Aprilia RSV4 – endurance test interim balance

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Aprilia RSV4 - endurance test interim balance

Endurance test interim result: Aprilia RSV4

Aprilia’s super sports car in the test

As an editor, you can also be unlucky. Sitting there in front of you the logs of thousands of kilometers. And nothing is in it because nothing happened. This danger never existed with the white Aprilia RSV4 R. Something was always – mostly broken. But even when everything was intact, it never got boring.

Before we dive deep into around 30,000 kilometers with the thoroughbred athlete, before we list the numerous defects and visits to the workshop and write about the obvious weaknesses, one thing in advance: We thank Aprilia for the courage with which the motorcycle dwarf carried out the mammoth task RSV4 came up. A new, radical sportswoman with an independent V4 engine concept in a performance league in which even the tried and tested Japanese inline four-cylinder engines gasp – you have to trust yourself first. It was done in Noale, while the Japanese manufacturers are also taking small and very small steps in the coming season and waiting in vain for a Supersport V4 Honda or a technology offensive from Suzuki in the premier class. The fact that the necessary care apparently fell by the wayside in Noale here and there is unacceptable with all understanding. And yet you suffer a little with every new defect.

But now to the RSV4 R everyday. One of the first entries in the logbook: Autobahn speed 250 km / h, consumption an incredible 15.1 liters. Noted in the logbook by an anonymous stoker shortly after the end of the running-in period. Only 1000 kilometers later, it was made unmistakably clear to the author that this was neither a boast nor a calculation error. “Incredible! After only 100 kilometers on reserve. It’s like the Suzuki TL 1000 S at the time, ”he notes.

116 kilometers, 15.36 liters, average of 13.24 liters – the R.SV4 R literally sucks the 17-liter tank empty, forcing you to refuel seven times over a distance of around 1000 kilometers. Also because experience shows that Italian reserve ranges are good for any (negative) surprise.

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Aprilia RSV4 - endurance test interim balance

Endurance test interim result: Aprilia RSV4
Aprilia’s super sports car in the test


Cervetti

In its element: The RSV4 R is completely convincing on the racetrack.

Those who have pure city traffic or an extended vacation tour ahead of them or are even traveling as a couple will find more suitable vehicles in the test fleet. Those with which the clutch disengages properly, there is a chance of finding idle within a red phase, the turn signal switch properly locked, the steering damper not messing up the line when rolling around (exchanged at 4922 kilometers) and the traffic behind can be observed in the rearview mirrors . As a result, the Aprilia only goes on longer vacation tours twice, while it is always popular on motorway sprints. Despite the mini range, because the inspiring chassis stability makes speeds beyond 200 km / h a pleasure. Aiming at a brisk autobahn curve, turning in, pulling through – that is the RSV4 parade discipline in addition to the house track chase or a few laps on the race track. Then the good Aprilia times will undoubtedly begin. Moments when you can forget the bad ones.

Unfortunately, they will come to the fore again at the latest with the next inspection date. Scratching brake discs and the aforementioned desolate condition of the exhaust – these are the unscheduled concerns during the 10,000-kilometer inspection. Both are exchanged under guarantee, while the workshop sees no need for action with the clutch that does not separate properly (first gear can only be engaged with a loud bang, the search for neutral is becoming more and more difficult).

But complaints in this regard are increasing, only 3000 kilometers later fleet manager Rainer Froberg notes: “We will try to get the matter under control with adjustment measures.” That goes wrong, the clutch disengages more and more reluctantly, the workshop orders at 17,991 kilometers a new clutch kit, with 18458 the entire clutch (including clutch cable) is replaced with the exception of the clutch basket and the steel disks. Result: As a result, the clutch separates better, but not really well.

In the next 20,000 inspection, however, this is no longer an issue, another mishap comes to the fore. The inlet camshafts are clearly pitting and, in the opinion of the MOTORRAD technicians, should be replaced.

A technician from the German importer travels to Kerpen and decides to continue using the camshafts. All sorts of things are traded anyway. The front panel, for example, where the paint is peeling off in places. Or the run-in steering head bearing. Or the inlets and outlets of the oil cooler, which are slowly becoming brittle. All hose clamps of the cooling water system. Or the chain set.

Armed in this way, the RSV4 tackles the next 10,000 kilometers, but shortly afterwards a new problem: The servomotor of the exhaust flap is defective and needs to be replaced. At the same time, a new mapping (that of the APRC version) is installed in order to reduce excessive fuel consumption. This also works (the RSV4 R now needs up to two liters per 100 kilometers less), but only at the price of a rough, delayed throttle response, which immensely spoils the driving pleasure. So command back, at mileage 29753 the old mapping is used again in the course of the 30000 inspection. The clutch basket is now exchanged for the first time, the front brake discs for the second time. Just like the exhaust, because the paint was off there in the meantime. Now, after around 33,000 kilometers, the third version should finally hold. Does that mean that everything is finally in the paint apart from the standard roaring pipe? We are excited!

Tire recommendation


MPS studio

Dunlop Sportsmart – It only gets really good under pressure.

Bridgestone BT 016 Pro
While the standard Pirelli Supercorsa SP is a perfectly functioning rubber for the racetrack or the more demanding house track use, the BT 016 is more of an all-rounder for all cases. Short warm-up phase, good grip even in the rain: As an everyday tire, the Pro does a good job.

Dunlop Sportsmart
It only gets really good under pressure: In contrast to the BT 016 Pro, the Sportsmart needs a courageous driving style to get up to operating temperature. Until then, it is noticeably more unwieldy and only shows its greatest advantage, namely its good stability, with increasing speed.

Metzeler K3 Interact
Best steering precision, very high cornering stability, maximum grip – the K3 Supersport tire shines with advantages that also distinguish the original Pirelli Supercorsa tires, and harmonizes perfectly with the RSV4 R. Especially on the racetrack, while you are wearing the sports tires in the rain and cold drives better.

Michelin Power One
Even the Michelin profile picture suggests sportsmanship. And the French really feel most at home under the toughest conditions, while they don’t like working on the country roads. There he developed neither the steering precision of the K3 or Supercorsa nor the cold running properties of the sports tires.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa
It stands between sport and supersport and is therefore made for the RSV4 in everyday life. High cornering stability, great accuracy and plenty of grip reserves are paired with acceptable warm-up properties and a wet performance that does not come close to BT 016 and Sportsmart, but surpasses the super athletes.

Aprilia RSV4 - endurance test interim balance

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Accessories put to the test


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Akrapovic slip-on E3.

Exhaust recommendation

Akrapovic slip-on E3
The titanium slip-on damper from Akrapovic (www.aprilia.de), like the other accessory dampers, is much more delicate than the original. And much lighter. No less than 3.7 kilograms can be saved by installing the high-quality, but also very expensive pot (2.5 instead of 6.2 kilograms, 999 euros). It also fits more harmoniously into the overall RSV4 picture and is significantly quieter. But the beauty has its price: the system loses a full six horsepower on the original.

Devil Master
The Devil component (3.3 kilograms) made of stainless steel with a carbon cover is almost a kilogram heavier than the ultra-light Akrapovic damper. It is still significantly lighter than the original. In addition, the Devil damper (www.ixs.com) is noticeably cheaper than the Akrapovic one at 719 euros. But here too: pronounced loss of power in the five-digit speed range, seven horsepower missing at the top, while the torque curve in the lower range is a bit fuller.

Gianelli Iper Sport
Also from the ixs range comes the very light muffler with a carbon cover, weighing 2.6 kilograms. At 650 euros it is even cheaper than its Devil counterpart, but with a peak output of 163 hp, like the Devil Master, it loses seven hp in the upper speed range. In addition, the importer sent the wrong intermediate pipe without a catalyst, which inevitably leads to the expiry of the operating license. The intermediate catalyst pipe costs another 299 euros.

attachment parts

MRA disk
The disguises of modern super sports cars are becoming scarcer and scarcer, the wind protection is becoming increasingly poor. A curved racing windshield for 79.90 euros (www.mra.de) helps noticeably without permanently destroying the sporty line. Leaned low over the tank, the clear design even provides the necessary view for top-speed orgies, assembly is easy.

Crash pads
The crash pads from the Aprilia range of accessories (219 euros) offer an extremely elegant solution, because they fit perfectly into the tapered panel cutout.

Handlebars and levers
It is not the case that there is a need for action in this regard with the Aprilia RSV4 R, because the ergonomics are already very successful as standard. The Variobar handlebar from Gilles Tooling (299 euros) offers the option of adjusting the angle of the handlebars and thus adapting them to individual taste, although the adjustment range is of course limited by the panel cutout. And the accessory levers FXL gold (35-way adjustable, 99 euros) are good, but no better than the original at hand.

Adjustable footrests
The continuously adjustable footrest system VCR 38 GT from the Gilles Tooling range is made of high-strength aluminum and impresses with its elaborate workmanship. A central clamping screw fixes the notch position in any position, thanks to the ball-bearing switch / brake lever and step wheels, operation is easy from the foot. The price for the system with integrated brake light switch: 499 euros.

Defects in the test


MPS studio

A constant topic: the poorly separating clutch of the RSV4 R.

Steering damper
The simple, that is, non-adjustable steering damper opened the series of defects in the RSV4 after almost 5000 kilometers, after the suspicion of the sensitive Mini Koch initially fell on the steering head bearing. “Motorcycle tumbles,” he noted in the logbook – and he was right. The stiff damper was replaced by a new one.

silencer
Everything in the paint? Certainly not with the mighty Aprilia silencer. After a good 30,000 kilometers, the third copy is now on duty, after the two previous ones got rid of their black paint at impressive speed (at 10,000 and 30,000 kilometers). According to Aprilia, the problems should be finally resolved after each replacement.

Front brake discs
It took only 5000 kilometers to come up with the first remark about scratching brake discs. Then the change at the 10,000 inspection. The same game 20,000 kilometers later. At first only the pads were changed because of fine vibrations, what
made a rub out of the vibrations. Only when the panes were exchanged was there quiet.

coupling
Another ongoing topic: the poorly separating clutch of the RSV4 R. And in fact, with the constant idle search. During the dismantling (at 18458 kilometers) then the cause. The nut on a stud bolt was loose, presumably the washers were slightly misjudged. Except for the clutch basket and the steel disks, all parts were replaced as a precaution.

Camshafts
Pitting on all intake cams: This finding on the occasion of the 20,000 inspection normally makes the alarm bells ring. Not so with Aprilia. The customer service man from the German importer in Kerpen, who traveled specially, declares the breakouts to be harmless, and the camshafts are still used. And continue to this day.

Turn signal glasses
Not ubiquitous, but grueling: the lenses of the indicators integrated in the rearview mirror were not up to the vibrations. With the result that cracks first appeared around the screw holes, later eruptions. Since both mirrors showed signs of transport damage anyway, they were replaced during the inspection.

Paint damage
Technically harmless, but extremely annoying: the clearcoat was peeling off in several places on the fairing as well as on the exhaust. Aprilia replaced the front fairing after 20,000 kilometers on guarantee, as the damage was not due to falling rocks.

Steering head bearings
After the stiff steering damper, the RSV4 R attracted attention for the second time due to its wobbly handling. The reason this time: a slightly worn steering head bearing that was replaced as part of the 20,000-kilometer inspection.

Speed ​​sensor
No speed without an impulse: at a good 20,000 kilometers, the speedometer switched to stubborn. This was due to the speedometer sensor on the rear wheel, which was replaced together with the servomotor of the exhaust flap.

Servomotor exhaust flap
It was only when the new mapping of the APRC version was installed that it was noticed that the servomotor of the exhaust flap could no longer be controlled. The spare part then worked perfectly again.

Hose clamps
The smell of cooling water – some RSV4 drivers still have it in their noses today. At around 25,000 kilometers, all cooling hose clamps were first replaced with new, tensionable ones in order to get the matter under control. Only as part of the 30,000-kilometer inspection were two porous cooling water hoses replaced. So far it’s quiet.

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