2006 Aprilia SXV Review

When Aprilia brought the SXV and the RSV to the market, they were focused on creating a great Enduro bike. The 2006 Aprilia SXV 550 is the most powerful 550 Supermoto ever created. There is not much that separates the SXV 550 from a full-on race bike. Aprilia has designed the 2006 SXV 550 to be ""the"" Supermoto. Several awards in the S2 class of the SuperMotard World Championship, and top finishes in the Enduro World Championship, are proof of Aprilia’s success in their design of the SXV.

The 2006 Aprilia SXV features a V-twin engine with a tremendous motor, right out of the crate. Two separate versions are available – the 450cc, and the 550cc – but the 550cc is not available to customers in the United States. The V-twin engine weighs only 71.4 pounds, and yet with 70 horsepower and a dry weight of 128kg (282 lbs.), the power-to-weight ratio is unbelievable. The liquid-cooled beast features four valve heads with titanium valves, and titanium valve cover screws. Using aluminum silicon alloy, magnesium, and titanium, this is one high-tech Motard bike with no expense spared. According to Aprilia, ""Every component of the SXV has been selected for both functionality and prestige.""

One of the biggest differences between the Aprilia RXV and the SXV is the five-speed transmission, with Supermoto-specific gear ratios featured on the SXV. First gear is 13/30, second gear is 15/27, third gear is 16/23, fourth gear is 20/23, and fifth gear is 21/21. Unsurprisingly, ample engine power is available throughout the high RPM range. Chain driven, the Aprilia SXV gives you smooth shifting via the cable operated multi-plate wet clutch.

Aprilia uses a muscular 48 mm inverted fork specifically designed for Supermoto situations, and is fully adjustable for preload, rebound, and compression. Aprilia also created the most rigid swingarm of any Enduro/SuperMotard bike in the industry, with their variable section aluminum design. The swingarm on the 2006 Aprilia SXV is wider than the RXV, in order to accommodate the 6.5-inch rear wheel. Rising rate linkages operate a Sachs multi-adjustable monoshock with piggy-back cylinder, and double high/low speed settings.

Variable section, adjustable aluminum handlebars with no cross bar comes standard on the Aprilia SXV, putting the rider in performance position in lightweight but rigid form. The handlebars are able to be repositioned several millimeters forward or aft. A super-lightweight digital instrument panel gives the rider all of the necessary information. An optional racing kit is also available, which provides all the accessories needed to truly tune the bike into track-oriented form.

In front, the Aprilia SXV uses a Nissan radial-mounted four-piston caliper with a single 320mm wave-pattern floating disc, delivering amazing stopping power. A Nissan single-piston caliper with a 240mm wave-pattern disc slows things down in the rear. The 2006 SXV stays true to superbike form, on a Dunlop D208RR 180/55-ZR 17 inch tire in the rear, with a Dunlop 120/70-ZR 17-inch tire leading the way.

Make no mistake this is an expert-level Supermoto crushing machine. Controlling this light yet powerful bike will require a very experienced rider in top form, to truly experience the thrills and performance the Aprilia SXV was designed to deliver.