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Driving report Aprilia RXV 4.5
On new paths
V-twin cylinder, petrol injection, unusual framework concept ?? Aprilia took the offroad and supermoto scene by surprise two years ago. The unconventional bike is now ready for series production. Is different just different or also better? MOTORRAD drove the 450 enduro.
Brakes: first class. Suspension: tuned really comfortably. Sitting position … Hold, stop, that’s it. What else? Processing, smoothness, handling. Of course, that’s all of interest. But
not now. Not in the hour X when the imaginary cloth is pulled by this machine? the first standard A.prilia RXV 4.5
A motorcycle that literally sets a new tone in the tunnel industry
strikes. A compact two-cylinder V-engine with a displacement of 450 or 550 cm3, petrol injection, suspended in a combination of tubular and aluminum bridge frame, was something that the industry, which is used to singles of all stripes in this displacement class, had never seen before. Not as a supermoto racer, with which this concept was launched for the first time in October 2003, and certainly not as enduro and motocross-
Bike whose prototypes intervened a season later. However, the big coup has so far only succeeded on mixed terrain. In 2004 the Frenchman Jerome Giraudo won the 450 supermoto world championship title, while the Grobstoller are still waiting for notable results in their respective disciplines.
Be that as it may, Aprilia’s courage to break new ground technically stirs up the scene. And even the handpicked group Test-
The editors appraised the new one with euphoric respect. The first press of the start button works like a relief. Finally. The injection system from Dellorto lets the still cold two-cylinder run at high speed. The ice is broken. Who wants? Sorry, colleagues, for me please. Because the schedule is strict. 15 minutes have to be enough to expand your personal horizons of experience in off-road technology with the newcomer on the narrowly defined meadow course including the adjacent dirt road.
Leg swung over the bench, clutch ?? which could be smoother? pulled, clack, first gear. Here we go. It immediately becomes clear: The subject of running culture is now being redefined in off-road sport. As if the entire engine were lined with velvet, we chug
as if from an invisible pillow-
cushions along the gravel tracks. The inner emotional scale begins to adjust itself freshly. Arranges that which has long been accepted even by the most modern single cylinders
Chopping and vibrating again. Barely
to believe that this 77 degree V engine doesn’t even have a balance shaft.
This feeling of smooth gliding is enhanced by the suspension tuning. Both the well-known, extremely appealing 45 mm upside-down fork from Marzocchi and the Sachs shock absorber are designed to be very comfortable and easily filter away the washed-out transverse grooves. Good for the moderate pace, but certainly not optimal when it comes to tenths of a second and enough suspension reserves on bumpy enduro tests. Speaking of racing: the RXV will? rather atypical for Italian manufacturers? deliberately given with a moderate vote-
ready. Competitors can do that
Machine with a racing kit that is a
Includes titanium exhaust system, modified mapping and harder springs for fork and shock absorber, upgrade later.
We have some time to get used to each other on the short dirt road. Shifting: smooth and precise. Seat: comfortable, but not too soft. Handlebar offset, footrest position, everything fits. It’s steep for the special test
up the bank. Traction is in short supply in loose rubble. A tricky tightrope act with single-cylinder machines. Too much gas and the tire spins, too little, and the single dies with a thud. First gear, even just above idle speed, the two-cylinder runs wonderfully smoothly, pushing Ross and Reiter upwards at their typical speed. No jerking, no swallowing, no uncontrolled spinning puts your balance at risk.
A few meters later, the route laid out in a meadow forces us on course. A long straight immediately invites you to a full throttle orgy. Shift through, second, third, fourth, fifth gear. Attack! The
V-Zwo is pushing hard. You even like the propagated top performance of for a 450cc Enduro
52 PS believe. Even if this version in this country can only legally receive the blessing of the authorities through a single acceptance. The RXV model homologated for 2006 will be throttled to 34 hp. An unthrottled homologated variant that complies with the Euro 3 standard will not follow until 2007. Well, at least in terms of noise level, even this model is already on target. The moderate sound from the unconventionally placed silencer in the rear frame gives hope for good neighbors with the allotment gardeners in the region ?? at least as long as the unprotected aluminum part in the wheel arch withstands the permanent hail of the clods of earth and gravel stones dredged up from the rear wheel.
The RXV is still cheering in the highest tones until the gently starting rev limiter at 12500 revs shows mercy for the valve train. Doesn’t matter, the close right forces anyway
for forced braking. The one with the hand pump and brake caliper combo from
Nissin and the stylish wavy one, always-
The 270 millimeter brake disc from Braking is easy to handle. But you also need the correct speed. Because in tight turns, the RXV shows its first nakedness. Be it because of the forced through the sweeping cooler,
Relatively wide knee joint in the front area or the subjectively higher perceived weight than the 122 kilograms specified by the manufacturer, the fact is: In the typical tight U-turns of the special test, the Aprilia sometimes pushes over the front wheel to the outside of the curve, needs noticeably more physical effort to avoid being in the neighboring areas set up, and can be unwillingly swung back and forth when changing direction. The more open the curves, the more likeable the Italian becomes. Fully comes to life when the finely adjustable pressure of the V-twin cylinder makes it easy to drift through the radius in a controlled Powerslide.
The Aprilia crew waves. 15 minutes are up. A quarter of an hour that showed that off-roaders don’t have to live with rowdy manners per se. It proved that there is more to this concept than a pure sports machine. And that the hard enduros of the future will no longer necessarily have to be single-cylinder. Especially not when Aprilia is about to introduce the 550 version.
Technical specifications
Engine: water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 77-degree V-engine, one overhead, chain-driven camshaft, four valves per cylinder, inlet valves operated via bucket tappets, exhaust valves via fork rocker arms, dry sump lubrication, injection,
Ø 38 mm, no emission control, 340 W alternator, 12 V / 8 Ah battery, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, chain.
Bore x stroke 76.0 x 49.5 mm
Displacement 449 cc
Compression ratio 12.5: 1
Rated output 38.2 kW (52 hp) at 10,000 rpm
Max. Torque 42 Nm at 8500 rpm
Chassis: composite frame made of steel and aluminum–
minium, upside-down fork, Ø 45 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, single-disc brake at the front, Ø 270 mm, double-piston floating caliper, disc brake rear, Ø 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper.
Spoked wheels with aluminum rims 1.60 x 21; 2.15 x 18
Tires 90/90 ZR 21; 140/80 ZR 18
Dimensions and weights: wheelbase 1495 mm, steering head angle 63 degrees, caster 112 mm, spring travel f / r 310/320 mm, seat height 996 mm, dry weight 122 kg, tank capacity 7.8 liters.
Two year guarantee
Colors red / black
Price including additional costs 8698 euros
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