Aprilia raised eyebrows in the superbike segment more than a decade ago with its all-new RSV4 (introduced for the 2010 model year). Designed for competition, the RSV4 harnessed a high-revving 60-degree V-4 engine engineered for the best of both sportbike worlds: immediate corner exiting grunt of a V-twin, with the hard-hitting top-end power of a four-cylinder. Assembled in a tidy package, with a rowdy exhaust note and usefully demonic character, it was an instant hit. Not to rest on its laurels, the Italian brand has thoughtfully leveraged its racing pedigree (the brand has netted 294 Grand Prix roadracing race wins) evolving this platform into one of the most capable modern superbikes. And it gets even better for 2021.
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With its tight cockpit accommodations, the RSV4 has historically favored smaller riders. However, the ’21 machine offers added room inside the cockpit. Specifically, the 4.7-gallon fuel tank sports a slimmer shape and the front fairing is more broad. Both the rider seat and foot controls are lower, yet cornering ground clearance increases, says Aprilia. The changes are a huge improvement for taller-than-average pilots and make it in line with the latest and greatest competition from the East (Honda’s CBR1000RR-R) and in Europe (Ducati’s Panigale V4).
Just when you thought “they can’t make ‘em any faster,” yank back on the twistgrip and it’s astounding how much acceleration force this rowdy-sounding V-4 delivers. We never remember last year’s RSV being weak, but the longer-stroke version pumps out six-cylinder-motorcycle-like torque that lets it leap off turns.
Run it a gear high, or a gear low, and the RSV4 accelerates like few production vehicles made today—especially at racing circuits like Laguna Seca. An electronic quickshifter makes it easy to run up and down through the six-speed gearbox, without using the clutch. We also love the sound emitted during a quick succession of downshifts. Aprilia says the engine’s good for 92 pound-feet torque with a whopping 190 hp at the working end of the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 rubber.
These days, there are a couple of liter-and-above-sized superbikes capable of this type of engine power, but none deliver it as smoothly, nor with as pleasing of an engine roar. Even more impressive is how effective the engine puts power to pavement with the redesigned swingarm offering incredible grip off turns. Nice job, Aprilia...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-rsv4-mc-commute-review
Photography: Larry Chen Photo
Video/edit: @AdamWaheed
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
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With its tight cockpit accommodations, the RSV4 has historically favored smaller riders. However, the ’21 machine offers added room inside the cockpit. Specifically, the 4.7-gallon fuel tank sports a slimmer shape and the front fairing is more broad. Both the rider seat and foot controls are lower, yet cornering ground clearance increases, says Aprilia. The changes are a huge improvement for taller-than-average pilots and make it in line with the latest and greatest competition from the East (Honda’s CBR1000RR-R) and in Europe (Ducati’s Panigale V4).
Just when you thought “they can’t make ‘em any faster,” yank back on the twistgrip and it’s astounding how much acceleration force this rowdy-sounding V-4 delivers. We never remember last year’s RSV being weak, but the longer-stroke version pumps out six-cylinder-motorcycle-like torque that lets it leap off turns.
Run it a gear high, or a gear low, and the RSV4 accelerates like few production vehicles made today—especially at racing circuits like Laguna Seca. An electronic quickshifter makes it easy to run up and down through the six-speed gearbox, without using the clutch. We also love the sound emitted during a quick succession of downshifts. Aprilia says the engine’s good for 92 pound-feet torque with a whopping 190 hp at the working end of the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 rubber.
These days, there are a couple of liter-and-above-sized superbikes capable of this type of engine power, but none deliver it as smoothly, nor with as pleasing of an engine roar. Even more impressive is how effective the engine puts power to pavement with the redesigned swingarm offering incredible grip off turns. Nice job, Aprilia...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-rsv4-mc-commute-review
Photography: Larry Chen Photo
Video/edit: @AdamWaheed
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
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Hey folks, so last week we rode Aprilia's 2021 RSV4 Superbike at WeatherTech Raceway
00:07 Laguna Seca during the official North American press introduction for this model.
00:13 It was a cool, wet, overcast day on track and wouldn't you know, I forgot my pinlock
00:20 helmet visor for my motorcycle helmet.
00:23 This made it difficult to see at times because my breath was fogging up the visor.
00:28 To compensate, I had to open the chin vents and crack the visor which compromised the
00:35 audio quality in today's MC Commute review.
00:38 But because we got to ride a legendary racetrack on a very rare open sound day, we wanted to
00:47 share this content with you.
00:49 So I apologize if some of the audio doesn't sound the best.
00:53 We're going to have an ancillary stand-up style review of the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory
01:01 Superbikes in the next few days.
01:04 And we'll also be doing a traditional MC Commute review next month on this motorcycle on the
01:12 street.
01:13 So please stay tuned for that content and if you have any questions about what I am
01:18 saying in the video, please leave a comment and I'll personally answer you.
01:23 Thanks for watching guys and sorry for the audio troubles.
01:27 Morning folks.
01:28 Well, this isn't something you get to do every day.
01:30 Today we're going to be riding the 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Superbike at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
01:39 Seca.
01:40 How cool is this?
01:41 What a way to experience the upper echelon of Aprilia Superbike technology then at Laguna
01:49 Seca.
01:50 Let's throw the helmet on and go for a ride.
01:53 Well folks, here it is.
01:54 Aprilia's 2021 RSV4 Factory.
01:59 For 2021, Aprilia is offering two RSV4 models.
02:04 You have the RSV4 Base and the RSV4 Factory, which has forged alloy wheels and semi-active
02:13 suspension by Ohlins.
02:16 Look at the front face on this motorcycle.
02:19 I love the new styling.
02:21 I love the LED tail light and headlight and I love this fuel tank.
02:27 Look at this new fuel tank.
02:28 Look at the shape of it.
02:30 The entire bodywork and ergonomics have been tweaked to make this bike more comfortable.
02:36 The seat height's a little bit lower.
02:38 The foot pegs are placed a little bit lower, which will be very nice for a tall guy like
02:42 myself.
02:43 Yet, the cornering ground clearance is even more than before.
02:48 I don't know how Aprilia engineers do it, but they get 'er done.
02:52 Look at that swing arm.
02:53 That giant swing arm.
02:55 That boosts grip off corners and also adds stability.
03:00 There's also more adjustment at the chain for all of you riders who really log miles.
03:08 Another important change on this vehicle is the engine.
03:13 Aprilia added stroke to their 60 degree V4 engine.
03:18 This bike now displaces 1,099 cc, one millimeter longer piston stroke in all four cylinders.
03:27 A lot of improvements on this bike, but let's quit talking about it and swing a leg over
03:32 it and see what it's like to ride.
03:34 All right, folks.
03:36 Here we are on the 2021 Aprilia RSV4.
03:42 This is the standard model.
03:45 $19,000 for this vehicle.
03:53 This bike differs from the factory in the use of fixed suspension and non-forged wheels.
04:05 Fixed suspension, non-forged wheels.
04:09 This dash display is all new.
04:12 Thank you, Aprilia.
04:14 You've answered our prayers and fitted a nice looking five inch color TFT dash that looks
04:20 exquisite.
04:22 We just go in the menu system, make sure my settings are where I want them to be.
04:30 I go back here.
04:33 I want engine brake in three, which is maximum engine brake.
04:39 All of these other settings are good.
04:43 Let's put it in power mode two and away we go.
04:54 That's fine too.
04:56 Make sure we're in the right setting here, track one, and away we go.
05:06 So nice user interface.
05:08 I really like this dash display.
05:10 I like the updated switch gear here on the handlebar.
05:15 Much nicer equipment.
05:17 Let's close this real quick so you can hear me better.
05:25 And away we go, guys.
05:26 This should be good.
05:27 Now we're getting a little bit of rain here or a little bit of mist, which isn't awesome,
05:33 but we will make do.
05:36 So hopping on this 2021 Aprilia RSV4, I love these bikes because over the course of the
05:45 RSV4's life, Aprilia has steadily made improvements to this bike, but it still feels like the
05:53 RSV4 that I've always known and loved.
05:57 These motorcycles are so awesome because they pair with this little new engine that has
06:04 a sound and feel like nothing else on the road.
06:10 And they've been doing it for 11 years now.
06:13 12 maybe, I don't know.
06:17 You gotta feel that power pump, man.
06:20 I love this bike.
06:21 I love the way this engine builds power.
06:23 That extra one millimeter cylinder stroke, it just gives this bike even more torque.
06:31 Even more torque and it just comes off these corners so well.
06:37 Transitioning there, the corkscrew is another highlight of this bike.
06:44 This bike is so nimble.
06:46 It's so easy to ride.
06:52 And just the amount of grip that the chassis makes is really impressive.
06:59 Alright guys, I gotta open up this fence here because I can't even see my door.
07:09 So we'll have to deal with the noise the way it is.
07:12 And we'll try to exceed that.
07:17 But to the grip and the chassis, the chassis has a lot of grip.
07:22 This new three-piece swingarm, I don't know if it's that or the tire or what, but this
07:28 thing just hooks up really well.
07:31 We've recently ridden another manufacturer's V4 motorcycle here at this track this past
07:40 year and that bike, it didn't hook up like this one does.
07:46 So good job, material.
07:48 Of course, when you have an engine that produces 190 horsepower, the back tire, you need some
08:05 strong brakes.
08:06 And this bike's brakes are awesome.
08:10 The ABS program is highly aggressive, meaning that the ABS doesn't...it takes a very high-level
08:20 rider for the ABS to even intervene.
08:22 That's how aggressive the program is.
08:25 So if you're a high-caliber, experienced track rider, you are going to like the ABS and the
08:33 overall electronics package on this bike.
08:38 I remember in 2012, nine years ago, we did a track-control show.
08:44 And at that time, the Aprilia took top honors.
08:48 Actually, I think it tied the R1 to having the best track control system at the time.
08:54 In fact, the RSV4, it had an IMU back, I think in 2013 when they added it, long before Yamaha
09:03 and long before other manufacturers were even talking about that technology.
09:08 Whoa!
09:15 The power comes out hot in heavy gas.
09:19 These bikes are so fun to be happy with.
09:24 And it's so much louder than all these things.
09:26 They're just so high-performance these days.
09:29 But my god, they are just so fun.
09:32 [engine revving]
09:42 Ergonomics!
09:44 I have a big fan of the heavy ergonomics on this motorcycle.
09:50 I'm six foot tall.
09:52 I'm about 190 pounds.
09:55 I'm very heavy right now, but I fit on this motorcycle really well.
09:59 The lower seat height and the lower foot pegs, that's the biggest deal is the lower foot pegs.
10:05 It just gives me a lot more comfort in my knees.
10:09 Yet, when I lean the bike over, I still have satisfactory level of ground clearance.
10:17 Which is good, because when you're riding these sport bikes to track, you need a lot of ground clearance.
10:25 [engine revving]
10:30 The electronic system on these bikes, like the Acura RC4, just allows the bike to be easier to ride.
10:39 The wheelie control helps mitigate excessive front wheel lift.
10:45 The traction control allows you to safely flirt with the performance of the engine.
10:53 And it's nice to see Acura continuing to evolve the electronics capability of the bike.
11:04 Just to make these motorcycles easier and safer to ride.
11:11 When you're spinning, blast off the circuit.
11:14 I want to put this engine to sleep.
11:17 [engine revving]
11:23 Just the sound of it, I can't!
11:25 This thing sounds like there are a lot of new sounding bikes out there.
11:29 [engine revving]
11:31 The Acura RC4 standard is just incredible.
11:37 I could ride this thing all day, just because of the awesome sounds it makes.
11:42 [engine revving]
11:47 The RSV4 continues to roll on all these fabulous Diablo Supercorsa SPV3 tires.
11:56 These tires are just awesome.
11:58 They're real quick, they have good feel, lots of grip.
12:03 You can ride them on the street, you can ride them on the track, and it's all good.
12:07 [engine revving]
12:10 There's our new YouTube buddy, Yamy Noob, right there.
12:13 [engine revving]
12:23 Now, we spent some time riding the factory version earlier with its semi-active suspension.
12:32 And the suspension works good, but it doesn't... the programming doesn't...
12:40 it's not as effective as other bikes with the suspension that I've ridden recently.
12:46 To be fair, Laguna Seca is a tough place for semi-active suspension.
12:53 Just because of all the camber, all the elevation.
12:57 This circuit is unlike a traditional circuit, where the semi-active suspension...
13:04 there's a lot of things going on.
13:06 And it can be hard for it to accurately predict what the bike is about to do,
13:13 just because you have all this crazy camber and elevation.
13:17 So I...
13:19 [engine revving]
13:20 While I was going to show you, I don't have any new ones.
13:23 The new new suspension I got, RSV4, for $19,000, is what I will purchase.
13:33 [engine revving]
13:38 God, this bike just steers so good.
13:41 I'm really excited.
13:43 There's a lot not to like about this RSV4 from Ontario.
13:48 This thing is a sweet ride, especially for the price.
13:52 For $19,000!
13:54 $19,000 for this thing. It's unbelievable.
13:58 And you get 190hp.
14:01 With all the latest and greatest rider aids, you're at cross control, for God's sakes.
14:06 Like, this bike is just unbelievable.
14:09 [engine revving]
14:13 When I drop my $19,000 on this thing, you betcha I would.
14:18 I really enjoy riding this motorcycle.
14:21 It's fun, it's fast, and I have great user interface now, thank God.
14:28 And it just delivers an experience like few other motorcycles made today.
14:36 So, good job, Aparia, you've done your homework.
14:39 You've crafted one fine superbike for 2021.
14:44 [engine revving]
14:46 Well guys, we're going to try this again.
14:48 I was getting a little frazzled with all the mist and not being able to see.
14:52 But, this 2020 Aparia RSV4 Standard, $19,000.
15:00 Now, I really like this bike.
15:03 I've always liked the Aparia RSV4.
15:06 And what this 2020 model continues to offer is just an evolution of RSV4.
15:16 It sounds more awesome, it has more power, it is easier to ride.
15:22 That swingarm produces an insane amount of grip against the road with the tire.
15:30 And, it's just a more comfortable superbike to ride.
15:35 The old RSV4 was always a little bit small, a little bit compact.
15:40 This thing is going to be much appreciated by folks who are tall like me.
15:47 But, Aparia has done a really bang up job for 2021 with its RSV4.
15:53 And I can't wait to ride it some more.
15:55 This is an awesome bike.
15:57 Well, that's a wrap from the Special Edition MC Commute here at WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca.
16:04 Make sure to give this video a like if you liked it.
16:07 Thumbs up down if you thought it was silly.
16:09 And we'll see you next time. Thanks for watching.
16:11 Make sure to check out MotorcyclistsOnline.com.
16:15 That's where all of my content lives.
16:17 So, check out that website.
16:18 We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching.
16:21 [ End ]