Aprilia RSV4 Factory Model Road DESIGN. The quest for ultimate compactness
Creating the most compact, innovative and gorgeous supersport bike on the market: a tough and intriguing challenge for Aprilia's style department! This is how RSV4 Factory was created, a motorcycle that sets new performance and riding standards while opening new horizons in ultra-sports motorcycle design. Just a few simple and distinctive styling elements highlight rather than conceal the specific technical features of the Aprilia RSV4 Factory. Its frame and engine stand out as fundamental elements of the motorbike's design.
Aprilia RSV4 Factory Model Road In line with Aprilia traditions, the design of RSV4 Factory does not focus merely on looks but it serves technology and performance. Every detail has been conceived not just to be unique and beautiful, but also and above all to be efficient.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The needs of the optimised dynamic intake system feeding the V4 defined the strong-charactered front, with extra-large air intakes that not only develop considerable overpressure in the airbox (approx. 35 mb @ 280 km/h), but also completely separate the headlamps from the bottom of the fairing. This results in an absolutely unique style, never seen before on a sports motorcycle. The look of the RSV4 Factory is absolutely original, technological and definitely aggressive. The triple headlamp cites the original Aprilia maxi sportsbike, that RSV that set new standards for sports twins in 1998.
RSV4 Factory Model Road Smaller, lower and narrower than any 4 cylinder bike before,the RSV4 Factory's extreme compactness is its strength, together with an almost obsessive pursuit of perfect ergonomics (crucial for perfect riding control), which has always distinguished Aprilia's road and World Championship dominating motorcycles. In depth aerodynamic studies minimised surfaces without compromising the bike's class-leading aerodynamics. The spectacular, ultra-compact tail fairing is one of the most distinctive features of this motorcycle. The LED taillight merges stunningly into the tail, offering excellent luminosity. Even the rear of the RSV4 Factory is absolutely unmistakable.
Aprilia RSV4 Factory Model Road ENGINE. An exclusive 65° V4
The pursuit of maximum engine performance in a supersport motorcycle must be accompanied by a perfectly positioned engine in the frame. Mass centralisation, swingarm length and optimum weight distribution are ingredients for achieving the most competitive bike, together with the pursuit of maximum power and perfect power delivery.
RSV4 Factory Model Road engineers have known for years that a narrow V engine layout is the ideal technical solution for obtaining a class-beating chassis architecture that emphasises the performance of the engine. It is no coincidence that the RSV 1000 twin, launched in 1998, is still universally acknowledged as the sports motorcycle with the best chassis ever. Even the multiple race-winning RSA 250 GP motorcycles (5 world championship victories in the last three seasons) produced by Aprilia's race division have a V engine. Aprilia was able to draw from its extensive expertise gained in years of unrivalled supremacy in the Motorcycle World Championship; hence, when the time for defining the new Superbike came, after evaluating all possible solutions, a narrow V engine was chosen. A 65° V-4 cylinder engine, the only solution that could ensure unparalleled performance, enabling the outstanding chassis architecture that has defined all Aprilia racing motorcycles for the past twenty years.
Aprilia Besides the exclusive configuration that makes the 65° V4 unique around the world, the technical advantages of the Aprilia four-cylinder engine can be summarised as follows:
RSV4 Factory Model Road The engine was entirely developed by Aprilia's Research and Development Division, aiming at offering record performance and ridability in compliance with the strictest reliability and quality standards. Aprilia's V4 design exploited the most powerful calculation programmes currently available on the market, resulting in a highly optimised engine layout. By slightly opening the angle of the V (with respect to a 60° V engine), the designers could make use of the larger space to optimise the inlet ducts and maximise engine efficiency. The RSV4 engine has class-leading fluid dynamics attributes that no narrow V engine can match.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The unique timing system makes extremely compact heads possible (measuring only 250 mm high at the rear), especially in the area beneath the frame spars, which are thus much narrower than would otherwise be possible. The lateral timing chain drives the intake camshaft only and follows an optimised path for improved timing precision and chain durability.
RSV4 Factory Model Road A gear pair at the centre of the cylinder bank transmits drive to the exhaust camshaft. This solution made it possible to obtain an extremely compact head in the exhaust area. The V4 is even more compact than the V60 Magnesium twin mounted on the RSV 1000 R.
A countershaft dampens vibrations even more than in a 90° V engine. The crankcase is a monobloc configuration with integrated cylinder liners for maximum rigidity and consistent performance.
RSV4 Factory Model Road Electronics of the Future
Aprilia's RSV4 Factory engine features full Ride by Wire technology. There is no direct connection between throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are completely controlled by a latest generation Marelli control unit.
Each bank has a dedicated servo unit actuating the two relevant throttle bodies only. Hence the two banks, and subsequently the quantity of fuel injected, can be managed independently. While this solution has been tried and tested by Aprilia, it has never been applied before on such a powerful engine, thus opening up practically infinite possibilities for power delivery control. This technology immediately benefits the rider who, thanks to the triple mapping that can be controlled directly from the handlebar, can change the engine delivery mode and thus the motorcycle's temperament at any time.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The fuel supply uses two injectors per cylinder:one injector is placed downstream of the throttle valve and a "shower" injector is placed in the airbox and starts working at high loads and revs. The technological excellence of the V4 engine is complemented by electronically controlled variable length intake ducts. At low revs and loads, the long duct favours torque and smooth power delivery. When top performance is required, the upper part of the intake duct raises, thus shortening the duct and leaving the engine free to express its full power potential. A butterfly valve in the exhaust further optimises power delivery.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The transmission was also designed according to the most advanced criteria. To underscore the racing soul of the V4 engine, a cassette gearbox is used, with a multiplate wet clutch disc equipped with a mechanical slipper system to optimise engine braking torque and ensure stability under hard braking.
Lastly, in order to minimise weight, Aprilia's new engine makes large use of ultralight materials; all valve covers and external housings are made from magnesium.
Aprilia RSV4 Factory Model Road ENGINE. An exclusive 65° V4
The pursuit of maximum engine performance in a supersport motorcycle must be accompanied by a perfectly positioned engine in the frame. Mass centralisation, swingarm length and optimum weight distribution are ingredients for achieving the most competitive bike, together with the pursuit of maximum power and perfect power delivery.
RSV4 Factory Model Road engineers have known for years that a narrow V engine layout is the ideal technical solution for obtaining a class-beating chassis architecture that emphasises the performance of the engine. It is no coincidence that the RSV 1000 twin, launched in 1998, is still universally acknowledged as the sports motorcycle with the best chassis ever. Even the multiple race-winning RSA 250 GP motorcycles (5 world championship victories in the last three seasons) produced by Aprilia's race division have a V engine. Aprilia was able to draw from its extensive expertise gained in years of unrivalled supremacy in the Motorcycle World Championship; hence, when the time for defining the new Superbike came, after evaluating all possible solutions, a narrow V engine was chosen. A 65° V-4 cylinder engine, the only solution that could ensure unparalleled performance, enabling the outstanding chassis architecture that has defined all Aprilia racing motorcycles for the past twenty years.
Aprilia Besides the exclusive configuration that makes the 65° V4 unique around the world, the technical advantages of the Aprilia four-cylinder engine can be summarised as follows:
- Perfectly integrated into the frame, with optimal mass centralisation and minimised inertia for benchmark agility.
- Absolute slimness, its overall width is comparable to that of a twin cylinder motorcycle, with huge benefits in terms of ergonomics and aerodynamics.
- The compactness of the engine makes a very oversquare cylinder layout possible, using large bores and subsequently larger valves, helping the engine breathe more freely and achieve higher engine speeds (14,000 usable rpm).
RSV4 Factory Model Road The engine was entirely developed by Aprilia's Research and Development Division, aiming at offering record performance and ridability in compliance with the strictest reliability and quality standards. Aprilia's V4 design exploited the most powerful calculation programmes currently available on the market, resulting in a highly optimised engine layout. By slightly opening the angle of the V (with respect to a 60° V engine), the designers could make use of the larger space to optimise the inlet ducts and maximise engine efficiency. The RSV4 engine has class-leading fluid dynamics attributes that no narrow V engine can match.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The unique timing system makes extremely compact heads possible (measuring only 250 mm high at the rear), especially in the area beneath the frame spars, which are thus much narrower than would otherwise be possible. The lateral timing chain drives the intake camshaft only and follows an optimised path for improved timing precision and chain durability.
RSV4 Factory Model Road A gear pair at the centre of the cylinder bank transmits drive to the exhaust camshaft. This solution made it possible to obtain an extremely compact head in the exhaust area. The V4 is even more compact than the V60 Magnesium twin mounted on the RSV 1000 R.
A countershaft dampens vibrations even more than in a 90° V engine. The crankcase is a monobloc configuration with integrated cylinder liners for maximum rigidity and consistent performance.
RSV4 Factory Model Road Electronics of the Future
Aprilia's RSV4 Factory engine features full Ride by Wire technology. There is no direct connection between throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are completely controlled by a latest generation Marelli control unit.
Each bank has a dedicated servo unit actuating the two relevant throttle bodies only. Hence the two banks, and subsequently the quantity of fuel injected, can be managed independently. While this solution has been tried and tested by Aprilia, it has never been applied before on such a powerful engine, thus opening up practically infinite possibilities for power delivery control. This technology immediately benefits the rider who, thanks to the triple mapping that can be controlled directly from the handlebar, can change the engine delivery mode and thus the motorcycle's temperament at any time.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The fuel supply uses two injectors per cylinder:one injector is placed downstream of the throttle valve and a "shower" injector is placed in the airbox and starts working at high loads and revs. The technological excellence of the V4 engine is complemented by electronically controlled variable length intake ducts. At low revs and loads, the long duct favours torque and smooth power delivery. When top performance is required, the upper part of the intake duct raises, thus shortening the duct and leaving the engine free to express its full power potential. A butterfly valve in the exhaust further optimises power delivery.
RSV4 Factory Model Road The transmission was also designed according to the most advanced criteria. To underscore the racing soul of the V4 engine, a cassette gearbox is used, with a multiplate wet clutch disc equipped with a mechanical slipper system to optimise engine braking torque and ensure stability under hard braking.
Lastly, in order to minimise weight, Aprilia's new engine makes large use of ultralight materials; all valve covers and external housings are made from magnesium.
- The V4 engine in short:
- Engine capacity: 999.6 cc
- Architecture: 65° V4
- Power: 180 HP (132.4 kW) at 12,500 rpm
- Crankcase: monobloc with integrated cylinder liners
- Timing system: 4 valves per cylinder (Titanium and Nymonic) operated directly by a camshaft driven by a mixed chain/gear system (lateral timing chain, central gear train)
- Fuel system: Magneti Marelli electronic injection with 2 injectors per cylinder and integrated independent Ride by Wire system for each bank. Three mappings selectable from handlebar. Electronically controlled variable length intake ducts
- Antivibration countershaft
- Maximum rpm: 14,100 rpm
- Compression ratio: 13:1
- Transmission: 6-speed direct-control cassette gearbox
- Clutch: multiplate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system
- Exhaust system: 4 into 2 into 1 headers with oxygen sensor and single silencer with integrated catalytic converter and butterfly valve.
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