2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC

        
New colours, revised engine management and tweaked electronics mean that the 180-horsepower Aprilia RSV4 Factory should have no trouble staying on top...

Aprilia are now showing the 2012 RSV4 Factory APRC at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. The RSV4, currently one of the hottest, fastest superbikes on the planet, gets new colours for 2012 as well as revised engine management and a tweaked, optimised Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) package with eight-level traction control, launch control, quick shift system and wheelie control. 

Other changes on the 2012 RSV4 Factory APRC include improved lubrication for its 65° V4 engine, closer spaced gears for better acceleration, and a new, lighter exhaust system featuring an advanced butterfly valve management system to suit the bike’s ride-by-wire mapping, for improved ‘breathing’ and efficiency throughout the engine’s rev range.

In addition to the above, there’s the racing-spec, fully adjustable Öhlins fork and shock, Brembo brakes with radial monoblock callipers and a mixed type (digital/analogue) instrument panel, which is an integral and crucial part of the RSV4 Factory APRC’s self-diagnosis system. ‘This is a full fledged on-board computer, with a dot matrix display set against a minimalist, ultramodern and compact design. Its functions have been improved and are all accessible from three easy to use buttons,’ says a press note from Aprilia.

With 180 horsepower at 12,250rpm and 115Nm of torque at 10,000rpm from its 999cc V4, the 2012 RSV4 Factory remains one of the most powerful litre-class superbikes in the world. At 179 kilos dry, it’s not the lightest in its class, but with its host of high-tech electronics and superb chassis, it definitely is one of the best handling. We expect the 2012 edition to come out on top in litre-bike shootouts that are sure to happen over the next few months.

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