WITH 54 WORLD TITLES adorning the trophy cabinet at the Aprilia factory, it’s fair to say they have a pretty good idea of how to make a great superbike. For 2019, the Noale factory have gone all out to take the fight to other manufacturers in the litre bike class by releasing the new RSV4 1100 Factory.
At the business end of the bike is a revised 1078cc engine with an increased bore, up from 78mm to 81mm and cooler pistons thanks to improved oil distribution that helps to achieve more efficient combustion. The Magneti Marelli ECU has also been tweaked and includes a specific engine map that allows a 13,600rpm rev-limit, helping the bike to hit it’s claimed 217hp output. Adorning the right-hand side of the bike is an Akrapovic, full titanium exhaust system that is Euro4 compliant, although it looks like no baffle is fitted in the pictures we have.
Aprilia’s Ride Control IMU is derived directly from their World Superbike and for the new machine has a revised mounting point which, Aprilia claim gives the ‘optimum possibilities of detecting the bike's dynamic conditions and, consequently, more effective electronic control strategies.’
The APRC, which comes as standard equipment on the Aprilia RSV4 RR and RSV4 1100 Factory includes:
- ATC: Aprilia Traction Control, adjustable on the fly (without having to release the throttle) to 8 settings thanks to a practical joystick, boasts high performance operating logic.
- AWC: Aprilia Wheelie Control, the wheelie control system that can be adjusted to 3 levels, has extremely precise operating strategies. Wheelie control can be adjusted on the fly without closing the throttle, like the ATC, thanks to the practical left side electric block.
- ALC: Aprilia Launch Control, for use on the track only, with 3 settings, uses highly effective operating strategies.
- AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift, the electronic gearbox that allows shifting without closing the throttle and without using the clutch, also equipped with the downshift function, to allow clutchless downshifting. Its open-throttle downshifting feature is exclusive.
- APL: Aprilia Pit Limiter, the system that lets you select and limit the top speed allowed in pit lane at the track or simply to make it easier to comply with posted speed limits on the road.
- ACC: Aprilia Cruise Control. Electronic management has allowed cruise control to be introduced, very convenient on longer trips because it lets you maintain the set speed without touching the throttle.
Chassis design for 2019 is unchanged although it does include levels of adjustability not offered by other superbike manufacturers. With changes to the engine position, headstock angle, swingarm pivot and rear end ride height all being customisable to the rider’s needs. Helping the bike get in, round and out of the corners are top spec Ohlins NIX forks with 125mm of travel, Ohlins TTX rear shock and an Ohlins steering damper.
Draped in stunning carbon fibre bodywork the RSV4 Factory also gains race-bike inspired fairing winglets that look exactly like the components fitted to Aprilia’s MotoGP contender, the RS-GP. They were designed in the wind-tunnel to increase high-speed and braking stability and to help keep the front wheel on the ground under hard acceleration.
Head to page 2 for the full specification
