2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC

Created with the single-minded goal of being simply the best on the track and on the road, since its inception the Aprilia RSV4 has astonished the world with its looks, technology and performance. The first 65° V-4 engine ever in a sports production bike, a chassis worthy of a 250 GP, Ride By Wire, multimap engine management: all these are accomplished achievements for the Aprilia RSV4, that tops unique architecture and specs with Aprilia's signature excellent rideability brought to the next level.

A project conceived not just to create a motorcycle that delivers the utmost in performance, but one that also allows the rider to make full use of every last iota of its competitive potential.

The excellent results obtained by all of the champions who have ridden in races is not by chance,

nonetheless the true revolution which accompanies the new Aprilia RSV4 APRC is that you don't have to be a champion to explore its potential and have fun, thanks to the exemplary dynamic balance obtained by APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), the exclusive traction control system which can be adjusted to eight different levels and can self-calibrate based on the different types of tyres, the wheelie control feature, launch control and the electronic transmission.

Concrete aids in the vehicles rideability which restore greater confidence and control to the rider in extreme conditions, helping to identify the most effective lines to follow and making the ride less psychologically and physically demanding.

The introduction of such advanced technology to large volume production is the demonstration of the Aprilia's enormous design capacity, developing all of the electronic management "in house" for Max Biaggi's RSV4 Factory SBK as well as the dynamic controls platform applied to the new RSV4 APRC.

With this new version the Aprilia staff has made it possible to build a bike which is faster on the track but at the same time more "communicative" for the widest range of riding experience and capability, fine tuning what can be considered the patriarch of a new generation of supersport bikes.

State of art technology

This new technology is brought together in the APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) package, basically the state of the art in dynamic performance control, a multi-patented system that makes Superbike winning technology available to professional racing riders and hobby riders alike. All this comes in an easy to use, intuitive package.

But the improvements to the Aprilia RSV4 APRC do not stop with electronic management. The 65° V4 engine offers improved lubrication and closer spaced gears for better acceleration. The new, lighter exhaust features an advanced butterfly valve management system to suit the Ride By Wire mapping for improved breathing and efficiency throughout the RPM range.

Suspensions

The chassis framework of the R version is completed by a top notch suspension package, the Sachs upside down fork has 43 mm diameter stanchions and offers the possibility of adjusting the spring and hydraulic compression and rebound preload. The Sachs rear shock was developed from experience learned directly on the track. It features a Piggy Back nitrogen canister (separate and mounted on the body of the unit) and adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping and length, allowing the height of the rear end of the bike to be altered to modify the set-up to suit different riding styles and tracks.

Completing the package is a steering damper, also by Sachs, which ensures impeccable high speed stability and millimetre precision in setting the bike up for turns.

The components of the Factory APRC version are even more exclusive: the upside down Öhlins Racing fork has 43 mm diameter stanchions and titanium nitride treatment to optimise flow. Wheel travel is 120 mm. Just as in the racing units, the fork allows micrometrical hydraulic adjustments in extension, rebound and spring preload.

The Öhlins Racing rear shock absorber was developed from experience learned directly on the track. It features a piggy back nitrogen canister (separate and mounted on the body of the unit) and adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping and length, allowing the height of the rear end of the bike to be altered to modify the set-up to suit different riding styles and tracks.

Wheel travel is 130 mm.

Components

A real Superbike is special not only as far as performance is concerned but also for the care it is built with. The details on the RSV4 R speak volumes of a bike built with an obsessive attention to every single aspect, both technical and otherwise.

The following are just some of the most significant class leading components used:

- Instrument panel: the mixed type (digital-analogue), it receives all the information from the CAN line and becomes an integral and crucial part of the self-diagnosis system as it is fitted with memory. This is a fully fledged on-board computer, with a dot matrix display set against a minimalist, ultramodern and compact design. Its functions have been improved and are all accessible from three easy to use buttons.

- Headlight: the triple headlamp layout is not just a reference to the legendary original RSV Mille, but designed to offer total night time visibility.

- Electrical system: designed from the outset to offer maximum functionality and rationality with minimum weight. The result is an extremely clean and compact layout that makes for easier maintenance and is ready for track use, as all components relative to the lights and turn indicators are easily removable.

Colours

The RSV4 Factory APRC, on the other hand, comes in the renewed exclusive "Black Flame" livery, marked by the stark contrast of red and black, the Aprilia sport colours, with a racing touch of exposed carbon fibre