Weekly Podcast
Aprilia’s spectacular new RSV4 Factory has been described in superlative after superlative. Bill and Todd B enlist the help of Ultimate MotorCycling to see if the hype about this new WSBK-winning superbike is real.
One of the things we take seriously is our responsibility to work through the smoke and mirror-based hype that some manufacturers erect around new products and get to the. Few new bikes in recent memory have generated the hype that Aprilia’s new 2010 RSV4 Factory has – "World Class", "Game Changing", and "Factory Superbike for the Street".
The Blockhead Boys catch up with Ultimate MotorCycling at the M1 Test Facility for a ‘Real-Time’ road test and get down to the nitty-gritty about this new Italian literbike.
From its highly-adjustable Ohlins suspension and steering damper to its forged alloy wheels, race-ready multi-adjustable steering head, swing arm pivot and engine mounts to its superbike-spec Brembo monobloc radial-mount calipers, from its state of the art electronic powertrain controls to its 182.5 horsepower V-4 engine, this motorcycle specs out at the top of the class. Does this SBK match-up to the class-leading Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki ZX10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha R1, KTM 1190 RC8, Ducati 1198 or the new BMW S100RR?
Here on the Motorcycle Radio Network, we wanted to find out whether all these specs translated into a true superstar. Ultimate MotorCycling does a great job filling us in, all the while giving us a great chance to hear the incredible music from the heart of the V-4 1000cc motorcycle. Everything goes according to plan… Until our test rider realizes that the impressive power he has been telling us about has been coming with the motorcycle in "Sport" mode.
A quick note about the RSV4 Factory’s 3-mode engine controls is in order. The lowest setting (called "Road") cuts power output to 140HP. The next setting, which he used for the first part of the ‘Real-Time’ road test is "Sport", which allows all 180 horses to run free, but which clips 25% from the torque output in the first 3 gears of the buttery smooth shifting 6-speed cassette transmission.
Late in the test, our test rider realized that he was testing on "Sport" mode, so he switched over to the last mode, aptly named "Track", while "live-on-the-air". Three things happened next, all at the same moment… Our levelheaded tester instantly became his alter ego, the crazy ex-racer who can NEVER get enough power.
The previously-limited Aprilia unleashed its full fury of 84.8 pound feet of torque and a surprised let loose with an unplanned phrase that caused our producer some grave concern about running afoul with the FCC.
This is a family show and subject to FCC decency rules… Then again, if you were on the saddle of a motorcycle and a simple switch change gave you an instantaneous 21 pound feet of torque, you might suffer from T-ITS too.
You won’t want to miss this show, so check-out the podcast of the ‘Real-Time’ road test of the 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory here. (Podcast player wil open in separate window)
In Powersports News, on the Motorcycle Radio Network this week, a quick trip over to the awesome News page at UltimateMotorCycling.com yields some great stuff. If you were one of the lucky Americans that purchased a new street-legal motorcycle or scooter in 2009, you are likely eligible for a Motorcycle Tax Deduction equal to the sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase.
Ultimate MotorCycling Publisher Arthur Coldwells has a great eye for all things motorcycle, and this week he outdoes himself with a couple of news items that are truly incredible. If you happen to love old Honda motorcycles like Todd B, you too are going to be in awe. First off, there are two certified-unobtanium motorcycles available for sale (Freddie Spencer’s World Championship-winning 1983 NSR500 and 1985 NS250RW).
There is also a great video of a Swedish dealer setting up a pair of previously uncrated legendary Honda V-4 motorcycles – an oval-piston Honda NR750 and an street-legal Honda RC30. Thanks Arthur – this is great stuff!
We’re off to get the bikes out of winter storage, so we’ll catch you next week on the Motorcycle Radio Network.
