A WSBK-class V-Four sportbike, one designed and built in Italy, to boot, may be the perfect bike for many enthusiasts, but Aprilia’s RSV4 Factory and RSV4R may not be quite perfect, at least not yet. Piaggio Group-Aprilia’s parent company-issued a recall for all of the 2010 RSV4R and RSV4 Factory models on February 2nd. The notice advised owners that they would need to take their bikes to their dealer for (and here I am glad I don’t have to write the check for this one) new engines.
Piaggio USA (parent company for the Aprilia brand) really pulled out the stops to get the problem resolved. On February 19th, it announced that the replacement engines were at dealers, along with “technicians brought to the U.S. from the Aprilia factory in Noale, Italy,” who “have been working around-the-clock with the Aprilia USA Technical Services Department and dealers to ensure proper installation of the new engines and to expedite the replacement process.” The company goes on to claim that “RSV4 owners can expect to get back on the road within two to three weeks,” with a new two-year warranty good from delivery of the repaired motorcycle.
According to the NHTSA, weak connecting rods are the culprit, but Aprilia is responding promptly, even though we have not heard of a single engine failure here in the States. Best to nip any basis for poor quality in the bud, even if it does cost big bucks.
Motorcycle Daily wants to know if you have one of the affected motorcycles: please let us know how your recall experience goes.
