The 1000 cc 'V 60 Magnesium' engine marks a turning point in the history of Aprilia twin-cylinder engines. It is based on the acclaimed V990, but has been so completely revised that even its name has changed. Its design features have already established it as the benchmark for production twins. It performs exceptionally, responds in every situation and has proverbial Aprilia reliability. The cylinder heads have been designed using Aprilia's race know-how to improve fluid dynamics and combustion efficiency. Optimised ignition and injection mapping has also led to increased torque in the 4,000 to 6,000 rpm rev range. The valve gear has been designed and tuned for the maximum performance.

The V60 Magnesium breathes through the exclusive 'Air Runner' ram air scoop. As mentioned above, this is located right in the middle of the cockpit fairing, exactly on the motorcycle's centreline where dynamic pressure is the highest. From the scoop, an air duct passes through the steering head to take ram air to the generous 10.3 litre airbox. A choke inside the duct, controlled by the engine ECU, regulates flow to provide the engine with air at exactly the right volume and pressure for all engine speeds. The engine therefore packs incredible punch right through its extended speed range, enabling the rev limiter to be set at 11,000 rpm.

The mighty roar of the V60 Magnesium is muffled by two differential volume Helmotz resonators to reduce intake noise at the most critical engine speeds. The airbox also houses an idling motor. This operates an electronically controlled valve that deviates air downstream of the butterfly valve to make it easier to start the engine from cold and to stabilise engine idling.

The Air Runner also performs a structural function. It incorporates two lightweight aluminium arms to hold the cockpit fairing and headlight so that there is no need for ugly brackets. A new panel type air filter reduces pressure drop and improves engine efficiency. The engine's fuel injection system features 57 mm throttle bodies and one injector per cylinder. Thank to the Air Runner ram air scoop pressure in the airbox increases as the bike accelerates, leading to a 3% gain in power at maximum speed. 

An engine management unit made in conjunction with Siemens VDO controls all engine parameters. The ECU receives real time signals from 15 parameter sensors and processes these to control the actuators in real time too. (Parameters include air and coolant temperature; atmospheric, airbox and oil pressure; Lambda sensor oxygen level; crankshaft, camshaft, and rear wheel speed; throttle, side stand, clutch and neutral position; and battery voltage.) To ensure high precision engine management, the phonic wheel on the crankshaft is a 36-minus-2-tooth wheel that generates signals every 10° instead of every 60°.

The flash EPROM already contains racing mapping for unrestricted exhausts. Aprilia service engineers can easily change mapping on request from the customer.

All engine data passes through a CAN (Controlled Area Network) line to the instrument panel, which acts as a diagnostic terminal. In the event of a malfunction, it is a simple job for service engineers to identify problems. The CAN line uses only two wires to transmit all data. This simplifies the electrical system enormously as well as reducing the total weight of the bike. 

The V60 Magnesium engine sets new standards for production twins, delivering a maximum power of 138.72 hp (102 kW) at 9,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 107 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Despite this massive power the engine is extremely clean running and complies with the EC's Euro2 emission control legislation thanks to a three way catalytic converter with lambda probe oxygen sensor. The engine is extremely light too thanks to the use of high-tech materials like magnesium in the cylinder head covers and the clutch cover. 

For Aprilia, advanced technology means long lasting performance as well as high performance. As the RSV 1000 R has grown in power, so it has also improved in reliability. Special high strength con rods have now been added to make the engine more robust than ever. Aprilia was the first manufacturer to use a close ratio gearbox on a production bike. The RSV 1000 R's new close ratio box allows you to make full use of the V60 Magnesium engine's fantastic power more easily than ever before. The result is even more aggressive acceleration and exhilarating gear changes coming out of bends. This enhanced performance is perfect for road and track because the engine responds brilliantly even in the high gears, making the bike sportier and more fun to ride than ever. 

Despite so much technical evolution, the characteristics that made the original RSV stand out are still there.

- Longitudinal 60° V twin engine with 4 valves per cylinder and double overhead camshaft, driven by a mixed chain and gear system.
- Electronic fuel injection with 57 mm throttle bodies, one injector per cylinder, and an 'Air Runner' ram air scoop.
- CDI ignition with one plug per cylinder. Ignition is controlled by the same integrated engine management system that also controls fuel injection.
- Dry sump lubrication with double trochoidal pump, separate oil tank and oil cooler.
- Mixed gear/chain valve timing drive with the two gears (one per timing chain) located in the crankcase to reduce cylinder head dimensions.

The RSV 1000 R's sophisticated twin cylinder engine also incorporates the following exclusive Aprilia patents:

- AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft).
- Hydraulic action clutch with radial master cylinder assisted by the patented PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch) system to control rear wheel bounce during fierce braking. 

Exhaust System

The exhaust system is designed using all of Aprilia's Superbike championship experience. The system is a 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust made entirely in stainless steel, with 10/10 mm thick collectors and oval section cylinder head flanges in precision cast stainless steel. The silencer skins are in electroplated 8/10 mm stainless steel, and are assembled with straps and rivets in line with the latest racing practice. Even the location of the silencers has been specially calculated to minimize aerodynamic resistance and improve weight distribution. For 2005, the RSV 1000 R also features improved joints between the collector pipes and the silencers and shot-peened, satin-effect silencer ends.

Frame

Years of high level racing have allowed Aprilia's R&D section to design a frame that is acknowledged as the best production bike frame around. One of Aprilia's fixed objectives when designing the new RSV 1000 R frame was to achieve perfectly centralised mass. In line with Aprilia practice, the frame incorporates aluminium-silicon castings and Peraluman 450 pressings. The frame has been optimised by extensive finite element analysis and boasts excellent torsional rigidity though it weighs only 9,650 grams, a figure matched only by specialist racing frames. 

Times change; riding styles change; and bikes must change too. For this reason, the frame and swingarm have been specifically designed for maximum efficiency and to enable riders to achieve perfect control over power slides into and out of bends. The new RSV 1000 R swingarm has been designed using the know how acquired in motorcycle GPs. Like the frame, it is made from extruded Peraluman and Al Si 7 castings. Its double member design provides a clear passage for the new twin silencer exhaust system. Here too, cross-sections and wall thicknesses have been optimised using finite element analysis. The RSV 1000 R swingarm weighs only 4,860 grams, well under the swingarm weight benchmark of 5 kg.

Suspension

The Showa 43 mm upside down fork is a perfect compromise between sports performance and road-going comfort. It is derived from racing forks and provides continuous adjustment for preload as well as hydraulic adjustments for compression and rebound damping (2.25 turns for the former and 2.5 for the latter). 

The Sachs rear monoshock incorporates a separate piggy back nitrogen cylinder and is adjustable in preload, compression, rebound and even length so that the rear end of the bike can be raised or lowered to achieve whatever setup may be required and to match rider preferences and other suspension adjustments. 

Brakes

Top supersports demand top quality brakes. The RSV 1000 R is at the cutting edge of technology, with radial calliper front brakes developed by Aprilia in conjunction with Brembo. Aprilia is no newcomer to sophisticated radial calliper technology. In fact Aprilia was the first manufacturer to use it, on a 250 GP racer.

The benefits of radial callipers for the rider are:

- More effective braking.
- More precise response to rider input. Wasted lever movement due to calliper 'elasticity' is almost completely eliminated because radial mounting prevents any movement of the calliper itself.
- Longer pad life. Radial callipers ensure better pad to disk alignment because the calliper remains rigidly aligned with its theoretical working position even under extreme stress. Better pad alignment means more even surface wear and therefore longer pad life.
- More consistent braking with less variation in performance between hot and cold.

The 320 mm floating steel disks on the front wheel feature narrower braking surfaces. This means reduced wheel weight and inertia and therefore more agile handling. The 2005 RSV 1000 R's radial callipers are combined with a radial master cylinder to form the most sophisticated braking system fitted to any current production bike. The front and rear braking circuits both use aeronautical metal braid hoses to eliminate the pressure variations associated with conventional rubber brake lines, guaranteeing maximum braking precision. 

Components

What places the Aprilia RSV 1000 R in a class of its own is the care taken in its design and manufacture and the attention paid to every single component on the bike. The result is increased performance and functionality, with reduced weight and a quality and finish that no other bike can equal. 

Particular care has been taken to rationalise the RSV 1000 R's design. Fewer parts means fewer screws and less weight. The new RSV 1000 R has only 14 fairing and body parts. Even the fastenings have been designed in a wind tunnel to optimise air flow over the bike and improve CX and cooling. 

The following components deserve a special mention:

- Radial calliper front brakes.

- Cast-formed calliper mounting for improved rigidity and braking consitency.

- The combined digital and analog dashboard receives data on all engine control parameters over a CAN line and incorporates memory to allow it to act as an integral part of the self-diagnostics system. The dashboard provides the same readouts as the previous model (including a self timer with a 40 lap memory). The dashboard is extremely modern and compact in design and weighs only 220 grams. All functions are controlled by three conveniently located keys. The LED backlighting may be set to three levels and is white for the analog instruments and red for the digital display.

- The headlight cluster incorporates four lights for perfect night riding vision. The great care taken over the design and finish of the RSV 1000 R also transpires from little but important details like bulb holders made from blue anodised aluminium.

- The white lens direction indicators are fully integrated in the bike's body. The front indicators are moulded into the rear view mirrors while the rear indicators are built into the tail. This means that there is no need to remove them for track use. The rear number plate holder can also be removed quickly and easily to comply with competition regulations.

- Even the ignition key is specially made for the RSV 1000 R and carries an internal identification code. The ignition block has an immobilizer fitted as standard. 

Colors