2018 Aprilia RSV4 RF and FW First Look
| November 7, 2017
As it turns out, it’s not just Red Bull that gives you wings!
Why the wings? Because everyone needs wings on a 200hp superbike!
Aprilia’s RSV4 RR and RF are some of the best liter bikes that money can buy, period. And while 2018 only sees a change in paint schemes for the standard models, I don’t think that their top spots in the literbike class will be changing.
You can’t blame Aprilia for leaving the core of the RSV4 unchanged either. The beastly 65-degree, V-four 999c engine produces a claimed class-leading 201 horsepower, and its Aprilia Performance Ride Control (aPRC) electronics package does wonders of keeping it all in control. Combine that with the impressive handling of its chassis and Sachs suspension bits (Öhlins components on RF model), and the new Bucine grey and Ascari black paint schemes with red rims start to look pretty darn good.
New paint, that’s all for the RSV4 and RSV4 RF. It’s not like it needed much more than that anyway, as it’s easily one of our favorite superbikes.
The exciting news for 2018 is the availability to purchase an updated Factory Works kit to reduce weight, boost horsepower, and improving aerodynamics to further improve the RSV4’s racetrack prowess. The package includes an Arapovič racing exhaust, a racing-inspired cylinder head kit, camshafts with a friction-reducing surface treatment as well as a flashed ECU with revised racetrack settings—the result is an added four horsepower. In addition to stripping the RSV4 of its street parts, a lithium-ion battery and carbon fiber bits can drop the weight of the RSV4 by as much as 20 pounds.
And yes, the Factory Works kits come with a set of racing fairings that come equipped with side winglets for improved aerodynamics. I can already feel my inner-Aleix Espargaro itching to ride with the FW kit.
Aprilia has not released any prices or availability dates for the bikes or kit, but a call to your Aprilia dealer would probably answer your questions. Michael Gilbert
Just like Eugene Laverty’s bike, only you can buy this one!
