Rennie Scaysbrook | October 4, 2016
Same, same, but quite different for the 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RR.
Lots of new goodies for the Noale Superbike
Aprilia hasn’t gone for the complete ground up rebuilt of its RSV4 RR like Honda has with its CBR1000RR or Suzuki has with the GSX-R1000, instead focusing on refining what it already has to stay at the pointy end of the Superbike class.
The 65° V4 engine is largely unchanged and produces a claimed 201hp and 84.8lb-ft of torque – still impressive numbers in a game where many are still struggling to hit the double (claimed) ton. Aprilia has done away with the variable intake ducts of the previous RSV4 series, claiming they are no longer necessary for a motor that now revs 300rpm higher via a new ECU. There’s a new, lighter exhaust system, lighter pistons, honing treatment for the conrods, new valve springs, and the gearbox now has a linear sensor to assist gearshift operation.
The RF gets subtle cosmetic upgrades, plus new Ohlins legs and shock.
On the chassis side, you’ll still have the option to alter the steering head angle, swingarm angle, the engine position in the frame as well as the rear ride height. The RF version will get a new Öhlins NIX fork and TTX shock with a new progressive linkage, a new Öhlins steering damper and there’s new Brembo M50 radially-mounted Monobloc four-piston calipers and larger 330mm discs for extra stopping power. That stopping power is also aided by the use of Bosch’s Cornering ABS system – one that’s become almost standard fodder for any series braking package.
Yet despite these changes, much of the revamp for the RSV4 RR and RF has focused on the electronics suite. This is the fourth generation of Aprilia’s Performance Ride Control and houses a new Ride-By-Wire throttle, new eight-stage Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), three-stage Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC) that can now be adjusted on the fly without shutting the throttle (just like the ATC), new three-stage Aprilia Launch Control (ALC), new Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) for clutchless up and down shifts and a new system called APL – Aprilia Pit Limiter – a system that lets you preselect the desired pit lane speed you want.
Oh, and Aprilia also fitted cruise control called, you guessed it, ACC.
Aprilia has revamped the tired old dash that debuted when the model was first released back in 2009. The new color TFT instrumentation offers a new look and more features, and there’s a new version of the V4-MP app (standard on the RF but an optional extra on the RR) that allows for corner-by-corner, GPS traction control, amongst other things.
APRILIA RSV4 – RR: Technical Specifications
[RSV4 RF data in brackets]
Engine type Aprilia longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder
Bore and stroke 78 x 52.3 mm
Total engine capacity 999.6 cc
Compression ratio 13.6:1
Maximum power at crankshaft 201 HP (148 kW) at 13,000 rpm
Maximum torque at crankshaft 115 Nm at 10.500 rpm
Fuel system Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Marelli 48-mm throttle bodies with 8 injectors and latest generation Ride-By-Wire engine management.
Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the rider with bike in motion: T (Track), S (Sport), R (Race)
Ignition Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system integrated in engine control system, with one spark plug per cylinder and “stick-coil”-type coils
Exhaust 4 into 2 into 1 layout, two oxygen sensors, lateral single silencer with ECU-controlled bypass valve and integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 4)
Alternator Flywheel mounted 450 W alternator with rare earth magnets
Lubrication Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)
Gearbox 6-speed cassette type gearbox
1st: 39/15 (2.600)
2nd: 33/16 (2.063)
3rd: 34/20 (1.700)
4th: 31/21 (1.476)
5th: 31/23 (1.348)
6th: 34/27 (1.259)
Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)
Clutch Multi-disc oil-bath, with mechanical slipper system
Primary drive Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1.659)
Secondary drive Chain
Drive ratio 41/16 (2.562)
Traction management APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control (ACC) and speed limiter (APL), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently
Chassis Aluminum dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements
Available adjustments:
- headstock position and rake
- engine height
- swingarm pin height
Non adjustable Sachs steering damper
[Adjustable Öhlins steering damper]
Front suspension Sachs fork 43 mm stanchions; [Öhlins NIX fork with TIN surface treatment]. Forged billet aluminum radial caliper mountings. Adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping.
Wheel travel 120 mm
Rear suspension Double braced aluminum swingarm; mixed low thickness and sheet casting technology. Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable in: hydraulics in compression and rebound, spring preload [Öhlins TTX monoshock with piggy-back, fully adjustable in: spring preload, wheelbase and hydraulic compression and rebound damping]. New progressive linkage.
Wheel travel 130 mm
Brakes
Front Dual 330-mm diameter floating stainless steel disc with lightweight stainless steel rotor and aluminum flange with 6 pins. Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers with 4 x 30 mm opposing pistons. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose
Rear 220 mm diameter disc; Brembo caliper with 2 x 32 mm separate pistons. Sintered pads. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose
ABS Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with cornering function, adjustable to 3 maps equipped with RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation) (can be disabled).
Wheel rims Aprilia aluminum alloy rims with 3 split spokes, [forged aluminum alloy, completely machined, 5 split spokes].
Front 3.5”X17”
Rear 6”X17”
Tires Radial tubeless.
Front 120/70 ZR 17
Rear 200/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17)
Fuel tank 4.8 gal (1 gal reserve included)
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