Horsepower and torque numbers...
Horsepower and torque numbers are on par with the Japanese competition, but the RSV4 gets the jump in the torque department. It makes upwards of 50 ft.-lb at just 3250 rpm-much sooner than the Japanese.
In case you haven't noticed by now, this bike is a hit among our staff. Our impressions from our time aboard the machine have been glowing and there's no doubt we can't wait to take this bike to the racetrack. One needs to remember, however, that the RSV4 Factory truly desires to live on the track and not on the street. As we mentioned earlier the seating position is heavenly when chasing lap times, but at all other times you better have your chiropractor on standby. Aprilia makes no apologies for this and if you insist on riding through the pain then there are some surprises in store. It's actually roomy for sub six-footers, with decent wind protection from its tiny windscreen. As with most Italian exotica, mirrors are practically useless, but when you're on a racetrack what's behind you doesn't matter anyway. Another feature of Italian exotica is the price of admission. At $20,999 the RSV4 Factory isn't for everybody, but if you can afford to pay then you'll certainly be rewarded when it comes time to play. Stay tuned for a future issue when we pit this bike against its literbike counterparts.
'10 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, 65-deg., 4-stroke V-four, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement: 999cc
Bore x stroke: 78.0 x 52.3mm
Compression ratio: 13.0:1
Induction: Magnetti Marelli EFI with 48mm throttle bodies with electronic actuation, twin injectors/cyl.
Transmission: 6-speed
Chassis
Front suspension: 43 mm Ohlins inverted cartridge fork, 4.7 in. travel, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: Single Ohlins shock absorber, 5.1 in. travel; adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Front wheel: 3.50 x 17 in.; forged aluminum alloy
Rear wheel: 6.0 x 17 in.; forged aluminum alloy
Front tire: 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Rear tire: 190/55-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Rake/trail: 24.5 deg./4.13 in. (105mm)
Wheelbase: 55.9 in. (1420mm)
Seat height: 33.3 in. (845mm)
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal. (17L)
Weight: 462 lb (210 kg) wet; 435 lb (197 kg) dry (wet minus fuel)
Instruments: LCD panel for digital speedometer, analog tachometer, digital odometer/tripmeter, temperature gauge, clock, drive modes, fuel reserve, average and instantaneous fuel consumption, neutral, high beam, turn signals, low oil pressure
Performance
Quarter mile: 10.01 sec. @ 143.22 mph (corrected)
Top speed: 185.3 mph
Roll-ons: 60-80mph/3.10 sec.; 80-100mph/3.13 sec.
Fuel consumption: 29 to 31 mpg, 29.7 mpg average
'10 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
| TEST NOTES |
| + |
Extremely compact |
| + |
Huge spread of power |
| + |
250-like handling |
| - |
Slightly soft power delivery down low |
| - |
Rock hard seat |
| - |
We still don't get why bikes come with power modes |
| x |
This might be one of the best handling |
|
bikes we've ridden. Period. |
| SUGGESTED SUSPENSION SETTINGS |
| FRONT |
Spring preload-18 turns out from |
|
full stiff; rebound damping-15 |
| clicks out from full stiff; compression |
| damping-12 clicks out from full |
| stiff; ride height-2 lines showing clamp |
| above top triple |
| REAR |
Spring preload-10mm thread show |
|
ing; rebound damping-21 clicks out |
| from full stiff; compression damping- |
| 21 clicks out (full soft) |