Aprilia’s RSV4 RR and RF are some of the best liter
bikes that money can buy, period. And while 2018 only sees a change in paint
schemes for the standard models, I don’t think that their top spots in the
literbike class will be changing.
You can’t blame Aprilia for leaving the core of the
RSV4 unchanged either. The beastly 65-degree, V-four 999 cc engine produces a
claimed class-leading 201 horsepower, and its Aprilia Performance Ride Control
(aPRC) electronics package does wonders of keeping it all in control. Combine
that with the impressive handling of its chassis and Sachs suspension bits
(Öhlins components on RF model), and the new Bucine grey and Ascari black paint
schemes with red rims start to look pretty darn good.
New paint, that’s all for the RSV4 and RSV4 RF. It’s
not like it needed much more than that anyway, as it’s easily one of our
favorite superbikes. The exciting news for 2018 is the availability to purchase
an updated Factory Works kit to reduce weight, boost horsepower, and improving
aerodynamics to further improve the RSV4’s racetrack prowess. The package
includes an Arapovič racing exhaust, a racing-inspired cylinder head kit,
camshafts with a friction-reducing surface treatment as well as a flashed ECU
with revised racetrack settings—the result is an added four horsepower. In
addition to stripping the RSV4 of its street parts, a lithium-ion battery and
carbon fiber bits can drop the weight of the RSV4 by as much as 20 pounds.
Aprilia has not released any prices or availability
dates for the bikes or kit, but a call to your Aprilia dealer would probably
answer your questions.
