Aprilia unveils RSV 4 with plans to go Superbike racing

[EJ25RUN]

From Autoblog.

"""Aprilia is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to small-bore 125 and 250cc road-racers, as well as in the 450cc off-road and supermoto categories. These successes have led the Italian company to branch out further, this time into the hotly-contested Superbike World Championship. The machine it will be doing battle with is the RSV 4, a brand new design using a brand new engine. That engine is very different from the normal inline four-cylinder Japanese models against which Aprilia will compete, as it uses a V4 design with the cylinders canted 65 degrees apart. The one-liter engine produces "well over 200 HP" in race trim, and a street-tuned version should for forthcoming. It probably goes without saying that we are anxiously awaiting the start of the 2009 season to see how well a small manufacturer like Aprilia can compete against the big factory teams of the Japanese manufacturers. Even more important to us, though, is how well the street version will compete against the other liter bikes already for sale."""

[EJ25RUN]

From Moto Flash, here are some pics of the Aprilia RSV 4 ‘Race Machine’ being tested at the Mugello circuit. The RSV 4 was first shown in February this year, at the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan. And it’s expected to make its debut at the upcoming EICMA show.

With the 200bhp V4-powered RSV 4, Aprilia will be racing in World Superbikes in 2009. And the hot rumour right now is, none other than Max Biaggi will be riding for Aprilia next year. Biaggi won a string of 250cc world titles aboard Aprilia machines in the 1990s, and since he’s shown he’s still capable of winning races, perhaps he would be the right man to spearhead Aprilia’s coming to World Superbikes…

[The BUCKY]

mmmmmmm sexors

[EJ25RUN]

Interesting about Max Biaggi "Roman Emperor" possibly going to Aprilia. He's on Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 team with Ruben Xaus who i heard is going to be on the 2009 BMW world Superbike machine.

[Sammich]

so there is such thing as a v4

nice bike

[EJ25RUN]

so there is such thing as a v4

nice bike

Hell Yeah.....Honda NSR500 was a 2 stroke V4 going all the way back to 1984 and most of the current MotoGP teams use a V4 except Yamaha and Kawasaki. The modern Honda VFR800 is a V4 4 stroke and VTEC can be had.

[DieselNuts]

The modern VFR800 is a V4 4 stroke.

with V-TAKKKKK!!!

When I was reading your first post, I was wondering who would be riding for the team. I think Max Biaggi is a force to be reckoned(sp) with anyway. I think this bike combined with Max holds a bright future. I am a huge fan of Aprilia and its great to see them stepping their game up. I think I have a new favorite to root for next season

I am unfamiliar with the V-4 layout. Do you know what kind of power band it will have? I know the I-4s have little tq but huge hp while you can say the opposite of V-twins. Will this layout be the best of both worlds?

[EJ25RUN]

with V-TAKKKKK!!!

When I was reading your first post, I was wondering who would be riding for the team. I think Max Biaggi is a force to be reckoned(sp) with anyway. I think this bike combined with Max holds a bright future. I am a huge fan of Aprilia and its great to see them stepping their game up. I think I have a new favorite to root for next season

I am unfamiliar with the V-4 layout. Do you know what kind of power band it will have? I know the I-4s have little tq but huge hp while you can say the opposite of V-twins. Will this layout be the best of both worlds?

I'm not too sure about this new specs on this Aprilia, but the V4 does usually make more torque than the I4.

[DieselNuts]

I'm not too sure about this new specs on this Aprilia, but the V4 does usually make more torque than the I4.

I'm guessing with a lower redline too huh.

[EJ25RUN]

I'm guessing with a lower redline too huh.

mmh...that is really gonna be dictated by the regulations. Aprilia was the first Motogp bike to have pneumatic valves but those are way to expensive for a bike like this. I do think they have developed the V to rev just as freely as an I4

[Cool Cat Racing]

I know the Suzuki V4 revs higher than a standard V twin but still nothing like the I4's. It does make much more torque though, it is kind of the best of both worlds but with weaknesses. I like the fact the test mule there had full lights, so either the street version is well under way or they were interested in testing that one on the streets as well.

[JDM-95-Hatch]

sweet ass bike, still like the rs250 more though, just because the 2stroke factor. would be awesome to have one on the streets.

[David88vert]

The RS250 sucks for the streets. No power until you wind it all the way out. r71 already sold his.

[EJ25RUN]

The RS250 sucks for the streets. No power until you wind it all the way out. r71 already sold his.

Hmm. I have read small displacement 2 strokes make bad street bikes for their tiny powerband. Was it atleast a well balenced machine. Flickable i should say.

[DelxxxSol]

the bike specs are suggesting an all around monster...power throughout...u probably wont find a more refined bike than this one. My vtwin aprilia doesnt have a redline just a limiter set at around 12k which is very high for a vtwin. MotoGP will come down to the desmodici and this RSV4 until the other groups come up with some new technology.