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I'm glad you started this thread as I'm currently deciding which bike to purchase next after having pair of new R1's. Two years is about the max I tend to hold onto a bike so I'm currently in the market for an upgrade. I was strongly considering a 2017 R1M, until I rode both the RR and RF version of the 2017 RSV4. The 2016 bikes are not to my liking as I've become rather fond of TFT color displays. In my opinion the 17 RSV4 is a better all around package then the current R1/M. Below is my reasoning why.

The Auto-Blipper is as refined as the FT ECU unit with the big plus being it can be engaged even while the throttle is still open and comes installed from the factory!

The motor is strong from the bottom to the top and super smooth. The R1's cross plane firing order is supposed to mimic that of a V4. After riding the RSV4 you'll quickly realize there is nothing quite like the real thing.

The effort on the clutch pull lever is much lighter than that of the R1.

The ergos while being aggressive are a hair more relaxed than those on the R1 in the form of a slightly shorter reach to the bars.

The new fully Ride-by-wire cable-less throttle demand sensor is awesome. Absolutely no initial throttle slop, with a feeling of direct control without the jerky on/off pwr 1 throttle on a new R1 from the factory.

The the brake setup on the RSV4 is formidable from the factory and puts the R1's OEM setup to shame.

As far as handling goes I think both bikes are on equal footing. What the R1 gains in corner exit with slid control the RSV4 makes up on corner entry with Cornering ABS.

Cruise Control is worth its weight in gold on long road trips. The pit/top speed limiter is cool if you're racing...

On paper the RSV4 is a Fat B!tch, but the mass centralization is so good you really don't feel the weight like you would think. I do think the R1 would be make a slightly better track only bike, but the RSV4 is def a better street bike that will shine just the same on the track. This just my personal opinion in comparing these bikes, keeping in mind that Aprilia just updated the RSV4 for 2017 with all the latest bells and whistles, while the R1 has remained virtually unchanged since 2015. I think it's also fair to mention other factors such as dealer proximity in regards to a brand like Aprilia because you're gonna spend some time at the their service dept. It's something that should be factored in with ownership of any Euro super bike.

 

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As far as handling goes I think both bikes are on equal footing. What the R1 gains in corner exit with slid control the RSV4 makes up on corner entry with Cornering ABS.
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Hi P.K.1000r, thanks for great write up.

I do want to ask few things:
my understanding was the '17 RSV4 does have slide control, it is just not adjustable or not separately adjustable as the R1s. Is this wrong?

Also, not sure on this: RSV4 still does not have the gyro and the 6-axis IMU as R1 does. I think. ? :nerd:

And btw, does R1 have the cornering ABS, that the RSV4 '17 just added? (I read Ape's is Bosch, Yamaha probably has it's own?)

So many electronic thingies ..... getting confused

 

Take into account reliability, service locations and parts cost & availability for the Ape.

 

I was going to get an aprilia but honestly I can't gamble on the constant maintenance issues I was sure to suffer from.

Yea those are definitely in my head.. I'm trying to shake those concerns off, not to potentially totally cloud my view and not see anything else, like this V4 awesomeness. I feel 'nice & warm' sorta with :fork But I definitely think of extra costs & likely more issues..

I just checked today that at the moment locally there is about $2700 price tag difference bn R1 '16 (not high end M), and RSV4 '17 (not high end RF).
May be (myself I haven't searched to be honest!) it is possible to buy aftermarket electronics (like autoblipper) and pay for professional installation & tune, and then get pretty close to Ape's new package on the R1 :uhh:
You still won't have a V4 of course.

 

I was going to get an aprilia but honestly I can't gamble on the constant maintenance issues I was sure to suffer from.

 

I own a 2016 R1 track bike and my best friend has a 2016 RSV4 RF track bike. I've ridden his bike a bunch of times on the track and vice versa.

Here is my easement of the RSV4 RF on the track.

- The first thing you'll notice is how much more compact it feels as in wheel base and you can clearly feel the wheels are closer together and its so much more easier to ride and less tiresome then my R1 but this doesn't mean by any means that it's faster.
The RSV4 RF lacks in power to me big time compared to the R1 it's just not aggressive when turning the throttle we have 2 R1's mine which is pretty tracked out and on race fuel which the RSV4 can't touch coming out of corners and needless to say the straights, my other friends R1 with a 3/4 system and generic ecu flash no race fuel and he continuesly pulls away from the RSV4 any time he is on gas. Rodrigo the RSV4 owner everytime after riding my bike says dam I need my bike to be as responsive as mine, he was so shocked of the difference he sent Aprilia an email complaining that his friends cheaper R1 is way faster hahaha...

-As in brakes the Aprilia's stock brakes are pretty good I have a aftermarket m/c and eliminated abs they're not as nearly as good as mine but definitely solid and better then OEM R1

-I feel it's suspension is a bit loose when trying to really push it but I have aftermarket suspension and his is oem though it's not bad.

-A key thing to take into account is the options of aftermarket parts and variety, he doesn't have much options and everything is way more pricier then mine. For example I can flash my ECU he had to buy the Aprilia race ECU for like 900+ bucks and everytime he does something to the bike he needs to run some Aprilia setup thing that synchs the TC and ABS etc. We both run z04 brake pads his are like 60+ bucks more then mine hahaha....

-Probably the greatest thing on the RSV4 that I wish I could have is the form of the tank it has a lip on the top of it that locks you in wayyyyyyy..... better then the R1 this is my favorite thing!!! You are sooooo locked in with that tank.

Ok so here is my summary. If you are a competitive trackday rider and have rivals that you want to be kicking their a@#!!! And strive to drop times, Get the R1 and modify it you'll be able to accomplish this with no regrets!!!
Now if you are a noncompetive trackday goer that doesn't get to many trackdays but want to have fun and doesn't mind paying extra money for everything get the RSV4 hahaha.... I guess you can tell my unbiased opinion hahahaha....

Oh yeah the bike feels like you need to swift it earlier in the rev range so this can effect your track setup.

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I own a 2016 R1 track bike and my best friend has a 2016 RSV4 RF track bike. .. ..

..The RSV4 RF lacks in power to me big time ... it's just not aggressive when turning the throttle ..

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Hey dude, awesome post & photos. I wish I had both those bikes in my garage now .. may be in my bedroom.

I was wondering, if you take stock R1, right, with no tunes like yours, stock exhaust , and same stock RSV4, no tunes, shouldn't RSV4 smoke the R1?
On paper at least, '15 R1 190 hp, '17 RSV4 201 hp. It should run away on the straights at least.

About throttle, could it be because RSV4 is more linear delivery, so it just relatively makes you feel it's not as aggressive or responsive?

 

I've seen videos of the new RSV4 and R1 having the same HP and TQ curves.

Skip to 5:00

 

I used to own a Tuono V4 APRC and while not quite the same, some of it applies. The Ape is a wonderful bike to ride but build quality, parts availability, dealer network, and responsiveness of Piaggio Group to customer concerns will prevent me from ever buying another. I was lucky to get rid of mine earlier this year and happy I no longer have to fix shit due to either poor design or execution. To the OP, if you buy an RSV4 enjoy it but keep an equivalent Japanese motorcycle for the times it will be in the shop...

 

Yea that's why I'm not buying one. While I can wrench when needed I prefer to ride. That's why I'm not buying a used junker. These are brand new bikes fresh out of the box and broken. In 2017 I don't think so. This ain't the 60s

 

 

get a 2016 R1S while you still can, by far the best bang for the buck. All the money you save goes towards a tune followed by track days. If you're not doing lots of track days then you're a poser who bought the wrong category of bike. Either way it works itself out nicely xD

 

The R1S is a down-tuned cheaper version of R1 as far as I read, which is not even available anywhere but the US. Seems the market for those down tuned R1 is just there ...dunno :grin2:
And why would you consider the down-tuned version only to start tuning it after you buy it? And you won't even be able to tune it to level of normal R1 :icon_lol:

On the other hand, for proper posing, I think you need to buy highest spec one. At least R1M or RSV4 RF :icon_lol:
Not cheap of course, especially if you bin it too quick.

Anyway ...back to RSV4 vs R1 : that video review y32dsm posted, from UK guys (they do nice reviews): RSV4 is reviewed as best bike for 2017.
Probably until R1 gets updated in 2018 it will stay there :cool008: