Aprilia RSV4 – ‘Eccellenza’ on Two Wheels Redefined

The litre-class supersport category of motorcycles is one space that can be termed as the most legendary one. All the motorcycle makers try to put in the best efforts with their offerings in this segment, showing the excellence they consistently achieve in engineering and design. Among all brilliant offerings available in this space comes Aprilia RSV4, which time and again, has been regarded as one of the finest motorcycles ever made on this planet.

After a long pause due to the kicking in of BS6 emission norms, Aprilia has brought in the latest iteration of the RSV4 to the Indian market, with exhaustive changes in every aspect you talk about it. Following are some key reasons which make the Italian Aprilia RSV4 reach the level of excellence it has achieved

Design – It’s completely fresh out of the oven

Just like a freshly baked Italian thin crust pizza, the Aprilia RSV4 looks crisp and tasteful. Compared to the bulky and subjective looking previous generation model, the new RSV4 looks sleeker and more athletic even at standstill. The aspects which deserve special mentions have to be its frontal styling and pointier tail section. The motorcycle retains the triple headlamp arrangement, however, this time around, they are all LEDs. And needless to say, the tail lamp and turn indicators are LED too. Ohh, and like all the modern era supersport motorcycles, this too gets winglets mounted on its fairing.

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Engine – The most advanced mill a Fireblade has got ever

Unlike all the other litre-class supersport motorcycles, Italian bike makers are known for breaking the norms by having the distinctive cubic capacity for their offerings in the segment. After what Ducati has done with Panigale V4, Aprilia too has upped the ante by plonking in an all-new liquid-cooled, 1100cc V4 engine in the RSV4. This sweet-sounding engine makes 217 bhp of maximum power and 125 Nm of peak torque output. These figures not only make it the most powerful RSV4 ever made, but also the most powerful litre-class supersport on sale in India. Like before, the engine comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

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Revised Ergonomics – A leaner, meaner machine than before

It’s not only the design that is making the new Aprilia RSV4 look leaner. It feels sportier to sit on and ride than before, thanks to extensively revised ergonomics and chassis. The motorcycle gets a new fuel tank and lowered handlebars, which along with 9mm lower seat height and slightly rearward footpegs make the riding posture more leaned in and focused. Also, with the new chassis with redesigned swingarm and adjustments to the engine mountings, angle of the steering head, swingarm pivot and off-course suspension setups, the rider can have the most precise riding arrangement for a completely involved riding experience.

Mechanical Hardware – As good as it can be

The Aprilia RSV4 sits on an aluminium dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements, which is lighter than the frame of the model it has replaced. The standard version of the motorcycle gets a Sachs steering damper and a Sachs suspension combination of 43mm inverted front forks and an adjustable mono-shock with compression and rebound damping. The more premium Factory version levels up with its complete Ohlins-sourced setup for steering damper and suspension combination. Both the versions get a standard braking setup of dual 330mm discs at the front and a single 220mm disc at the rear with Brembo Stylema callipers.

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Electronics – It’s a complex list, but comprehensive to the core

The Aprilia RSV4 has been equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, some of which have been added with this new generation model. Called the APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), this list of electronics packs in engine maps (AEM), traction control (ATC), engine brake control (AEB), launch control (ALC), wheelie control (AWC), speed limiter (APT) cruise control (ACC) and 6 riding modes (3 Road and 3 Track).

Pricing and Competition – Belongs to an altogether different league

With a starting price of Rs 23.69 lakh, the Aprilia RSV4 is priced much above the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and is squarely aimed at similarly priced European rivals like BMW S1000RR and Ducati Panigale V4.

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