Road test of ApriliaRSV4 1100 Factory 2023 Aprilia All stars

some days you get good news, but some days it's really good news! Such is the case when Aprilia offers you a test ride of the latest RSV4 Factory on the Misano Adriatico circuit during the Aprilia All Stars. Before I'd even picked up the phone, I was already in my combarde and the sliders were feeling the heat.

Aprilia All Stars

misano! The site needs no introduction - a circuit dedicated to the late Marco Simoncelli, a cult venue in the region to which many transalpine riders belong. This is where the Aprilia All Stars took place, the Aprilia event not to be missed. It was an opportunity for the brand to exhibit a number of its exceptional motorcycles, including: the RS cube ridden by Shakey Byrne and Jeremy McWilliams in 2004, one of the 1st 4-stroke Motogp, based on a 3-cylinder 990cc engine officially rated at 235 hp. An engine derived from the Cosworth F1 engine, which was the only one at the time to offer pneumatic valve lift and an engine turning in the opposite direction to the wheels, 19 years ago already! (These technologies are now used by the entire motogp fleet), but unfortunately failed to live up to expectations. Right next to it, the RSV 1000, which finished 10th at the 2006 Bol d'Or and gave rise to a special series in the same color, 2 RSV 1000 Superbikes ex Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga, the RSV4 Superbike world champion ex Max Biaggi, and the 2-stroke engines were not to be outdone, with RSW250s ex Rossi, Biaggi, Capirossi, Lorenzo and also an RS500.... A dream for every self-respecting motorcycle enthusiast. With over 15,000 people turning out for the event, Aprilia will be donating all proceeds to the Italian Civil Defence following the recent rainstorms in Italy. A fine gesture, at the end of a weekend that was close to the ultimate fantasy for every Aprilia fan.

a few yards away, two Dj's set the paddock alight, aided by charming people throwing goodies at you.....it's the fiesta!!!! A little further on, all the models in the range are on display. Are you hesitating between the tuono or the RS660? You can take a seat on either of them to try out live the one that suits you best. As I turn my head, I see a crowd amassed in front of a barrier: on the other side is the Aprilia Motogp stand, as if you were just moments away from the start of a Grand Prix, motorcycles and riders lining up for photos and autographs. You're starting to salivate, so let's get on with it. After this tour of the paddock, let's see what's going on in the pit lane. As we pass through a stall, we come across a few RSW 250s on crutches with heated blankets, a bunch of RSV4s, RS 660s, Tuono V4s and 660 Tuonos, some in full stock, others fitted with SC Project or Akrapovic exhausts - they're everywhere! So engrossed by all these bikes (many of them exceptional), I hadn't noticed that I had right behind me an 1100 RSV4 XTRENTA, the ultimate version of the model, produced in just 100 units, with measurements to die for: 166 kilos for 230 horsepower - all for the crazy price of €50,000 before tax! And that's saying a lot! Yes, the Aprilia All Star is also an opportunity for the brand to showcase its most prestigious models.

on the pit lane, where there are far fewer people, I pass the Max Biaggi look-alike, then the Maverick Vinales look-alike..... before realizing....that they're not look-alikes! Le kif!!! I'm on the pit-lane of the Misano Adriatico circuit in the middle of motogp riders, because they're all there, a childhood dream! The Aprilia staff are hard at work getting the bikes ready for the track. The tires are hot, and so are the riders!
You want a show!?! Sit back, open your eyes and ears, it's going to be a steack !!!! After a good 250 demo, all the riders are going to pull out all the stops on the new SR GT Sport 200 scooters, which may be less powerful, but on the track, it's a war to see who can brake the latest. In this game, it's Biaggi who crosses the line first. The former champion has lost none of his superbness.

An extraordinary test day

after a good night's rest, let's get back to our RSV4. Although it has undergone a radical makeover in 2021, the beauty still produces a whopping 217hp and 12.74 mkg of torque. No need to look much further - the competition has already taken a beating! A CBR 1000 RR-R SP manages to keep up with the same level of power, but returns the favour with less torque... Since its launch in 2009, the Italian sportsbike has topped every category comparison.
Numbers are nice, but they don't tell the whole story, so let's go and see for ourselves what it's all about, and above all whether Aprilia has been able to further improve the flagship of its range. And this test won't be like the others. Today, only a handful of lucky riders will be able to take advantage of this track - which has been privatized for the occasion. Now that's something. But the icing on the cake is that we'll be able to take it in turns to follow a rider (Biaggi, Vinales, Salvadori...), who will show us the correct trajectories, and an instructor will film the whole thing from behind, after which we'll have a debriefing session ...... We're not happy here !!!!

they're ready, all Factory versions, on the workshop stands, the heated blankets keeping the Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks at temperature, gloves and helmet on as quickly as possible, quick quick quick I want to go!!!! Once started, the engine purrs quietly, it seems calm... deceptively calm. 1st, let's go. The short trip across the pit lane to access the track is made on a trickle of throttle, smoothly; and you need it with this handle. The slightest action on it that's a little too fast makes the bike jump instantly; an appendage that needs to be handled with care ...... Entering the track takes place in the 3rd bend following the pit straight...

Acceleration that puts you in orbit

gAZZZ !!!!!!!!! As soon as the handle is screwed on, the first straightaway has already disappeared. The bike is beyond acceleration. It spurts like a compressor-driven cheetah. The first thing you notice, for those who doubted it, is that it kicks ass, right from the low revs and in 2 stages: there's a before and an after to the opening of the exhaust valve. On the 1st part of the rev counter (valve closed), the thrust is already enormous, with a sporty but gentle melody. But that's just the beginning, as the V-4 is far from revealing all its secrets. Once the "valvola" is open, it's a sound and light show. No more purring, the exhaust switches to heavy metal mode. The world changes, with an incredible thrust and a perfect high-pitched vocalization. T he engine literally catapults you to the breaker at an infernal pace that never falters, but always gives the sensation of not being overwhelmed by the machine. You'd better be well seated on the bike, because it won't wait for you. This is a race bike. Barely enough time to enjoy the sound before the tachometer's LEDs wave the red flag.

Braking with plenty of bite

The breaker is already here. 3rd! It's still pushing hard, and it's the same in every gear. Gripping, addictive, crazy... as crazy as the smoothness of the gear changes with this incredibly smooth shifter. It's greedy under the boot, in stark contrast to the slap in the back the thruster gives you every time you rev it up. There's plenty to keep you going, both in terms of time and guts. Your eyes are trying to find a reference point to set the right frenages. It's not easy, it's going so fast. This highlights the RSV4's highly effective protection. Hidden beneath the bubble, the airflow doesn't disturb you. Your senses are alert, and the straights of a GP circuit seem so short that you're already thinking about braking.

after the slap of acceleration, get ready for the slap of braking. In this respect, it's simple: the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory is equipped with the most powerful standard equipment of the moment: 330 mm discs mated to Brembo Stylema calipers and radial master cylinders. The principle is the same as for the throttle, but in reverse: pull the lever gently, and you'll be slowed down. Pull a little harder, and the front end stalls, inviting you to ask for more and more. Continue to increase the pressure on the control, and the front wheel digs into the asphalt, the potential is mind-boggling and seems limitless. The fork also plays a major role in this stage. It handles all these stresses without faltering. You can lift the rear wheel without even feeling that you've reached the end of its capacity. Of course, the electronics can be parameterized to control this phenomenon and react before the rider does to restore the situation, which is reassuring. Knowing how to brake is one thing, exploiting the system's capabilities is quite another. The limits have clearly been pushed back, and approaching them requires a high level of riding skill.

Chassis and handling

let's turn to the chassis, with Ohlins at every level, forged aluminum rims, a frame with an unshakeable reputation, a chassis that's impossible to fault... once again, top-level equipment. On the handlebars, the effect is indisputable. The RSV4 suffers no parasitic reactions, cornering is done naturally, without forcing, and it obeys you no matter what. It follows the trajectory you give it, with a feeling of confidence of the highest order. What's more, Aprilia has given it plenty to think about. Here too, the technological gap is incredible: you're on the corner, add a little pressure on the controls and you tighten the trajectory with ease and precision; it's magic! Coming out of a bend, you start to lift, you weld, the catapult is relaunched - this engine is amazingly efficient! The traction control and engine braking chips, which adjust according to the angle of the bike, help to keep everything in order behind the scenes.

Highly supervised test

It's time for the coatching session with Luca Salvadori. He beckons me to follow him into the straight before "Curvone", the most insignificant bend on the circuit when you look at the map, is also the one that provides the strongest adrenaline rush when it comes to passing it at mach 2. My plan is simple: if I stick to him and do the same, there's no reason for him to get away.... 1st straight, I'm in his wheel, entering Curva del Carro, all goes well. It's on the way out that I don't understand how he managed to almost leave me behind. Never mind, I catch up with him at the entrance to the pits and try an inside move at the end of the straight. Failure, he brakes too late.... Well, no, much, much, much too late. Back to my favorite part of the route, the "Variante del Parco à Curva Del Rio". On the 1st part, I manage to keep up the pace, with enormous satisfaction. I tackle the straight at full throttle before the hardest braking at "Curva Quercia". Once again on the entrance to the curve, I believe it. It's there, I'm going to get it.... Suddenly I'm alone, his V4 has already propelled him onto "Curva Tramonto", where he cuts the break without touching the brakes....impressive!!!! The magic lap comes to an end, a new contender takes my place in the champion's wheel, and I follow in his footsteps....quel kiff !!! I know I'm living a unique moment, but my physique has taken a beating. A few more laps before the return to the pits.... phew! Although light years ahead of their performance, I can already feel that my body has given a lot. Just a few intense, sublime laps. So I realize that to hold a grand prix, you need to be in top physical condition. No one doubted it, they're champions!

An exceptional motorcycle that requires thorough preparation

For those of you familiar with the old Ducatis, here you have the same rigorous chassis, but in a much more comfortable setting. Finding the limits of such a machine will require a little, if not a lot, of training. But if you don't have the level, it'll come up to yours and allow you to progress. Be careful, though, if you overestimate yourself, it'll meet your expectations without a care, but it'll wear you out before you know it.

Lionel "Guido" Baffert - Aprilia photos