Most of the major players have some sort of street-legal racebike on the market, and for Aprilia, that honor falls to the RSV4 1100 Factory. Aprilia pulls from the top shelf for the electronic safety and comfort systems to put together a machine that delivers track-like performance with a veritable alphabet soup of under-the-hood features. Aprilia gives you everything you need to manage the power that sets a new standard for a production V4 with over 200 ponies on tap.

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory
  • Engine/Motor: V4
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Design

Form follows function on the RSV4 1100 Factory, bigtime, and it starts early with special features built right into the fairing/cowling area. First, there's a pair of intake ports just below the dual headlight recesses that take advantage of the pressure wave at the bike's nose to garner an inexpensive boost to volumetric efficiency, though it's just as every other ram-air intake system in the world in that it doesn't do much until you get up around the 100 mph mark.

Another feature directly related to performance at speed is the pair of winglets on each side that exert a downward force to spread out the front contact patch and keep the front wheel planted. Aprilia follows the current trend that frequently sees the front turn signals integrated with the mirrors, and that makes for easy raceday conversions since you can remove both at once and only have two holes to plug. It's the same in the rear; the mudguard mounts the tag and rear turn signals so all those superfluous items can be struck from the bike at once if you're trimming down to hit the strip or track.

A bubblescreen tops the fairing to punch a hole in the wind for your torso, though you'll have to tuck in all the way to find it. If you fancy sharing the fun with a very brave friend, there's a pair of fold-up footpegs on the subframe that are easily removed for racing. An upswept subframe lofts the p-pad and acts as a cradle that aids in keeping your butt planted, even under hard acceleration.

Jockey foot controls and clip-on bars do their bit to make it easy to find the pocket as they encourage the Superman riding posture while the narrow waist allows for some vigorous lateral body English. The fairing and cowling are all up front, and the latter is cut down to leave nearly the entire frame on display along with tantalizing glimpses of the beating heart.

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Chassis

The main structure on the RSV4 1100 Factory is a dual-beam aluminum wishbone with a range of adjustments that include the swingarm-pivot height, engine height, and the rake angle to allow you to tune the handling right where you want it. Öhlins provides the suspension components with 43 mm, usd forks up front and a coil-over monoshock out back plus a steering damper that take the edge off the shock of bringing the nose back down from a moonshot.

Suspension at both ends come with the full trinity of adjustments to give you yet another way to tweak the handling if you're into tinkering. Brembo Stylema monobloc radial anchors bite the dual, 330 mm front discs and a 220 mm disc out back with the Bosch 9.1 MP that delivers cornering-ABS protection along with an anti rear-wheel liftup feature. The wheels are symmetrical at 17-inches with ZR-rated rubber in a 120/70 up front opposite a 200/55, and forged aluminum is the material of choice in a bid to keep unsprung weight down.

Frame:

Aluminum dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements Available adjustments: headstock position and rake, engine height, swingarm pin height, Öhlins adjustable steering damper

Front suspension:

Öhlins NIX fork with  43 mm stanchions and TIN surface treatment. Aluminum radial caliper mounting bracket. Adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. 4.9-inch (125 mm) wheel travel

Rear suspension:

Double braced aluminum swingarm; mixed low thickness and sheet casting technology. Öhlins TTX monoshock with piggy-back, fully adjustable in: spring preload, wheelbase and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. 4.7-inch (120 mm) wheel travel.

Headstock angle:

24.5°

Trail:

4.09 inches (103.8 mm)

Brakes Front:

Dual 330-mm diameter floating stainless steel disc with lightweight stainless steel rotor and aluminum flange with 6 pins. Brembo Stylema monobloc radial calipers with 4 30 mm opposing pistons. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose

Brakes Rear:

220 mm diameter disc; Brembo caliper with two 32 mm separate pistons . Sintered pads. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with cornering function, adjustable to 3 maps equipped with RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation).

Wheels:

Forged aluminum alloy wheels, completely machined, with 5 split spoke design.

Wheel Front:

3.5”X17”

Wheel Rear:

6”X17”

Tires:

Radial tubeless.

Tire Front:

120/70 ZR 17

Tire Rear:

200/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17)


2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Drivetrain

Power for the RSV4 1100 Factory comes from a 65-degree, V-4 plant that generates a whopping 217 horsepower at 13,200 rpm with 90 pound-feet of torque that maxes out at 11 grand. Double over-head cams time the 8-valve heads (4 per cylinder), and those bores mike out at 81 mm with a short, 52.3 mm stroke to give the mill its 999.6 cc displacement and 13.6-to-1 compression ratio.

Ride-by-Wire throttle control sends your demands to the engine management system, and the signal goes to the quartet of 48 mm Marelli throttle bodies that actually meter the air-fuel mixture. In between those two points are a number of ride-quality systems that modify the end result. First, you can choose between a trio of power-delivery maps on the fly, each with their own curves. The Aprilia Performance Ride Control bundles traction control, wheelie control, launch control, speed limiter, and cruise control together to give this ride quite a bit of electronic flexibility to match its mechanical adjustability.

A slipper-style clutch couples engine power to the six-speed, cassette-type transmission with Aprilia's Quick-Shift feature for a final bit of fandanglery. Engine power and gear ratios deliver a top speed of almost 190 mph to make the RSV4 1100 Factory a proper stupidfast ride.

Engine:

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

Bore x Stroke:

81 mm x 52.3 mm

Displacement:

1,078 cc

Compression ratio:

13.6:1

Maximum power at crankshaft:

217 hp (159.6 kW) @ 13,200 rpm

Maximum torque at crankshaft:

90 lb-ft (122 Nm) @ 11,000 rpm

Fuel system:

Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Marelli 48-mm throttle bodies with 8 injectors and latest generation RideBy-Wire engine management. Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the rider with bike in motion: Track, Sport, Race

Ignition:

Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system integrated in engine control system, with one spark plug per cylinder and “stick-coil”-type coils

Starter:

Electric

Exhaust:

4 into 2 into 1 layout, two lambda probes, lateral single silencer with ECU-controlled bypass valve and integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 4)

Alternator:

Flywheel mounted 450 W alternator with rare earth magnets

Lubrication:

Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)

Transmission:

6-speed cassette type gearbox, Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)

Gear Ratios:

1st: 39/15 (2.600), 2nd: 33/16 (2.063), 3rd: 34/20 (1.700), 4th: 31/21 (1.476), 5th: 34/26 (1.307), 6th: 33/27 (1.222)

Clutch:

Multi plate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system

Primary drive:

Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1,659)

Secondary drive:

Chain: Drive ratio: 41/16 (2.562)


2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Pricing

Aprilia calls the finish on the RSV4 1100 Factory “Atomico 6,” but you could save time and just call it black. MSRP comes in at $24,499, and while that's just the starting price, this model comes so loaded with top-shelf goodies there is little room for anything to be added.

Traction management:

APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control (ACC) and speed

limiter (APT), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently

Color:

Atomico 6

Price:

$24,499


2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Competitors

Yamaha just released its new 2020 YZF-R1M; a bike that I consider to be a perfect competitor for the RSV4 1100 Factory. A ram-air intake port and downforce spoilers adorn the Yamaha's fairing to hit the same design high points as the Aprilia, and for the same reasons; to bring track-like performance to the market in a production machine.

Yamaha updated its R1 family with a new design, new electronics, and new engine to take on the world, but it falls short of the Aprilia in a few areas. First, as far as outright performance, the R1M runs with an estimated 200 horsepower and 83.2 pound-feet of torque against 217/90 from the RSV4. Of course, if I'm honest, a few ponies here or there aren't likely to matter on the street; it ain't like you'll ever see anything close to the max speed on public roads, so much of that is a waste, or at best, a good conversation piece.

Top speeds are in the same neighborhood as well with a claim of 182 mph on the Yammy against 180-ish from the Aprilia. Aesthetics-wise, both present a very racebike-tastic visage to the world and are sure to appeal to the fiery-eyed pegdraggers out there, but it's the performance and well-rounded electronics suite that'll bring the boys to the yard, and both rides have that in spades. Yamaha's R1M rolls for $26,099, a skosh higher than the Aprilia, but at this price point it's hardly an issue.

He Said

“Aprilia hits the nail on its head with this model. It's got all the performance and maneuverability it needs to appeal to the would-be and wanna-be racers alike, and even though Aprilia may not be the most common name out there, it's not one to be written off, either. This is a marque that means serious business, and it's worth mentioning that the factory serves as the racebike division for the Piaggio Group, so this is a brand that has deep roots in the racing world, and it shows in its flagship crotch-rocket here.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “What can I say? Aprilia has to be the best chassis manufacturer in the world, in my opinion, and the new RSV4 1100 Factory shows off that expertise in style. The engine is derived from that in the RSV4 RR with a slight change to the size of the piston bore to bring displacement up from 999 cc to 1078 cc. Add to that a whole slew of component and electronic updates including engine mapping that increases performance 10 percent over the 999 cc engine. This is truly a flagship bike, and one that will, in a heartbeat, show you where your skillset is weak.”

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine:

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

Bore x Stroke:

81 mm x 52.3 mm

Displacement:

1,078 cc

Compression ratio:

13.6:1

Maximum power at crankshaft:

217 hp (159.6 kW) @ 13,200 rpm

Maximum torque at crankshaft:

90 lb-ft (122 Nm) @ 11,000 rpm

Fuel system:

Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Marelli 48-mm throttle bodies with 8 injectors and latest generation RideBy-Wire engine management. Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the rider with bike in motion: Track, Sport, Race

Ignition:

Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system integrated in engine control system, with one spark plug per cylinder and “stick-coil”-type coils

Starter:

Electric

Exhaust:

4 into 2 into 1 layout, two lambda probes, lateral single silencer with ECU-controlled bypass valve and integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 4)

Alternator:

Flywheel mounted 450 W alternator with rare earth magnets

Lubrication:

Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)

Transmission:

6-speed cassette type gearbox, Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)

Gear Ratios:

1st: 39/15 (2.600), 2nd: 33/16 (2.063), 3rd: 34/20 (1.700), 4th: 31/21 (1.476), 5th: 34/26 (1.307), 6th: 33/27 (1.222)

Clutch:

Multi plate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system

Primary drive:

Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1,659)

Secondary drive:

Chain: Drive ratio: 41/16 (2.562)

Chassis:

Frame:

Aluminum dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements Available adjustments: headstock position and rake, engine height, swingarm pin height, Öhlins adjustable steering damper

Front suspension:

Öhlins NIX fork with  43 mm stanchions and TIN surface treatment. Aluminum radial caliper mounting bracket. Adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. 4.9-inch (125 mm) wheel travel

Rear suspension:

Double braced aluminum swingarm; mixed low thickness and sheet casting technology. Öhlins TTX monoshock with piggy-back, fully adjustable in: spring preload, wheelbase and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. 4.7-inch (120 mm) wheel travel.

Headstock angle:

24.5°

Trail:

4.09 inches (103.8 mm)

Brakes Front:

Dual 330-mm diameter floating stainless steel disc with lightweight stainless steel rotor and aluminum flange with 6 pins. Brembo Stylema monobloc radial calipers with 4 30 mm opposing pistons. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose

Brakes Rear:

220 mm diameter disc; Brembo caliper with two 32 mm separate pistons . Sintered pads. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with cornering function, adjustable to 3 maps equipped with RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation).

Wheels:

Forged aluminum alloy wheels, completely machined, with 5 split spoke design.

Wheel Front:

3.5”X17”

Wheel Rear:

6”X17”

Tires:

Radial tubeless.

Tire Front:

120/70 ZR 17

Tire Rear:

200/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17)

Dimensions& Capacities:

Wheelbase:

56.7 inches (1,439 mm)

Length:

80.8 inches (2,052 mm)

Width:

28.9 inches (735 mm)

Saddle height:

33.5 inches (851 mm)

Curb Weight:

438.7 lbs (199 kg)

Dry Weight:

390 lbs (177 kg)

Fuel Economy:

36.2 mpg (6.50 liters/100 km)

Fuel tank capacity:

4.9 gals including 1-gal reserve (18.5 liters including 4-liter reserve)

Top Speed:

189 mph (est)

Details:

Traction management:

APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control (ACC) and speed

limiter (APT), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently

Color:

Atomico 6

Price:

$24,499


Further Reading

Yamaha YZF-R1 / R1M

See our review of the Yamaha YZF-R1 / R1M.

Aprilia

Read more Aprilia news.