Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/830616
2017 APRILIA RSV4 RR & RSV4 RF FIRST TEST P120 this issue, as the bike already comes standard with steel braided lines. There was a lot to play and experiment with regarding the RSV4's fourth generation aPRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronics with three engine maps, eight traction control settings—with the option to turn it off—and wheelie con- trol, adjustable to three levels. They pretty much behaved as they should do when not hic- cupping on occasion, probably due to an overabundance of data all being thrown into the RSV4 RR's brain when being ridden really, really, hard. Aprilia RSV4 RF on track Although the Sachs suspension and cast wheels on the RR should be perfectly adequate for 90 percent of the sportbike enthusiasts out there, Aprilia's RSV4 RF "Factory" model does offer a tangible performance upgrade path with the addition of the newest Ohlins forks, Oh- lins shock, and lighter forged aluminum wheels. For the privi- lege, it will tack an additional $6000 to the cost of your new motorcycle. When first jumping off the standard RR and onto the RF, the advantages of the supe- rior and lighter components become immediately apparent. The bike flicks from left to right with less effort, accelerates harder, reaches top speeds sooner, brakes deeper, and the suspension responds more efficiently to the bumps and imperfections of the racing surface. And regardless of our experi- ence levels, there is something to gain for every rider when an increase in virility is applied to our current mare. Lighter wheels and a more submis- sive suspension will, with mathematical certainty, equal improved lap times regardless of the jockey. The main goal, of course, is to always end the day faster than our best friend, isn't it? Is the RF worth the extra $6000 over the RR? In short, yes. Yes, it is. That's because once we lower that visor and take to the racetrack, all we want to do is reach our very best potential (or our most spritely safe pace). After all the world's bullshit melts away, we're left only with one un- deniable hunger; to improve our maximum output, tenth by tenth, inch by inch, millimeter by millimeter. I'm a firm believer in going the extra mile if already 75 per- cent of the way to my destina- tion. I say, if I'm going to go as far as buying an Aprilia RSV4 RR, I might as well go all the way and spring for the RF—then lie to my wife that I got the less expensive one of the two bikes. They look almost identi- cal, after all. CN 2017 APRILIA RSV4 RR ($16,699) APRILIA RSV4 RF ($22,999) ENGINE: ........................Aprilia V4 65°, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16 valves POWER: ................201 hp @ 13,000 rpm (claimed) TORQUE:...........84.9 lb-ft @ 10,500 rpm (claimed) DISPLACEMENT: ...........................................999.6cc BORE X STROKE: ..................................78 x 52.3mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ......................................13.6:1 EXHAUST: ..............................................................4-2-1 TRANSMISSION: ............................................6-speed CHASSIS: ......................Aluminum twin spar frame FRONT SUSPENSION: ..... Sachs upside-down fork, 43mm fork body. Adjustable spring preload, independent rebound and compression/ Ohlins NIX upside-down fork, 43mm fork body Adjust- able spring preload, independent rebound and compression (RF model) REAR SUSPENSION:.........................Aluminum alloy swingarm with progressive linkages. Sachs single shock absorber with remote reservoir, adjustable spring preload, independently adjust- able compression/ Aluminum alloy swingarm with progressive linkages. Ohlins TTX 36 single shock absorber with remote reservoir, adjust- able spring preload, independantly adjustable compression and rebound (RF model) FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................................... 4.7 in REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ....................................... 4.7 in FRONT BRAKE: ................ Brembo M50 four piston monobloc caliper, 330mm disc. ABS REAR BRAKE:...............Brembo single piston, fixed caliper, 220mm disc. ABS FRONT TIRE: ..........................................120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ...........................................200/55 ZR17 WHEELBASE: ......................................................56.5° SEAT HEIGHT: .....................................................33 in. FUEL CAPACITY:.............................................. 4.9 gal WEIGHT: ............................. 450 lbs. (wet, claimed). COLOR: ......................... Bucine Gray, Ascari Black/ Superpole (RF model) S P E C I F I C A T I O N S