Aprilia's New 250HP SuperBike

In the past few months many of the leading sportbike manufacturers have released new homologation bikes with increasingly impressive specs, almost indistinguishable from MotoGP/WSBK machines. Aprilia is the latest company to take another crack at the elite production racebike with its new RSV4 FW GP.

A few years ago Aprilia started their 'Factory Works' program, which offered professional-level Superstock & Superbikes to the public. The FW GP is the latest from said program.

Around this time last year Aprilia released the RSV4 R-FW Misano, a 230HP+ spec of the RSV4, and now they have pushed the envelope even further with this year's homologation bike. (Because last year everyone thought the Misano needed roughly 20 more HP, it's all anyone talked about at EICMA last year). In addition to the machine itself, the Noale-based manufacturer is offering buyers a myriad of other goodies along with the bike, such as a track day with the bikes' engineers to help initially set up and tweak the bike as well as an offer to supply a factory technician for owners future track days. (How that will work I have no idea). The price has not yet been announced but it's likely around the $150,000 mark, which comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with limited production race bikes like this.

These machines are almost exact replicas of those being used in professional racing by Aprilia teams and come with features such as active onboard GPS, allowing the electronics to make adjustments corner by corner, providing optimal suspension, traction and feel at any given point on a track.

In order to get a factory guaranteed 250HP, Aprilia had to make countless upgrades to the already powerful V4 platform. The engine was bored out from 78mm to 81mm, and pneumatic valve-train and pneumatic valves were added, just to name a few of the upgrades. Three other spec versions of this remarkable machine will be available, all under the Aprilia Factory works program, offering riders a different option. If they don't want to ride what's essentially an RSV4 MotoGP bike they can opt for a WSBK spec version.

Below is a list of the other three models and their specs, courtesy of Aprilia.

Aprilia RSV4 R FW-SSTK1
 •Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
•Standard electrical system with ultra lightweight lithium battery. 
 •Standard electronics ECU reprogrammed in Race version, engine control and vehicle dynamics map made in Aprilia Racing.
•Reprogrammed instrumentation, predisposed for lap times if combined with the V4-MP system. This is the multimedia platform with which Aprilia introduces a telemetry system that provides, among other things, “corner by corner” adjustment of the RSV4’s electronic settings. 
 •Optimised and lightened braking system with ABS eliminated
 •Lightened factory engine, with no thermostat and secondary air circuit, with simplified cooling circuit lines. •Akrapovic exhaust kit, fairings kit and complete engine optimization.

Aprilia RSV4 R FW-SSTK2 
 •Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
•Racing electrical system, lightened and simplified with dedicated vehicle and engine wiring harness and lithium battery. 
 •APX2 ECU made in Aprilia Racing, fully programmable in ignition and engine control parameters using the included palmtop terminal.
 •The ECU includes the data acquisition system, with the possibility of using both original sensor or optional sensors available and permitted by Superstock 1000 FIM Cup regulations. 
 •Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation.
•Special engine with Aprilia Racing mods.
•Akrapovic exhaust kit and fairings kit.
•Maximum power reaches 204 HP.

Aprilia RSV4 R-FW SBK


•Aprilia RSV4 with Race Pack (Öhlins suspension systems and forged wheel rims).
•Racing electrical system, lightened and simplified with dedicated vehicle and engine wiring harness and lithium battery. 
 •APX2 ECU made in Aprilia Racing, fitted with GPS module, fully programmable in ignition and engine control parameters using the included palmtop terminal.
 •The ECU includes the data acquisition system with a telemetry sensors kit available as optional equipment. 
 •Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation with racing button panel.
 •Electronic gearbox with assisted downshift feature (blipper). 
•Special Aprilia Racing instrumentation.
•Special engine with SBK mods ‘made By Aprilia Racing. Maximum power reaches 215 HP.

For more info on these cutting edge machines you can check out the official Aprilia page for the FW GP by clicking HERE.

(All specs of photos courtesy of Aprilia)