Shinya Nakano gets first ride of WSB Aprilia RSV4

Shinya Nakano got his first taste of the Aprilia RSV4 he will campaign in next years World Superbike Championship at Valencia today.

The Japanese rider has spent his career racing in 250, 500 and MotoGP so used the opening day of the two day test to acclimatise himself to the new machine.

Compared to the Honda RCV212 he raced this year the Aprilia has an extra 200cc, but is physically heavier and bigger and has steel brakes compared to the carbon brakes used in MotoGP.

Nakano will use the test to get the base setting of the bike set-up before heading to the first official top teams test which takes place in Kylami, South Africa during the second week of December.

Nakano was joined by full time test rider Alex Hoffman at the test, but will partner Italian Max Biaggi in next years WSB championship.

At time of writing no lap times were available.