2009–2013 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
V4 Aggression, Fully Dialed
The Factory is the road-legal version of Aprilia's Superbike program, and it never pretends otherwise. A compact 999 cc V4 makes 180 hp at 12,500 rpm and keeps pulling to a 14,000 rpm redline, with peak torque of 85 lb-ft arriving at 10,000 rpm. The narrow aluminum beam frame and the fully adjustable premium suspension were built around precision rather than comfort, backed by forged wheels, 320 mm front discs, a steering damper and a slipper clutch. The electronics are deliberately thin: ride modes, and nothing that thinks on your behalf.
Ridden on the road it behaves like the racing chassis it is. Steering is quick, the front tells you exactly what the tire is doing, and the real reward waits above 10,000 rpm, which puts most of the performance past what a public road allows. Ownership needs open eyes. Early production engines suffered conrod failures and were replaced under recall, so ask for a documented engine history before money changes hands. This one is for the rider who wants sharpness and accepts the maintenance bill attached to it. Anyone shopping for easy miles should look elsewhere.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 180 hp (132 kW) @ 12,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) @ 10,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 999 cc |
| Engine | V4 |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| Wet weight | 448 lb (203 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gal (17 L) |
| Fuel economy | 27 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Drivetrain
Safety
Two decades of listening adds up. What follows comes from paddock conversations, owner talk at club nights, and the messages riders send me directly after living with a Factory. The pattern is consistent: the praise is all about how this bike behaves when it is being ridden hard, and the complaints are all about everything else.
Brakes come up first in almost every conversation. Riders describe enormous stopping power with fine control at the lever, a setup they trust on a track day without changing a thing. Cornering precision draws the same consistent praise. Owners talk about placing the bike exactly where they intend, lap after lap, with the chassis and the tires backing up the decision.
Running costs come up repeatedly. Valve adjustments are the one owners flag hardest, slow work that needs someone who genuinely knows this engine, and riders point at insurance and fuel too, with economy sitting around 27 mpg. Taller riders in particular find the riding position punishing once the ride runs long. A few also mention snatchy throttle response at low rpm in town, which clears up as the revs rise.
Conrod failure and engine recall
Early production bikes suffered conrod failures; Aprilia recalled and replaced entire engines on affected units. All UK-sold bikes were rectified.
Gearbox wear and failure
Several owners report premature wear of 2nd and 6th gears, especially on track bikes or when using a quickshifter. The cassette-type gearbox must be opened for repair.
Excessive oil consumption
Some owners report high oil usage, often accompanied by metallic residue in the oil. The cause remains debated.
Cam chain tensioner rattle
The hydraulic cam chain tensioner can stick and cause a loud rattling noise on cold starts. Later revisions of the part offer improved reliability.
Engine overheating
In hot weather or heavy traffic, the engine can overheat, with some owners noting the fan often runs continuously. The twin-head layout traps heat near the rider.
Valve cover gasket leaks
Oil weeping from the valve cover gaskets is a known issue, often requiring replacement at or before the valve clearance service.
Where this Aprilia RSV 4 Factory pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the RSV 4 Factory is actually built for.
Canyon roads suit it perfectly, provided you accept the terms. It wants revs, it wants open road, and it gets hot while you are stuck in city traffic on the way out to the good stuff.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
This is your bike. The chassis and lean clearance let you work on lines all day, but the aids stop at ride modes, so the safety net is you. Watch 2nd and 6th gear if you add a quickshifter.
Made for Barber Motorsports Park · WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Circuit of the Americas
The precision and front-end feel are exactly what repeating technical corners reward. Budget for the heat when the traffic backs up, and for the 33.3-inch seat every time you put a foot down.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia RSV 4 Factory. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2009–2018
The Top-End That Won't Quit
About the same used price as this bike at 13 yr
Competitor · 2009–2014
The Crossplane Traction Machine
Roughly $3,300 cheaper used than this bike at 15 yr
Competitor · 2008–2011
Lightweight Precision At Its Sharpest
Roughly $2,800 cheaper used than this bike at 15 yr
Same Platform · 2011–2013
The V4 Scream Machine
Roughly $5,400 cheaper used than this bike at 13 yr