You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
OLD VS NEW: APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY’S<br />
FACTORY<br />
BATTLE<br />
“Rob, do you mind taking our Aprilia bikes for a test and<br />
let us know what you think...?” Now, you don’t have to be a<br />
genius to know what Rob’s answer to that question was.<br />
So here you go, a quick test on a 2016 Aprilia RSV4 Factory<br />
and a 2019 RSV4 1100 Factory around Redstar.<br />
Words: Rob Portman | Pics: Beam Productions<br />
While at Redstar Raceway<br />
recently to test Lance Isaac’s<br />
beast of a BMW race machine I<br />
bumped into Mr. Sean Powell<br />
from Aprilia SA who was at<br />
the track on the gorgeous<br />
new Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory<br />
machine. After gazing at the<br />
bike and not listening to a word<br />
Sean was saying for around<br />
5-minutes, I came around and<br />
started paying attention. A<br />
few minutes later the lucky<br />
customer who was going to<br />
test ride the new machine<br />
rocked up, a rider whom I had<br />
met a few years back who also<br />
owns a RSV4 Factory machine<br />
but the 2016 1000cc model. He<br />
was looking to upgrade and<br />
was given the chance to test<br />
ride the new machine by Aprilia<br />
SA. This got us thinking. “Rob,<br />
why not take my bike out and<br />
do a quick test against the new<br />
bike?”, asked the customer.<br />
“That sounds like a great idea”,<br />
naturally was my answer - I<br />
never pass up the opportunity<br />
to ride gorgeous Italian<br />
supermodels… one’s with two<br />
wheels that is… dirty minds you<br />
all have!<br />
So, I jumped onboard the<br />
customers well tricked out 2016<br />
model first. I’ve always enjoyed<br />
the riding position RSV models<br />
have offered over the years and<br />
felt right at home on this one<br />
again. Nice wide bars and deep<br />
set seating, but the footpegs<br />
did feel a bit higher than normal<br />
for me, but nothing I could not<br />
get around. Immediately I could<br />
feel that this bike has had some<br />
work done as the customary<br />
flat spot at bottom rpm was not<br />
there. Instead I was greeted by<br />
pure performance and power a<br />
plenty from bottom to top. The<br />
quickshifter and autoblip were<br />
divine while braking was as<br />
sharp as ever – it always is on<br />
Italian machines!<br />
78 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MARCH <strong>2020</strong>
Change language