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APRILIA RSV 1000 R (Year 2002 Model)
The aggressiveness, skill and experience of a rider like Troy Corser have contributed to Aprilia's sporting development, such that the company is now an uncontested leader also in the Superbike world championships. A dream which seemed impossible just one year ago, is today the reality rewarding Aprilia's efforts, allowing the transfer of the valuable experience acquired on the race track to ever more expert and demanding users.
 The Aprilia RSV 1000 R represents the maximum expression of this motorcycle manufacturer's technological/sporting heritage.
A project aimed at all those looking for a motorbike for track use. A "single seater" (but also available with two-seater kit) capable of expressing the racing potential of every rider and adapting to all individual and specific needs in terms of settings, performance and, obviously, excitement, offering an unrivalled price/equipment ratio.
Updated, modified and further improved as a result of constant technological evolution and the experience acquired on the race track, the Aprilia RSV 1000 R "2002" has new graphic versions - powerful, effective and high-performance.
The over 200 modifications introduced in the 2001 upgrade of both the basic and R versions of the RSV 1000 make this motorcycle a real technological gem. The Aprilia RSV 1000 R is fitted with the best components from around the world (weight reduction being one of the factors), with many solutions and components borrowed from racing bikes.
An important design and production achievement which makes the RSV 1000 R a precise reference point for competitors, with this motorbike representing the perfect balance in terms of quality, technology, components and finish at an absolutely competitive price.
The APRILIA RSV 1000 R uses standard components of the highest possible level. This represents much more than a simple assembly operation. Indeed, everything has been optimised, designed and produced as a whole, tested, set-up and modified technically so as to achieve the balance of technology and performance and riding efficiency that have become Aprilia's traditional trademark and the distinctive characteristic of every Aprilia product.
The bike will be available in two brand new color schemes, "devil black/fluo red", with "replica superbike" graphics taken from Troy Corser's world championship racing bike, while the second combination, flashy yellow/black, is equally attractive and exclusive.
 As in the case of the RSV 1000, the R version has been subject to graphic restyling, without however breaking with the lines and constructive philosophy of a motorcycle whose personality, originality and character immediately convey to the rider a sense of ease and confidence.
Aerodynamics remain the point of reference (as confirmed by wind tunnel tests: raising performance, protecting the rider and eliminating all annoying turbulence which, as well as being tiring, disturbs the ride of the bike), yet the design is now defined by more aggressive and marked lines, with the rider perfectly integrated with the machine.
The APRILIA RSV 1000 R engine is a powerful and reliable longitudinal 60° V twin with four valves per cylinder and double camshaft in the head, controlled by a mixed chain and gear system. This exceptional engine has a power of 130 HP to the shaft, while maintaining smooth and progressive delivery and extremely low noise and vibrations.
The choice of the 60° V twin guarantees a light and compact engine and allows the development of mechanical components of the highest level, with optimum weight distribution.
As a result, it features all the technical characteristics of the Aprilia twin that have helped the RSV 1000 (both the standard version and the R version) reach a series of important sporting and commercial objectives:
- longitudinal 60° V twin engine, timing with 4 valves per cylinder and double cam shaft in cylinder head controlled by mixed gear/chain system;
- electronic fuel injection (modified and updated)
- CDI type ignition with a TSI (Twin Spark Ignition) system, using 2 spark plugs per cylinder. Ignition is controlled by the engine's integrated control system, which also controls injection.
- dry crankcase lubrication, using a second recovery trochoidal pump and an external oil reservoir (as well as a radiator located in front of the engine). As a result, the engine block is more rigid and compact than with a "wet crankcase" system, totally eliminating the risk of poor engine lubrication during sudden acceleration/declaration or wheelies;
- mixed gear/chain timing. The pair of gears (one for each timing chain) in the engine block enables the size of the cylinder heads to be reduced;
The sophisticated twin is completed by a number of exclusive Aprilia patents:
- the AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft) double balancing countershaft
- power-assisted hydraulic controlled clutch covered by the patented PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch), to control rear wheel bounce during sudden deceleration.
The clutch has a spring drive (with an activation curve progressive, according to engine torque applied), with the aim of guaranteeing smooth operation and noise levels above all at low engine revs. Thanks to the internal shape of the support surfaces of the disks and the lubrication of the entire clutch assembly grip, life-span and the force necessary to operate the lever are exceptional.
A constant in this specialist version is the splendid aluminium alloy box-type double beam frame, which has characterised the Aprilia twin since its first appearance.
The saddle mount has been modified to take account of the bike's single seater format. Made from aluminium, this specific configuration further reduces the motorbike's weight. The two-seater kit is available as a spare part/optional.
 Using an efficient linkage system (both single and double conrods), the exclusive differentiated arm rear swingarm actions a professional Ohlins Racing single shock absorber with piggy-back nitrogen cylinder (separate and incorporated in the body), adjustable in rebound, compression, preload and length, in order to raise or lower the rear of the motorbike according to the preferred trim, rider's preferences and other adjustments made.
The upside-down front suspension, Ohlins Racing, naturally, has 43 mm diameter sleeves treated with titanium nitride to improve smoothness. Wheel travel is 120 mm,
The external hydraulic system for adjusting damping, rebound, compression and preload is fast and efficient.
The brake calliper attachment pin is made from a single block of forged aluminium to improve rigidity and thus also stability during braking, in line with the latest Grand Prix and SBK world championship experience.
The relative flexibility of the whole front end of the bike has been studied in depth with a view to achieving the perfect absorption of uneven surfaces, even when leant over, drawing on the Grand Prix and Superbike experience of recent years. An important achievement in terms of exclusivity, technology and efficiency.
Worthy of note is the Brembo "Gold Series" braking system. This is undoubtedly the most prestigious and technologically advanced production-approved system currently available on the market. Featuring 320 mm diameter stainless steel double floating disk, reduced braking band (to reduce weight and inertia) and exclusive Aprilia designed six spoke centring.
Also new are the four-pot callipers, 34 mm in diameter with 4 separate pads (a solution used for racing), made from sintered material and extremely rigid (thanks to the central connection above the pads).
An effective and highly reliable system, meaning significantly reduced stopping distance, great feel and gradual action, and resistance to wear.
The rear brakes are also Brembo "Gold Series", with 220 mm diameter stainless steel disk and two-pot calliper, 32 mm in diameter.
Brake pads made from sintered material and metal braid brake lines, based on aeronautical technology, are used for both the front and rear brakes.
This exclusive APRILIA RSV 1000 R version stands out for the care and attention paid to even the smallest component and part. Attention which has increased performance, feel and ridability, while reducing weight and considerably improving the quality and finish of the product.
The petrol tank is made from special resins. A precise choice which has made it possible to considerably reduce the weight of the tank. This is an excellent material for track use in that, as well as being lighter, it is also more resistant than metal to small knocks, scratches, etc.
The adjustable steering damper, obviously from the specialist Ohlins Racing line, fitted as standard, has an exclusive double chamber configuration.
Carbon elements make this motorbike even lighter and of higher quality. The dashboard cover, front and rear mudguards, ram air ducts and windshield baffle are produced using this high technology and exclusive material.
The glass of the front fairing is heat formed and scratch-proofed for optimum visibility and transparency, to guarantee a long life and a complete absence of visual distortions.
In terms of components, the following are worthy of note
- aluminium rider footrests
- digital-analogue multi-function dashboard incorporating injection auto-diagnosis and 40-memory chronometer, operated by the passing signal (flash of the headlight), featuring new graphics and amber lighting (easier to read in different light, and a decidedly sporting look)
- the headlight, made from plastic to ensure lightness and optimum weight balance in a critical zone for ridability. The functional characteristics remain the depth and width of the light beam, together with the excellent intensity and homogeneity of the illumination.
 The exclusive RSV 1000 R wheels deserve special mention. This is one of the distinctive, exclusive and specific elements of this motorbike.
In collaboration with OZ, Aprilia has designed and developed specific wheels with the aim of producing the best aluminium wheel for a high performance motorbike.
After in-depth analysis of the products available on the international market, the design parameters were established on the basis of the know-how acquired by Aprilia and OZ during their respective activities in the racing world.
In a wheel, the most important requisites and parameters are associated with rigidity and the weight of the wheel itself.
During use, the wheel is continually subject to torsional and lateral stress. If the wheel is not sufficiently rigid, the trim of the motorbike may be compromised, upsetting the balance and thus reducing the grip of the tyres on the asphalt.
The weight is also important, as the wheel represents a mass in movement on the motorbike which must be constantly accelerated or braked. A reduction in weight produces a corresponding reduction in the energy/power required to move and steer the motorbike, with an immediate effect on ridability, both on the road and on the track.
Reducing the weight also means further reducing inertia and modifying the gyroscopic forces determining the balance of the vehicle as a whole.
To satisfy the ambitious objectives set by Aprilia in terms of weight and rigidity, the best available materials and production techniques were used. The wheel is made from Anticorodal 5051 forged aluminium using an hydraulic forging press with a power of 8000 tonnes.
This technology (known and applied to date only in Formula One, Formula Sport, Rally and similar cars) enables the production of wheels free from porosity - a possible defect during casting - and made from a material with exceptional mechanical characteristics.
A finite element analysis then enabled the best possible design to be identified and, after testing various models, a version with six spokes dividing towards the edge of the channel was chosen.
The choice was not made exclusively on the basis of aesthetic criteria. This structure in fact permits optimum lateral and torsional rigidity (thus maintaining the trim of the suspension stable).
The weight saving is exceptional: about 25% less for each wheel compared to the lightest wheel on the market using the more traditional cast aluminium technology.
Inertia has also been reduced by 25% with respect to traditional cast aluminium alloy wheels.
Exclusive components used for the RSV 1000 "R"
- optimised injection mapping
- "Ohlins Racing" front suspension, treated with titanium nitride to increase smoothness and specific settings
- brake calliper attachment pin made from a single block of forged aluminium, to improve rigidity and thus also stability during braking
- "Ohlins Racing" rear suspension, with specific setting and optimised for single-seater use, adjustable in length (as well as preload, rebound, and compression)
- "Ohlins Racing" double chamber steering damper
- heat-formed, scratch-proof windshield, optimised for greater transparency and better visibility
- carbon fibre front mudguard
- carbon fibre rear mudguard
- carbon fibre dashboard cover
- carbon fibre ram air ducts (left and right)
- carbon fibre windshield baffles (left and right)
- stainless steel oil tank
- forged aluminium front wheel (exclusive to Aprilia)
- forged aluminium rear wheel (exclusive to Aprilia)
- lighter single-seat saddle mount (single-seat version only)
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