2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory review

There are not too many negatives with the RSV4 Factory. First you have to remind yourself that it’s more of a racebike than a sports bike so no prizes for stating it’s not for touring as there is no luggage carrying capabilities – although a back pack might help. There is a miniscule pillion seat that can be utilised but it is an afterthought. One look at it and your pillion might skulk off realising the chances of a ride are less than minimal – it’s a race bike with lights for heaven’s sake! Then there is that muffler but I guarantee many will be replaced with the optional Akrapovic system.

Already the first three shipments have been sold out without so much as a test ride reflecting how much anticipation has surrounded the bike in the four years it has taken the RSV4 to become reality.

A word of warning though as this bike is definitely NOT for in-experienced riders. That includes mature riders returning to the sport after a number of years away as although the bike is forgiving it wouldn’t take too long for someone to get completely out of shape. If not fully focused on the job at hand things can happen remarkably quickly so think long and hard if you wish to buy a race replica weapon as the RSV4 Factory is, arguably, as close to the real thing you will experience.

At the end of my unfortunately brief tenure with my new girl I was getting so comfortable in the saddle and comprehending its personality and user friendliness that I was hard pressed to give it back. An absolutely breath taking bit of kit.

What Aprilia have managed to achieve in the release of the RSV4 is remarkable and all the more impressive considering how the Aprilia factory have managed to transfer the performance of a bike that Max Biaggi wins world superbike races (and win in the standard FIM Superstock 1000 class) in its first year to be such a user friendly road bike. However it won’t assist in your licence retention capabilities!

The four years development has been well spent and the factory has produced a motorcycle that will go down as one of the classic sportsbikes of all times. The $32,490 (+ORC) may be out of range to many people but if there is one indulgence in your bike riding life the Aprilia RSV4 Factory has to be right up the top of the list for consideration.

Truthfully, the RSV4 knocks the contenders out of the ring and has proven in its first year of SBK competition how successful and competent it is. 2010 will consolidate its championship winning capabilities – the same will happen on the road

The bottom line? This is the best sportsbike I have ever ridden.

Magnificent, stunning, stirring, unbelievable; the adjectives are still bouncing around in my head suffice to say, I want one!

- Bracksy

Note: The suspension was set at Aprilia and was ready to go when I picked it up. On the front there were two more turns on the pre-load and the compression and rebound damping set 10 clicks out. On the rear it was standard preload with 10 clicks out for the comp while the rebound was fettled to 15 clicks out.

I had no reason to change any as the roads are pretty ordinary and no amount of dialling is going to make it perfect.

Besides, in my short few days that I had it in my possession the more I rode it the more I loved it. If I had another week with the bike then I am certain I would’ve made changes but for the 800 kilometres I did ride I was happy to run the RSV4 with the settings the bike was supplied.

Specs/details next page!