On Track Off Road No. 189

TEST
Aprilia liken this new approach to that of a
Ferrari or Lamborghini supercar, positioning
the RSV4 not as a race-replica but as a highperformance
machine with the ability to go
very fast on a racetrack.
Aprilia’s traditional RSV4 layout of 65-degree
V4 engine in aluminium beam-framed chassis
is unchanged. Larger-diameter pistons
increase the dohc, 16-valve unit’s compression
ratio as well as its capacity. New intake
camshafts, reprofiled throttle bodies and a
new exhaust system with titanium Akrapovic
silencer increase maximum output by 16bhp
to 214bhp. What’s arguably more important
is that the bigger engine kicks out roughly
ten per cent more torque between 8000 and
13,000rpm.
The RSV4 look is familiar, and classy in its
matt-black colour scheme, complemented by
carbon-fibre front mudguard and sidepanels,
and forged aluminium wheels. Climbing
aboard the bike in the Mugello pit lane,
checking out the unchanged TFT console
and heading out onto the track, it’s the
RSV4’s traditional lack of size and weight
that make the first impression. It’s compact
(make that cramped if you’re tall) and 5kg
lighter at just 177kg dry.
This bike’s biggest boost to lapping fast is
its sublimely flexible big-bore V4 engine. I
take a few laps to figure it out. At first I’m
revving it too high in places; using second
gear for the second chicane, the long Biondetti
right-hander, and the downhill Bucine
left that leads back onto the main straight.
But the Aprilia accelerates so hard that I’m
struggling to get my foot under the gearlever
before tagging the limiter at 13,600rpm.
The solution is simple: use the midrange
torque. The big V4 motor pulls so strongly
and sweetly from 8000rpm or so that it’s
quicker as well as less effort to take those
turns in third gear, concentrate on hitting the
apexes and getting the power on smoothly,
and let the extra grunt send the bike rocket-