SuperBike Magazine

May 11, 2009 - Jon Pearson

Questions were left un-answered following the original, very wet launch of the Aprilia RSV4. Aprilia UK cracks a fresh whip with a sunny UK track launch at Silverstone ... Scroll down for the full story

Following editor Kenny's slightly deflated return from an incredibly wet original launch the sun-drenched UK launch at Silverstone felt like a rare and special occasion.

Not just special because of sun in the UK either. I'm glad to say the new Aprilia RSV4 'Factory' quickly proved it's one hell of a bike. Buzz phrases like "race bike for the road" fall off the tongue a bit easy sometimes but this really does feel like "race-replica" in the truest sense of the word.

The strongest talking point around the Silverstone pit garages (the handful of UK journalists in the morning were joined by a whole gaggle of Aprilia dealers and RSV4 customers having a blast during the afternoon) was the chassis first and engine second.

The chassis isn't quite the 250-like lump of Aprilia aluminium I expected, which is a good thing because it would be far too focused. Even so it quickly establishes track-focused ground rules with sublime steering, poise and balance.

It's very encouraging and, for me at least, quickly easy to get along with. In turn I'd argue that makes it easier to try harder sooner than I possibly would if I'd jumped on a GSX-R1000 for the first time (if that's possible to imagine!). In short, as soon as the tyres were warm there was no hesitation on my part to push and test the chassis.

Admittedly the Silverstone national circuit is a short one but the other talking point, the V4 motor, doesn't let you hang about much. It makes power in a quite different way to either a V-twin or an in-line four, a mixture of both if you like. The power comes in with a surprising punch quite high up the revs which marks it closer to revvier in-line fours than the more linear delivery of a Ducati 1198 or KTM RC8 (even if your preconceptions and aural sense tells you otherwise).

As such that means the V4 motor demands some respect. You can't just nail the throttle and rely on the tyres to grip. A strong-as-you-like dose of power surges in as you approach 10,000rpm which can easily catch the rear Pirelli Super Corsa (and you) out if you're not careful.

There's more room than I expected on it too, which is to say it doesn't feel as small to ride as it appears from the images. I quickly felt at home on it, in some ways likening it to an R6 in stature and riding attitude through my hands, feet and arse.

There are no real negatives. A slightly clunky transmission makes you work for a gear changes a tad and the slipper-clutch isn't made of silk that's for sure. I could have done with a twiddle on the suspension (we weren't allowed) because while good, the stock settings were a bit too bouncy and under-damped for me.

I'd also like to try it on the road to find out if it matches its predecessor's really rather good road skills. I feel a glorious group test coming on with the RSV4, an 1198 and possibly a Yamaha R1.

Other details can be found in the Summer issue of SuperBike magazine or via Aprilia's own website.