Aprilia's entry to superbike world features a 65 degree V4 displacing 999 cc and knocking out a impressive 180 CVs ... well they would be impressive if we knew what they were. Oh, chevaux vapeur we are told, basically steam horses. Nice to know some things never change. More accurately I guess it should be Cavali ... anyway, all very close to our friendly old bhp it seems. So not bad on the power section. Techy wise the fuel injection features 4 throttle bodies with 2 injectors apiece controlled by 'pooter and fly by wire throttle, breathing into a 4 into 1 humungus exhaust can. Departing from their V-twin practice, the V4 has wet sump (hooray) lubrication and a 6 speed box. The is all growly gruntiness with Track, Sport and Road ignition maps. The last one is a bit soft and would be better named 'Kings Road'. All power curves are delivered to the back end courtesy of slightly wonky electrical throttle gubbins which has the computer getting a bit confused with small throttle openings. Frame is typical 4 cylinder stuff, twin beam aluminium with swoop swingarm, small but perfectly formed. Not so typical is the adjustable headstock position and angle, engine height and swingarm pivot height. This could make a Sunday ride very complicated. Suspenders are Öhlins with all the usual adjustments. Brakes are Brembo all round and extremely effective. Dry weight is quoted at 180 kilos and it carries 17 litres of l'essence de la vitesse. If you want one, the Factory is available (if you can find one) for £15 large. |
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Specs |
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'Factory' model spec (price £14,500) Engine: Aprilia 65° cc longitudinal V four stroke. Liquid cooled. Double overhead camshaft; four valves per cylinder. Three maps Ride-by-Wire system
Displacement 998.9cc Compression ratio 12.8:1 Max. power at crank 180 HP (132 kW) at 12,500 rpm Max. torque at crank 115 Nm at 10,000 rpm Fuel system: Variable height intake trumpets. Airbox with aerodynamic side intakes. 4 throttle bodes, 8 injectors, ride-by-wire fuel management. Multimapping Ignition: Electronic digital ignition integrated in the fuel management system. Exhaust: 4 into 2 into 1. Lambda probe oxygen sensor. Single lateral silencer. Integrated exhaust valve and catalytic converter. (Euro 3.) Lubrication: Wet sump. Two pumps (lubrication and cooling). Oil cooler. Gearbox: 6 speed cassette type. Clutch: Multi-plate wet clutch with slipper device. Frame: Twin beam aluminium frame with mixed cast and pressed sheet sections. Adjustments for: headstock position and angle, engine height, swingarm pivot height. Front suspension: Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fork. Lower fork bottoms for radial calipers. Adjustment for preload, compression and rebound. Rear suspension: Double arch aluminium swingarm; mixed thin-wall casting and pressed sheet construction. Öhlins monoshock with piggy-back cylinder. Adjustments for compression, rebound, spring preload and length. APS rising rate linkages. Front brake: Double 320 mm lightweight stainless steel floating discs. Brembo monobloc radial calipers with 4 opposed pistons. Sintered pads. Radial master cylinder. Metal braided brake line. Rear brake: 220 mm disc. Brembo floating caliper with 2 insulated pistons. Sintered pads. Master cylinder with integral reservoir. Metal braided brake line. Wheels: Forged aluminium alloy. Front: 3.5”x17” - Rear: 6”x17”. Tyres: Radial tubeless; 120/70 ZR 17 (front) and 190/55 ZR 17 (rear). Dimensions: Dry weight 179 Kg. Fuel tank 17 litres. |
Bore
and stroke 78 x 52.3 mm.