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2014 Aprilia RSV4 WSBK Livery Revealed – The Silver Fireball

Thu, 20 Feb 2014

Aprilia waited until just a few days before the start of the 2014 World Superbike Championship to reveal the livery on its RSV4 Superbike. Most of the other factory teams revealed their liveries weeks ago, but now that we’ve seen the “silver fireball” look the RSV4, we can say the wait was worth it.

The new silver look replaces the predominantly red and black look used the past few seasons. Black and red remain part of the design, but as highlights around the reflective silver.

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A large part of a racing bike’s attraction, obviously besides pure performance, has to do with its visual impact,” says Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing technical and sport director. “These are exclusive objects, moving sculptures to be admired, and the RSV4 has definitely blazed an important trail in this area. Its compact size due to the exclusive architecture of the V4 engine and its magnificent polished factory frame are both functional elements and distinctive design traits at the same time, enhanced by the new livery which, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and unique that has ever taken to the track.”

Sylvain Guintoli returns to the team after finishing third last season behind teammate Eugene Laverty and champion Tom Sykes of Kawasaki. The French racer started strong in 2013 with ten podiums in the first 14 races but limped to the finish with just four in the second half.

Laverty left the team to sign with Suzuki, opening a spot for Marco Melandri who raced the last few seasons for BMW, finishing fourth in 2013.

“Very rarely has a bike ever impressed me like this one. I liked it straight away,” says Melandri. “It looks aggressive and elegant at the same time, with a really original color combination. As a rider I obviously focus on speed, but as an enthusiast I can appreciate a beautiful and well refined bike. Aesthetic details are often synonymous with careful development and particular attention to all aspects of the product.”

Guintoli also sounds impressed with the new look.

“It is simply beautiful! I have always liked the RSV4. It has an aggressive and decidedly racing look even in the factory version. Its lines scream speed and everything is in the right place to guarantee maximum performance. The new color scheme is the cherry on the top. If it’s as fast as it is beautiful our rivals won’t stand a chance. This livery would be absolutely beautiful on the street version – I would want one immediately!”

Let’s hope Guintoli’s opinions fall on the right ears and Aprilia offers a race replica Silver Fireball RSV4 option on the production bike.

[Source: Aprilia]


By Dennis Chung


See also: 2014 Aprilia RSV4 SBK, Results From Day 2 Of World Superbike Testing At Phillip Island, Results From Day 1 Of World Superbike Testing At Phillip Island.