2017 Aprilia RSV4 RR and Tuono 1100 RF launch review

Dave Dobbyn's famous song 'Slice of Heaven' was mysteriously humming away in my head as I negotiated the final corner at the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in New Zealand. It’s a long right-hander that seems to go on forever, the track was wet – and the photographer wanted something spectacular in the bag early just in case things went pair-shaped later on! No pressure…

But just like a stealth bomber, the electronic wizardry of the Aprilia RSV4 RR was doing its part in keeping me safe as I cut my first laps on the latest version of the Italian's company's iconic V4 superbike.

The 2017 RSV4 RR was sampled at the media launch in New Zealand alongside the Tuono 1100 RF (F as in the top-spec Factory version). The two bikes were unveiled at the 2016 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, and updates include the latest generation electronics packages (under the Aprilia Performance Ride Control moniker), Euro 4 engines, bi-directional quickshifters and switchable cornering ABS. Speed limiters and cruise control have also been added.

Up and up
Over the years, I’ve ridden the RSV4 RR (there's also an RF version like the Tuono) on numerous occasions and each time it gets better and better; the 2017 version is no different. Environmental friendliness and sophistication are what the latest model offers, and for the track-day punters there’s a whole lot more that will make you smile.

Thankfully the seating position and ergonomics remain unchanged, as I have always felt at home on the wonderfully sounding V4.

However, things are a lot more satisfying in the cockpit than ever before. There’s the fancy new TFT dash staring you right in the face that has two selectable screen pages (Road and Race) with night and day backlighting. The over-complicated menu system for adjusting the old model's software is thankfully gone now, too. A new toggle on the left-hand switch block makes fiddling with your settings and personalising the bike a self-learning experience rather than a trip to the local dealer for wise counsel.

Cruise control now makes the RSV4 RR not only one of the coolest-looking superbikes on the market, but now also one of the most practical as well. The right-hand switch block has also received attention of an invisible kind. There are no push-pull cables fitted either, making the RSV4 a true ride-by-wire machine for the first time in street guise. There’s also a new front brake lever, which feels nice to the touch.

RSV4 RR SPECS AND PRICING IN BIKE SHOWROOM

The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) has now been moved to a more beneficial position to help it more accurately tell the ECU what 'attitude' the bike is displaying at any given time.

That’s important information, because all the traction, anti-lock braking and engine brake settings are constantly changing depending on the lean angle figures sent by that IMU. The wheelie control is also improved.

Launch control works better, too, thanks to the extra effort the engineers have put into making this bike as perfect as possible.

Bi golly
Probably my favourite item fitted on to the 2017 RR, which is now on sale in Australia for $24,490, is the bi-directional quickshifter. It works beautifully, but the way the ECU automatically compensates the revs and deceleration speed to match wheel speed also makes for a true factory race bike feel.

As for the donk, the 65-degree V4 has new pistons and different honing techniques to the rods, which allow more over-rev – but the uncanny way Aprilia makes the 201hp donk feel so docile is still apparent.

Braking has also been beefed up with the Brembo calipers now grabbing massive 330mm world superbike-sized discs. The RSV4 RR doesn’t have a lot of instant braking power, but when you squeeze hard though the bike certainly stops on a dime in line with expectations on a high-quality system like this.

On with the job
There’s a lot of good to say about the RSV4 RR and its race-inspired chassis which has been around since 2009. It’s a superb backbone which helps make the machine very well behaved and controllable, even with the Showa suspension (the RF has Ohlins).

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park has a variety of turns, and whether it was a fast sweeper or hairpin the RR let me concentrate on getting my lines just right, as the sublime engine (211hp/115Nm) produced lineal blasts of torque and power – all controlled assiduously by Aprilia Performance Ride Control.

It's all very easy with the ride-by-wire system, and that seamless throttle response was particularly evident on the wet track – even when wicking up the power from a closed throttle.

The Showa suspension is set-up well for the track in standard guise and, having ridden a number of bikes with the Showa Big Piston Fork, it’s very adjustable and easy to make right for most situations.

Data heaven
An option on the RSV4 RR is a new version of Aprilia's multimedia platform that lets you connect your smartphone to the vehicle via Bluetooth. The system has a corner by corner data system that can be downloaded onto your laptop (or displayed directly on the smartphone) for analysis, just like they do at the races! There is also an infotainment system to manage voice commands and incoming/outgoing telephone calls with your smartphone. These activities are also displayed and managed by the TFT instrumentation.

The RSV4 RR comes in two liveries (grey or black), both matt and on a black and grey base with red wheel rims. Accessories include exhausts, carbon bits galore, a steering damper, frame guards, footpegs and forged rims.

As I said at the top, I’ve got history with this bike and it's one I always love to ride. With the series of changes made to the 2017 model it’s worth considering an upgrade or taking on the Aprilia if you are thinking of a modern sportsbike with a twist. As I pulled into pit lane for the last time on the RSV4 RR my heart was still pounding because my day was not done yet…

Tuono 1100 RF
Tuono means thunder in Italian, and a word that springs to mind in that translation is power. The Tuono 1100 RF is aptly named, because with its 121Nm of torque and 175hp on tap matched to a short wheelbase and world-class suspension, it’s boss cocky. And just as the 2016 model Tuono won many hearts, I’m sure that the 2017 will follow suit.

Although more than capable at being thrown around a race track, this bike's real home is the street. Just turning the bike on and watching the dash flick into action is enough to make you feel good and that’s even before you start it. The 2017 Tuono is also Euro 4 compliant but that doesn’t stop a lovely growl emanating from the new exhaust pipe with a built-in catalytic converter from idle right up to redline.

TUONO 1100 RF SPECS AND PRICING IN BIKE SHOWROOM

The extra torque the 1077cc engine punches out over the RSV4 RR (121Nm versus 115Nm) is telling. It doesn’t have to comply with competition rules, so this bike is basically just made to have fun. It still shares the perfect throttle response of the RSV, but it's even easier to ride and play silly buggers on.

The Tuono is good for 175hp at 11,000rpm, and the torque ceiling is at 9000rpm.

Wheelie school
If you want to learn how to do a wheelie this is the bike to start your tuition on! However, the Tuono can also be 'Mr Mellow' with the flick of a switch, making it almost learner-friendly such is the power of the electronics.

The chassis is a refined version of the RSV's with a slightly shorter wheelbase and a much less aggressive seating position. It is comfortable but you can still carve through corners like you're on a race bike if you want to.

The Tuono also has an uprated disc package, and there's much more initial bite than the RSV4 making it effortless to pull the bike down from speed.

The $25,490 Tuono's piece de resistance is the sublime Ohlins suspension. Any bike that comes from the factory with Ohlins is thoroughly tested to make sure the settings are good – and they are. The feeling is amazing, and it wasn't until I rode back-to-back with the standard stuff that I realised the sheer value of the gold sliders.

The electronics work well with similar upgrades the RR, and the fact I didn’t want to come in at the end of my short stint says something about how this bike makes you feel.

Aprilia has made a premium product by using the V4 layout, which isn't cheap to produce. However, there’s a reason why most MotoGP bikes use a V4 or an engine with a big bang firing order – they are good.

The Tuono RF and RSV4 RR are priced in the upper echelons of their respective segments, but that bit extra is worth every penny for the end products.