Aprilia Rsv4 Factory

"The superbike benchmark — but only buy a well-documented example."

The RSV4 Factory is genuinely one of the best superbikes ever built, full stop. That 65-degree V4 makes a sound that'll rearrange your organs, and the chassis is so communicative it feels almost telepathic on a good road. Factory spec means Öhlins suspension front and rear, which transforms what's already a weapon into something surgical. Buy one in good shape and you'll question everything else you've ever ridden. Here's the honest bit though — these bikes eat money. Pre-2015 models need valve checks every 15,000 miles and that's a £600-£800 job minimum. Electronics can be temperamental, particularly the earlier APRC systems. Always check service history religiously, look for oil weeping around the cam covers, and verify the slipper clutch isn't dragging. A neglected example will drain your wallet faster than it drains a fuel tank. Budget realistically — buy the most recent, best-maintained bike you can afford rather than chasing a bargain. The sweet spot is 2015 onwards when Aprilia refined the electronics and addressed early reliability niggles. Worth every penny when it's right.