APRILIA RSV4 RR (2018 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £3,020 |
| Power: | 198 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (33.3 in / 845 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (450 lbs / 204 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesWhen it comes to noticeably upgrading a bike’s performance, the expensive parts are the motor, electronics and chassis. And on this score the RR is right up there with the very best sportsbikes money can buy as the APRC is staggering, that V4 beautiful and the chassis is WSB-tested and developed. The compromises Aprilia have made to keep the RR’s cost down are simple, and cheap fixes few riders will ever feel the need to alter. This bike, at this price, deserves to sell. And sell as well as any rivals, possibly even better, as it is tremendous value for money. Although like all Aprilia models, selecting neutral is still a lottery!
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineSo impressive is the RR’s chassis you don’t miss lightweight wheels and getting the Sachs suspension set up by a professional would make it perform as good as Öhlins units for 90% of riders. The RR still handles fantastically and drops into bends with minimal effort while that V4 is fantastic and sounds glorious. But taller riders will find it cramped.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityAprilia’s V4 is simply staggering, producing a claimed 198bhp with 84.9ftlb of torque to drive that rear tyre into the tarmac. It may be a few years old now, but that hasn’t taken any of the edge off its performance and it is still right up there in terms of speed, power and throttle response. And it is all connected to Aprilia’s excellent APRC electronics package to allow all levels of rider from trackday novice to GP star to make the most of it.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe early RSV4 models did suffer a few cam chain tensioner gremlins as well as various teething issues, but these are generally well sorted now and reliability shouldn’t be an issue. The finish is pleasingly good but Aprilia’s UK dealer network remains a bit limited.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe RR’s price tag places it a few hundred quid cheaper than the non-semi-active suspension Japanese inline fours (ZX-10RR, GSX-R1000R, YZF-R1, Fireblade) and a massive £3651 less than the base model Panigale V4. The BMW S1000RR Sport is £400 cheaper and comes with semi-active suspension, but you need the £600 Performance Package to match the RR’s electronics. So yes, the Aprilia is extremely good value when you consider it has a cutting-edge electronics package, amazing V4 motor and a chassis that has won three WSB titles.
Equipment
You get Sachs on the RR instead of the RSV4 RF’s Öhlins suspension and the Sachs steering damper isn’t adjustable and the wheels are cast instead of forged, but the rest of the bike is identical to the RF. You get the same V4, the same chassis, the same electronics package that boasts traction control, launch control, cruise control, ABS, power modes and even (for £250 more) the Aprilia V4-MP multimedia platform with the ability to set the bike’s electronics up corner-by-corner via a smartphone. Wow!
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 999cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 16v, DOHC, V4 |
| Frame type | Aluminium beam |
| Fuel capacity | 18.5 litres |
| Seat height | 845mm |
| Bike weight | 204kg |
| Front suspension | 43mm, Sachs forks fully-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Single Sachs rear shock, fully adjustable |
| Front brake | 2 x 330mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial monoblock calipers |
| Rear brake | 220mm single disc with two-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 200/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | - |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £121 |
| Annual service cost | £3,020 |
| New price | £15,599 |
| Used price | £11,300 |
| Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | two-years |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 198 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 84.9 ft-lb |
| Top speed | - |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
2009: Aprilia launch the RSV4 Factory and RSV4 R.
2011: The Factory Special Edition introduces the APRC electronics package
2012: The RSV4 Factory gains APRC
2013: Both models gain a larger 18.5-litre fuel tank, ABS and a new exhaust with slight engine upgrades. APRC is added to the base model.
2015: The RSV4 Factory and RSV4 R are both heavily updated and become the RF and RR.
2017: Both the RSV4 RF and RSV4 RR are made Euro4-compliant with slight updates
Other versions
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA RSV4 RR (2018 - on)
3 owners have reviewed their APRILIA RSV4 RR (2018 - on) 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 RR (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £3,020 |
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £40
Bang for buck, the best that there is!
The RSV4 has to be the most comfortable sports bike that I've ridden. Even in my 50's I can spend all day in the saddle!!
Best motorcycle engine platform ever? Absolutely!!
First RSV4 was a new 2013 Factory, 15k trouble free miles before changing it for my '19 RR.
The RSV4 has been great value from day 1, but since the introduction of the 201hp RR they are really a no brained! Do my own servicing (including the dealer expensive valve clearance adjust) so it's just the cost of materials/parts.
From 2017 the RSV4 has everything you'll ever need. If you change the exhaust you will need to install the race map, diy job these days though!
Buying experience: Bought from SP Motorcycles in Exeter, highly recommended.
Version: RR
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £6,000
What an awesome sportsbike. More exciting when compared to the common Japanese bikes and generally cheaper if you shop around. The engine is the best around in my opinion with a noise and character to make every ride exciting. Not comfortable in standard trim but it's a sports bike. I fitted raised clip ons and it has transformed the bike into something you can ride without wrist and back pain. Excellent wind protection at speed.
Brakes are the best around and the suspension feels excellent on the road. Full adjustment means you can soften off this racer a little for road use.
The soundtrack is phenomenal and the linear power delivery makes it deceptively fast whilst being easy to control. Just make sure to hang on!
Lavished with Brembo's, Bosch ECU's and other top spec components. 99% of us won't notice the Ohlins and lighter wheels so why realistically pay so much more to have them? No issues with the bike reliability wise. They have a reputation for poor reliability that is just not the case anymore, I'd say it's as good as any other superbike.
It's a superbike so you don't buy one expecting miracles. That said, it has a 6000 mile/1 year service interval and the valves need doing every 12000 miles. On one of these that will take a while to rack up. I regularly achieve low 40's MPG wise and about 150miles to a tank if not opening the taps too hard!
Cruise control, traction and wheelie control, quickshifter etc. The only thing it's missing is electronically adjustable suspension.
Buying experience: Bought from M&P in Swansea. IMO Pretty poor customer experience overall but they did try to resolve with a few things discounted. I would use again if there wasn't another better option elsewhere.
Year: 2018
Epic bike for the money. A 2nd hand bargain.
for a superbike its pretty comfy. No wind problems. Can sit at 110mph no problem. Bumps are ironed out with a plush effect. Brakes are some of the best iv had.
Main reason why I bought the bike. The sound the power delivery the soul the character.
Iv had a 2018 tuono factory and covered 6k on it in the Picos and Barcelona and didn't skip a beat. Hoping this is the same. Paint finish is superb. No signs of rust. Chain seemed cheap so I replaced with a gold one.
I paid just over 12k for it and it was 9 months old with 800 miles on the clock. Brand new is 15k with the akra and race map. Got a bargain. My 12k would've got me an older more miles panigale 1200 but I was bored of vtwins after having a few ktms and I missed my v4 from my tuono. 12k also didn't excite me in the Japanese market either. When u think about all that bling u get, the suspension, the brakes, the electronics etc. Try match that with another bike for the same money, age and miles. The range im getting to a full tank is reasonable. About 140 miles till empty. 110 for reserve. Remember its 200bhp and still better mpg than an mt10.
Everything you need and expect from a modern superbike. Only thing is missing is a fuel gauge. But still in 2020 there's brand new bikes out there that are deprived of this. Odd. But its forgivable as you just man up and use the trip computer to work it out.
