Motorcycle.com contributor Tor Sagen was at Mugello in Tuscany and was scheduled to do a few laps on the world-class circuit on the RSV4R, a lower-spec version of the Aprilia RSV4 Factory. Tor reports the engine problems were being attributed to the conrods from the first batch of 50 pre-production engines.

The faulty engines broke down five times as they were being ridden by international motojournalists. Thankfully, none of them crashed or were injured during the incidents. Tor interviewed a motojournalist from the Netherlands who was on the fifth bike that blew.

Here’s his take:

Tor also reports that the problem was isolated to a single, newly produced batch of conrods. The RSV4R uses the same engine configuration as the RSV4 Factory, but the conrods from the faulty batch are not being used in any production models. Aprilia’s quality control team will be extra diligent on any new batches and the final production bikes should be damn near bullet proof.

Thanks for the report, Tor. And we hope you don’t have swine flu.

Official Aprilia RSV4R video:

Related Reading:

2010 Aprilia RSV4R unveiled
Aprilia to debut RSV4R at Imola
2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review
Images in Gallery

More info, photos and a video after the jump.

Cast-aluminum wheels replace lighter forged-aluminum hoops, contributing to a claimed 406-lb dry weight that is 11 lbs more than the carbon-fiber-fairing Factory version. Also, the adjustable steering geometry and engine placement of the Factory has been fixed on the R version to a 24.5-degree rake and 105mm of trail. A Showa fork and a Sachs shock replace the Ohlins suspension of the $22K Factory version.

Pricing of the R has not yet been announced, but we expect an MSRP of about $17,000.

Photo Gallery.

The outfit will be auctioned on October 9th, bids are being taken online at icollector.com, if your interested it will cost you at least $3,500, the current bid is $3,250 but its expected to sell for about $5,000.

Good luck!

Summer is here, the city is alive. You’ve got places to go, people to see and patios to sit at. Maybe you’d like an alternative to public transit for getting to work. Or, just maybe, you’d like to go for a bike ride with your kids – without the hassle of peddling. I’ve seen it! If any of these scenarios describe your current situation – even if they don’t – you have come to the right place!

How low can you go? This years 10 least expensive scooters are in a metaphorical limbo contest when it comes to pricing. You’ll find all 10 of the cheapest scooters slide easily under the bar from $1,300 to $1,800. Only a $500 difference between 10 models. In fact the competition is still strong even among the 30 or so least expensive scooters. A $600 spread among the 20 least expensive and an $800 spread among the 30 least expensive scooters topping off around $2100. So you many not want to limit your selection to the Top 10. Do your research and find out if that extra $500, $600 or $800 is worth the scrilla’ depending on your personal needs.

If you are looking into buying an inexpensive scooter this year – the chances are you will only have one option when it comes to power. An assortment of 50 cc 1-cyclinder 2-stroke engines have become standard issue. For those who desire a little more power there are still some 125 cc and 150 cc options on the market which are still able to slide in at a low price.

The one brand dominating the Top 10 list QLINK, taking 1st place with standings in Top 10, 20 and 30. Competitive brands include E-ton, Kymco, Hyosung, Schwinn, SYM, United Motors, Piaggio, Yamaha, Honda and Aprilia – Almost everyone! It seems the scooter industry may be the most competitively priced sub-class of motorcycles. But enough review, check out the lists yourself.. and start scootin!

If you liked this post you might like:

Top 10 Least Expensive (Cheapest) Motorcycle Sportbikes of 2009 by MSRP

Top 10 Best Sportbikes of 2009 by Viewers Choice

#10 2009 SYM SYMply 50 – MSRP $1,798 (Find a better price)

#9 2009 Schwinn Hope™ 50 – MSRP $1,739 (Find a better price)

#8 2009 QLINK Sting 50 – MSRP $1,699 (Find a better price)

#7 2009 Schwinn Laguna™ 50 – MSRP $1,699 (Find a better price)

#6 2009 QLINK Matador 50 – MSRP $1,649 (Find a better price)

#5 2009 QLINK Hawk 50 – MSRP $1,649 (Find a better price)

#4 2009 Hyosung Sense SD50 – MSRP $1,599 (Find a better price)

#3 2009 Kymco Agility 50 – MSRP $1,599 (Find a better price)

#2 2009 E-ton Sport 50 – MSRP $1,399 (Find a better price)

#1 2009 QLINK Axon 50 – MSRP $1,299 (Find a better price)

Top 10 least expensive scooters of 2009 summary

1. 2009 QLINK Axon 50 – MSRP $1,299.00
2. 2009 E-ton Sport 50 – MSRP $1,399.00
3. 2009 Kymco Agility 50 – MSRP $1,599.00
4. 2009 Hyosung Sense SD50 – MSRP $1,599.00
5. 2009 QLINK Hawk 50 – MSRP $1,649.00
6. 2009 QLINK Matador 50 – MSRP $1,649.00
7. 2009 Schwinn Laguna™ 50 – MSRP $1,699.00
8. 2009 QLINK Sting 50 – MSRP $1,699.00
9. 2009 Schwinn Hope™ 50 – MSRP $1,739.00
10. 2009 SYM SYMply 50 – MSRP $1,798.00

Next 10 least expensive scooters of 2009

• 2009 Hyosung Prima SF50 – MSRP $1,799.00
• 2009 E-ton Beamer III – MSRP $1,799.00
• 2009 United Motors GP1R 150 – MSRP $1,799.00
• 2009 E-ton Sport 150 – MSRP $1,799.00
• 2009 Schwinn Sport™ 50 – MSRP $1,879.00
• 2009 Kymco Sento 50 – MSRP $1,899.00
• 2009 Piaggio Fly 50 – MSRP $1,899.00
• 2009 Hyosung Rally SF50 – MSRP $1,899.00
• 2009 QLINK Matador 150 – MSRP $1,899.00
• 2009 QLINK Sting 150 – MSRP $1,899.00

Even more inexpensive scooters

• 2009 Schwinn Newport™ 50 – MSRP $1,949.00
• 2009 SYM Fiddle II 50 – MSRP $1,998.00
• 2009 Kymco Agility 125 – MSRP $1,999.00
• 2009 Kymco People 50 –
• 2009 Kymco Super 8 50 – MSRP $1,999.00
• 2009 Genuine Scooter Co. Buddy 50 – MSRP $1,999.00
• 2009 Yamaha Vino Classic – MSRP $2,049.00
• 2009 Honda Metropolitan Base – MSRP $2,049.00
• 2009 E-ton Matrix 50 – MSRP $2,099.00
• 2009 Aprilia SportCity 50 – MSRP $2,099.00
• 2009 Yamaha C3 Base – MSRP $2,099.00
• 2009 Kymco Sting 50 – MSRP $2,099.00
• 2009 United Motors Matrix II 150 – MSRP $2,099.00

As you may or may not know, Aprilia is the official motorcycle brand that movie starlet Megan Fox rides in the upcoming Transformers sequel, “Revenge of the Fallen”.

Aprilia must be loving the coverage as they are churning out media on the internet to make everyone salivate over Megan Fox sitting on their bike.

They’ve gone a step sideways and thrown up this video of a Transformers themed Aprilia RSV 1000R. The big problem with it is there’s no Megan Fox riding on it, just some dude.

Oh well, it’s still a sweet looking ride.

The new Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen movie opens June 24, 2009 (and I don’t plan on seeing it)

See the rest of the post for the Transformers Movie Inspired Aprilia RSV 1000R

Hit the jump to watch the Mana 850GT in action.

Aprilia just posted some new videos on YouTube for their 2009 Scarabeo scooters and damn, they are cheesy.  The most cheesy thing about them is the music.  The 80’s called…

The 3 minute video features several different kinds of Aprilia Scarabeo scooter and each one has its own “music” to accompany it.  Awesome!

Check the full article for the post.  Make sure you have your speakers cranked so people around you can enjoy.

Check out the uncensored photo and a controversial Aprilia TV AD after the jump.

Not so bad.

Update: Read the review now on motorcycle.com

Perhaps only Ducati’s street-legal MotoGP carbon-copy Desmosedici has received as much anticipation as Aprilia’s all-new RSV4 Factory. A four cylinder Vee from Aprilia is significant largely because the Italian bike maker has dealt almost exclusively with V-Twins. The big deal here is that Aprilia was able to squish two more cylinders into roughly the same space normally occupied by a narrow V-Twin, thereby keeping the bike slim and light.

Like the first incarnation of Honda’s V4 Interceptor, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory is born to win on the track, and then in the hearts riders everywhere.

Aprilia’s new V4 engine nitty gritty:

• Engine: 999.6cc (78 x 52.3mm) 65-degree V4, four valves-per-cylinder
• Power: claimed 180 HP at 12,500 rpm; 84.8 ft-lbs at 10,000 rpm
• Fuel system: 48mm Magneti Marelli T-bodies with 2 injectors per cylinder; integrated independent Ride by Wire system for each bank (read: throttle by wire likely similar to systems already in place on Aprilia’s Shiver and Mana). Three mappings selectable from handlebar (also similar principle to the Shiver and Mana). Electronically controlled variable length intake ducts (Think of Yamaha’s YCC-I as found on the R6 and R1)
• Maximum rpm: 14,100 rpm
• Compression ratio: 13:1
• Transmission: 6-speed direct-control cassette gearbox
• Clutch: multiplate wet clutch with mechanical slipper system
• Exhaust system: 4 into 2 into 1

The frame is similar to that on the RSV1000, but Aprilia claims it now weighs a skosh over 22 lbs (10.1 kg). And, like everyone else these days, Aprilia jumped on board with mass centralization in such ways as positioning the fuel tank so most of the fuel is under the saddle, theoretically eliminating any riding differences between a full and empty tank. Aprilia claims the RSV4 Factory to have a front/rear weight distribution percentage of 52/48.

Most notable about the new frame is that engine, swingarm pivot point and headstock (and thusly rake) positions can be altered. This technology is derived from MotoGP efforts, and according to Aprilia the “RSV4 Factory is the most highly adjustable production motorcycle in the world, just like a real race bike.”

Slowing the new V4 superbike is the job of the ever-capable Brembo mono-block radial brake calipers squeezing a pair of 320mm rotors attached to lightweight forged aluminium wheels. Equally lust-worthy is an Ohlins 43mm USD fork, Ohlins shock and adjustable Ohlins steering damper.

Indeed, the new Aprilia RSV4 Factory is the stuff motorcycle dreams are made of, but soon dreams will become reality, as we’ll have a full ride report from the world press launch on tap next week. Stick around Motorcycle.com so you don’t miss it!

Equipped with Aprilia’s 452cc electronic-fuel injected 77-degree V-Twin engine, the 450 MXV allows riders to choose between two ignition settings – a factory default setting that favors rideability, control and traction, thanks to the closed firing gap between the two cylinders, and  the “Screamer” setting that modifies the firing gap, allowing for maximum engine performance up to the 12,500 rpm limit.

The Dell’Orto fuel injection system is managed by a programmable electronic control unit (ECU) that allows riders to switch between hard/soft mappings at the touch of a button on the handlebars. Elimination of the external oil tank and its connecting pipes led to a reduction in weight, as did the elimination of a starter motor in favor of a good ol’ fashioned kick starter.

Available in U.S. dealerships now, the 2009 Aprilia MXV450 has an MSRP of $8,499.