THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER
You could say Aprilia has a slightly unfair advantage as it smartly fitted an Akrapovic silencer to the test bikes, to simply add to the amusement around Misano. It does sound amazing, even at tickover. I know from experience that Aprilia’s V4 has always had distinctive ‘character’ but now, with 300rpm more to play with, this has amplified the experience to over-indulgent levels.
Leaving the famous pitlane at Misano, and the new Factory sounds magnificent, the V4 blasting pulsating vibrations off the pit wall.
Out on to the track on pre-heated Pirelli slicks (no need to warm up) the bike is straight into it, accelerating hard to join the swarm of Italian racers already up to race speed.
The noise is lovely, a voice that would put Pavarotti to shame! This is escorted by the smoothest of quickshifter changes I’ve experienced on a road bike. The changes are quick, perfectly matched in rpm; it’s like the peg, selector and gearbox have been purposely designed for me.
Further improved
The fuelling and throttle response, like the clutch’s gear changes, are perfect. Aprilia has uprated the electronics with a new
