2012 Aprilia SRV 850

Aprilia SRV 850 redefines the edge of the scooter world limits.

Power, set-up, sporty spirit, design: everything about the SRV 850 recalls the technical, performance and aesthetic standards of Aprilia superbike.

The style is clearly reminiscent of the Aprilia superbike world. No fan will have trouble recognising the aesthetics the stylistic standards in the new SRV 850 which, together with the performance, contributed to confirming Aprilia motorcycles as the point of reference in the world of competitive motorcycles.

Aprilia SRV 850 takes its origins based on the GP 800, the maxi two cylinder launched by Piaggio Group in 2007 which established itself as the most powerful scooter in the world. The Aprilia engineers enhanced that revolutionary project, transferring to the SRV 850 the know-how which stems from decades of victories on tracks all over the world and which Aprilia has always transferred to its most sporty bikes such as the Aprilia RSV4, the SBK 2010 world champion, and the muscular motard Dorsoduro 1200.

Evolved in engine performance, revisited in weight, riding set-up and aesthetics, SRV 850 brings to the scooter world the philosophy of performance without compromise which is written into the Aprilia DNA.

NOT ONLY POWER: A UNIQUE ENGINE

The Aprilia SRV 850 engine is the first and only 90° V two cylinder scooter engine and it makes the maxi from Veneto the fastest and most powerful scooter ever manufactured anywhere in the world.

Liquid cooled, equipped with electronic injection, with distribution of 4 valves per cylinder and twin-spark ignition, the engine has a displacement of 839.3 cc. Thanks to a new optimisation of the engine control system, it now reaches a maximum power of 55.9 kW (76.0 HP) at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 76.5 Nm (7.8 kgm) at 6,000 rpm, specs which place the new SRV 850 at the top of its category. Two new oxygen probes (lambda) allow the engine control unit to optimise management of the fuel-oil mixture for the two cylinders, all to the advantage of combustion, obtaining a regularity of operation at idle speed and a progressiveness and torque flexibility at medium rpms which are a reference point for this type of engine architecture.
The new system guarantees maximum efficiency in terms of fuel economy and emissions control so much that they already meet the future (stricter) requirements of Euro 4 approval.

But it is not just power that the designers had in mind when they conceived this extraordinary engine: crankshaft and transmission group were designed with a rotational motion opposite that of the wheels in order to have a significant reduction of rotating inertia and the gyroscopic effect: by doing this the handling and quick entrance into turns of the Aprilia SRV 850 is increased.

On Aprilia SRV 850 the engine is secured in a completely integrated way to the frame thanks to an elastic mounting to contain vibrations and the final drive is entrusted to a robust, but sophisticated, Regina Z-ring sealed chain.

The exhaust system, completely free of the frame in order to keep vibrations to a minimum, is a 2-in-1 system which terminates in an aggressively styled silencer with heat shield.

THE STYLE OF THE APRILIA MAXI

SRV 850 brings the style of the Aprilia maxi bikes to the scooter world.

If the eyes are the mirrors of the soul, the front end of the SRV 850 leaves no doubts as to the nature of the first Aprilia two cylinder scooter: the style which made the RSV4 popular, the SBK 2010 SBK World Champion bike, is offered here in its entirety. The triple headlight, the dynamic air intakes under the headlight assembly, the racing fairing designed in the wind tunnel, are all elements which the SRV 850 has in common with the bike that revolutionised the supersport world. The colours of the livery recall the colour range of its "sister", the RSV4, including the two-tone Black-Red which characterises the Factory version of the Superbike from Veneto, the one that Max Biaggi rides in world championship races.

Even the front mudguard and the mirrors, which house the built in turn indicators, are faithful to the Aprilia racing style, as is the design of the half-handlebars: the two arms are made of aluminium and the new hand grips emphasise its sporty nature. The new instrument panel, in perfect Aprilia Racing style, is at the same level as the best supersport bikes. A large, central LCD is combined with the large analogue instruments (speedometer and rpm indicator), a true on board computer with a vast number of functions (including: double trip odometer, total odometer, service LED, radiator temperature) selectable with a "mode" button located on the handlebar.

The large saddle, made in Hi-Tech material, is in line with the sport design but offers great comfort for rider and passenger. The sleek and slender rear end of the SRV 850 ends with a spectacular LED technology light assembly which the new maxi two cylinder from Aprilia shares with the Dorsoduro 1200, another “extreme”, bike, standard bearer of the Aprilia maxi bike muscular sportiness: a family of vehicles which the SRV 850 is a full member of, bringing unique sport characteristics to the scooter world without compromises, not even in style.

FRAME AND CHASSIS

The generous power of the Aprilia two cylinder’s engine demands a superbly rigid chassis. The double cradle frame of the Aprilia SRV 850 is made of steel trellis pipes with reinforcing and rigidity plates.

Simulations and road tests have demonstrated that the SRV 850 has a coefficient of stability at full power similar to a motorcycle (1 rad/sec) and almost twice as high as a conventional scooter. The high level of rigidity translates into an extraordinary sensation of riding control which also stems from the 5 kg lightening realised on the RSV 850. The new sport maxi scooter from Aprilia leans into bends like a sport bike, reaching angles of 45°, always holding a neutral behaviour and extraordinary road holding.

Even analising the suspension department it is easy to see how much Aprilia motorcycling know-how was passed on to the new SRV 850. At the rear there is a swingarm made of cast aluminium and secured directly to the side plates of the frame. It is clamped by suspension linkages that are dominated by a horizontally mounted, lateral hydraulic monoshock absorber, adjustable to seven different preload settings.
Compared to the GP 800 the fork made in aluminium with large 41 mm stanchions - adopts a more sustained calibration resulting in significant improvement of dynamic control of the vehicle, improving braking and leaning stability.

The wheel rims, 16” at the front and 15” on the rear are manufactured in aluminium to minimise unsuspended mass and guarantee riding precision. Overall performance is also helped by standard equipment radial tyres, 120/70 at the front and 160/60 on the driving wheel.

The braking system at the front uses Brembo Gold Series double piston floating callipers and two 300mm semi-floating steel discs. On the rear the floating calliper with two opposing pistons acts on a 280 mm steel disc. The piping covered in metallic trellis and the levers which can be adjusted to 4 positions, are further testimony to the attention placed on realisation of the braking system. The Aprilia SRV 850 is even equipped with a parking brake operated by a practical lever on the right of the leg shield.