Aprilia RXV 450/550

Following their 2004 S2 super Moto championship victory, all eyes have been on Aprilia RXV 450/550

 Over a three year period Aprilia has developed, tested and raced the SXV. The combined efforts of both RXV and SXV came at the cost of 50 million Euros. Even so, Aprilia will spend another 30 million Euros on the off-road. You simply can’t fail to appreciate technology like the 

• V twin engine

Aprilia was the first manufacturer in the world to believe in the validity of V twin architecture in a market segment in which all other marques still cling rigidly to single cylinder engines. Aprilia’s high-tech V twin design has already proved 100% reliable in competition. Even homologation for road use has not compromised the technology and performance of this exceptional engine, which is produced entirely by Aprilia. Since the earliest stages of the design process, the 45.2 has evolved to keep pace with chassis development and to give the RXV an unbeatable mix of power and handling.      

The 77° V angle is the result of extensive testing, aimed not only at boosting power but also at reducing vibration. As a result Aprilia’s engineers have been able to eliminate engine balancer shafts. Despite this the 45.2 engine still vibrates far less than any single cylinder alternative.  The cylinders themselves are integrated in the crankcase and have replaceable wet liners. This unique layout has allowed the engine ancillaries to be arranged in a way that achieves extremely compact dimensions. The results are amazing: the Aprilia V twin is one of the most compact twins in the world, and smaller in size than many singles of similar displacement. All design choices have been taken in order to obtain maximum ridability and an extended power band for off-road riding. The sophisticated electronic engine management system, developed by Aprilia Racing, incorporates numerous innovations for the off-road sector.
           The injection system features 38 mm throttle bodies (40 mm on the 550) and is managed by a programmable control unit. The ECU of the 2009 model is able to switch between two different mappings at the touch of a switch on the handlebars. This extremely useful innovation offers a full power mapping for use in conditions of good grip, and a second, softer mapping for smoother power delivery under challenging conditions. The system provides an extremely valid aid to control and has been welcomed both by expert riders (the system was actually tested in the final phases of the world championship) and by off-road fans in general. All you need is one quick click to select exactly the right power delivery for the circumstances.