New Aprilia RSV4 RR & RF!

They’ve already got the best sportsbike in the world, winning our prestigious SBOTY test four years in a row – and now they’ve made it even better to counter new and impressive metal from their competitors.

Ladies and germs, the 2015 RSV4 RR is here, as is the RSV4 RF.

The basics are as follows: an extra 16bhp taking the engine up to 201bhp at the crank, at 13,000rpm. All engine internals have been revised or redesigned. The class-leading APRC electronics package has also been upgraded and refined and includes traction-control, anti-wheelie, launch control and also an auto-downshift blipper.

Brakes have also been upgraded, and features a Race ABS system from Bosch with three adjustable settings. These settings can also be combined with the engine mapping and other electronic settings. With the chassis, weight distribution and general chassis setup has been redefined, the engine is slightly lower and the swingarm lengthened by 14mm. The front fairing is also larger and redesigned, too.

The RR comes with Sachs suspension, but can be upgraded to Ohlins via the race pack, which also includes lighter wheels, a race ECU and lots of other goodies. Or, you can buy the limited edition RSV4 RF, which comes with the full race pack included, and also a special ‘Superpole’ paint scheme. Don’t delay though, there will only be 500 of the RF built.

The big news? The engine mapping and electronics can be tailored on track, corner by corner, via GPS to your preferences. Not only that, the software and support will help you go faster. That’s WSB & MotoGP in your garage – what a brave new world we live in!

We await news on pricing.

Have they done enough to keep their Superbike crown? We’ll find out when we hold Sportsbike of the Year 2015!