From a Hayabusa to an RSV4? Requesting advice/opinion

I was doing a 2012 street bike tech check and stumbled across the RSV4R. I have always had a special place in my heart for v4 engines ever since the 1980s Honda V65s. And now a sexy sport bike from Aprilia returns with one. Needless to say I am VERY tempted. But about me: I am NOT a track rider. I like bike sex appeal and acceleration style power at the low and mid end. As like many Americans, I sometimes go up to 160 or more although not very often. So I have been trying to do as much thorough research as I can and I'd like to bounce off some conclusions I've gathered from various reviews and run it past on you owners if I may.


1. The RSV4R is first and foremost a track bike in that any other "lesser" use is brutal and almost a waste of its greatest assets?
2. Tied to #1 The RSV4 runs so incessantly hot when not moving that it's almost painful - except in leathers.
3. It's best power is in the high end, whereas the low and mid is comparatively "slower" than its 1 liter competition.
4. It's riding position, seat, and your wrists become very uncomfortable so longer rides would be "brutal" again? (I'm slim built 5' 11" 3/4)
5. It swallows gasoline faster than Barney does beer at Moe's tavern.

I presently own a 2011 Hayabusa. Although a respectable bike in its own right I find it to be a bit large in girth and heavy for me so I feel a bit inhibited by it on casual canyon runs in northern Utah. So a liter bike is on my radar.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Bob, I went from a BMW K1200S to a '09 ZX14 to a '10 Busa. All three "felt" a little large to me. I was also eyeing the Blade. So from a contrast of the '14 how do you feel the RSV4's power delivery and acceleration compares?

the RSV4's dyno charts shows most its power in like the 9K and above end and so weak on low and mid.

What do you think?

And what did you think of the Fireblade? Another poster on the board said he found it boring and too predictable in its power delivery.

You say the RSV4 is more like a twin? Twins as far as I know are known for substancially low end power and torque compared to inline 4s. But from what I have read and seen from the dyno charts the RSV4 seems to have most its power on top.

I watched a video review on the RSV4 from the UK and its quite a good review, he concludes at the end that the RSV4 is for its purpose an incredible bike but for anything else, like daily driver etc "it's brutal".

What do you think Bob?

Guys I really appreciate your input. That Aprilia is so sexy. And I love, in general, V4s. But I'm not a track or even race rider. I don't want to get something I would regret.

How about low speed acceleration? Do you think the RSV4 R would make me feel wanting compared to the 14 and the Busa?

BobC said:

If I had to sum performance up in a few words I say the Kawasaki is faster but the Aprilia handles better.

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The 1 liter bikes run around 430-450 wet. Thats 100-120 lbs less in weight compared to the Busa and 14. Do any one the one litres have the same lower end acceleration as the hyperbikes? I dont need to hold steady comfortably at 186.

BobC said:

When I said more like a twin I meant it sounds and feels like one, especially if you're used to in-line fours. No litre sports bike will have the low down torque of a hyperbike but it's a trade-off because they weigh a lot less. You really need to ride as many as you can before you buy. The Aprilia especially will feel tiny if you've just got off a Hayabusa so a five minute ride will not do, you need it for half a day.

As for speed and acceleration the litre bike will hold it's own in most straight line situations but you'll need to rev it more, around the bends it will be ahead.

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Thank you Bob.

Well a dealer got 4 and my name and a deposit is on a black 2012 APRC. I will be a new RSV4 owner soon. Very excited!