Intro: THE ESCAPEE FROM THE PITS
Anyone who’s into bike racing knows Noriyuki Haga, the Japanese Aprilia rider in the World Superbike championship. The Noale based firm is honouring its champion by producing a limited series of 300 replicas of his RSV 1000 R. As explosive as its rider whose nickname is Nitro Nori, the Haga replica has escaped from the pits and the racing marks disseminated are not just there for show.
Esthetique: RACING ATTITUDE
With a plethora of carbon, exemplary finishing and high quality equipment, the Aprilia Haga has all the basic technical characteristics of the standard RSV 1000 R but can be differentiated from the latter by its official factory paintwork and the circuit kit that comes with it, which includes the magnificent Akropavic exhausts and an Eprom injection unit to boost its performance.
Behind the cowling with its effective protection, the control panel favours its analogue rev counter. The digital screens either side of it give all necessary information and there is even a stopwatch to time yourself on a circuit.
Motorization: MUSCLED AND MASTERED
Although the maximum power of the twin V is only increased by 3 horsepower in this version, the torque has leapt up to 10.3 mkg from 9.6, much to the benefit of the already powerful acceleration of the 1000 cm3 engine. It is as docile as any Japanese 4 cylinder.
The enchanting sound of its exhausts and the great all round power of the engine that is waiting to respond to the slightest request – real proof of a good injection system – are real signs of the above average pleasure of riding this bike, especially as its gearbox and the transmission are above criticism.
On the road: A TAMED RACING BEAST
To support all this power, the imposing aluminium chassis with its double longitudinal beam is certainly not lacking in rigidity and Olhins, the well-known suspension maker, provide the top of their range with a fork of titanium nitride treated tubes, the steering shock absorber placed in front the Ts and a rear shock absorber, which, like the fork, can be adjusted in every possible direction. The oscillating arm is a complex piece of metalwork equipped as standard with workshop stand stops and, another racing detail, the gear selector and brake pedal can be eccentrically position adjusted. Equally top of the range are the Brembo competition model brake callipers and the soft rubber slick profile tyres.
But the Haga Replica, although it fancies itself as a racer, is surprising well controlled. On a bad road surface the Aprilia pays the cost of its racing bike vivacity by reacting rather sharply at times, but the quality of its suspension, although it is on the firm side, means that the bike remains both sound and relatively comfortable.
But this Aprilia really comes into its own on good quality fast and twisty roads. Light, lively, precise and powerful with formidable brakes, the RSV 1000 Haga Replica makes the most of its direct descent from the Superbike fury that Nitro Nori takes to its limits on all the best circuits in the world.
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