APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2009 - 2010) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £300 |
Power: | 180 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.9 in / 810 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (448 lbs / 203 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesAt last, we’ve finally been able to ride the RSV4 in the dry after its sopping wet launch in Spring 2009! As we said before, Aprilia built the RSV4 as a race bike first, road bike second. You won’t even scratch the surface of what it’s capable of on the road in terms of power and handling.
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It has more grip and poise than you know what to do with, it goes like stink and its barely legal exhaust sounds like the Devil clearing its throat. Size-wise, it’s a somewhere between a 400 and 600cc sportsbike, so it’s cramped for taller riders and it’s low-speed fuelling manners can be a bit iffy. That aside, the Aprilia is an incredible sports bike.
Video: Aprilia RSV4 first ride on track
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe chassis feels just as racy as the engine. Ohlins forks and rear shock feel stiff when you hop aboard but are plush once on the move, soaking up the bumps in style and offer lots of support and composure for hard cornering. You get lots of feel through the chassis, nicely balanced steering and more grip than you’ll know what to do with on the road thanks to its standard fitment Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP tyres. Monobloc Brembos are race-spec and offer masses of stopping power and feel.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Aprilia’s 65° V4 motor produces a claimed 180bhp@12,500rpm and 85ftlb@10,000rpm. It has a single block crankcase with integrated cylinder liners, titanium inlet valves and balance shaft. The six-speed cassette gearbox is removable, handy for racing and a slipper clutch comes as standard. Being a V4, the engine is incredibly small and has allowed Aprilia to make a tiny bike around it. There’s a good spread of linear power up to 10,000rpm and then it goes berserk up to 14,000rpm. This feels every inch a race engine and to get the very best out of it a dry, sunny racetrack is required. The engine note is similar to the deep, metallic boom of the RSV twin, it’s very loud in gear, but quiet in neutral, which is how it might have got through noise regulations.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueIt’s too soon to say how reliable the Aprilia RSV4 will be, but if it’s anything like Aprilia’s of old, there will be little to worry about. Build quality and reliability is up there with the best, and to say Aprilia is an Italian version of Honda isn’t stretching it at all. Aprilia now benefits from the huge cash reserves that new owners, Piaggio, have brought to the Noale-based company since 2005, so each new model goes through vigorous research and development. We have had issues with poor fuelling at low revs on one of our test bikes, but Aprilia say this was due to some rogue dirt and water in the fuel tank.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentJust looking at the sexy metal, the race developed V4 engine, top-grade chassis parts and fancy electronics you get for your money, fifteen grand doesn’t sound that expensive, especially when you compare it to the £1500 dearer Ducati 1198S. The fact that the RSV4 is a ridiculously brilliant motorcycle, just seals the deal. Find an Aprilia RSV4 for sale.
Equipment
The RSV4 is packed with toys, gadgets and trickery. There’s an evolution of Aprilia’s ride-by-wire system, which first appeared on their MotoGP racer and the Shiver road bike. The system allows a three-way engine map (track, sport and road) offering varying levels of power delivery from soft to extreme. The RSV4 also gets electronically controlled variable-length inlet trumpets, an exhaust power-valve and a new Magnetti Marelli ECU to control all the electronic systems. You also get Ohlins forks, shock and steering damper, a carbon fibre mudguard and hugger, forged aluminium wheels, Brembo monobloc radial brakes and sticky Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP tyres. Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia RSV4 in the MCN Shop.
Specs |
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Engine size | 998cc |
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Engine type | 16-valve, V4 |
Frame type | Aluminium beam |
Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
Seat height | 810mm |
Bike weight | 203kg |
Front suspension | Fully-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Fully-adjustable |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs |
Rear brake | 220mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 17 in |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 32 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £300 |
New price | - |
Used price | £6,200 - £7,500 |
Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 180 bhp |
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Max torque | 85 ft-lb |
Top speed | 180 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 118 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2005 – RSV4 started life from a clean sheet of paper.
2009 – RSV4 race bike scores a podium at Qatar with Max Biaggi in its second ever meeting. RSV4 Factory launched.
Other versions
A cheaper-spec RSV4-R to be launch at the end of 2009
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2009 - 2010)
4 owners have reviewed their APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2009 - 2010) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2009 - 2010)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £300 |
Year: 2009
Annual servicing cost: £300
Great engine, handling, braking and even semi-touring, but so many problems with sensors and electrics. Also, dealer network is limited and since Brexit, parts take ages to arrive from Italy. Took over a month to get a new sensor over through customs. I wouldn't use this as my everyday bike, but a great weekend bike
No pillion seat. Suspension needs softening from standard if you're looking to go touring through typical B-Roads in the UK as it's racetrack stiff at set-up and painful to ride after 90 mins (which is when the petrol light comes on anyway)
Grat engine. The ride modes are needed in very wet condition as the Track mode setting is just too eager on the gentle throttle from 1st and 2nd with little give in the twistgrip
Bolts have rusted up and need changing
I don't do many miles, but it's definitely thirsty on fuel. Only had one service so far and cost about £300
It's a 2009 bike, so doesn't have the bells and whistles like phone connection that newer bikes have. The Ohlins suspension is sublime though. I've only used Dunlop Sportmax so far, which are okay though need warming up. I usually go for Pirelli Diablo Corsa 2, but they wear fast
Year: 2009
Never liked the look of it in pics but in the flesh and when I first sat on it, pushed the starter and beamed ear to ear.
The sublime size, geometry, suspension - like riding a hoverbike from the future. Also corners via thought control and they don't even list that on the spec sheet. On the downside the brakes bring all this to a stop, quickly.
V4 power and sound porn. So obsessed with the sound I am on my 3rd slip-on. The power is all useable and ferocious when needed. Can't wait to try 'T' Mode...….(!)
Had all makes but love how Aprilia make bikes and this one especially. No issues
Boring, boring, boring
Ride by wire, 3 x rider modes, no ABS, Traction, Voodoo etc - perfect!
Buying experience: Was in a cold sweat handing over £6K for a plaything - Absolutely worth it knowing I can die happy....
10000 MILES ON THE RSV4 FACTORY. NO PROBLEMS, NO WARRANTY CLAIMS. BEST BIKE IN THE WORLD. WORST PETROL CONSUMSION IN THE WORLD. AVERAGE 31 MILES PER GALLON. SMILES PER GALLON 10/10
Top bike no problems so far, very pleased looks & sounds great,