April RSV4 RF

With the progress that supersport motorcycles have experienced this year, we can say that a new era of motorcycling has begun. When taming 200 or more "horses", the electronics help a lot, ensuring safety both when braking and when accelerating around corners. The small factory from Noal is experiencing a renaissance in the world as well as in our country (we have a new representative: AMG MOTO, which is part of the PVG group with a long tradition in the field of motorcycles) and with the first RSV4 model presented in 2009 wins the class superbike. In just four years, they have won four world racing titles and three constructors' titles. The new regulations adopted by Dorna in the specified class allow you to make fewer changes to the production bikes that are the basis for all WSBK race cars. So they got to work and boldly redesigned the RSV4.

Now he has 16 more "horses" and 2,5 kg less, and the electronics ensure greater efficiency and, above all, exceptional safety, both on the race track and on the road. With Aprilia's fantastic motorsport success and 54 world titles in the brand's relatively short history, it's clear that race is in their genes. They have always been renowned for being extremely responsive to their sport bikes, and the new RSV4 is no different. On the track in Misano, near Rimini, we got our hands on an RSV4 with an RF badge, which boasts Aprilia Superpole racing graphics, Öhlins racing suspension and forged aluminum wheels. In total, they made 500 of them and thus fulfilled the rules while at the same time providing their racing team with the best platform or starting position to prepare a superbike racing car.

After last year's title, they are doing quite well in the opening part of this year's season. The reason for the success lies in the unique V4 engine with roller angles of less than 65 degrees, which provides an extremely compact motorcycle design that affects the entire chassis or handling of Aprilia. They say that they helped themselves the most with the frame design with the GP 250. And there will be something about that, because the driving style of this Aprilia has nothing to do with what we have so far perceived as a class of liter supercars. On the track, the Aprilia RSV4RF is impressive, dives deep into the slope with ease and follows its direction with incredible ease and precision.

Much credit for this lightness and handling that is even better than a 600cc supersport machine. See, it lies precisely in the design of the frame and the overall geometry, the angle of the fork and the length of the rear swingarm. They even go so far as to let anyone choose frame settings and motor mount positions like fork, swingarm mount and adjustable height, with a fully adjustable top suspension of course. The Aprilia is the only production bike that allows for this customization, allowing the ride to be adapted to the track configuration and the rider's style. Thanks to the V4 engine, mass concentration, which affects good driving performance, is made even easier. Therefore, it is not uncommon to brake late into a corner and immediately set the bike to extreme lean angles and then immediately decisively accelerate at full throttle. The bike is extremely precise and stable in all phases of cornering and, above all, very safe.

In Misano, he walked at full speed in every corner, but the RSV4 RF never slipped dangerously or caused a sudden increase in heart rate. The electronic APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) system works great and includes functions that will help novice drivers or those most experienced in the most powerful world championships. Part of the APRC are: ATC, a rear wheel slip control system that adjusts in eight stages while driving. AWC, a three-stage rear wheel lift control, provides maximum acceleration without the worry of being thrown on your back. With a power of 201 "horses" it will come in handy. ALC, a three-stage starting system and finally AQS, which allows you to accelerate and upshifts at wide open throttle and without using the clutch.

Also in tune with APRC is switchable racing ABS, which weighs only two kilograms and provides varying levels of braking and protection from unwanted lockup (or shutdown) in three stages. This is a system that they have developed together with Bosch, which is a leader in this field. With an extremely powerful motor capable of delivering 148 kilowatts of shaft power at 13 rpm or 201 "horsepower" and up to 115 Nm of torque at 10.500 rpm, it would take an extremely good physical and psychological state. (concentration) obsessed with riders. Therefore, with the APRC system disabled, driving is not recommended unless you are one of the aforementioned riders.

The acceleration you experience when you release all the power out of a corner is brutal. For example, on the plane in Misano, we went to the finish line in second gear, and then after the last one in third and fourth gear, after which the planes ran out to change to fifth gear (and, of course, sixth). Unfortunately, the last bend is very steep and the plane is relatively short. The speed displayed when the data was subsequently viewed on the large LCD screen was 257 kilometers per hour. In fourth gear! This was followed by aggressive braking and a sharp right turn, into which you literally throw Aprilia, but you do not lose control for a moment. The riders helped themselves with a smooth skid and thus entered the first corner even more aggressively. This is followed by a long left turn, where you can lean (almost) to the elbows, and a long right combination that closes sharply to the right at the end, bringing the bike's extreme agility to the fore. a tight turn is as easy as cycling.

This is followed by strong acceleration and hard braking, as well as a sharp left turn and a long combination of a right slope with a right turn, from which follows the entrance to the part where it is shown who is most in the pants. Much of it goes full throttle into the plane and then a combination of two or even three turns to the right (if you're really good). But at over 200 miles an hour, things get very interesting. We lacked stability and precision in this combination of turns. In fact, this shows the only compromise they sacrificed for exceptional handling in tighter corners, as a longer wheelbase and less aggressive fork angle would have allowed for greater stability. But maybe it's just a matter of customization and adaptation to personal taste. In fact, we've touched on everything that the Aprilia RSV4 RF has to offer in four 20-minute rides. In any case, I would like to have more wind protection.

The bike is extremely compact and perfect for anyone a little shorter, we had to squeeze a little out of 180 centimeters for aerodynamic armor. This is especially noticeable at speeds above 230 kilometers per hour, when the image around the helmet becomes slightly blurred due to the wind. But it can be bought in the form of a rich selection of accessories, as well as even sportier levers, bits of carbon fiber and Akrapovic muffler, or even full exhaust, making the production bike almost a Superbike race car. For all those looking to hit the racetrack in search of a better time with the new Aprilia RSV4, there is also an app that you can install on your smartphone and connect to your motorcycle's computer via USB. Depending on the selected track and the current position on the track, i.e. where you are riding the motorcycle, it can suggest the optimal settings for each individual part of the track. It's even better than a computer game, because everything happens live, and there is much more adrenaline and, of course, that pleasant fatigue when you finish a successful sports day at the hippodrome. But without a computer and a smartphone, it will not work, without it there are no fast times today!

text: Petr Kavchich