Aprilia RSV4 RF v Yamaha YZF-R1M: Part One | Track Test

Aprilia's RSV4 RF goes head-to-head against Yamaha's R1M in the very latest 44T skirmish. This track assessment is part one of the battle of 2015 - a full road-based review is coming in the next few days...BIG thanks to Silverstone circuit for letting us on one of their pristine trackdays to spank these beauties. Apologies for some of the audio. Love.
www.44teeth.com/

[@rjayking6592]

Crossplane and v4 engine sounds brutal😱

[@PrimeMatt]

The RSV is the only bike (or car) I've ever been genuinely tempted to buy brand new, and I'm still tempted, absolutely gorgeous.

[@bikeguy3034]

+Matt M Indeed! - do it :)

[@bekeneel]

+Matt M Indeed, I went to my local dealer here to inform about this bike, and they just had one standing in the showroom :o This bike is a pure racing beauty, but it's all a matter of taste at what bike you would buy...

[@karigreyd2808]

you don't like the rsv4? But i do love a sporty twin.

[@Rayk76]

Kari Grard u do know the rsv is a v4

[@exothermal.sprocket]

KTM need a superbike chassis for that monster 1301cc Vtwin.

[@tuninforks5174]

I think all interviews should be done at the track. It is a great soundtrack.

[@jamiedyer7782]

R1M looks fantastic, the front end in particular looks amazing. I love the direction Yamaha have gone in styling since the MT series. Would love to own the Aprilia too but it's the R1M for me.

[@sungerbob1786]

yamaha and ducati. always the best designers..

[@dariomladenovski7047]

i hate the front headlights so tedious but everything else is perfect on the R1

[@Patriiiiick]

44T has come a long way! It's nice coming back to old videos when you're researching potential purchases('15 RSV4 RF or me).

[@henrysheppard3433]

Or after you have made a purchase😁 R1 is a track machine, not a great street bike. Not easy to live with. But if you have other bikes it's a great addition. So different from most others in feel. Rsv4 is awesome as well, obviously👍

[@Tropic29]

If you're wearing proper headphones those bikes in the background sound amazing and so real, I really love it. And don't worry too much about the mic, it's logic those machines overrule your voices.

[@MattJonesGR9]

Some nice soundtrack provided by Triumph every now and then :)

[@insane21000]

I have the 2015 R1 i Love it on the street and on the track ! The RSV was the only other bike i considered but totally happy with my choice !!!

[@owenwales4328]

The RSV RF is something special, it's absolutely beautiful, and has so much more character than the R1. As good as it may be, the R1 seems too much like a tool than a toy

[@amire6758]

I like the way you put that, and I agree.

[@ShamanWS6]

+Owen Wales Absolutely the way I feel.

[@MetrohMan]

ill play with a hammer any day

[@zxtenn]

+Owen Wales Yeah that Aprilia has real class- absolutely beautiful, I been riding for many years and always had K but the new ZX-10 is nothing spectacular and the price went way up - I think the A is a better bike all around

[@satriosukarnoatmosudirjo9722]

The sound and power have tons of character

[@raptor0768]

You need to do this comparison again with the new 2017 rsv4 and the R1m

[@Salonibhatta110]

New 2019 model rsv4 factory

[@VeeFour]

RSV4 for me

[@Treker-yv7nz]

+Joshua of X aprilia don't give out freebies they won't rate thr rsv4

[@ShamanWS6]

+VeeFour Already voted with my money. RF Factory and Factory SE in my garage. The SE is for sale but I haven't worked hard to sell it......... lol

[@VeeFour]

+Steve C yeah! One of the lucky 500, I'm jelly man.

[@ShamanWS6]

+khairell FerReira Well, you have something in common, then.

[@MetrohMan]

+khairell FerReira i own the 15 r1... the rsv is the only other bike id buy. they are amazing

[@abhinavv04]

R1m is just insane. And the way you put it for both RF and R1m very aptly done. When on Earth am I gonna get one !

[@dinxsy8069]

You guys are living the dream

[@scotch_onrocks1876]

Love watching you guys break down bikes

[@Aaron-wg6bh]

Yes i own and RF and yes i believe the R1M is a fantastic bike... but each of these will always come down to being different horses for different courses, gearing will make a difference pending on the track... but i didnt see any times posted? I also have a huge doubt the R1M is faster down the straight! every dyno i have seen with the r1m shows that bike around high 160 low 170hp figures and the RF low 180 to high 180hp... also the RF is lighter and has heaps more torque.. they also forgot to mention in this video that the APRC traction control system actually incorporates slide control within it... you adjust your level of TC and the bike will allow a certain level of slip within incriments of the TC adjustment whilst cornering... this is something that has been left out in heaps of videos because it doesnt have a seperate name its just TC! Also the bonus's with the aprilia you have an adjustable swingarm, engine position, rake etc.. which give you so much more potential to finely tune the bike to the track and your riding style and you can also get the MP-V4 data logger for it as well..to match the r1m data logger or the Corse APX2 data logger which will certainly surpass this!

[@batmanohara]

+aaron wyner The American R1 is restricted

[@ShamanWS6]

+aaron wyner This is absolutely true. When you race, you appreciate the adjustability and things like the long slot in the swingarm that lets you change gearing without changing the chain. Brilliant stuff.

[@Aaron-wg6bh]

+Matt R C the R1M weighs 201kgs wet.. originally the RF was 201kgs wet but they put a lithium battery in the bike which reduced the weight by 3kg and bought the weight to 198kgs... either way i only weigh 70kgs.. further more the rsv4rf doesnt have a titanium exhaust system... where the r1m does. akra sell a system that shows a 7kgs difference in weight! all a r1 owner can do is change the muffler. by my count an rsv4 stock is 198 minus 7kgs for the exhaust... you have 191! 191kgs Aprilia 201kgs Yamaha bit of a weight difference..

[@Aaron-wg6bh]

+Matt R C your right, my own body weight doesnt mean shit.. you just sound like an ignorant fuck because you cannot come to terms with the fact that there are other bikes out on the market that can hold there own against and or surpass the r1! unlike you i appreciate all other bikes out there and what there capable of.. a 9kg cat wtf are you talking about??? not event a car has a cat that weighs that much.lmao

[@ShamanWS6]

+Matt R C You proved you known nothing about how it works, and nothing about me, either. I have 8 bikes between my race trailer and my garage right now, and three of them are Aprilias.

[@zerothrough2hero]

that was a really good, real world in depth review.. nice one!

[@-M-power]

I've 2018 Tuono v4 1100 RF and 2016 Rsv4 rf le the level of confidence you get on that bike is unbelievable. Brakes top notch, stability and power in dam every gear. V4 sound is next level period

[@jimbryce502]

brilliant stuff.cant wait for the road results.

[@s4060]

Love your reviews, you guys are the best!

[@juanox10]

I’ve ridden both, the rsv4 puts a bigger smile on my face

[@tylerandiemichael159]

loved it, great discussion, great video!

[@unknownfox1994]

Oh what I'd do to get a job like this! Thanks for the videos!

[@flyingdutchy01]

you guys have come a long way since this video

[@madmike5144]

AWesome video...More like this. Dude i just love that Aprilia, it looks so sick and sounds

[@pvkjhilk8323]

cool comparison. like how its set up at the track with the bikes right there to look at and hear going by

[@klutchen6speed1]

These guys are just pro when it comes to competent and through comentary! No one else on KZbin that claims to be 'professional moto journalists' is anywhere near as good to listen to as these guys.

[@ShamanWS6]

Yeah, but BVG is either wrong or lying about the Aprilia's computer. It's just as sophisticated as the R1, if you don't care about the digital dash. Slide control is tied to traction control, and they do have yaw sensors. The three Aprilia throttle maps include engine braking control (T vs. R vs. S). I have a digital dash on the current (2014) Superbike I'm racing btw... hate it. lol

[@weljo2001]

Hey i know that voice!!!!! Baron Von Grumble....Went ahead and subbed this channel..

[@bushtucker88]

sounds like jeremy from the peep show.

[@karolbachowicz3865]

@weljo2001 had a same thought! Voice was so familliar!

[@bchant19]

I love how aprilia made the L in the name out of the frame spar, its just another level of attention to detail, you see the yamaha and you think wow this is a good looking bike but then beside the aprilia the yam looks more mis mash and not as clean as the rsv4.

[@brexxes]

a very well done review of both bikes 💯👍

[@MinhTriesClimbing]

Similar sound, fantastic!

[@-DHR4870]

Holy hell this is 7 years ago.👍💪

[@knottstilting]

What camera setup/format do you guys use? Your footage always looks amazing - super rich. Great video as always

[@DouEditz]

Your best interview setting

[@LambChopRides]

Great review chaps, Aprilia reliability and all that... Has to be the Yam for me fantastic! Need to try both though

[@ShamanWS6]

+Lamb Chop Rides I haven't had an issue in the 8 years of Aprilia ownership. I'm on my third (I have all three still) and not one major issue in all that time. My old Tuono has been the most reliable bike ever.

[@LambChopRides]

+Steve C good to know Steve, do fancy one at some point as bloody lovely bikes.

[@storm7078]

Since I subscribed to Baron's other channel I now see how much he truly does and how hard he works.

[@storm7078]

Joshua of X I'm terribly sorry my friend, please accept my apologies.

[@storm7078]

Joshua of X I know what you meant lol :) I was just choosing to be difficult.

[@BaronVonGrumble]

+Joshua of X yes, its awesome. BUT, the level of work involved is far deeper and greater than you can imagine. Not to mention the costs of fuel, tracks, tyres, cameras, editing, memory cards, INSURANCE, vans, diesel, time off work, time away from family and friends and time on YT replying to comments etc. PLus the motorcycle industry is far poorer than most think to trying to make any money out if it is a huge challenge. :)

[@LDNRider]

+BaronVonGrumble well I can only speak for myself, but without a doubt some of the best biking content on KZbin. Love the content on 44teeth (and obviously on BvG's own channel which brought me here!), and chemistry with Fagan is great. Well on your way to being most informative/best banter biking channel :)

[@ShamanWS6]

+BaronVonGrumble Especially in racing these days. At least it is here in Canuckistan.

[@govenmentassassin]

Haha that audio test. This is why I love BaronVonGrumble. Your audio is still better than MotorTrend and Motorcycle.com.

[@alanmoley320]

thumbs up for the background noise.loved it.the chat was good too.

[@murattopcuu]

2:25 definetly a triumph sound. Daytona maybe ?

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Aprilia innit.

[@ironDsteele]

I would take either of these. Can't go wrong with whatever one you pick.

[@0Oo..oO0]

Great amount of information! R1 all the way.

[@shekarwali6289]

I just can't wait to get a r1m it's such a nice bike

[@gameplayer49]

For sure hook up the audio similarly for the both of you. It sounds like Baron is running his in-helmet audio setup (which sounds great and detailed because of how close his mouth is to the mic) but presenter #2's mic needs to be the same-ish distance or boosted a ton. Food for thought!

[@SirBitchalot]

I know you apologise for the volume but PLEEEEASE invest in a decent second mike setup for Alastair. You guys are probably among the best reviewers out there. Unbiased, informative and intelligent. If I had any complaints about your channel it would be that whenever Alastair is on camera you can't hear him. I watch these vids at work, (don't ask) and can't turn my pc volume all the way up and so end up missing a whole lot your commentary.

[@TheBarnz91]

Excellent review guys, Look at the yamy, just look at it, looks alone sell it for me, plus I'm shit slow so those tiny differences mean nothing to me. It's the blue silver and gold, what a jizzy concoction of colours.

[@robevans3980]

Let's see a group test comparing these to the 1299S! Love to hear your thoughts of the Ducati in comparison.

[@TheCountyNerd]

So I just watched this - the two of you do a wonderful job reviewing the bikes. From a recording standpoint - I would ask that you mic Alistar - may have already done so after this commentary. I further offer the suggestion of a Zoom portable mic. A great bit of kit to reord wonderful sound from commentator and machine alike. Cheapest one is only $100USD

[@Justwanthavefun_100]

You should do another R1M VS RSV4RF 2018

[@BolideRider]

I'll take both.

[@afandou1966]

16:20 And here we are 6 years later.

[@matt46vale]

Was that a crack I noticed on the front light on the Aprillia ? Nice touch with the Silverstone sticker too on the R1M :)

[@henzo7087]

R1 for me

[@throatball]

this is how they should run the Superstock class, just race tyres, everything stock, then we'll know who makes the best stock bike

[@MOTOUK1]

Guys I would love you to do a R1M against MT10SP on road or track, the MT10 while being down on HP but up lower on torque which one would make it to 100mph first?

[@Fearless154]

Story time! I test rode r1 and got in loved with the engine and the performance wanted to get one. Short time after i saw a killer deal on the mt10 2018 insta bought it thinking to myself well it's going to be just like r1 but with much higher torque down low so it's cool. Man i was disappointed..... There is not much power down low. Under 6k it feels like a scooter the huge power kick in which push you is above 6k rpm. Honesly r1 feels much more powerful down low it does 0-60 half a second faster and it goes even faster after. Shortly after trade it in for 2017 r1 model never been more happy. I didn't like mt10 performance at all it doesn't have the same low grunt as other 1000cc nakeds it feels rather peaky in it's power delivery like a superbike more than a naked. mt09 is much more fun to ride if you ask me and it does 0-60 much faster and its pretty much beats mt10 until 110mph..

[@ShamanWS6]

Really don't understand why everyone talks about this slide control - all the systems have it, Yamaha's just provides an override for the system. I haven't had my RF on track yet but my 2013 SE will paint lines everywhere with a lot less power. I think it may be partially down to the race ECU which provides less traction control sensitivity to improve corner drive, Aprilia does ship a slightly more introverted system as stock. As for the corner jump the R1 gets, it's going to be that way no matter what you to do the other (stock) bikes, simply because Yamaha has depended on its TC to make the bike ridable; those lightweight internals mean the bike would be *dangerous* without the TC. Rotational weight tuning has been a black art for many, many years both for bikes and cars - Yamaha has gone the other way and provided a really scary engine setup with electronics to make it workable... good on them and all, but I think this is exactly why the bike is hard to ride on the street (having tried one, the everday throttle response is unbearably nasty). Lastly, the comment about the RSV4 being old... there are hardly any parts you can mention in the drivetrain of that bike or chassis that hasn't been changed for this model... the basic frame and some of the controls are about as far as it goes for being "old."

[@mattyoz0]

+Steve C What are you talking about? No other bike has slide control. Tc is not slide control.

[@ShamanWS6]

+Matt R C They do indeed have their own forms of slide control, the bike knows what lean angle it is at, what the speed of both wheels are, what the RPM is, what the yaw is, and so the bike knows how much wheel spin it should allow at a specific speed. The TC lets the bike spin the tire a certain amount based on the TC level selected, which translates into slide. Any sudden change in those data inputs would have the TC check up to correct it. And that, sir, is slide control. It's not exactly the same as Yamaha's but it's a working and functioning system.

[@BaronVonGrumble]

+Steve C only the R1 knows the "yaw". TC and slide control are not the same technologies.

[@ShamanWS6]

+BaronVonGrumble I beg to disagree. But carry on.

[@BaronVonGrumble]

+Steve C I think you should try and have a go on one if you can, back to back and you will feel and see the difference between the 2 technologies :)

[@supermoz]

two great bike.... with little difference.... but sound V 4 is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pudzta]

@44 teeth what was the bike that rode past at 3:34? That sounded awesome!

[@Goffens]

What throttle settings were you using when you rode the R1 on the track? A mode on the 2012 modell was jerky but std was ok

[@tobortine]

Excellent.

[@alexdb77]

great bike talk!

[@tyzeR1]

What was that whistling at 13:10?

[@chrisbatten8]

13:07 What On Earth Bike Made That SOUND.....!!!!!!! Especially Pre H2r...!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) Assuming it must have been Serious induction noise (whistle...????) enthusiastically changing down at 11-12,000 rpm or something similarly ridiculous.. setting up for the corner on the over run....!!!! But def haven't Ever Heard Anything that EPIC....!!!!! especially induction or over run wise Other than the H2r Going Round the TT or When Al rode it Round in front of the Crowd...... But Def Sounded Seriously Seriously Next Level... Adequately illustrated by the look on Al's face as it went By....!!!!!! Seriously Seriously Next Level....!!!!!! And it's definitely definitely that 2nd Bike that takes the Cake....!!!!! 2 R1m's with the 2nd rider seriously enthusiastic with the down change....or 1 Bike Sounding Incredible with the Induction Sound bouncing back off the pit wall.....?????? :) :) :) :) Be Great if Someone Could let us All Know.....!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) And Really Amazing Review Guy's So Thank's So Much & So much Appreciated Once Again....!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[@SpiderwebRob]

The slide control looks seriously impressive. Im not sure how it doesn't de stabilize the bike but that just makes it more impressive. I think it would help me as a big safety factor in normal road driving. The R1 seems like a game changer. I want one.

[@RidingJapan]

I'd be too afraid to get used to that kind of toy

[@ShamanWS6]

+Robert Flagg It's a gimmick. All the best systems have a very similar capability. Yamaha lets you over-ride it so that you can really mess up your riding. LOL Honestly the others just have slide control follow the traction control.

[@mattyoz0]

+Steve C Gimmick? lol, you do know it's straight off Ross's bike? Just because your bike doesn't have it, don't be a fucking hater.

[@mattyoz0]

+Steve C other bikes DON'T have a gyro! they don't have it!!

[@ShamanWS6]

+Matt R C Other bikes have multi-axis Bosch systems. The R1 and the new ZX10R have the five-axis which is an evolution but not a giant step. What you don't get is that it is *NOT* straight off Rossi's bike (that is so laughable you don't even know) and Yamaha's system is NOT leaps and bounds above anyone else's system. They caught up. They might even have a small edge in some ways. It's not the yawning gap you seem to believe it is... but then your posts definitely betray a strong bias mixed with a lack of knowledge.

[@2391jessie]

On corner entry what suspension settings was the R1M on? - the ERS is meant to stiffen the fork under braking....

[@TheSocratesReborn]

great comparison, would have liked to see 1199r in the group as well

[@ShamanWS6]

+TheSocratesReborn Me too. Can't fault the 1199R except for the price.

[@v4forlife]

get some decent mics man...if you're gonna put together a professional operation, regardless of how chilled you want it to be, poor sound just ruins it. Or I could just be a nit-picking geek...

[@FortyFourTeeth]

+Wil Collins Not nit-picking. 100% agree, which is why we got some (a) decent mic, which then didn't bloody work!

[@v4forlife]

Joshua, its not being able to hear them, its the quality of the sound, and Fagen/Baron, nightmare. Shit happens though.

[@Clungedoctor]

I disagree. yes there's parts where passing bikes run over their talking BUT god almighty do the passing bikes sound good. I'd say your mics work fine Baron. maybe a little more set up.

[@Clungedoctor]

+CLUNGE - DOCTOR in fact what are you using to record this sound I want one!

[@raygoodwin2303]

+44Teeth Just get a rode shotgun mic...they will do you right ;)

[@seancaceres4003]

The BANGY throttle sounds like my RC51, very BANGY.

[@seancaceres4003]

The RSVs agility and steering is surgical.

[@salisburyplain998]

I have Tuono 1100rr and believe me its enough and a way better road bike with the ability to do a track day in the fast group without being embarrassed ,the RF and R1M are awesome but you need to be good to make use of there potential but the Tuono you can have all the same but with a lower/slower level of skill needed .

[@ShamanWS6]

+salisburyplain998 Agreed. I love my old 07 Tuono to death and if I didn't have two RSV4s in my garage right now I'd have a V4 T as well. LOL

[@2391jessie]

How would a caliper upgrade on the R1 affect its ABS?

[@tyrone7352]

The Aprilia moves the soul though.

[@himanshushekhar312]

Which is more faster and brutal R1 or Rsv4 on street??

[@NisseOhlsen]

So the Aprilia is for the rider who knows what he does.

[@shawnlack1527]

For riders that want a big bike, but can’t handle everything the big bike offers, put a new guy on track with the R1M and he’s dead if he tries to push it 30% of its potential, the R1 is very violent in the high RPMS

[@maoiMotovlog]

dream bike!!! damn!

[@marksmit8112]

Best sounding bikes ever, but need after market exhaust I would own either of them. Oh I do, the RSV4, yeah baby

[@AMPJ08]

Watching this video in retrospective it shows how much of the opinion is driven by the Hype of a new bike. The tendency is Yamaha R1 when on that year as well as the following ones the RSV won almost all year reviews or at least was Top 3 while the Yamaha won a few and was consistently not top 2 for instance. Today still the same also consider these two bikes have now upgrades. For sure R1 is a super great bike no doubt but just reflect a moment please, bear in mind that the RSV is a 10 year old chasis and concept the electronics have a bit less and still wins it or is top 3. Only because of this the RSV deserves it point!

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

nice exhaust gape shot

[@seanflaherty1230]

All you guys talk about is how nice looking the Aprilla is but looks are no good when your Italian bike won't start or starts pissing oil from various places. Yamaha r1m eats this for breakfast, no contest

[@ShadowLancer128]

does anybody ever notice that Aprilia guys and Yamaha guys stare at bikes from each others brand alot lol

[@DarkHorse08]

Leftist Marxman Yep. I sure do. These bike's are so similar in a lot of ways. They both have the same HP and TQ curve and make roughly the same numbers. My only gripe with Aprilia is reliability and parts availability.

[@3dmagix]

God, what went by at 1:14? It's has a really powerful sound.

[@Liteningspeed]

Nice Review. Solution = Get Aprilia to put telemetry on the RSV4.

[@ShamanWS6]

Uhm.... it has it. Look up V4-MP.

[@lonpfrb]

No discussion of the data logging. The R1M CCU provides a very easy to use data logging with D2 level range of channels but much better usability. What Yamaha have done is brilliant because its so easy with no data engineer required. The RSV-4 has a less capable system and application I suspect though not having had hands on I stand to be corrected... For the Track review it's a big missed opportunity to ignore the data logging...

[@macstheking]

What was that noise @13:14 ?

[@heyyouguys2036]

I can't believe you are hell bent on the r1. If you have a better and faster entrance then your exit will be better. Even though the r1 has that raw power I think you answer your own question but somehow you are confused on the answer. Just saying

[@exothermal.sprocket]

80cc less engine and it makes more power, weighs less, and with an exhaust, ECU flash, and quality fuel puts down near 200 hp at the wheel. Aprilia makes a cracking bike, but bodywork needs a refresh and weight needs cut a tad. 450 pounds wet is not a light superbike these days.

[@SuperbikeDiscovery]

And then next year Aprilia came out with the 2017 model and again regained the throne.

[@alexs1972]

6:50 ...so many fluids came out of my body.

[@radioaktivejay]

1:15 look carefully at that gap between grill.

[@kioskclosed948]

Try manual focus baron, the auto focus isn't great on this. Other than that, great work as always!

[@kioskclosed948]

Take that back, you're panning between bikes a lot...

[@Treker-yv7nz]

You've sold out to Yamaha 😎♋️

[@knmo3050]

How much you get from Yamaha ??

[@crazydrifter13]

Captions? Please add them.

[@RKRRandomKnightRider88]

Lol, final decision worked out well for the both of you.

[@joshuarenacia694]

It does sound alike...

[@seancaceres4003]

No 🌞 all clouds and it's 'an AMAZING' day?

[@Peskarik]

So, if I understand it correctly, if Aprilia had slide control it would be better than R1M.

[@smjamal8940]

Happy

[@bobbybrown9570]

Now there’s an R1M for sale everywhere ffs

[@osvalds]

Love you guys and your work but this video is unwatchable with poor mics

[@exothermal.sprocket]

What do you say? Isn't it time for a company to put out a screeming 1100-1200cc inline-triple superbike with all the whizzbang electronics? No more lack of torque. No more fried clutches at a launch.

[@rb_5k249]

wang the donger on. HAHA!!