The history of the Aprilia RSV4 is one of the most fascinating motorcycle stories in the world. Built with the goal of winning on the track and in every comparative test, it has dominated for a decade, earning the approval of critics and titles in every category in which it has raced. In its most extreme evolution, it even raced in the MotoGP World Championship. 2021 Aprilia RSV4 has a long legacy.
This is the demonstration of an incredibly far-sighted design in a sector where motorcycles are the result of the best technology available to the manufacturer. The Aprilia RSV4 has been constantly updated and refined over time, consistently remaining the reference point for sportiness and performance, the best example of what can be achieved by exploiting the valuable experience of a victorious Racing Department like Aprilia’s, which in its brief history has taken 54 championship titles, including seven achieved in the world SBK championship specifically with the RSV4.
The new design of the 2021 Aprilia RSV4 is the result of a great deal of work done in terms of applied aerodynamics, confirming Aprilia’s commitment to studying increasingly complex and innovative solutions. The style, inspired by the ultra modern RS 660, and the shapes modelled in the wind tunnel allow an extremely low aerodynamic resistance coefficient, with a significant benefit in terms of performance at high speeds, also increasing the air pressure in the airbox, which all increases downforce.
The winglets are no longer an additional element on the panels but are built into the double-wall fairings, a solution that optimises stability at high speeds and simultaneously improves engine cooling, diverting the hot air flows from the rider, in addition to representing a highly aesthetic feature.
The triple LED front headlight unit, featuring perimeter DRL lights represents the lighting signature of Aprilia sportbikes and includes the “bending lights” function: the pair of supplementary lights that illuminate the inside of the turn, increasing visibility when cornering.
The ergonomics are entirely new and improved thanks to the new fuel tank and the new saddle that allow the rider to fit perfectly with the fairings, more onboard space and a more natural and relaxed riding position. The electrical controls are more functional and intuitive, and the new TFT instrumentation is larger and more complete. Thanks to the new Marelli 11MP ECU and the new, six-axis inertial platform, both more powerful, electronic management has improved with control of the full Ride-by-Wire throttle and the APRC operating logic has also been refined.
The exclusive suite of Aprilia electronic controls has also been completed with the introduction of the multi-level engine brake control. There are now six Riding Modes, three for the track (including two customisable) and three for the road (including one customisable): the rider just needs to choose the Riding Mode that best interprets his or her riding needs to automatically obtain the best settings in terms of Traction Control, Wheelie Control, engine brake, ABS and the other managed parameters.
The ultra-fine chassis architecture, heir to a victorious dynasty that boasts 18 world titles and 143 Grand Prix races in the 250 class, has undergone a drastic change with the new swingarm, lighter and with a reinforced lower brace, inspired by the one on the Aprilia RS-GP used in MotoGP, designed to lower masses and increase the stability of the rear end in acceleration.
The first mass-produced, high-performance narrow V4 in the world, the most revolutionary and powerful engine ever built by Aprilia, despite the Euro 5 emissions approval, gains more torque and confirms its exceptional maximum power level of 217 HP, thanks to targeted operations that include the new exhaust system and the increased effective engine displacement, previously 1,077 cc and now 1,099 cc.
Two versions are available: 2021 Aprilia RSV4 (only in the Dark Losail colour scheme) and 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory (in the two Aprilia Black and Lava Red colour schemes). Both versions are powered by the revamped 1,099 cc V4 engine, but they can be distinguished by the standard equipment which, for the Factory, includes forged aluminium wheel rims, the semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension system and the Brembo Stylema brake callipers.
Engine type Aprilia longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid
cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC),
four valves per cylinder
Bore and stroke 81 x 52.3 mm
Total engine capacity 1077 cc (999.6 cc)
Compression ratio 13.6:1
Maximum power at crankshaft 217 HP (159.6 kW) at 13,200 rpm
Maximum torque at crankshaft 122 Nm at 11,000 rpm
Fuel system Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Marelli 48-mm
throttle bodies with 8 injectors and latest generation
Ride-By-Wire engine management.
Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the
rider with bike in motion: Track, Sport, Race
Ignition Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system
integrated in engine control system, with one spark
plug per cylinder and “stick-coil”-type coils
Starter Electrical
Exhaust 4 into 2 into 1 layout, two lambda probes, lateral single
silencer with ECU-controlled bypass valve and
integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 4)
Alternator Flywheel mounted 450 W alternator with rare earth
magnets
Lubrication Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two
oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)
Transmission 6-speed cassette type gearbox
1st: 39/15 (2.600)
2nd: 33/16 (2.063)
3rd: 34/20 (1.700)
4th: 31/21 (1.476)
5th: 34/26 (1.307)
6th: 33/27 (1.222) Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)
Clutch Multi plate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system
Primary drive Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1,659) Secondary drive Chain: Drive ratio: 41/16 (2.562)
Traction management APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control),
which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control
(ACC) and speed limiter (APT), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently
Frame Aluminium dual beam chassis with pressed and cast
sheet elements Available adjustments:
• headstock position and rake
• engine height
• swingarm pin height
Smart EC 2.0 electronically managed Öhlins steering
damper
Front suspension Smart EC 2.0 electronically managed Öhlins NIX fork.
Æ 43 mm stanchions, with TIN surface
treatment.;Aluminium radial calliper mounting bracket.
Adjustable spring pre-load and hydraulic compression
and rebound damping. 125 mm wheel travel
Rear suspension Double braced aluminium swingarm; mixed low
thickness and sheet casting technology.
Öhlins TTX monoshock with Smart EC 2.0
electronically managed piggy-back, fully adjustable in:
spring pre-load, wheelbase and hydraulic compression
and rebound damping. 115 mm wheel travel.
Brakes Front: Dual 330-mm diameter floating stainless steel
disc with lightweight stainless steel rotor and
aluminium flange with 6 pins. Brembo Stylema®
monobloc radial callipers with 4 Æ 30 mm opposing
pistons. Sintered pads. Radial pump and metal braided
brake hose
Rear: 220 mm diameter disc; Brembo calliper with two
Æ 32 mm separate pistons. Sintered pads. Pump with
integrated tank and metal braided hose
Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with cornering function, adjustable
to 3 maps equipped with RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up
Mitigation) (can be disabled).
Wheels Forged aluminium alloy wheels, completely machined,
with 5 split spoke design.
Front: 3.5”x17”
Rear: 6”x17”
Tyres Radial tubeless.
front: 120/70 ZR 17
rear: 200/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 190/55ZR 17)
Dimensions Wheelbase: 1439 mm
Length: 2052 mm
Width: 735 mm
Saddle height: 851 mm
Headstock angle: 24.5°
Trail: 103.8 mm
Dry weight
Kerb weight
177 kg
199 kg with a full tank
Consumption 6.50 litres/100 km
CO2 emissions 155 g/km
Fuel tank capacity 18.5 litres (including 4-litre reserve)
