2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory and RSV4 First Ride

Both the 2021 Aprilia RSV4 and RSV4 Factory get new aero, more cc’s, and improved electronics. Don Canet heads to Laguna Seca to see if they’re any good. Aprilia’s RSV4 superbike has enjoyed a decade of solid racing and sales success. Throughout this time the Noale, Italy-based manufacturer has offered a price-competitive base model alongside the up-spec version. The premium RSV4 Factory and RF models have traditionally been equipped with race-grade Öhlins suspension, lighter-weight forged alloy wheels, and various carbon fiber bits. The Factory models have typically been a year or two ahead of the base RSV4 in receiving significant electronic or performance upgrades derived from the Aprilia Race Department, and that’s made them all the more enticing. For 2021, the RSV4 1100 and RSV4 1100 Factory are equal recipients of an evolutionary platform update, which features an all new race-developed aerodynamic styling treatment; a larger-displacement 1,099cc engine; a new inverted-style swingarm; an improved Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronic rider aid package; and a larger 5-inch TFT dash. The $25,999 Factory may still have a leg to stand on with its semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 electronically adjustable suspension, forged wheels, Öhlins electronic adjustable steering damper, and choice of two Factory edition paint schemes, but fans of carbon fiber will now need to tap into Aprilia’s line of accessories. At $18,999, the RSV4 1100 retains the Sachs suspension, nonadjustable steering damper, and cast alloy wheels of its 999cc RSV4 RR predecessor. Considering both 2021 models are endowed with a claimed 217 crank horsepower and identical APRC programming, deciding between these two superbikes has never been tighter. I had a chance to ride each of the new RSV4 models at a recent press test at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, just a few miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. We spent the entire morning in the paddock waiting for the fog-like marine layer to lift and the track surface to dry, so lunch had yet to settle as I entered the track and rolled on the throttle, heard the sweet growl of 65-degree V-4 music, and worked the low end of the rev range to build heat in the Pirelli Supercorsa SP radials. A few corners in I gave it a full fist twist exiting turn 4 and got a seamless shift into third gear down the infield straight. Holy mackerel! I hadn’t expected so much gut-wrenching acceleration, having purposely set the bike’s APRC to its tamest ride mode for the opening lap. During the morning downtime I’d explored the revamped and expanded APRC setting menus accessible through the bike’s dash display. The small joystick controller found on the previous RSV4 has been replaced with a more user-friendly four-button arrangement on the left switch gear cluster, so navigating the onscreen options is now far easier with a gloved thumb. With the bike stationary, you’re able to select between vehicle modes labeled Road and Race. Road gains access to street-centric features including cruise control and, if the accessory Aprilia MIA multimedia unit is installed, dash-integrated phone, music, and navigation info. Ride-by-wire engine maps labeled Street and Sport are preloaded with APRC settings suited to general street and wet road conditions, along with the ability to adjust the default APRC parameters with a User ride mode. Selecting Race vehicle mode replaces the digital speedometer on the dash with a lap timer display and provides programmed settings suited to trackday use. There are also two user-programmable ride modes, Track 1 and Track 2, providing the means to tap the bike’s full performance potential. All customizable ride modes allow adjustment of Engine Map (throttle response and delivery), Traction Control, Wheelie Control, lean angle sensing Engine Brake Control, Cornering ABS, and Launch Control. The Factory model adds Suspension Control to the list, with a choice between A1 (active track), A2 (active track/sport), and A3 (active road), as well as manual (non-active damping) M1, M2, and M3. Each of the semi-active and manual presets can be fine-tuned to suit your riding style. Read the full review here: https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-reviews/2021-aprilia-rsv4-1100-and-rsv4-1100-factory-first-ride/ Subscribe to Cycle World Youtube: /c/cycleworld Read more from Cycle World: https://www.cycleworld.com/ Buy Cycle World Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/cycleworld

Category