Aprilia Rsv4 Factory Aprs Se

APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY APRS SE

The bike that Biaggi built

Last year, on its way to winning the World Superbike title, Aprilia announced it had developed and would soon make available to privateer racers a special $60K-plus version of Max Biaggi's RSV4 Superbike. The $22,449 RSV4 Factory APRC SE seen here is a street-going duplicate of that machine in virtually all respects but one: peak power. Even though the numbers—180 hp at 12,250 rpm and 85 foot-pounds of torque at 10,000 rpm—have not changed from those claimed for the RSV4 Factory of two years ago, the rest of the powertrain has undergone an evolution that left little untouched.

Aprilia is determined to establish itself as a player in the world of sophisticated, highperformance sportbikes, chiefly Bimota and MV Agusta. The RSV4 Factory APRC SE is loaded with leading-edge technology, and it looks very sharp and elegant.

The heart of this evolution is the Aprilia Performance Ride Control system (APRC), which takes full advantage of the original model's "basic" electronic platform: ride-bywire throttle, advanced engine management and ABS. Thanks to a more powerful ECU and proprietary software, these features now speak with each other through a single highly capable system that also incorporates a number of other functions to push the production electronics rider interface light years ahead.

Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) is possibly the most advanced and refined system of its kind on a production motorcycle. Eight settings are selectable "on-the-go" via a two-way switch on the left handlebar. During a cold, humid morning at Spain's Jerez de la Frontera racetrack, position 8 proved excessive but also confirmed the effectiveness of the system. During the hot, dry afternoon sessions, positions 2-3 were called upon only a couple of times—when the bike was well cranked over and throttle was applied with exuberance. Similarly, the Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) proved effective, delivering perfectly smooth, ultra-quick, clutchless upshifts. Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC) works in concert with ATC and Aprilia Launch Control (ALC). Even if your name is not Biaggi, the effect is impressive.

All these high-tech electronics complement and support a superbly engineered and executed mechanical package that also has evolved, even if the claimed numbers do not show it.

The engine has been honed to higher efficiency in meaningful areas, starting with the lubrication system, which was greatly revised primarily to grant instant oil flow at the right pressure to the crankshaft main bearings. Improved oil flow is also said to contribute to lower cylinderhead temperatures. Cooling-fluid circulation has been updated, too.

Aprilia's engineers revised the design of the combustion chambers, particularly in the area of squish, to further reduce the tendency for pre-ignition, given the 13:1 compression ratio. Finally, the balance shaft that cancels vibrations caused by the \ primary imbalance typical of a 65-degree I V-Four now turns on roller bearings.

% In the cassette-type transmission, the first three gears now have closer ratios for more-progressive engine response through the gears. A new exhaust system is 4.4 pounds lighter and delivers superior scavenging and a more masculine exhaust note.

After spending a full day lapping Jerez, I can say that the only thing better would have been two days. As far as I am concerned, the RSV4 APRC SE is as close to perfection as a motorcycle can reach today. It is incredibly fast, precise, sharp-looking and well-balanced. Electronics as they are applied here do not in any way take away from the pleasure of riding a sportbike to its limit. But they add so much in terms of safety that I found the trade-off not only fully acceptable but enormously positive. —Bruno dePrato