Soup :: Aprilia RSV4 Under the Fairings

Aprilia RSV4 Under the Fairings
images by Jimola

Although the controversy seems to have died down a bit, some in the WSBK paddock have claimed that the RSRV is a thinly veiled prototype, not a production bike.	It is evident looking at the RSV4 that it's been hand built. All the factory superbikes in the paddock have parts that are clearly 'works' built, but the Aprilia has this vibe from nose to tail.	Billet meets carbon fiber. The airbox is an absolute work of art.	A maestro put this bike together. Every weld - every one - is flawless.
Remember the V Four unobtanium HRC RVF bikes? Surely, they are the spiritual ancestors of the RSV4.	The swingarm looks like a piece straight off a MotoGP bike.	Frame stamp indicates a December 08 build date on Biaggi's bike. Looks like Aprilia got it right before the season started.	The beauty continues even in places that will rarely be seen. The tail section is tiny, following the fashion of many current MotoGP bikes.
Biaggi's office. Simple, beautiful.	More billet and carbon fiber. Every surface of the bike looks finished to perfection, there are no rough edges.	The RSV4 is working well for Biaggi at Miller - he bested Spies in the closing moments of first qualifying. Here Max debriefs with Aprilia Race Engineer Gigi Dall'lgna (on right)	Aprilia's garage looks like an Italian design house. Even the fuel filler is trick - you can probably make a great espresso with it!
When we look at this schwingarm, suddenly a funk music soundtrack starts playing in our heads.	Again, look at the welds, the CNC work, the fittings and wiring - stunning.	The street version of the RSV4 makes its US debut at Miller today - let's hope the swingarm and footrests on the production machine retain the beauty of the racebike.