APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY SE (2010 - 2012) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £50 |
Power: | 180 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (33.3 in / 845 mm) |
Weight: | Low (395 lbs / 179 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIt might look like a common or garden 180bhp V4 Aprilia RSV4 Factory, but this special edition version (only 350 are being made, 50 to come to the UK) has moved road-going superbikes on as much as the BMW S1000RR did. It’s loaded with cutting-edge electronic riding aids, which make you faster and safer. Its new traction and wheelie control systems never get in the way of your riding, they enhance it. Add to that the best electronic quickshifter fitted to a road bike and launch control and the SE is a truly phenomenal, ground-breaking machine.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineWith its Ohlins suspension, Brembo radial brakes, a stiff compact chassis and a new 200/55 section Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa rear tyre the SE can be made to handle magnificently on the track. The electronic riding aids help to make the riding experience even better. The traction control has eight settings, which can be controlled via plus and minus paddles on the left handlebar. The traction control never holds you back, like on BMW and Ducati systems, it just meters out the exact amount of power you need for the conditions and never gets in the way. It’s super-smooth and you barely know it’s there working for you.
The three-stage anti-wheelie is just as smooth, it doesn’t hold you back coming out of corners, it just meters out the power you need and lets the front wheel hover a few inches off the ground. Both systems let you concentrate more on the business of riding. The quickshifter is brilliantly smooth and again saves your energy. The three-stage launch control holds the bike at 10,000rpm with the throttle against the stop, you just feed the clutch out and let the electronics take care of the rest.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 180bhp 999.6cc V4 motor is breathed on to improve cooling and lubrication and the gearbox has its first three gears clustered closer together. These changes aren’t noticeable in isolation, but the engine is a corker anyway, producing loads of midrange grunt, a searing top end rush and a wailing soundtrack straight out of MotoGP. The motor also has variable height inlet trumpets and the latest evolution of Aprilia’s ride-by-wire system, which is used in conjunction with an internal gyro and wheelspeed sensors to control the electronic riding aids. There’s also three power maps to choose from: Road, Sport and Track.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe SE is beautifully put together and nicely finished. Aprilia reliability is excellent too.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIt’s an old cliché and the goalposts are always changing, but this is the closest you can buy to a factory WSB machine and worth every penny. Find an Aprilia RSV4 for sale.
Equipment
Fully-loaded with the best suspension and braking components, cutting-edge electronics, tyres, a dual readout dash (race and road) and that’s before you talk about the superbly-honed chassis and engine. There’s nothing you’d need to change when taking the SE from showroom to track. Compare and buty parts for the RSV4 in the MCN Shop.
Specs |
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Engine size | 998cc |
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Engine type | 16v, V4 |
Frame type | Twin spar ali frame |
Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
Seat height | 845mm |
Bike weight | 179kg |
Front suspension | 43mm Ohlins forks, fully-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Single Ohlins shock, fully-adjustable |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs with Brembo monobloc four-piston radial caliper. |
Rear brake | 220mm disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper. |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 31 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £50 |
New price | - |
Used price | £6,200 |
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 | 124 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Model introduced in 2010
Other versions
Aprilia RSV4R
Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2010 - 2012)
2 owners have reviewed their APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY (2010 - 2012) 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 (2010 - 2012)
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: | £50 |
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £50
A symphony of sound, power and handling that is way over the top for British roads. Good luck
Well comfy, its not a Harley is it...... Strap in & hang on....... Gets better and easier the faster you go, as I said the roads aren't up to it
Stonking torque
Bought with some corrosion, cleaned up like a new pin.
Early days, new oil & filter, some crash bungs
Still the only production bike ever made with adjustable frame geometry. Ohlins, forged wheels, full electronics, carbon and an allen key under the seat hump. Recommend a taller screen, but only if your lazy
Buying experience: Swallowed hard parting with £6K for a toy Liked it so much I bought another as a spare
I brought the RSV4 APRC SE in april and after the running in period i rode it on a track day at Snetterton using all the modes and traction control levels from 8 down to 1 and i was totally amazed at the way the bike makes you ride above the level i would have rode on say the zx9r and r1 i normally ride and been spat off! confidence inspiring.