MotoGP – Moto GP USA Qualifiers: first pole for Bradl at Laguna –

Posted on by admin

INTERMOT countdown 2016: 10

Aprilia RSV4

It wasn’t easy with her at first. The fascinating sporty Aprilia RSV4 allowed itself a number of engine capers such as a harsh throttle response, rumbling smoothness and enormous consumption. She has now matured and is all the more fascinating.

It was a happy day, the second day of this year’s Superbike test in Aragon. Not only because of the finally better weather, but also because he for me with the AT.prilia RSV4 started. In the first few meters it seemed unusually high to me, as always, but the hint of uncertainty that may arise from it disappears immediately. Almost on the approach to the first curve. Because the driver finds the line so easily and with such perfect precision that after a short time he is increasingly diving into an inclined position. Full of confidence in the leadership quality of the front wheel and the precision of the feedback.

INTERMOT countdown 2016: 10

Aprilia RSV4

Ralf Schneider on the Aprilia RSV4

On top of that. The Aprilia engine is also very cleverly designed so that both buyers and manufacturers can enjoy it alike. If you get involved in an Aprilia RSV4, you will get an exquisite sound in addition to the chassis-related advantages, mechanically still very robust, also rather powerful in the exhaust tone, but not as roaring loud as the copies of the first series. The manufacturer, on the other hand, is pleased to be able to use identical cylinder blocks and heads for the front and rear cylinder rows. They only have to be installed rotated by 180 degrees. This saves a certain part of the production costs, which are already higher with a V4 engine than with an in-line engine, since the camshaft drive is required twice and the cylinders and heads are not available in one unit. There are a lot of additional sealing surfaces to be milled.

This clever construction is made possible by the fact that the timing chain of the front cylinder bank is driven from the left crankshaft end, the rear from the right. The timing chains on both sides do not create any additional overall width, because there is space for these chains in the slight lateral offset of the cylinders. In V-engines, it comes about when a connecting rod of a rear and a front cylinder run next to each other on a crank pin.

Subscribe to MOTORRAD videos on Youtube

3 parameters can be adjusted via the app

Aprilia

The tachometer is located in the center of the display instrument. But there is much more to discover on the long journey through the setting menus.

With 203 hp determined on the test bench, the Aprilia four-cylinder was the second most powerful unit behind the in-line engine of the BMW S 1000 RR in the MOTORRAD comparison test (7 and 8/2016). Its narrow front silhouette allows the Aprilia RSV4 very good aerodynamics. It slips through the wind at a measured 305 km / h and was just as fast as the more powerful BMW at 290 km / h on the Aragon race track. At the other end of the range of requirements, ie the so-called "soft skills", the V4 pleases with moderate consumption values ​​and very good responsiveness. Here he has made enormous progress since the original model from 2009.

Because the Aprilia RSV4 was further developed in the Superbike World Championship for many years from its beginnings, it also offers almost everything that is available today in terms of electronic driving aids for motorcycles: ABS, traction and wheelie control, various engine maps and an assistant for fast racing starts. A gearshift assistant is also part of the equipment, only the blipper function for downshifting without the clutch is still missing. For those who are completely enthusiastic about technology, Aprilia offers the possibility of using an app to specifically tune the RSV4 for certain racetracks. The technicians have already pre-configured the setups for numerous racetracks; if you activate it via iPhone, you can experience how the parameters adapt from route section to route section. You can’t get any closer to the optimization strategies of top racing drivers with a production motorcycle at the moment. Good for those who also have the technical and driving skills as well as enough driving time on the racetrack to find their way around this multitude of setting options.

4 The most desirable of all Aprilias

Aprilia

The free-standing 65-degree V4 of the Aprilia RSV4 – a compact, powerful and unique engine.

Does the Aprilia RSV4 have any disadvantages? Well, it is perhaps a little too strenuous and demanding for everyday operations. In the course of several tests at MOTORRAD, the slipper clutch has also emerged as a vulnerable component. It works excellently when braking hard and downshifting before cornering, but the pads wear out relatively quickly. On courses that require sustained hard braking maneuvers, the light, relatively thin brake discs can also prove to be overwhelmed. Then the brakes occasionally rub. The biggest disadvantage of the RSV4, however, is its steep price. Even the more simply equipped RR version costs 18,490 euros. The Aprilia RSV4 RF with very well coordinated Ohlins spring elements, lighter wheels, an elaborate paint job and some carbon parts even costs 21,490 euros.

If you sit down next to the Aprilia after a hot ride or at the end of a long day on the racetrack and look at it, you can at least understand the prices. The frame, swing arm, exhaust system and trim parts are carefully made from fine materials, and high-quality components work in both versions. So it’s no wonder that the Aprilia RSV4 appeared to MOTORRAD readers to be the most desirable of all Aprilias. No matter if stationary or in motion, in photos or in reality – a covetous look or a short test ride will be worth every fan. Or even their purchase price?

The Aprilia RSV4 and the other nine dream bikes you have chosen can be admired from October 5th to 9th at INTERMOT in Cologne. More precisely at the MOTORRAD stand, exhibition hall 9, stand B-050.

INTERMOT 2016 in Cologne

Koelnmesse GmbH, Thomas Klerx

Cheers, hustle and bustle, trade fair time: from October 5th, new motorcycle attractions will attract visitors to INTERMOT 2016 in Cologne.

From October 5th to 9th, 2016 it’s that time again – then it’s time for the international specialist trade, for importers and of course for motorcycle fans: off to Cologne for INTERMOT 2016, the international motorcycle, scooter and bicycle fair. Over 1000 suppliers from around 40 countries are expected at the leading trade fair. All key players in the motorized two-wheeled world are represented. They present the latest motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and the most important innovations from the fields of electromobility, customizing, accessories, clothing, parts, travel and workshop equipment on an exhibition area of ​​almost 110,000 m².

Technical data Aprilia RSV4

10 Pictures

Pictures: INTERMOT countdown 2016: 10

To home page

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

archive

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *