APRC, short for: Aprilia Performance Ride Control. The APRC was developed using data from this year’s Superbike Championship. While it’s the BMW S1000RR that came out on top in most litre-class superbike shootouts conducted by dozens of magazines and websites worldwide, on the racetrack, it’s the Aprilia RSV4 that has won the battle. The Italian brand celebrates with the RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition, which is equipped with a new electronic management system that includes traction control, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift.
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The APRC package uses an automotive inertial platform with two turn meters and two accelerometers that enable the ECU to track dynamic conditions and adjust engine control consequently. The rider can adjust any component of the APRC system independently at will. The list of the electronic system is quite long: ATC (Aprilia Traction Control), AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) and AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift).
The ATC is one of the greatest strengths of the APRC package. This is a fully innovative traction control system developed from an Aprilia patent, mainly focussed on helping the rider improve his lap times. Thanks to the inertial platform and the Ride By Wire, the ATC not only reduces torque when the rear wheel slips but lets the rider control tail sliding when exiting a bend, giving him a better feel for throttle control, depending on lean angle. Aprilia ATC is quickly, easily activated from the instrument panel menu and offers & settings. When the ATC is enabled, the rider can change setting in an instant at any time using a joystick on the left handlebar to suit track, pavement or tyre conditions, without closing the throttle and keeping his hands on the handlebar, as in professional motorcycle racing. This way, the system can adjust to every single bend of any track so as to meet the specific requirements of any rider, including the most expert ones. The other incredible achievement of Aprilia technology is the system’s “learning capacity”. Current traction control systems are designed and optimised for a single size and type of tyre. This limit frequently cancels the benefits of traction control. Aprilia Traction Control has overcome this limit: a procedure activated by the rider enables the system to learn the tyre radius and final ratio adopted on the bike to obtain fine-tuned traction control.
WSBK-technology on the street
Exploiting the full power of modern superbikes down to the very last HP is every rider’s dream. Aprilia’s AWC has achieved extraordinary results. Thanks to the exclusive Aprilia patented Wheelie Detection System, the AWC is able to “tell” when a wheelie begins and ends and kicks in to smoothen wheel contact with the road. Smooth, soft wheelie management avoid harsh power cuts or pick-up, providing perfect acceleration control. Again, the AWC system is activated from the instrument panel and can be adjusted independently from other control systems choosing from three settings to better meet rider requirements.
The perfect start is yet another racer’s dream, because a good start frequently means you’re half way towards a victory. When the lights go out, handling the huge power of modern superbikes is no easy task. Unless the bike handles it itself to offer its best starting performance. The ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) system ensures an instant start as the lights go out, applying full power to the road to assist the rider in this critical moment of the race. All the rider needs to do is give full throttle and release the clutch as he normally would and shift gears. The ALC has three settings that can be selected from the instrument panel menu, then it must be “armed” at standstill, by squeezing both traction control buttons on the left handlebar joystick at the same time.
The APRC SE got special livery
When you’re after the utmost lap performance, you can’t afford to waste even one thousandth of a second in an apparently simple operation like shifting. RSV4 Factory APRC SE is the first Aprilia bike that comes with the Aprilia Quick Shift as standard. Basically, the quick shift shortens spark advance for an instant and then gradually restores it, making for super-fast shifting with no need to close the throttle or use the clutch. The system works hand in hand with the new closer spaced gearbox to limit RPM drop during shifting for faster lap times. To optimise AQS performance, Aprilia engineers have fine-tuned power cut timing based on shifting RPM.
Key features of the RSV4 APRC SE:
• APRC fitted as standard
• Fuel system with variable length intake ducts
• Advanced exhaust butterfly valve management
• 3-point adjustable chassis
• Öhlins fully adjustable front fork
• Öhlins fully adjustable shock absorber
• Öhlins adjustable steering damper
• Wheel rims in forged aluminium
• Carbon parts
• Special Tricolour livery
2011 Aprilia RSV4 APRC Special Edition Specifications and Photos
