Aprilia asserts dominance in the liter-and-above-sized superbike segment with its updated 2021 RSV4 ($18,999) and RSV4 Factory ($25,999). The RSV gets fresh body panels, ergonomic improvements, and a larger, more powerful 65-degree V-4 engine. The changes are made not only to better align with its growing sportbike family (learn more in the 2021 Aprilia RS 660 First Ride Review and 2021 Aprilia RS 660 MC Commute Review), but to deliver a faster and more capable superbike experience.
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In lieu of radical platform updates, engineers prefer to hone the RSV4 the old-fashioned way. Methodical improvements and careful evolutionary changes, born from its racing effort, are the name of the game. In looking at today’s RSV, its signature silhouette and engine character remain, however there are some subtle differences.
A broader front fairing punches a larger hole in the air. Along with the reshaped 4.7-gallon fuel tank, that makes for a comfortable tucked position. The ram-air intakes have increased air pressure at speed, and street riders will appreciate that the RSV finally gains LED lighting. The taillight has an emergency feature that flashes rapidly when the vehicle is decelerating quickly. This helps alert drivers behind you.
Historically, the RSV4 has always been oriented toward shorter riders. But the cockpit has been opened with a lower seat and foot controls. This makes for a more comfortable workspace, especially for taller folks.
Last year’s RSV4 certainly wasn’t lacking in terms of engine acceleration. However, this longer-stroke 1,099cc V-4 delivers the torque of a six-cylinder motorcycle—allowing it to pull off medium-speed corners with a level of voracity we’ve never felt on a sportbike. A lighter, yet more rigid swingarm does an incredible job of putting power to the pavement facilitating excellent drive grip off turns with the OE-fitted Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 rubber.
Short-shift into a higher gear or rev it out in a lower cog, and the RSV4 responds with a vicious but surprisingly usable spread of power to the tune of 190 hp at the back tire. The sound and overall engine character are equally as tantalizing. The RSV’s powertrain could be the total package in today’s superbike segment...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-rsv4-factory-review/
Photography: Larry Chen Photo
Video/edit: Larry Chen and Bert Beltran
Motorcycle Riding Gear
Helmet: Shoei X-Fourteen
Custom Helmet Paint: Tagger Designs
Suit: Alpinestars Race Replica V3 with Tech-Air Race Vest
Glove: Alpinestars GP Plus R V2
Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
--
In lieu of radical platform updates, engineers prefer to hone the RSV4 the old-fashioned way. Methodical improvements and careful evolutionary changes, born from its racing effort, are the name of the game. In looking at today’s RSV, its signature silhouette and engine character remain, however there are some subtle differences.
A broader front fairing punches a larger hole in the air. Along with the reshaped 4.7-gallon fuel tank, that makes for a comfortable tucked position. The ram-air intakes have increased air pressure at speed, and street riders will appreciate that the RSV finally gains LED lighting. The taillight has an emergency feature that flashes rapidly when the vehicle is decelerating quickly. This helps alert drivers behind you.
Historically, the RSV4 has always been oriented toward shorter riders. But the cockpit has been opened with a lower seat and foot controls. This makes for a more comfortable workspace, especially for taller folks.
Last year’s RSV4 certainly wasn’t lacking in terms of engine acceleration. However, this longer-stroke 1,099cc V-4 delivers the torque of a six-cylinder motorcycle—allowing it to pull off medium-speed corners with a level of voracity we’ve never felt on a sportbike. A lighter, yet more rigid swingarm does an incredible job of putting power to the pavement facilitating excellent drive grip off turns with the OE-fitted Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 rubber.
Short-shift into a higher gear or rev it out in a lower cog, and the RSV4 responds with a vicious but surprisingly usable spread of power to the tune of 190 hp at the back tire. The sound and overall engine character are equally as tantalizing. The RSV’s powertrain could be the total package in today’s superbike segment...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-rsv4-factory-review/
Photography: Larry Chen Photo
Video/edit: Larry Chen and Bert Beltran
Motorcycle Riding Gear
Helmet: Shoei X-Fourteen
Custom Helmet Paint: Tagger Designs
Suit: Alpinestars Race Replica V3 with Tech-Air Race Vest
Glove: Alpinestars GP Plus R V2
Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Hey folks, we just got done riding Aprilia's 2021 RSV4 and RSV4 Factory Superbikes.
00:10 These are Aprilia's top of the range, leader and above class superbikes for whaling at
00:18 the track, on the street, wherever you need a bike that can get you somewhere in a hurry.
00:24 Now for the 2021 model year, Aprilia has done some really, really nice improvements to this
00:31 vehicle.
00:32 It's not an all new model, it's not crazy different, but in typical Aprilia form, these
00:38 modifications just allow for an easier superbike to ride.
00:44 Let's get into it.
00:45 This bike continues to be powered by Aprilia's now legendary V4 engine.
00:51 They've been crafting these engines out of Noelli, Italy for 12 years now.
00:57 The 2021 version has increased capacity, one millimeter longer piston stroke, which pushes
01:07 displacement to 1099cc.
01:11 So it is a true 1100cc bike now.
01:15 Aprilia states that they've made that modification to meet Euro 5 regulatory rules.
01:22 And man, does this engine go.
01:24 It is just insane how much performance this thing has.
01:30 Just when you think they can't make these motorcycles any faster, they do.
01:35 The last time we dyno tested this bike, it made 190 ponies at the back tire, 190 horsepower
01:42 out of a sport bike.
01:43 Isn't that insane?
01:44 Aprilia claims that this bike now makes 92 pounds of torque, and we believe them.
01:51 This engine has so much torque.
01:54 Run it a gear high, lug it a gear low, it doesn't matter.
01:57 This bike just pulls off the corner and generates a lot of speed.
02:04 These RSV sport bikes have always been built for smaller, shorter riders.
02:08 That changes for the 2021 model year.
02:11 This cockpit is a lot more big rider friendly.
02:16 From the shape of the fuel tank to the rider control foot pegs that are a little bit lower
02:21 now, there's a lot more room to move about the cockpit.
02:25 I really like that.
02:26 I'm six foot tall, and it's just nice being on a motorcycle that fits you and that you
02:32 can ride in the tucked position comfortably.
02:35 Well done, Aprilia.
02:37 Now these bikes produce such a crazy amount of power.
02:41 You have to have a chassis that can put that power to the ground.
02:45 Now this year, Aprilia's fitted a new swing arm.
02:49 Not only is it longer, but it's lighter, and it's now fabricated from three pieces instead
02:55 of seven.
02:56 It is just insane how much grip this motorcycle has.
03:02 We rode on a cool track, misty conditions, not the best type of conditions to ride a
03:09 high performance super bike, but this bike, it creates so much grip.
03:14 I felt like we were on racing tires today, and that's how much traction this bike had,
03:19 even on the OE fitted Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SPV3 tires.
03:26 If you're a guy who really likes to have that hooked up feel when you're riding and give
03:30 her the beans and not have the bike do anything crazy, just squat, go, and accelerate, this
03:36 bike will do it.
03:37 Aprilia engineers did their homework with the user interface.
03:41 I've never liked dash display or the interface on this motorcycle, but now they've fitted
03:47 a new five inch color display.
03:51 The fonts are crisp, it's easy to read.
03:54 The user interface and the switch gear, it's easy to adjust all of the various electronic
04:00 settings from engine brake to power to traction control to wheelie control.
04:06 It's very easy to do that with the switch gear.
04:09 It also has very pleasing tactile function.
04:12 Good job, Aprilia.
04:15 At the end of the day, if you're looking for an ultra high performance V4 super bike, there
04:21 are not a lot of bikes like this Aprilia RSV4 and RSV4 Factory.
04:27 They're just absolutely exhilarating to ride, have a crazy, crazy, crazy engine and acceleration
04:34 performance, have a chassis that allows you to harness said engine performance, and as
04:43 usual, the electronics package just lets you flirt with the limits of this motorcycle in
04:49 a much more safe way.
04:52 Aprilia's really done their homework, and for $26,000 for this machine, that's a great
04:58 deal.
04:59 $19,000 for the standard machine, sans semi-active suspension, sans forged wheels, that's what
05:06 I would buy.
05:07 $19,000 and you're ripping and having a good time all day long.
05:12 Well, folks, that's a wrap from the 2021 Aprilia RSV4 First Ride.
05:18 Make sure to tune in to MotorcyclistOnline.com.
05:22 That's where all of my written content goes.
05:25 Give this video a thumbs up if you liked it.
05:27 If you didn't like it, thumbs it down, and we'll see you next time.
05:30 Thanks for watching.
05:31 [engine revving]