylinder to fit in an ultra-compact chassis, the 65° V4 engine was and still is the epitome of Italian engineering ingenuity.

The narrow V architecture translates into an engine that is incredibly compact in length, offering advantages in terms of mass centralisation and an extremely high performance chassis (short wheelbase, long swingarm).

The innovative timing system (with the chain camshaft driving only the intake camshaft, which in turn drives the exhaust camshaft via a gear) has made extremely compact heads (just 250 mm at the rear of the engine) especially in the area beneath the frame spars, which are thus much narrower than would otherwise be possible.

A countershaft dampens vibrations even more than in a 90° V engine.

The monobloc crankcase with integrated aluminium cylinder liners ensures maximum rigidity and consistent performance.

The electronic management system is another example of the 65° V4 engine's technological supremacy. Full Ride-by-Wire technology eliminates any direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are entirely controlled by a latest generation Marelli control unit that also controls the ignition and the 8 injectors (the 4 secondary fan pattern injectors come into play at high loads).

Each bank has a dedicated servo unit actuating its own two throttle bodies only. This means that the aperture of the throttle valves and, as a consequence, the quantity of fuel injected, can be controlled independently. This solution, applied here for the first time ever in a production bike, opens up practically infinite possibilities for power delivery control and works hand in hand with the APRC system.

The transmission has also been designed to the meet most advanced criteria to offer the maximum performance possible. To underscore the racing soul of the 65° V4 engine, it is mated to a cassette gearbox with a wet sump lubrication system (with oil in the crankcase). The wet clutch features a mechanical slipper system for optimised engine braking torque control and stability under hard braking.

The 65° V4 was one of the most advanced engines in the world at the time of its debut. The new RSV4 Factory APRC underwent a number of refinements and further improvements based on the world superbike racing experience with the factory bike. The new exhaust and engine mappings make for optimal power delivery. Lubrication has been improved at critical points, the countershaft runs in ball bearings rather than plain bushings and the head cooling circuit has been reviewed for optimal operating temperatures and long-term reliability.

Combustion chambers and cylinder-piston fits have also been revised for optimal engine performance. The three lowest gears are spaced closer for extra speed out of bends. The advanced exhaust butterfly valve management system improved delivery in the low rpm band and reduces emissions while preserving the engine's thrilling sound.

Chassis and Suspension

The bike retains the unique chassis and swingarm solutions that make it the world's first “race ready” V4 superbike. In order to boost chassis performance and make it match the rider's tastes, or features of the track, Aprilia RSV4 Factory ensures a combination of adjustments that are pretty much infinite. The multi-adjustable suspension, taken for granted on a motorcycle of this level, are combined with three chassis adjustments: headstock position and rake (through interchangeable bushings), rear end height, swingarm pin height and the engine position in the frame.

The Öhlins Racing upside-down fork has 43-mm diameter stanchions and is titanium nitride coated to minimise friction. The wheel travel is 120 mm. As on a racing bike, the fork allows millimetre-precise adjustment for hydraulic compression and rebound damping and spring preload.

The Öhlins Racing rear shock absorber was developed from experience learned directly on the track. It features a piggy back nitrogen canister (separate and mounted on the body of the unit) and adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping and length, allowing the height of the rear end of the bike to be altered to modify the set-up to suit different riding styles and tracks. Wheel travel is 130 mm.

Wheels and Tyres

The effort to shed as much weight as possible and offer the best feeling led to implementation of new, ultra-light forged aluminium rims.An almost obsessive pursuit of top performance resulted in an exclusive, innovative dual blend tyre developed in collaboration with Racing Department, R&D and Pirelli. The racing sized 200/55 ZR17 tyre offers a better contact pattern in bends, shaving precious tenths of a second of lap time - a technology unique to this bike.

Componentry

A real Superbike is special not only as far as performance is concerned but also for the care it is built with. With regard to the RSV4 Factory APRC, the details say it all: no other "race ready" motorcycle has ever been built with such care and attention. The attention paid to its construction not only satisfies the desire for beauty. A motorbike built like the RSV4 Factory APRC is in any case gorgeous, but most of all aims at achieving the goal: to win. This is why every detail was thought out to increase performance and functionality, reducing the weight and considerably increasing the product's quality and finish.

The livery is impressed on the contrast between red and black, the Aprilia sports colours, with a third “nuance” represented by the visible carbon fibre theme generously distributed on this precious Factory APRC version.

Performance

This is the most significant among the new features of the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC, a technology platform that is one step above any other systems available in the market, not yet available on all racing bikes. The transfer of know-how from racing to production has resulted in an electronic management system that is extremely sophisticated but also intuitive and very user friendly.

The APRC package uses an automotive inertial sensor platform with two gyrometers and two accelerometers allowing the ECU to recognise the dynamic conditions of the bike and adapt the engine management parameters accordingly. The rider can adjust any component of the APRC system independently at will.

Specifications

Engine

Aprilia longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder.

Fuel

Unleaded petrol

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 at 10,000 rpm

Fuel system

Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. Variable length intake ducts controlled via ECU. 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: 38/16 (2.375) 2nd: 35/18 (1.944) 3rd: 28/17 (1.647) 4th: 32/22 (1,455) 5th: 34/26 (1,308) 6th: 33/27 (1,222) Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)

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: 42/16 (2.625).

Frame

Twin-spar adjustable aluminium frame, with castings and pressings. Envisaged adjustments: • headstock position and rake • engine height • swingarm pin height Öhlins adjustable steering damper

Front suspension

Öhlins Racing upside-down fork, Æ 43-mm stanchions (with Tin surface treatment). Low profile forged aluminium radial caliper 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. Öhlins Racing mono-shock absorber with completely adjustable piggy-back in: spring preload, wheelbase, hydraulic compression and rebound damping. APS progressive linkage. Wheel travel 130mm.

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 Æ34-mm opposite. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose. Rear: 220-mm diameter disc; Brembo floating calliper with two Æ32mm isolated pistons. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose .

Wheels

Aprilia forged aluminium alloy rims, completely machined, 5 split spokes. Front:3.5”X17” Rear: 6”X17”

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

179 kg

Fuel tank capacity

17 litres (4-litre reserve included).


Quotes

Rider Magazine----"Making a comeback, the legendary bad-boy Tuono adds V4 R to its name, thanks to two additional cylinders, 41 more horsepower and 22 fewer pounds. Its engine is adapted from the RSV4 superbike, which includes the latest throttle-by-wire system with three ride maps and APRC electronics package. For aggressive street use, the Tuono’s first three gear ratios are shorter and maximum torque (82 lb-ft) is on tap at 9,500 rpm.."

Motorcycle-USA----"Much of the hype surrounding the Aprilia RSV4 revolves from World Superbike, where the Italian company opened its checkbook to make the RSV4 a winner right from the very start. The RSV4 has been in development at the hands of former GP racer Alex Hofmann for several years now and Aprilia hired proven GP winners Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano to race it in the 2009 World Superbike championship, to which they have had very impressive results for an all-new team and all-new motorcycle. These include several front-row starting positions as well as a handful of top-five finishes. The V-Four machine has also created loads of attention in the racing circles due to its class-leading top-speeds at just about every track they have visited thus far"