[motorcycle.com] - Aprilia Announce New 2021 RSV4 And Tuono

[Ninjette Newsbot]

The good news is Aprilia has given the 2021 RSV4 and Tuono some major updates. The bad news is these two photos are all we currently have of the two bikes.

RSV4 and RSV4 Factory



Nonetheless, let’s start with the updated RSV4. Judging from the sole picture we have here, one could think that they’re looking at Aprilia’s latest darling, the RS660. This isn’t a coincidence. Traditionally, a manufacturer would update its flagship and trickle down its traits downstream to the rest of the product line. Aprilia is shucking those norms, as it fully admits the RSV4 styling is inspired by its RS660 little brother – not that that’s a bad thing.

Borrowing from the wind tunnel lessons learned from the RS660, Aprilia says the new RSV4’s bodywork has “an extremely low aerodynamic resistance coefficient” with increased air pressure in the airbox, which we assume translates into a greater ram-air effect for the engine. A triple LED front headlight unit looks very similar to the one on the RS660, but this one features a “bending” function that lights up the inside of a corner when turning or leaning the bike.

In a move that I personally agree with aesthetically, the winglets seen on the previous RSV4 1100 Factory are no longer appendages sticking out of the side of the motorcycle. Like the RS660, the redesigned bodywork integrates the winglets as part of the double-wall design (not too dissimilar to what Honda has done with the new CBR1000RR-R). In addition to the added downforce, Aprilia says this solution serves the same purpose as it does on the RS660 by channeling hot air away from the rider and helping to improve engine cooling.

Oddly tucked away at the bottom of Aprilia’s press release is the fact the RSV4 gets a new, bigger, 1099cc V4 engine, making it a true 1100. With the added displacement over its 1077cc predecessor and a reworked exhaust system to help it meet Euro5 emissions regulations, Aprilia says the new V4 makes 217 hp.

This bigger V4 will now be the sole engine offering for the RSV4 lineup, which excludes it from being eligible for World Superbike competition due to its 999cc maximum displacement limit. Granted, Aprilia hasn’t been involved in WSBK at the factory level in some time, but unless Aprilia has a limited production run of 999cc RSV4s it isn’t telling us about, this would seemingly cement the company’s positioning (and budget) within the MotoGP paddock.

Speaking of MotoGP, another visual difference between new and old RSV4s is the updated swingarm that’s lighter and features a reinforced lower brace compared to the banana-shaped swingarm of previous RSV4s. This was heavily inspired by the RS-GP MotoGP racer.

Other, less noticeable differences include a new fuel tank and seat to give the rider more space in the cockpit – something riders who are bigger than Max Biaggi (aka normal people) have been complaining about for a long time.

On the electronics side, new TFT instrumentation is bigger, and provides more information, than before. The more important change is the updated electronics suite, powered by a new Marelli 11MP ECU and new six-axis IMU. This bulked up processing power allowed Aprilia to fine-tune the APRC even more and now also includes multi-level engine brake control. There are now six riding modes, three for the track (including two customizable) and three for the road (including one customizable). Customizable settings include Traction Control, Wheelie Control, engine brake, ABS and more.

Two versions of the RSV4 will be available: the standard RSV4 (coming only in the Dark Losail color scheme) and the RSV4 Factory (available in either Aprilia Black or Lava Red color schemes). As said before, both bikes get the same 1099cc engine, but the Factory version includes forged aluminum wheels, semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, and Brembo Stylema brake calipers.

RSV4

Availability: US End of March / Canada End of April

Price: US $18,999 / Canada $20,995

RSV4 FACTORY

Availability: US End of March / Canada End of April

Price: US $25,999 / Canada $27,495

Tuono V4 and Tuono V4 Factory



The new Tuono V4 and Tuono V4 Factory story follow a very similar path – as it always has – to the RSV4. The Tuono has always been the stripped-down, more streetable version of the RSV4 and that hasn’t changed here. While most of the bodywork around the engine has been removed, the integrated winglets and triple LED headlight (with cornering function) remain. The new fuel tank, seat, and swingarm carry over from the RSV4 also.

Other carryovers include the updated APRC suite, with its upgraded Marelli 11MP ECU, updated IMU, and all the software changes the RSV4 gets

So, what’s new? Obviously there are the upright handlebars. Those aren’t necessarily new, but the new front fairing is, and Aprilia says this will provide the rider with a little more protection and comfort on longer rides than before.

A long-running joke among RSV4 and Tuono Factory owners has always been around passenger accommodations and the passenger “seat” that was barely wider than a credit card. Aprilia has seemingly heard the joke a few times now, and addressed it hilariously with the new bike, saying:

The passenger is no longer a barely tolerated guest and now benefits from an ample and comfortable portion of saddle and lower footpegs.

Judging by the sole picture we have of the bike above, that passenger section doesn’t look that much more inviting than before, but we’ll hold judgment until we see it in person. Interestingly, Aprilia’s commitment to the Tuono V4’s streetability and touring capabilities has been bolstered by the fact there are now accessory panniers available directly from the factory.

Separating the Tuono V4 Factory from the standard version is the inclusion of Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension system as standard equipment.

Here’s where things get really weird: The new Tuono lineup will keep the 1077cc V4 instead of adopting the new 1099cc version going to the RSV4. It’s not like we had any complaints about the 1077cc V4, but it would seem to follow the playbook if Aprilia took the bigger engine and “tuned it for torque” instead.

Nonetheless, we can’t wait to ride both new models. The Tuono V4 will be available in the Tarmac Grey and Glacier White color schemes, while the Factory version will only come in Aprilia Black.

TUONO

Availability: US End of June / Canada End of July

Price: US $15,999 / Canada $18,595

TUONO FACTORY

Availability: US End of June / Canada End of July

Price: US $19,499 / Canada $21,495

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