Aprilia RXV 450/550 2007

We were told this clearly when we tested what they had prepared for the 2007 season in Brescia, the cradle of Italian enduro. Anyway, we did not expect a revolution, they took care of it last year, but we got evolution, it is logical. improvement and progress with one clear goal: eliminating previous deficiencies to make them even faster on the field.

Needless to say, Aprilia is moving its racing technology from racing straight to series production; we can give them great credit for this. What's more, almost all of the innovations inherent in the new RXV 450 and RXV 550 models will be available for purchase at a reasonable price and thus enhance their groundbreaking range of enduro specials.

The most important novelty is a drastic tear-away diet, on which I lost five kilograms, and in the version with Akrapovic's racing exhaust, another two kilograms. So now the Aprilia is comparable to the rest of the hard enduro competition and weight is no longer its weak point. When we chased them after cross-country trials on grass and through muddy and winding forest paths, they impressed us with their precision and ease of handling. Although the tab on the scale will show the same amount in both (119 kilograms), the smaller, i.e. 450cc RXV, is significantly easier to change direction due to less inertial mass in the engine.

Another big novelty is the modified ignition curve in the engine and, accordingly, the character himself. Forget about the uncontrolled power surges from the rear wheel, because that's history. However, there are also differences between the two versions.

With the power of the loaded RXV 550 does not linger for long and installs with very useful torque. The difference is that in the end, driving is even easier, since it does not require such precision when shifting all five gears on time.

He prefers that the driver upshifts just before reaching the full upper speed range, that is, between 5.000 and 10.000 13.000 rpm (otherwise he picks up speed to almost 550 20 rpm). Then the grip on the rear wheel will be the best, which the driver feels like a steady and very decisive acceleration. But in order for the "extension" of the arms to occur perfectly, it is necessary to sharply press the gear lever and engage the clutch. So there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the gearbox, which could have been better. A smaller engine is much more responsive and requires more gearbox work and acceleration to the highest engine rpm. The stopwatch will ultimately show the best time for the less experienced driver in the RXV 450, while anyone accustomed to driving at full throttle can be faster, by about XNUMX "horsepower", than the weaker RXV XNUMX.

They also put a lot of effort into the suspension, which has been completely redesigned both front and rear. The 45mm Marzocchi USD forks have different settings and now have a better view of what is happening under the front wheel, and we also no longer detect handlebar twist at high speeds when the bike rolls over bumps. At the rear, they went even further and, among other tweaks, replaced the Sach crank and shock suspension system. On the excavation of Italian mulattoes with rolling and sliding stones, April now holds a steady course, as well as copes with large jumps in motocross. A separate chapter is also the excellent Nissin brakes with huge stopping power (they are known to have a 270 mm daisy-chain brake disc at the front).

Thanks to quality components and good craftsmanship, Aprilia has offered an alternative that is no longer just for those who want to be something special, but for everyone who wants to seriously engage in enduro racing. If they don't dare to say out loud that their goal in the World Championship is very ambitious, we won't be surprised to see their riders on the top podium in at least some of the races. With the rally version, they also hit the desert, as they showed in Milan, with a 12-liter fuel tank, enlarged engine cover and road book preparation. It's also a fun option for anyone who loves to travel far into the unknown. Fortunately, the price is not unknown, as it remains practically the same as before. But that also matters.

Aprilia RXV 450/550/650

Test car price: 2.024.900 SIT.

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, 77 °, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 449/549 cc, electronic fuel injection

Energy transfer: 5-speed gearbox, chain

Frame: perimeter made of steel pipes and aluminum

Suspension: front adjustable telescopic fork USD, rear adjustable single shock

Tires: before 90/90 R21, rear 140/80 R18

brakes: front coil 1x 270 mm, rear coil 1x 240

Wheelbase: 1.495 mm

Seat height from ground: 996 mm

Fuel tank: 7, 8 l

Representative: Car Triglav, Ltd., Dunajska 122, Ljubljana, tel: [phone]

We praise

• unique view

• torque and engine power (especially 5.5)

• quick access to the engine

• podcast

• extended service interval

• the ability to transport two people at the same time

We scold

• small fuel tank

• insufficiently sharp pedals provide poor traction in very muddy conditions

• transmission requires the use of the clutch at maximum rpm

Petr Kavchich

• Technical information

  engine: 4-stroke, 77 °, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 449/549 cc, electronic fuel injection

  Energy transfer: 5-speed gearbox, chain

  Frame: perimeter made of steel pipes and aluminum

  brakes: front coil 1x 270 mm, rear coil 1x 240

  Suspension: front adjustable telescopic fork USD, rear adjustable single shock

  Fuel tank: 7,8

  Wheelbase: 1.495 mm