It was definitely a fitting background; this past weekend at the MotoGP round in Austin, Texas, Aprilia decided to roll out two tribute bikes to honor one of the quickest and winningest racers in its portfolio, the RSV4. The RSV4 Factory SE-09 SBK special edition was unveiled alongside the equally rorty Tuono V4 Factory SE-09 SBK (though other than having the same engine, it wasn’t clear what the hyper-naked’s relation was here). Be that as it may, both special-edition bikes are adorned in the iconic livery that harkens back to RSV4′s spectacular debut, while also adding up-spec parts like carbon front brake air intakes and a carbon front fender, and a special numbered logo on the fuel tank.
The tribute bikes point back to that fateful July in 2009 when Max Biaggi, on the Brno circuit, piloted the Aprilia RSV4 to its first victory in the World Superbike Championship. Aprilia had never won the WSBK title before and at the time, many thought it rash to try with the new RSV4, but it turned out to be just the start of a win streak for the model in the most important factory-derivative championship in the world. When the smoke cleared, the RSV4 had racked up an extraordinary collection of seven world titles (three rider and four manufacturer), 44 wins, and 102 podiums.
Related: Aprilia RSV4 Factory – ROAD TEST
Of course the 2024 version of the RSV4 Factory 1100 has evolved quite a bit from Biaggi’s first-gen 999cc, 180 bhp racer. Obviously, displacement is now up to 1,099cc, which comes with a claimed output of 217 hp at 13,000 rpm, coupled with 92.1 lb.-ft. of torque (for reference, we squeezed 189.9 hp out of the 2019 RSV4 Factory 1100 on our dyno). There are also advanced aerodynamics, electronically adjustable suspension, and updated electronics on the newer bike, but the main focus of the special-edition numbered SBK models, both of which made their public debut during the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas, appears to be in their cosmetic treatments.
Two of the current top Aprilia Racing factory riders, Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales, had a hand in introducing the new RSV4 Factory and the Tuono V4 Factory SBK models. The special-edition models both sport the same eye-catching livery made famous by that first-gen RSV4 in its debut on the WSBK stage, dominated by black with the characteristic red and white trim on the top fairing, fuel tank, and unique tail fairing. It’s a simple, powerful scheme that’s instantly recognizable to any fan of the brand from Noale—or Max Biaggi, for that matter.
Both bikes will be available at US Aprilia dealers starting in June 2024, with an MSRP of $26,499 for the RSV4 Factory SE-09 SBK and $19,999 for the Tuono V4 Factory SE-09 SBK. For more info, visit aprilia.com.
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