| 2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE |
| MSRP: $22,499 |
| Engine |
| Type: Liquid-cooled, 65-degree V-four |
| Valve arrangement: DOHC, 4 valves/cyl.; shim-under-bucket adjustment |
| Displacement: 999.6cc |
| Bore x stroke: 78.0 x 52.3mm |
| Compression ratio: 13.0:1 |
| Induction: Weber Marelli EFI, 48mm throttle bodies w/variable length intake stacks, dual injectors/cyl. |
| Transmission: 6-speed |
| Chassis |
| Front suspension: 43mm Öhlins inverted cartridge fork, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping, 4.7 in. travel |
| Rear suspension: Single Öhlins shock absorber, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping, 5.1 in. travel |
| Front brake: Dual 320mm stainless steel discs, monobloc radial-mount four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake: Single 220mm stainless steel disc, single two-piston caliper |
| Front wheel: Forged aluminum, 3.50 x 17 in. |
| Rear wheel: Forged aluminum, 6.00 x 17 in. |
| Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Rear tire: 200/55ZR-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Rake/trail: 24.5 deg./4.1 in. (105mm) |
| Wheelbase: 55.9 in. (1420mm) |
| Seat height: 33.3 in. (845mm) |
| Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal. (17L) |
| Weight: 453 lb (205kg) wet; 428 lb (194kg) dry |
| Instruments: Analog tachometer, LCD panel for digital speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, low fuel tripmeter, clock, coolant temperature, run time, maximum speed, average speed, current fuel consumption rate, average fuel consumption rate, ATC level, ALC level, AWC level, chronometer, rear tire diameter calibration, diagnostics; warning lights for shift point, “general alarm” (OBD fault), neutral, high beam, turn signals, traction control, low fuel |
| Performance |
| Quarter-mile: 10.36 sec. @ 142.35 mph (corrected) |
| Top speed: NA |
| Roll-ons: 60-80 mph/2.82 sec.; 80-100/2.78 sec. |
| Fuel consumption: 28 – 33 mpg, 31 mpg avg. |
Test Notes:
2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE
+ The best electronic rider aid package
+ Superb chassis, suspension
+ Wide powerband
– Cramped ergos
– Could use a little more top-end
– Brakes a little high-effort
x Sure it’s a bit pricey, but well worth it for what you’re getting
Suggested Suspension Settings
Front: Spring preload — 7.5 turns out from full stiff; rebound damping — 12 clicks from full stiff; compression damping — 11 clicks out from full stiff; ride height — 2 lines showing
Rear: Spring preload — 10mm thread showing; rebound damping — 14 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping — 10 clicks out from full stiff; ride height — 0mm thread showing, top eccentric mount raised position (+15mm)
OPINIONS
Eric Nugent
First word that comes to mind after riding the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE around town for the day — WOW! Surprisingly more comfortable around town that one would expect, and once into the canyons, the surprises keep coming…monster speed off the corners, and brakes that are so good you almost have to laugh.
While the extensive menu options that need to be accessed — from traction control, wheelie control and playing with the launch control — may seem complicated, within five minutes we had the system pretty wired, and I liked all the option displays. Not a big fan of the tall first gear, but I’m a huge fan of the chassis and suspension. And the quick shifter is like frosting on the cake. Only downfall for me is the cost of the bike: at just over $22K, I can honestly say I won’t be one of the 350 putting one of these beauties in my garage.
Bradley Adams
If I was horse jockey size, I’d probably love the Aprilia. The bike’s traction control and wheelie control are exceptional and go almost unnoticed, allowing you to put the power to the ground and drive out of corners with ease. You can’t fault the bike’s quick shifter or power either; each knock on the shift lever was matched with a seamless shift. Pair that with the RSV4’s unreal amount of torque and wide power band and you have a bike that is extremely enticing on and off the track. Plus, the electronics interface is extremely intuitive and took just minutes to get a hang of. But I’m not horse jockey size. I’m 6’2”, and things are admittedly a little cramped for me on the RSV4, which makes me lean more towards the word like than love when describing this alphabet soup Aprilia, although it does have one of the best electronics package to date.
Kent Kunitsugu
While the electronic rider aids before the APRC were great for their time, it’s pretty apparent that technology sector is progressing just as fast as consumer electronics. The Aprilia system is hands down the most advanced and refined electronics package I’ve ever used; it’s a true “rider aid” system, rather than the electronic nanny or hidden crutch like so many fear. Look, I’m for improving rider skill as much as anyone, but when properly set for your skill level, the APRC is so transparent that it’s easy to forget it’s there until it saves your bacon, which is how these systems were intended in the first place. And it is not some failsafe crutch that will allow poorly skilled riders to magically run faster on the road or quicker lap times; ham-fisted moves will still put the rider on his head. Plus you can turn them off if desired. If this is the future, bring it on!