The RSV4 1100 Factory is Aprilia’s new direct rival to the Ducati Panigale V4. With the 1100, Aprilia has upped the ante by increasing the motorcycle’s power and torque. The track weapon also features winglets derived from the company’s race bikes.
Aprilia has taken its 65-degree V4 and increased its capacity by 78cc, to 1,078cc, similar to the capacity of the Tuono 1100. The Italian bike maker did this by increasing the bore from 78mm to 81mm; the stroke remains unchanged, at 52.3mm. The motor now has larger valves, a different cam profile, and many other changes, all of which have resulted in an engine that makes 217hp at 13,200rpm and 122Nm of torque at 11,000rpm.
The Italian marque has also reworked the electronics on the motorcycle. The APRC or Aprilia Performance Ride Control now features eight levels of traction control, along with wheelie control, cruise control and launch control. The motorcycle also features cornering ABS and throttle response adjustability that has three levels – Sport, Track and Rain.
A titanium Akrapovic exhaust is now standard fitment and, along with the use of carbon fibre for the bodywork and the new lithium-ion battery, has helped bring down the kerb weight to 199kg. Other changes include reworked gearing and revised geometry; the fifth and sixth gears have been made longer to help extract more out of the larger capacity motor.
The fully-adjustable 43mm Öhlins NIX front fork gets around 5mm of additional travel in order to improve cornering capabilities, the fully-adjustable Öhlins TTX monoshock remains unchanged. When it comes to the brakes, the Brembo M50 calipers have now been replaced by the Stylema units and will be part of standard fitment. However, one can equip them with optional carbon-fibre vents to improve cooling, like on the company’s RS-GP race bike.
Another new feature that is inspired by the race bike is the winglets on both sides of the bike, which are there for improved downforce. The new colour scheme on the RSV4 1100 Factory also exposes all of the carbon-fibre components of the bodywork. While nothing has been said about pricing and availability, we expect Aprilia to launch the track weapon in India sometime next year.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
