Taking the opportunity to display some new, revised
and updated models from their range at the Intermot show in Germany was Italian
motorcycle maker Aprilia, with the 2019 Aprilia RSV4RR, Tuono V4 Factory and
Shiver 900 on display.
Drawing on its racing history including 18 titles
and 143 Grand Prix races in the 250GP class, the RSV4 now comes with a full
suite of riding aids and electronics. Two versions are on offer, the RR and RF,
with both having that Aprilia trademark, a fully-adjustable frame that allows
for changes in the engine position in the frame, the headstock angle, the
swingarm pivot and the rear end height.
The RSV4 RR’s 65-degree V-four mill produces 201 hp
at 13,000 rpm and 115 Nm of torque at 10,500 rpm, numbers that put it on par
with any other manufacturer’s offering in the super bike stakes. Main
difference between the RSV4 RR and RSV4 RF is in the suspension, with the RF
equipped with the latest generation Ohlins NIX forks and TTX rear monoshock, as
well as Ohlins adjustable steering damper.
Aprilia’s answer to KTM’s Super Duke R “The Beast”
is the Tuono V4 1100, coming in two versions – the Tuono V4 1100 RR and Tuono
V4 1100 Factory APRC – and producing 175 hp from it’s V-four power plant.
Semi-active suspension makes its appearance on the Tuono Factory with Ohlins
Smart EC2.0 controlling the NIX fork and TTX monoshock and electronically
adjustable steering damper.
As with the RSV4, the Tuono V4 gets a slew of rider
aids, including traction control, cornering ABS and three ride modes, all three
modes giving the full 175 hp, but in different ways. There are two colour
options available for the Tuono V4 1100 – Sachsenring red and Magny-Cours grey
for the RR, while the Factory gets Superpole graphics.
On the naked sports front is the Shiver 900 with its
900 cc, V-twin engine delivering 95 hp and 90 Nm of torque. Designed to be easy
to ride, the Shiver 900 comes with three-level traction control, Continental
two-channel ABS and three ride modes – sport, touring and rain – with the
ability to change modes on the fly.
A TFT-LCD display measuring 4.3-inches is found
inside the cockpit and the Shiver 900 comes factory-fitted with the Aprilia
Multimedia Platform, allowing for connection to the rider’s smart phone for
navigation and other tasks. With a red-painted frame, monoshock spring and cylinder
head covers, there are three colour options for the Shiver 900 – Hi-Tech
Silver, Challenging Red and Innovation Dark.
