MaxMoto News
First published: 7th October 2010
Updated: 8nd November 2010

Fresh from its 2010 World Superbike Rider and Manufacturer Championship titles, Aprilia has announced the new limited edition RSV4 APRC Biaggi Special Edition, slotting above the current RSV4 Factory with an even greater track focus.

The big star attraction of the new model is the APRC electronics package. With data directly gathered from this years SBK championship, Aprilia have developed their patented Aprilia Performance Rider Control, consisting of many firsts for a production motorcycle and a feature list including:

• Adjustable Traction Control (8 settings)
• Wheelie Control (3 settings)
• Launch Control (3 settings)
• Quick Shifter for ultra-fast gear changes
• Switchable road or race instrument display

More on the APRC system later, but other changes include:

• Narrower first 3 gears to improve acceleration out of corners
• New exclusive rear dual blend 200/55-17 tyre Pirelli Supercorsa
• New smaller, 2kg lighter exhaust, advanced valve management, improved sound
• Internal head ducts and lubrication optimization
• Bearing countershaft and cylinder/piston coupling optimization
• Special Biaggi Tricolore livery

The APRC hardware consists of inputs from position and accelerometer sensors in the rider's throttle grip, Inertia Sensors (senses the dynamic position of the bike - lean angle, fore and aft roll) and front & rear wheel speed sensors (reads both the front and the rear wheel speed to calculate wheel slip). The processing is done by the state-of-the-art Marelli 7SM ECU. The outputs include to the 2 throttle bodies to smoothly reduce torque by closing the ignition butterflies and to the 4 coils to quickly reduce torque by taking off advance (it cuts in only in case of fast grip loss). The smooth torque reduction here is the key as the intervention is only gradually increased as the rear tyre begins to slip, allowing an intoxicating new level of control for the rider.

Respected journalist, Kevin Ash, on the APRC: "in short, it’s the most involving, exciting superbike you can swing a leg over on the market today, and that includes the seminal BMW S1000RR and tactile Ducati 1198SP".

It is so smart, it even automatically recalibrates itself when you change tyres or change the final gearing (a first for a production bike).

The Traction Control (ATC - Aprilia patent) has 8 settings: 1-3 Levels: more advanced levels of slide permitted, for track/racing use, 4-5 Levels: for daily use, the higher intervention from the system helps the rider on less consistent grip levels, 6-8 Levels: useful for performance riding on wet or slippery surfaces, it strictly limits rear tyreslip. The settings can be changed on the fly, so in theory (at least) could be changed for each particular corner charactistics at a track.

The Wheelie Control (AWC - a first for a production bike and another Aprilia patent) identifies the start of a wheelie and controls it throughout the acceleration phase. The aim is to deliver maximum acceleration whilst keeping wheelie to a minimum. It is possible to independently turn off the AWC to permit a wheelie (max 30 sec) within a +/-25 roll angle whilst keeping traction control active.

The Launch Control (ALC - a first for a production bike and, yeah, an Aprilia patent..) is a system designed to optimize acceleration from a standing start in racing use, with three levels setable on the dash display, and is simply armed at the start line with the handlebar controls.

The Quick Shifter (AQS) system enables clutchless upshifts without changing the throttle position (once over a minimum rpm setting), improving lap times by maintaining maximum gear change speeds and acceleration. A new gear lever and sensor linked directly to the ECU, reduces torque to permit instant gear changes.

Kevin Ash again: "... far from getting in the way, they let you push the bike closer to its limits than you’d ever have been able to before, and detract nothing from the feedback and sensations being passed on from the tyres, suspension and bike in general".

You can see from the above how Aprilia can claim the RSV4 Factory APRC SE is the direct descendent of the 2010 World Superbike winner, but whilst aimed at the track, these electronic aids also translate to safer performance bike riding on the road. Some of these features will filter down to some other Aprilia models, with the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 already getting a version of the Traction Control system.

Despite the speed sensors on each wheel, Aprilia have consciously left out ABS, reaffirming its track focus.

The Aprilia RSV4 APRC SE has a limited production run of 350 of which 50 are coming to the UK. The price we know is £17,120 OTR (£2,000 more than the "standard" RSV4 Factory), they are available to order now.

Related Links: Aprilia RSV4 | Aprilia RSV4 Accessories | Aprilia RSV4 Racing Part Catalogue 2011 | Kevin Ash on the RSV4 APRC | RSV4 wins MCN litre shootout

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