A Comprehensive Review of the Aprilia RXV 450 2006–2009: Unleashing the Power

Welcome to our in-depth review of the Aprilia RXV 450. In this article, we will delve into the features, performance, and overall riding experience of this remarkable off-road motorcycle. Whether you are an avid rider or simply curious about the capabilities of this machine, join us as we explore the power, handling, and design of the Aprilia RXV 450.

Introduction

The Aprilia RXV 450 is a beast of a machine designed for off-road adventures. Its powerful engine, advanced suspension, and aggressive styling make it a top choice for thrill-seeking riders. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this bike stand out from the crowd.

Engine Performance Of Aprilia RXV 450

At the heart of the Aprilia RXV 450 lies a high-performance engine that packs a punch. With a displacement of 449cc, this fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine delivers an impressive amount of power. The engine is designed to provide excellent torque and acceleration, allowing riders to conquer any terrain with ease. Whether you’re navigating steep hills or tackling challenging trails, the RXV 450’s engine won’t disappoint.

Handling and Suspension Of Aprilia RXV 450

One of the standout features of the Aprilia RXV 450 is its exceptional handling and suspension system. Equipped with top-of-the-line components, this bike offers a smooth and controlled ride. The front suspension consists of adjustable upside-down forks, providing optimal damping and stability. At the rear, a fully adjustable shock absorber ensures maximum comfort and responsiveness. These high-quality suspension components allow riders to tackle obstacles with confidence, making the RXV 450 a true off-road champion.

Design and Ergonomics

Aprilia has always been known for its eye-catching designs, and the RXV 450 is no exception. Its aggressive stance, sharp lines, and bold graphics give it a distinctive look that turns heads wherever it goes. Apart from its aesthetics, the RXV 450 also boasts thoughtful ergonomics. The bike is designed to offer a comfortable riding position, allowing riders to maintain control during long rides. The seat is well-padded and the handlebars are positioned for optimal leverage, reducing rider fatigue and enhancing overall comfort.

Electronics and Technology Of Aprilia RXV 450

The Aprilia RXV 450 comes equipped with a range of advanced electronics and technology features. These include a digital instrument cluster that provides essential information at a glance, such as speed, RPM, fuel level, and more. The bike also features a traction control system, which ensures optimal traction in various riding conditions. This technology enhances safety and allows riders to explore the limits of the RXV 450 with confidence.

Off-Road Capabilities

The Aprilia RXV 450 truly shines when it comes to off-road capabilities. Its robust construction, powerful engine, and exceptional suspension enable riders to conquer even the most challenging terrains. Whether you’re tackling rocky trails, sandy dunes, or muddy tracks, the RXV 450’s off-road prowess will leave you impressed. The bike’s lightweight design and nimble handling make it easy to maneuver through tight corners and technical sections. If you’re an off-road enthusiast looking for a bike that can handle anything you throw at it, the Aprilia RXV 450 is an excellent choice.

Aprilia RXV4.5

Price: £5599 OTR (When new in 2006)

Engine: SOHC, fuel-injected, e-start, four-stroke 77º V-twin

Displacement: 449cc

Bore & stroke: 76 x 49.5mm

Transmission: 5-speed

Frame: Chro-moly steel trellis with alloy side spars

Front suspension: 45mm USD forks

Rear suspension: Sachs shock

Front brake: 270mm floating disc, Nissin caliper

Wheelbase: 1495mm

Seat height: 941mm (claimed)

Fuel capacity: 7.8L

Maintenance and Reliability

Owning a high-performance off-road bike like the Aprilia RXV 450 requires proper maintenance to ensure its longevity and reliability. Regular servicing, including oil changes, filter replacements, and chain adjustments, is essential to keep the bike in optimal condition. Thankfully, Aprilia has a wide network of authorized service centers, making it convenient for owners to access quality maintenance and spare parts. With proper care, the Aprilia RXV 450 will provide years of thrilling off-road adventures.

Price and Availability Of Aprilia RXV 450

The Aprilia RXV 450 is a premium off-road motorcycle, and with that comes a higher price tag. However, considering its exceptional performance and features, it is worth the investment for serious off-road enthusiasts. The price may vary depending on your location and any additional accessories you choose. Availability of the Aprilia RXV 450 may also vary, so it’s recommended to contact your local Aprilia dealer for the most up-to-date information.

On paper, the Aprilia RXV 450 sounds like a tech fest: it’s a fuel-injected, V-twin enduro bike with a composite frame that looks like it came out of a roadie.

Aprilia was rapidly expanding in 2006, and the RXV was its first attempt at a dirtbike. It was ahead of its time in many ways, with an ECU that controlled the spark and fuel mixture.

The throttle bodies were mounted vertically under the airbox. The heads are very compact, thanks to a single-overhead cam that operates the four titanium valves.

The headers join together in a large muffler that sits where the front of the mudguard would be on a conventional bike. The frame is a combination of steel tubes joining the steering head to cast aluminum side plates. The triangulated swingarm is also made of alloy. It’s made of all lightweight materials and weighs about 126kg dry. That’s about 4kg lighter than a road-legal Suzuki DR-Z400E. The fork is a Marzocchi Shiver, the shock is a Sachs, and the brakes are Nissin.

The RXV certainly has enough power, with a midrange surge that has to be experienced. Down low, there’s not much happening. But when the power hits, the bike lights up and moves. However, the motor really needs to produce more torque. If you don’t keep the revs up, it’s lazy, which leads to clutch abuse. There were some issues with the bike from the get-go, as you couldn’t use the back section of the bike as a grab handle because of the hot muffler.

The exhaust had a similar effect on the Sachs shock, which was too soft to start with. These problems were resolved with a conventional silencer in the later model that did not come to Australia. One thing that I thought was rather strange with the bike was that it had a paper air filter element, which wasn’t helped by an airbox that wasn’t particularly well sealed for dust. This may have come from Aprilia’s background in road bikes.

It’s hard to give too much mechanical advice on these bikes, as they seem to hit the market out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. I can still count the number I have seen on one hand. My concern with them is parts supply. There’s not much available on the aftermarket scene, and I’m not sure how easy it is to source anything genuine either. Many owners seem to buy a second bike for spares.

If you are after something unique, then the Aprilia certainly fits the bill. Take a good look over the bike before buying it and check for a service history. If the bike needs any major engine repairs, then I would steer clear.

Just remember, it’s a V-twin, so you have to buy two of everything to rebuild the cylinders. Ride the bike and make sure it runs well with no engine noise. Make sure it selects all gears and the clutch doesn’t slip. Make sure it starts easily and idles well with no water or oil leaks. Lastly, check over the frame and chassis for any damage. Check the bearings and seals to make sure everything is in good working order.

What is the spec of the Aprilia Rxv 450?

RXV/SXV 450: 449 cc twin-cylinder 77° v-twin dry sump water-cooled four-stroke with 12.5:1 compression ratio. RXV/SXV 550: 549 cc twin-cylinder 77° v-twin dry sump water-cooled four-stroke with 12:1 compression ratio. RXV/SXV 450: 60 bhp claimed crank hp. RXV/SXV 550: 70 bhp claimed crank hp.

How much horsepower does a Sxv 450 have?

TECHNOLOGY ON PARADE

Frankly, we don’t know much about Aprilia. We’ve heard that the company is one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, but we’ve only seen high-end sport bikes in the U.S. The company is owned by the Piaggio group, which also owns Vespa and Moto Guzzi. The RXV is its first attempt at a dirt-only bike for America.

That seems strange considering it has blinkers and a license-plate bracket. In Europe, it’s certainly okay for the street, but things don’t happen quickly or cheaply over here. We would guess that EPA and DOT certification will come for the bike in the future, but Piaggio isn’t really saying that.

At this point, the machine is considered a competition-only bike by the powers that be, and the VIN number reflects that. With its fuel-injection system, the motor is clean enough, but the bike still doesn’t have such American peculiarities as a charcoal filter attached to the vent hose.

Aprilia has a computer-controlled management system that controls the spark and the fuel mixture. It’s the same system that has been in use on the street side of the company for years. The two throttle bodies point straight down from the airbox under the tank.

With two cylinders taking up the space of one, things get pretty crowded down there. The heads are very compact. They have single overhead cams driving four valves per cylinder, and the exhaust system is a serpentine affair that exits the front of the forward cylinder and the back of the rear cylinder. Both head pipes join together in a large canister that sits where the airbox would be on a conventional dirt bike. There are two outlets at the rear of the bike, just under the rear fender. It looks pretty wild.

The frame is just as unconventional. It’s a composite of round steel tubes around the head pipe bonded to cast aluminum sections around the swingarm pivot. Then there’s the swingarm, which is unlike anything else in the dirt. Each aluminum arm is triangular in shape, sort of like what you might see on a MotoGP bike. It’s all certainly light, considering the machine’s dry weight of 278 pounds. That’s a good 15 pounds lighter than a Suzuki DRZ400S, and over 100 pounds lighter than any other modern Twin. Frankly, we didn’t think it was possible. Just imagine how much lighter it could be without all the lights and stuff.

There are some aspects of the bike that are conventional. The fork is a Marzocchi Shiver and the shock is a Sachs. That’s the same combo we’ve seen on Husqvarna dirt bikes. The brakes are Brembo and the tires are Michelin-although the rear is an FIM short-knob. We replaced it with a Dunlop 752 before we went very far from the truck.

IS IT A DIRT BIKE?

Absolutely. We took the RXV on fire roads, then we took it on trails, and finally we hit a couple of motocross tracks. We would never have done that on any previous twin-cylinder bike; not even the KTM or BMW-except perhaps as an experiment in abuse. The Aprilia feels like it should be in the dirt. Which presents the biggest problem. We don’t know what to compare it to. There’s nothing else like it, not even close.

If the standard is dirt-faring Twins, it already wins. But the bike has so much more potential that we naturally want to compare it to the best dirt bikes in the world. It certainly has enough power. The Aprilia has a mid-range surge that has to be experienced. Down low, there’s not much going on. But when the power hits, holy Moses, the bike lights up and moves. And even though the exhaust is super quiet, the sound that does trickle out of the two pipes has a distinct NASCAR flavor.

The result of the big mid-range hit is a lot of excitement and a little terror. If you have good traction, you’ll scoot forward like a rocket sled. If you don’t, you’ll spin. That makes the bike hard to handle on rocks and sketchy surfaces.

On the other hand, it’s a blast on big sweeping turns when you want to break the rear end loose. In order to be really effective on tight, snaky trails, though, the motor really needs to produce more torque. If you keep it below the powerband it’s lazy and lends itself to clutch abuse.

With the engine management system so totally computer-controlled, it might be simply a matter of pressing a button on a laptop to give the motor more low-end. But we don’t know how-we’re as new to this EFI thing as anyone. The first place we would look for a solution is the exhaust. The stocker has some issues that could be easily solved. One is that you naturally want to use that section of the bike as a grab handle. Ouch. Another is that the stock system surrounds the rear shock and preheats it.

That last problem seriously limits the RXV for hard riding. The rear suspension is already soft, and after a few whoops, the damping gets even lighter. We haven’t had a fade problem with Sachs shocks in the past, so it might be the muffler location combined with the weight. But at trail riding speeds, you’re not likely to have much of an issue. The soft suspension makes the bike comfortable on tight trails. You can take the Aprilia anywhere that you would take a Honda XR650R. And that means anywhere, as long as you’re not in full-race mode.

TRAIL STUFF Of Aprilia RXV 450

Once again, we are uncertain about what to use as a benchmark. We would guess that Aprilia lacks dirt experience, as there are several issues that could be easily fixed. For instance, the bike has a paper air filter element, and the airbox is not well sealed from dirt. It also tends to run hot – our bike was equipped with an optional fan that continued to spin after the bike came to a stop.

We believe that all these minor issues could be resolved easily. In fact, Aprilia’s dirt-bike learning curve seems to have accelerated this year. They hired former World Enduro Champion Stefan Merriman to race the bike, and he has already achieved some impressive results. On this side of the world, we are aware of at least one Baja effort that is currently underway.

Does this mean that the RXV is a work in progress? Of course it is – which bike isn’t? We can confirm that the Aprilia is already an impressive machine and that it has a lot more potential. How far can it go? We cannot say, but we would not be surprised if the bike is soon considered a serious contender, regardless of the benchmark used.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Aprilia RXV 450 is a formidable off-road motorcycle that offers an exhilarating riding experience. With its powerful engine, advanced suspension, and impressive design, it’s a bike that can handle any off-road challenge thrown its way. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a novice looking for an adrenaline rush, the RXV 450 is well worth considering. So gear up, hit the trails, and unleash the power of the Aprilia RXV 450 for an unforgettable off-road adventure.

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