2024 Aprilia RSV4 1100

When Aprilia updated its RSV4 back in 2021, the Italian manufacturer transformed the V-4-engined race replica from an also-ran in superbike comparison tests to an outright winner. Boosting the engine displacement from 1,077cc to 1,099cc via a larger bore doesn’t sound like much on paper, but the bigger engine coupled with other subtle tweaks along with more sophisticated electronics made the RSV4 1100 an eye-opening performer on the racetrack. All it takes is one twist of the throttle (never mind all the dyno charts) to show what a beast Aprilia had created.

The task of directing all that power is ably handled by an aluminum twin-spar chassis sporting a revised swingarm that is 1.3 pounds lighter and 30 percent more rigid laterally. Fully adjustable Sachs suspension at both ends keep the chassis under control, with Brembo’s latest Stylema Monoblock four-piston calipers biting on huge 330mm discs up front providing outstanding stopping power, with Bosch’s latest multi-map cornering ABS maintaining a safety net in iffy conditions. The ECU has been upgraded to Magneti Marelli’s much more powerful 11MP unit with computing speed that is four times faster, resulting in an upgraded APRC electronics suite utilizing a six-axis IMU that offers six riding modes, eight-level traction control, five-level wheelie control (with more precise operating strategies), three engine maps, three-level engine-braking control that also takes lean angle into account to optimize operation, three-level launch control, bidirectional quickshifter, pit speed limiter, and cruise control.

All of this performance is available for the relative bargain price of $18,999. Only the Yamaha R1 and Suzuki GSX-R1000R undercut the Aprilia, and then not by much; neither has the performance to match up with the RSV4 1100. Meanwhile, all of the Aprilia’s other rivals (Ducati V4 Panigale, BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki ZX-10RR) are significantly more expensive.

The 2024 Aprilia RSV4 1100 is available in Sachsenring Black and Silverstone Grey liveries for $18,999. The up-spec RSV4 1100 Factory comes equipped with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension at both ends, forged aluminum wheels, Öhlins electronic adjustable steering damper, and is available in three color schemes: Ultra Gold, Time Attack (black/red), for $25,999, and Speed White (white w/red and black accents), for $26,499. Also available is the limited production RSV4 Factory SE-09 SBK 1100 that comes with carbon front fender and front brake caliper cooling intakes, a serial numbered fuel tank, and a replica livery of the 2009 WSBK Championship-winning RSV4 superbike ridden by Max Biaggi, for $26,499.