First test of RSV V4!

[atadaskew]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/aprilia/2009-aprilia-rsv4-factory-review-88146.html

Wonder how it compares to a Desmocideci..

[atypical1]

Well, we kinda know how it compares to the 1098RS  

I kid...I kid...I love Aprilia's and I'm really looking forward to seeing one in person.

james

[atadaskew]

Hey! No hating here!  Where do you think you are, the Honda forum?

 

[Orson]

I think I am officially old  

5 years ago...I'd be drooling all over this...

Now I find myself asking if they'll introduce a de-tuned sport touring version  

[atadaskew]

They're gonna do that with the new Futura.

[BizJetGuy]

They're gonna do that with the new Futura.

One can only dream.

My feel is that Piaggio has placed the MG Norge in their ST niche.  I don't see them creating another ST bike that would compete internally.

I'd be all over that V4 Futura, though...

[Oddball]

One can only dream.

I'd be all over that V4 Futura, though...

Not me, I love twins and the Futura is paid for and the best bike for me that I have ridden.

[desert_rider]

I looked up price: US$26,375.

[Orson]

I looked up price: US$26,375.

I wonder how that compares in 1969 Dollars, when Honda released the CB-750  

[Ape Factory]

The price in the U.S. has not been set yet.  One cannot simply convert Euros or British Pounds to USD.  Best guestimate is the Factory coming in just below the 1198S here in the states. It's priced below the 1198S everywhere else.

Oh and it won Masterbike this year.  Beat the next closest bike by more than a second.  The 1198S wasn't even close.  

If you're fluent in Spanish:
http://www.zinio.com/browse/issues/index.jsp?skuId=416078389

[MilleArp]

"Summary:
The Aprilia RSV4 Factory is one of the most exciting superbikes for the road that I have ever ridden. It really is hardcore and suits only experienced sportbike riders. I had a lot of fun circulating Misano on a gorgeous day and am happy to say that I got a thorough test in one piece. Once again Aprilia has proven that it is the true chassis expert and don’t underestimate how important this is on the RSV4 Factory. The stupendously powerful V65 is impressive and perhaps a little scary on top. The fact that Aprilia has designed this engine from scratch in-house is also impressive and deserves congratulations. If you know how to ride fast around a racetrack this is the choice for you, if not then stay away."


DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOL ! ! ! ! !

 

 

 

 

.

[thatguy]

I keep trying to ignore this bike.But the impeccable manners of my Tuono with 180 HP is just fascinating.

[Ape Factory]

They're coming out with a Tuono version too, probably within one to two years.  Streetfighter what?  

[UFO]

I think I am officially old  

5 years ago...I'd be drooling all over this...

Now I find myself asking if they'll introduce a de-tuned sport touring version  

 

Beautiful bike, but not my cup-o-tea for a daily rider...assuming I had any time to...ride...and stuff.

[Ape Factory]

They've also stated the engine has room to be enlarged, I believe out to almost 1200cc.  Which would make it ripe for a sport touring monster.

[Aero]

I caught a quick look at MCN (UK) yesterday and they had a test of the RSV V4 there. The bottom line appeared to be that it was a little too focused on top end performance, not very smooth at low revs and basically a racer with lights. 'A flawed gem' was one phrase they used. Looking at the website today however, they seem much more positive about it although it is clear that the RSV V4 is no tourer.
Some good news is that a lower-spec (cheaper) version, the RSV4-R is to be launched at the end of 2009.
Maybe a Futura version in 2010?

[Ape Factory]

Someone on the Aprilia forum from the UK actually talked to the guy who wrote the article.  Most of the article can be seen on issuu.com, btw.  But anyway, apparently, they discovered the gas had a bunch of dirt in it, like it hadn't been filtered at the gas station, and that was the cause of the bike's problems at low revs.  He actually apologized for the article's title too.  Often copy editors and page designers, people who know nothing about the bike, write the headline.

They have an upcoming shootout of the RSV4 against the R1 and they're actually going to mention it in the article.  Hope they name the gas, er petrol station!

With that said, any of the "flaws" they listed could be applied to any modern sportbike.  But you're right, it's not a touring bike.

Here's a preview of the article:
http://issuu.com/motorcyclenews/docs/mcn060509

[keppyou812]

I can't wait for that engine in a Touno package...  

 

[atypical1]

But you're right, it's not a touring bike.

And thank God for that.

james

[Mr Sunshine]

My picturs of the bike.    Oh and I got to sit on it.

http://burgifamily.smugmug.com/gallery/8407875_KuTRs#552039021_rS3eV

[kevin_stevens]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/aprilia/2009-aprilia-rsv4-factory-review-88146.html

Wonder how it compares to a Desmocideci..

Hmm.  A peaky V4!  I'm sure Larry will be right along to explain to us how it's all in the reviewer's imagination.  

KeS

[KMAX]

The factory RSV4 MSRP is supposed to be around 20K.  The "base" Model somewhere around 15.

[Busy Little Whiner]

Hmm.  A peaky V4!  I'm sure Larry will be right along to explain to us how it's all in the reviewer's imagination.  

KeS

What's to explain KeS... get in the saddle yourself and see if the new V4 gives you it all... namely a bottom
end plod, midrange drive and top end rush...

[sammyseaman]

They're gonna do that with the new Futura.

Now that pisses me off! I love my Sprint but I'm getting the "three year itch" for a new bike and here comes the rumors of a new Aprilia Futura. Feck!    

[atadaskew]

Now that pisses me off! I love my Sprint but I'm getting the "three year itch" for a new bike and here comes the rumors of a new Aprilia Futura. Feck!    

I made that bit up.  Would be nice though..

[sammyseaman]

I made that bit up.  Would be nice though..

I've been real close to pulling the trigger on a Futura in the past. If Aprilia comes out with a new one and doesn't "Honda price it" I don't think I'll be able to resist.

[Snowbird]

Not me, I love twins and the Futura is paid for and the best bike for me that I have ridden.

I wonder whether the added complexity and manufacturing cost of a V4 is worthwhile for a sport-tourer. I think I'd prefer some of the cost to be put into other areas, like better, more consistent QC. I have an '01 and an '03 Futura and I can say that Aprilia dropped the bar a bit between the two years of bikes.

Self-cancelling signals would be nice. A line of accessories would be nice; things like a luggage rack.  

I would also like a larger V2 engine with more torque so long as the bike geometry was set up to make all wheelies intentional. Belt drive or an enclosed chain (protecting the chain while riding in rain) would be welcome.

Lastly, some of the $savings$ could be put toward producing a lighter bike; say 450 pounds wet with bags and luggage rack installed.... while still allowing at least another 450 pounds of passengers and gear.

[Orson]

Self-cancelling signals would be nice. A line of accessories would be nice; things like a luggage rack.  

whut are yew? A first time eye-talian bike owner?  

You'll take whut you get and you'll like it!  

Germans try to draw between the lines. Italians are like Jackson Pollock. They fling stuff at the canvas and see whut turns up  

[Snowbird]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/aprilia/2009-aprilia-rsv4-factory-review-88146.html

Wonder how it compares to a Desmocideci..

Have you read the comparo in the Aug. '09 Cycle World? The Aprilia RSV4 Factory was way out ahead of everything else in the test, including an 1198S. It won Best Superbike as well in the same issue. And you could have three RSV4s for the same price as the Desmocideci.

[Snowbird]

whut are yew? A first time eye-talian bike owner?  

You'll take whut you get and you'll like it!  

Germans try to draw between the lines. Italians are like Jackson Pollock. They fling stuff at the canvas and see whut turns up  

Hmmmokay.    

Aprilia produced the exact bike I was asking for at the time on Compuserve's motorcycle forum and I bought one of the first brought to the US after being one of the first to place a deposit, way back in 2000. Well, actually I did not place a deposit; the dealer promised me the first one. But I did get one of the free t-shirts Aprilia released to those who had deposits and were impatiently waiting for the bike that was delayed several times.

So, at least the old, pre-bankruptcy Aprilia was responsive to customers.  

[Orson]

So, at least the old, pre-bankruptcy Aprilia was responsive to customers.  

fuggedaboutit...they just happened to make sumthin you liked

there is no plan  

[Snowbird]

fuggedaboutit...they just happened to make sumthin you liked

there is no plan  

No, no, no.... not a plan!?   

I suppose there's no shirt, either? 

 

[atadaskew]

Have you read the comparo in the Aug. '09 Cycle World? The Aprilia RSV4 Factory was way out ahead of everything else in the test, including an 1198S. It won Best Superbike as well in the same issue. And you could have three RSV4s for the same price as the Desmocideci.

No, but I will go look for it.  Thanks!

[sammyseaman]

Have you read the comparo in the Aug. '09 Cycle World? The Aprilia RSV4 Factory was way out ahead of everything else in the test, including an 1198S. It won Best Superbike as well in the same issue. And you could have three RSV4s for the same price as the Desmocideci.

Just got it in the mail last night. Me want, me want  

[Snowbird]

And, of course, you could also buy nearly two R1s for the price of an RSV V4.

[sammyseaman]

Buzzkill  

[atadaskew]

And, of course, you could also buy nearly two R1s for the price of an RSV V4.

So you'll have two bikes worse than the RSV V4.  Great.

[Ape Factory]

2 R1's at 12K+ plus the mandatory exhaust and you're probably looking at $26K.  The RSV4, $20K.  You saved $6K  and have a faster bike to boot.

[BizJetGuy]

Thread revival...

I got to hear, see and sit on the RSV4 at the Aprilia owners BBQ at Indy over the weekend and it's a pretty amazing machine.  I'm still looking for my camera cable so I can download some pics.