Few names in the modern sportbike world carry as much weight as the Aprilia RSV4. For years, it has sat at the very top of performance, technology, and precision on two wheels. Since its debut, the RSV4 has embodied everything Aprilia stands for: obsessive engineering, fearless innovation, and that unmistakable Italian passion for speed.
It’s the kind of motorcycle that riders lust over, not just because it’s fast, but because it feels alive. Now, I’ve never owned an RSV4, but I’ve been lucky to ride it several times in my life. And I can tell you that when you ride an RSV4, you’re not just on a superbike; you’re astride the very best of what Noale knows how to build.
Over the past decade, Aprilia has released a handful of ultra-exclusive versions of the RSV4, each pushing the envelope a little further. The RSV4 X was one of the first, a limited-run machine that stripped away everything unnecessary in pursuit of performance. Then came the X Trenta, which borrowed heavily from Aprilia’s MotoGP program to introduce aerodynamics that would later influence the rest of the superbike world.
But the latest creation, the RSV4 X-GP, takes things to an entirely new level. Developed by the Noale Racing Department to celebrate ten years since Aprilia’s RS-GP prototype first entered MotoGP, it represents the absolute pinnacle of Aprilia’s engineering expertise.
And apparently, the world agrees. Just 30 examples of the RSV4 X-GP were made, and every single one was sold within 14 days. The price tag started at €90,000 before taxes, roughly $98,000 USD, yet that didn’t slow down demand one bit. Even before the bike’s official reveal during the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona, Aprilia confirmed that booking requests had already exceeded available units.
And buyers came from all corners of the globe, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the US, underscoring the X-GP’s global appeal and the growing reputation of Aprilia’s “X” program as a showcase of cutting-edge, race-bred machinery.
On paper, the RSV4 X-GP reads like something pulled straight from a World Superbike paddock. Power comes from a 1,099cc V4 engine producing 238 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque. The dry weight is just 165 kilograms, or about 364 pounds, giving it a mind-bending power-to-weight ratio that even full-blown race machines would struggle to match. Aprilia achieved that figure through extensive use of carbon fiber and titanium, with a new structural carbon seat support that doubles as an integral part of the chassis.
What truly sets the X-GP apart, however, are its aerodynamic features. It’s the first factory-derived motorcycle to feature leg and tail wings, directly inspired by Aprilia’s RS-GP MotoGP racer. These aerodynamic aids generate measurable downforce that stabilizes the bike during braking, cornering, and acceleration. The bodywork is fully carbon and produced by PAN Compositi using the same methods developed for MotoGP competition. Everything from the way the air flows over the bike to the way it plants itself on the tarmac has been refined for the track, not the street.
Supporting this extreme design is a component list worthy of a racing prototype. The suspension comes from Öhlins, with settings developed specifically for the X-GP. Braking is handled by Brembo GP4 MS calipers with T-Drive rotors, while lightweight magnesium Marchesini wheels reduce unsprung mass. Electronics are fully programmable through a dedicated racing ECU and APX system, with built-in data logging and GPS telemetry. Each bike even ships with a Yashi laptop preloaded with the Aprilia Racing software, along with tire warmers, paddock stands, and a fitted cover.
Like previous “X” editions, the RSV4 X-GP is a track-only machine. It cannot be registered for road use, and its parts are not covered under a standard warranty. Buyers essentially purchase a race bike straight from Aprilia’s racing division, hand-assembled by the same engineers who build the RS-GP. That alone makes it one of the most exclusive motorcycles ever to wear the Aprilia badge.
Now that every unit has been spoken for, the RSV4 X-GP’s value will likely skyrocket on the collector market. Limited-production models like this often become prized centerpieces in private collections, not only for their performance but also for their connection to the brand’s racing heritage. For Aprilia fans, it represents a milestone that blends MotoGP technology with the legacy of one of the most celebrated superbikes ever built.
Sources: Aprilia, NDTV
