2015 EICMA: Aprilia RSV4 RF
The Aprilia RSV4 is a favorite among the MO staff, even if the limited edition RF version (UPDATE: while the RF will be a limited edition model elsewhere, its numbers will not be limited for the U.S. market) narrowly lost our six-bike Superbike shootout by the slimmest of margins. At EICMA 2015, however, Aprilia has announced that the up-spec RF version will receive further updates.
Aprilia realize it has one hell of a motorcycle already, so sweeping changes aren’t being made. Instead, the RF sees an Ohlins shock with revised spring rates and rebound calibration “more suited to sustain the work loads generated by using professional track tires,” says Aprilia.
The other change comes in the form of telemetry, a feature becoming more and more prevalent among top-shelf sportbikes. Here too, Aprilia’s V4-MP (Multimedia Platform) is one of the more advanced in the business, and for 2016 it will come standard on RSV4 RF models. The V4-MP utilizes your smartphone to connect your RSV4 RF to the web. From there, the phone becomes an onboard computer which can make setting changes to the motorcycle, plus give real time tips on how to improve your track performance. Some of the more prominent features of the V4-MP include:
- Active electronic setup: this is as close as you can get to the “corner-by-corner” electronic management used in racing. Using the GPS feature of your smartphone, the system recognizes the position of the bike at any given time on the track and automatically changes the electronic adjustments (traction control and anti-wheelie) based on rider selected settings, corner by corner. This allows you to increase safety and effectiveness on the track, adjusting the control parameters at every point on the circuit and without distractions.
- Adaptive race assistant: this feature provides tips in real time to safely take the best advantage of your RSV4. The application compares rider performance to the best lap on the track in real time and assists by immediately indicating how to gradually improve performance.
- Advanced telemetry dashboard: this is a “virtual” dashboard that lets you use your smartphone’s display to see, not only all the information on the standard instrument cluster, but also numerous other parameters acquired by the bike’s telemetry such as, for example: instant power distributed to the driveshaft; instant torque distributed to the driveshaft; percentage of power available; rear wheel thrust; rear wheel slippage; longitudinal and lateral acceleration (G-G diagram); lean angle.
Lastly, both the RR and RF models get new graphics for 2016. The RR will now be available in Bucine grey and Ascari black, both colors are matte on a black and grey base, with red wheels. RR models are also available with an optional Race Pack that includes forged wheels and Ohlins suspension. The limited edition RF model, of which only 500 will be produced, retains the Superpole graphic from last year, but with slightly different graphic designs.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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My understanding (what I have heard) is that they went with a 1.05 spring and put the optional valve in from Ohlins to near-match the TTX spec. Otherwise? Same bike minus the build # stamp on the triple-clamp. I have #76/200 for N.A.