New toy......

[Marshy]

So it might look like just another RSV4, but this one is a bit special. As we speak I'm on my way back from a trip to Wagga to pick up this very sought-after RSV4.

It's a 2015, built as a racebike by the Aprilia race factory in Noale, Italy (no road stuff like smog gear, or key/immobiliser). It's fitted with APX electronics (the WSBK stuff), and blueprinted before it left the factory. I've been wanting this bike since Liam bought it new earlier in the year. But I had to wait until he switched to the new R1 before he would part with it.

First outing is tomorrow at the Creek!! Can't wait!!!

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/d501fa90562e05b7223c9063dfea51f1.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/a5bd9f30e6ec83e6c7d091ba99be4eaf.jpg


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[Turbo]

OMG, this is so good!! Can't wait to see it. :cool: :cool:
Be keen to hear how the increase in horsepower goes too!! :thumb:

[Kimbo]

Oh,Good luck with that. You will get to know Marco Bellmonte now, If you dont already know him

[Marshy]

Oh,Good luck with that. You will get to know Marco Bellmonte now, If you dont already know him

What are you saying Kimbo? Reliability?


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[Kimbo]

Will talk to you at EC . The guys you got it off are great people. But I think you are going to have to stay on top of it. It's not a normal bike, and it needs a lot of knowledge to keep it going ,more the electronics side of it, Dave Ward is the best guy around as you already know

[Leezx10r]

WTF! That's epic nick, really really cool mate [emoji106]🏻



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[Turbo]

Will talk to you at EC . The guys you got it off are great people. But I think you are going to have to stay on top of it. It's not a normal bike, and it needs a lot of knowledge to keep it going ,more the electronics side of it, Dave Ward is the best guy around as you already know

Ummmm have you, like, met Marshy?? :lol:
A super special bike with a rabbit hole of set-up options and complex needs sounds like a match made in heaven, to me!!

[Kimbo]

Yep Sicko I have ,

[Ruckos87]

Drool [emoji7][emoji7][emoji7]


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[Slow bro]

Very nice. Keep us updated it on how good it is.

[Krackeye]

I can't keep up with all your purchases. That looks well noice though.

[Button699]

That looks good mate!!! Does it have the wsbk motor in it????

[Simmo]

That is EPIC.
Can't wait to hear how it goes!

[dadat178]

Nice buy Nick, but aren't you fast enough already :twitch:

[Ruckos87]

Soooooooooo no more S1000s? Or you riding both?


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[Mstevo]

So you couldn't wait eh! and did a deal to pick it up half way?
see you tomorrow for it's first run ;-)

[Baddie]

WTF.......:love:

Test Ride Plz:peace:

[Marshy]

I can't keep up with all your purchases. That looks well noice though.

Thanks mate ;) Only some purchases are for keeping. Some are for building and making other people happy :thumb:


That looks good mate!!! Does it have the wsbk motor in it????

Thanks mate! It's just the stock 2015 motor (which is essentially last year's wsbk motor, so Aprilia could keep winning with the change to more production-based regs). But it's been blueprinted by the race factory, so it should be even better than a stock one ;)


Nice buy Nick, but aren't you fast enough already :twitch:

I need to compensate for getting older and slower with more power, Martin :laugh:


Soooooooooo no more S1000s? Or you riding both?

Nah, I'm selling the Beemers. I can't say enough good things about them (the motor is astonishingly powerful, the electronics are simply the best I've ever used or heard about, and the brakes are unbelievable), but they are big and powerful..... and it turns out I'm a bit of a wuss. I've been a 600 rider most of my life, and only the Aprilia got me off my beloved R6. And only because it feels like a 600, handles like a 600, and doesn't have too much power. The Beemer was too much for me. I reckon the new Ape will add the few extra ponies I was looking for, without sacrificing all the stuff I like about them.



So you couldn't wait eh! and did a deal to pick it up half way?
see you tomorrow for it's first run ;-)

Exactly! Actually, Rick W was nice enough to offer, as he knew I wanted to ride it next weekend for St George. Damn decent of him, because it was further for him than me, by quite a bit. Great community, this one ;)

See ya tomorrow! We are gonna pit next to Glenn Allerton's suspension garage, so 19-20 ish, or whatever the garage numbers are there. The race-tower side of GASD, anyway. Come in with us.

[Marshy]

Test Ride Plz:peace:

:thumb: :rockon:

[Phat3R]

Have fun Nick ... that's a cool new toy!

[triumph]

NICE""""

[Marshy]

Faaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkkk!!!! Woohoo!!!!!


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[Leezx10r]

Faaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkkk!!!! Woohoo!!!!!


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Sounds like your liking the new toy! More details please [emoji16]


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[triumph]

you sound excited there marshy .

[Marshy]

Yeah, it's pretty good ;)

To be honest, it's not too different to the earlier RSV4. It just has more top-end power, and it spins up more quickly above 9k. There are little things too, like the gearbox internal ratios are different (better in some places, and worse in others, so far). The brakes are very noticeably better, which will require a bit of investigation to figure out why (to potentially replicate on the earlier model).

Then there's the electronics. Farkin tops! Again, a few tweaks needed, but the potential is huge. Auto-blip clutchless downshifts. Race-dash, pit limiter, adjustable engine braking (on the fly), multiple maps, TC etc etc. Oh, and it automatically engages Launch Control when you come to a stop and engage 1st gear!

But you can add all this to an earlier model too.

I was impressed with the suspension setup too. Again, probably some small tweaks needed (I didn't even set sag or change the clickers), but it was pretty damn good. Ohlins 30mm carts in the front and a TTX GP rear. I'm not usually a fan of either the TTX rear or the 30mm NIX carts, but they were pretty good. The steering damper felt a bit too soft, but when I went to adjust it, it was already on full hard. Weird.

[triumph]

Yeah, it's pretty good ;)

To be honest, it's not too different to the earlier RSV4. It just has more top-end power, and it spins up more quickly above 9k. There are little things too, like the gearbox internal ratios are different (better in some places, and worse in others, so far). The brakes are very noticeably better, which will require a bit of investigation to figure out why (to potentially replicate on the earlier model).

Then there's the electronics. Farkin tops! Again, a few tweaks needed, but the potential is huge. Auto-blip clutchless downshifts. Race-dash, pit limiter, adjustable engine braking (on the fly), multiple maps, TC etc etc. Oh, and it automatically engages Launch Control when you come to a stop and engage 1st gear!

But you can add all this to an earlier model too.

I was impressed with the suspension setup too. Again, probably some small tweaks needed (I didn't even set sag or change the clickers), but it was pretty damn good. Ohlins 30mm carts in the front and a TTX GP rear. I'm not usually a fan of either the TTX rear or the 30mm NIX carts, but they were pretty good. The steering damper felt a bit too soft, but when I went to adjust it, it was already on full hard. Weird. all these new electronic gadgets mite be good to have . but I think it takes the fun out of riding

[Phat3R]

So how ya intendin to win races on the new toy Nick?

You were sayin it had less powa than those scary Nazi chariots ... So just smootha & fasta thru the corners?

You sound like you're workin out how to bring as much of that special WSBK goodness to the stock RSV4's?

[Kris]

Nice one Nick :) APX is easy, you dont need anyone or any special tricks to change stuff - its all in the manual

They are easier than the normal road bike, because theres less bullshit to go wrong and less stupid red light errors that the Magnetti has

They are good bikes - like you said, different above 9/10k!

[Marshy]

You were sayin it had less powa than those scary Nazi chariots ... So just smootha & fasta thru the corners?

Hey Rick, yeah, it's definitely less power than the german messerschmitts. But because of the V4 configuration, it puts more of the fewer ponies down more easily, so the difference isn't as much as the on-paper difference. Interestingly, the more people I speak to about both bikes, the more people fall clearly into either the BMW or the Aprilia camps! People that really love the Beemer are left unmoved by the Ape, and people that love the Ape don't at all care for the Beemer. They are equally fast, but just go about their performance in markedly different ways. Think Ferrari versus Nissan GTR, or HSV versus WRX. Equal but very different.


Nice one Nick :) APX is easy, you dont need anyone or any special tricks to change stuff - its all in the manual

They are easier than the normal road bike, because theres less bullshit to go wrong and less stupid red light errors that the Magnetti has

They are good bikes - like you said, different above 9/10k!

Thanks Kris. I was flying blind, without the manual, so I missed the bit about IP addresses (most of it was intuitive anyway). Liam sent me the manual later yesterday, so I'll have a play with it over the next few days. There's no GPS module tho, do you have one? It'd be useful for data analysis, as the Aprilia software looks extremely comprehensive!

[Marshy]

Oh, and I'm gonna need to talk to Dave Ward, I think. I'm guessing the fuelling at or near idle is way off. It's very hard to start in the mornings, and it easily stalls when trying to gently ride out of the garage. Apparently before the APX was fitted, none of these problems existed, so it's something to do with the APX.

[Kris]

Hey Rick, yeah, it's definitely less power than the german messerschmitts. But because of the V4 configuration, it puts more of the fewer ponies down more easily, so the difference isn't as much as the on-paper difference. Interestingly, the more people I speak to about both bikes, the more people fall clearly into either the BMW or the Aprilia camps! People that really love the Beemer are left unmoved by the Ape, and people that love the Ape don't at all care for the Beemer. They are equally fast, but just go about their performance in markedly different ways. Think Ferrari versus Nissan GTR, or HSV versus WRX. Equal but very different.



Thanks Kris. I was flying blind, without the manual, so I missed the bit about IP addresses (most of it was intuitive anyway). Liam sent me the manual later yesterday, so I'll have a play with it over the next few days. There's no GPS module tho, do you have one? It'd be useful for data analysis, as the Aprilia software looks extremely comprehensive!

Yep, I have the GPS but my ECU is different - think yours is black from memory and the SST?

So, APX manages idle very different. Ensure the idle percent is set to 2.1%. I doubt the fueling is off. The OEM map is very good. If the idle is lower than this it will stall frequently and youll think wow it idles so high but thats normal. If you want to adjust the fueling, youll need to get the headers modified to have a bung placed in each cylinder - dont just adjust fueling in ARES with a single lambda. As I said, the OEM map is very very good and chances are the idle might have been played with.

[Marshy]

Yep, I have the GPS but my ECU is different - think yours is black from memory and the SST?

So, APX manages idle very different. Ensure the idle percent is set to 2.1%. I doubt the fueling is off. The OEM map is very good. If the idle is lower than this it will stall frequently and youll think wow it idles so high but thats normal. If you want to adjust the fueling, youll need to get the headers modified to have a bung placed in each cylinder - dont just adjust fueling in ARES with a single lambda. As I said, the OEM map is very very good and chances are the idle might have been played with.

Thanks mate, yeah this bike has the black APX (the '14 has the red one, but I haven't got that one yet.... not until FX in Dec). Good tip - I'll look at the idle, thanks!!

[Kris]

Ah, buying Patricks old 11 model? I think Liam then put a newer engine in it right?

Fiddle/play around - its the best way.

[Marshy]

Ah, buying Patricks old 11 model? I think Liam then put a newer engine in it right?

The only thing left of Patrick's bike is the APX ;) It was destroyed at PI a while back (I got the swingarm for a bike build, and the frame went in the bin). They have a '13 that did most of the year last year, and is still up in QLD with Paul getting fixed after the head gasket went. This one is a nearly new '14 they replaced the '13 with, and it got the red APX. I did a package deal ;) And I'm gonna be in debt for the foreseeable future!

[Kris]

hahah! Cool :) back to the fold!

[chubb]

Pretty cool bike.. I still love my rice burners though

[Marshy]

It goes around corners....
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/04/bd6de89b0c7f7469827a752f77553f41.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/04/6b95ac3d9569cf98dc05c17c67cdef71.jpg



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[Marshy]

No idea where to plug in my electric shaver

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/04/227d53d1162eeb425d74a43ef3b0c073.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/04/41d770e6ae139d8ad21f9f416d39fe85.jpg


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[zoidberg]

It might be simpler just to grow a beard?

[Marshy]

It might be simpler just to grow a beard?

I think so too ;)

[Simmo]

So it was good then?!


Faaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkkk!!!! Woohoo!!!!!


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[Marshy]

So it was good then?!

Meh.


Nah, it was tops! Still tweaking though.... I reckon there's more to come.

[Simmo]

Well then. I'll stay tuned for more...


Meh.


Nah, it was tops! Still tweaking though.... I reckon there's more to come.

[Marshy]

Faaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrk!!!! What a bike!!!

I've FINALLY figured out the problem with the '15 electronics. I had to resort to RTFM.....

Now the BMWs don't gain on me down the straight....... :cheer:


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[Marshy]

OMG!!!!!!!! I JUST POWERED PAST AN S1000RR DOWN THE MAIN STRAIGHT!!!!!! Unbelievable. This bike is AWESOME!! Video is just uploading and will be up soon:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAxfEo_q7Tw

Race starts (my other failing on the RSV4) are now awesome too. Vids soon.

[Phat3R]

Awesome ... you got da powa!

[Marshy]

Starts are ok ;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cij8Cyq-RPc

[Krackeye]

No one gave you grief about the camera Nick??

[Phat3R]

Starts are ok ;)
Nice start ... looked like MM in Moto2 at Valencia! :first:

[Button699]

Nice start marshy!!! That was unreal... I may have to look into doing that manually

[chubb]

100% throttle and let electronics do the rest?

[Kimbo]

Come on Marshy, Rev it.

[Kimbo]

My launch control was amusing , first time I used it , The red lights went off , I am holding wide open at 10000rpm, but not in gear, shit, doh. Second race did it properly, but I caught up to the next row so quick I had to back off, but this causes problems as LC stays on till you hit 3 gear or over 160 km/h, so I then went backwards till I hit 3 rd gear at about 5ooorpm , ha , Chase time again

[Kris]

Na, LC disables in 2nd gear Kimbo and from memory

[Marshy]

3rd gear on the standard ecu. On the APX it goes off at a certain speed, I think, or might be 2nd gear. Definitely not 3rd like the old bike.

Catching up to the next row quickly is a nice problem to have! I was getting a bit complacent about how good it was on the Sunday, and had a big wheelie in one race.

[Kimbo]

A gear higher than 2nd/ speed of more than 160 kmp/h or throttle closed on a 2015 bike. I find it very hard to sit there with the throttle on the stop at 10,000rpm . I think I have been able to do it only once at Darwin ,

[WRCPUG]

Wow awesome purchase Marshy what a machine and good to hear it now has the power to keep the BMWs at bay.

So is it a night and day difference to the older models or more just an improvement?

[Marshy]

More an improvement. And only the engine and electronics. The rest is the same awesome goodness it always was.


I finally logged on to the ECU today. Figured out how to put it into Xmas mode......


https://vimeo.com/148081899


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[Turbo]

I finally logged on to the ECU today. Figured out how to put it into Xmas mode......


That's gotta be worth a few seconds I reckon!

[Phat3R]

Ohhh pretty lights ... :cool:

[Marshy]

It's sooooo cool!!! Not sure what any of it means, but just looking at it really floats my boat ;)

[Marshy]

Bit of an update.... I just took delivery of a new linear rate linkage from the clever chaps at Forsaken Motorsports (cool name!) in Canada.

I also got Glenn to re-jet and re-valve an OEM Ohlins shock. I've always liked the OEM (they are non-TTX and therefore actually work without a team of technicians at the track with you the whole time), but they lack some comp adjustability standard.

I've struggled for rear grip on the RF, so I'm hoping a combination of changes will sort it out. I'm also changing the swingarm pivot point, which I reckon is too low on the new bike. I'm gonna try going to the R rear geometry, as I was actually still quickest on a standard R framed bike than any of the Factory framed bikes!

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160705/6c7a6e7e4293e4066f59762822662872.jpg


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[Turbo]

That's a gorgeous piece of machining. :cool:
Very keen to hear how this feels and if it makes it magic!!

[Marshy]

Fitted :)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160705/051ef6944b4c4d86b7a8d9bd5ff1ff66.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160705/7cb0d98d2d65c5ce53af96fdcd4fbd16.jpg


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[Turbo]

Not quite as cool as a wee blue light but I reckon it looks pretty trick anyhow :lol: :thumb: :cool:

[Marshy]

More trick bits. A GPS module for the fancy ECU.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160706/88e47ee56f3667f4b785f3da896a2029.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160706/f831837bdb303f1e4ff8a70286f7c62c.jpg


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[Marshy]

I've also pulled the whole front end out again, and replaced the 'old bike' geometry with the new bike inserts again, but in the World SuperStock positions. I can report that even though the new geometry in stock trim is ridiculously different to the old bike, the new inserts in the WSTK position ends up being within 0.1 of a degree and 2mm overall wheelbase as the old bike!!!!! Possibly by design, as the old geometry was much better, IMHO.


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[Turbo]

Ooooooh, fancy!
So what will the GPS module allow you to do?

[Leezx10r]

Good information Nick. So are you saying the normal "R" geometry is that close to the fancy SuperStock?


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[Marshy]

Ooooooh, fancy!
So what will the GPS module allow you to do?

According to the resident guru, Kris, not very much. But it looks tops, and lights up with a little red light, and that's good enough for me!!! In theory you can do per-corner adjustments (TC, wheelie, mapping etc), but I'm just gonna use it for lap data and coolness ;)


Good information Nick. So are you saying the normal "R" geometry is that close to the fancy SuperStock?

At the front, yes. The rear WSTK setting is like the new bike, not the R. The R was less anti-squat, which I'm hoping will improve rear drive grip.

[Kris]

Youve gotta be a bloody factory trained Aprilia software engineer and be able to rewrite their stuff to get it to work! Be keen to know if you get the lap data all working fine Nick ( I did, then it broke, and never unbroked)