First Look: 2021 Aprilia RSV4

Published: January 15, 2021

Bigger engine, all-new bodywork and heaps of chassis and electronic tweaks for Aprilia’s high-end superbike

We’re big fans of the Aprilia RSV4 here – especially the 2019-on 1100 version. It’s a proper weapon on track, with top-notch chassis kit, stunning power and torque, and one of the best electronic riding aids packages around.

And now for 2021, the Noale firm has given the RSV4 a hefty makeover, with a bigger 1,099cc engine (up from 1,077cc), all-new bodywork with the old stick-out aerodynamic wings swapped for a double-layered aero-fairing, and a new, lighter swingarm, based on the RS-GP MotoGP unit.

We’ve just got early details from Aprilia, so no word on how they’ve bumped up the capacity, but we’re thinking it might be a slightly longer stroke, since the peak power is the same at 217bhp and the gains are in midrange torque. The motor is also now Euro5 emissions compliant, so the extra capacity might have been needed to maintain the power through those new restrictions.

Aprilia RSV4
Aprilia RSV4

The new bodywork incorporates a number of updates – there are new LED cornering headlights, a new fuel tank and a new seating position with more space for bigger riders. And wind tunnel testing helped the engineers develop more aerodynamic fairing panels that reduce drag at speed, while increasing downforce, and also boost air pressure fed into the engine airbox.

The APRC rider aids package is expanded, with six rider modes now available – three track three road. Two of the track modes are fully customisable for the perfect setup of traction, ABS, wheelie control and on the Factory version, the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension. The TFT colour dash is bigger, and a new six-axis IMU and Marelli 11MP ECU gives even more computing power to keep you upright and get around a track even faster…

There are two versions of the new machine, the RSV4 in the Dark Losail colour scheme, and the RSV4 Factory. The Factory comes in two colour schemes, Aprilia Black and Lava Red, and comes with forged aluminium wheel rims, semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 electronic suspension system and Brembo Stylema brake calipers. Both versions come with the new 1,099cc motor.

No word on price or availability just yet – more, as ever, when we get it. And we’ll be aiming to ride the new RSV4 as soon as we can get our hands on one…

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