Aprilia RSV4-R first ride!

The Aprilia RSV4-R costs £12,449 and is available in dealers now.

The compact V4 engine is exactly the same as the Factory’s, it’s only the chassis components which have been altered, with Ohlins suspension replaced by Showa forks and a Sachs rear shock. 

• Aprilia RSV4-R launch cut short

Wheels are cast aluminium rather than forged, and some of the Factory’s carbon body panels have been replaced with plastic. It still has a ride-by-wire throttle and three-way engine map.   

Here are Neeves’ riding impressions after his first track test: “Riding it around Mugello is a magical experience; the engine has so much power that you can unstick the K2 compound Metzeler Racetec Interact rear tyre at will.

“The down-grading of the suspension components hasn’t done the RSV4 any harm and it is still an epic track bike – as you’d expect for the money.

“This is my first session on the bike and the set-up needs to be stiffened up because getting on and off the throttle upsets the bike at the moment. I am sure once it’s tweaked it will sort the bike for the next session.’

Read the full report in the 4 November issue of MCN.