Rennie Scaysbrook | December 20, 2016
Dear Santa: We don’t know the price, but if you have to ask…
The RSV4 FW-GP is a MotoGP bike for the people
The Aprilia Factory Works program that was unveiled last year has a new bike in its line-up. But it’s not just any bike, this one is called the RSV4 FW-GP, 250bhp monster that Aprilia claims is the absolute closest you’ll get to a MotoGP bike right now.
The RSV4 FW-GP is a purely track-only machine and comes dripping with the kind of tech you’d expect on a factory Superbike. And, not far off what has been running around in MotoGP in the hands of Stefan Bradl and Alvaro Bautista.
The RSV4 FW-GP differs from a standard RSV4 in almost every way but none more so than the engine, which now houses pneumatic valves in the cylinder heads – just like the MotoGP bike – and the bore has been increased to 81mm from 78mm to guarantee that 250hp figure. To give you an idea of how big a deal the FW-GP is, not even the Honda RC213V-S, Honda’s much lauded MotoGP replica, has pneumatic valves.
It’s hard to tell whether this is more MotoGP or World Superbike because Aprilia has done a pretty good job of blurring the lines between the two over the years. The RSV4 is indeed a superbike, but the engine was used as the basis for the successful MotoGP CRT machine. Fast forward to 2015 and even the Aprilia factory used a CRT engine in their factory bike for Marco Melandri/Stefan Bradl and Bautista, before using this engine as the base for the now prototype RS-GP machine that features – among other things – pneumatic valves, just like the production FW-GP you see here.
Anyway, who cares? The fact is you can buy one of these 250hp beasts, and that itself is cause for celebration.
But if the FW-GP is just too much bike for you, the Factory Works program has three other machines in the track-only range.
RSV4 R FW-SSTK1
- Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
- Standard electrical system with ultra lightweight lithium battery.
- Standard electronics ECU reprogrammed in Race version, engine control and vehicle dynamics map made in Aprilia Racing.
- Reprogrammed instrumentation, predisposed for lap times if combined with the V4-MP system. This is the multimedia platform with which Aprilia introduces a telemetry system that provides, among other things, “corner by corner” adjustment of the RSV4’s electronic settings.
- Optimized and lightened braking system with ABS eliminated
- Lightened factory engine, with no thermostat and secondary air circuit, with simplified cooling circuit lines. Akrapovic exhaust kit, fairings kit and complete engine optimization.
RSV4 R FW-SSTK2
- Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
- Racing electrical system, lightened and simplified with dedicated vehicle and engine wiring harness and lithium battery.
- APX2 ECU made in Aprilia Racing, fully programmable in ignition and engine control parameters using the included palmtop terminal. The ECU includes the data acquisition system, with the possibility of using both original sensor or optional sensors available and permitted by Superstock 1000 FIM Cup regulations.
- Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation.
- Special engine with Aprilia Racing mods. Akrapovic exhaust kit and fairings kit. Maximum power reaches 204 HP.
RSV4 R-FW SBK
- Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
- Racing electrical system, lightened and simplified with dedicated vehicle and engine wiring harness and lithium battery.
- APX2 ECU made in Aprilia Racing, fitted with GPS module, fully programmable in ignition and engine control parameters using the included palmtop terminal. The ECU includes the data acquisition system with a telemetry sensors kit available as optional equipment.
- Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation with racing button panel.
- Electronic gearbox with assisted downshift feature (blipper).
- Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation.
- Special engine with SBK mods ‘made by Aprilia Racing’. Maximum power reaches 215 HP.
RSV4 R FW-GP
These customers will receive truly special treatment. They are invited to the Aprilia Racing headquarters in Noale to stipulate the contract. This is partly so that they can select the ideal configuration for their needs and budget.
During preparation of the bike, they will receive live images of the outfitting progress. They will also have a telephone line and address available for any other needs to receive information or request support.
The bike is hand delivered by Aprilia Racing engineers with pick up, if desired, at Noale. The customers also have the right to receive Aprilia Racing branded leathers and a paddock pass for a MotoGP weekend. In addition, the have an invitation to participate in an Aprilia track day, where Aprilia Racing engineers can adjust the bike’s settings based on their riding needs. In any case, an Aprilia Racing engineer will always be at the track, any time the customer wants to use the FW-GP.
