Hubmeister, what's your take on this epic fail of a new RSV4 Factory?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e0EjWp3zvY

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/8/2022 @ 11:27 AM *

At the 2:06-:07 mark, going to guess a rod came around, opened the case. Of course the rod welded itself to the crank throw to do it most likely. That kind of momentum of the other two pistons running, and wheel speed, can chop the rod from the piston.

Imagine, it was eating itself until that rod became frozen. Either way, that's a warranty bike anyway. Break-in or not. I'm sure if you gathered field studies, no one followed book and their fine. That is a track bike. If it can't take a one time limiter number. Sounds like, looks like a 'Beater Breaker Inner,' however.

No mercy to the break-in ritual from the owner's man you will pay not listening to it chapter and verse. If it says nothing over 4k for the first 600mi., takes discipline to never go there once. Comes with tight tolerances so as not to heat it up[expand] until some pounding in of the molecules, if not slow miles, never the highway, more stop and go or the back roads.

Or, it's the rare bird 14 like. A few grenade, but can't explain it. Probably the field test is how many apes lost a case when the rod won. For peace of mind, change the oil and filter. If you can drop the oil pan, even better; but that takes new exhaust gaskets.

Just cut the oil filter open, check between the pleats. Clean, no brass looking chips and/or aluminum chips. Not to worry. Follow book ritual.

At that speed with oil all over the rear tyre?
A very very lucky boy...

Meh, that will buff out.

Mad

Thanks for the typically thorough response Hubmeister...

Totally agree with your diagnosis, my first thought also was the rod broke and punched a hole in the crankcase.

It's amazing that ride didn't end in tragedy going at those speeds.

Understandably, the guys who have bought 2021 RSV4s like myself, are now wondering if this is an one-off or a problem that could affect the rest of us with '21s.

I called the Aprilia Support hotline in New York and they have zero complaints about the '21s respecting motor integrity.

I guess all we can do is sit back and wait for Aprilia to look into it and issue a recall if one is warranted.

Hubster, a lot of the '21 RSV4s are out worldwide and Youtube vids of guys flogging these things at very high speeds are commonplace along with a lot of on the racetrack hammering.

That bike has been out for well over a year now and that is the first catastrophic fail I've heard of. Google search "21 RSV4 Engine Fail" and you get the one Turkish bike video, that's it.

I'm speculating a one-off fail but not sure why or how...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/12/2022 @ 7:21 AM *

Had a roller crank come around and took the case out. Stretch can also, under heavy loads like Daytona's banking. But I heard it whistle and pulled the clutch in. That video sounded like something dropped and gave a 'tink.' So say a keeper let lose, valve drops, crank still has to reach TDC to come around; bends the rod from an I to a C, the C now comes down, hits the cylinder; something has got to give.

Only way to know is to look at the engine parts. Vales just bent with keepers in place, not that scenario.

Unt dis leave is a tagishflogen unt saying, 'whatizz given uppen unt das umpissmotorodden hangin?'

* Last updated by: Hub on 5/12/2022 @ 9:17 AM *

Thanks Hubmeister, I'm not going to worry about it, plan to ride the new bike in the morning.....

Kruz, you have probably been around long enough to remember my 2007 Plasma Blue ZX-14 blowing it's engine while idling in the garage.
I was super worried after it happened but now know it was a very rare occurrence and I was one of the really unlucky ones (touch wood it was a sole occurrence for me).
I would suggest your RSV4 fellow owner in the vid is in the same boat.

Ride with pride and don't let it get to you.
Super rare I would think, but if it helps maybe keep an eye out for unlikely reoccurrences to satisfy yourself.

But IMO, too much technology and R&D in the new bike you have decided on.

* Last updated by: yannih on 5/18/2022 @ 10:53 PM *

Thanks Yannih, yes much more information is coming out on the blown RSV4 engine and it does appear now to be a one-off isolated case involving possible abuse.

One of the club members in Turkey posted that the owner was known for doing drag racing starts and high speed runs on this machine with only 1000 kilometers on the clock and has since pulled his videos down as he has an active warranty situation with Aprilia.

Prognosis: Connecting rod failed at redline rpm and punched a nice fat hole in the crankcase.

Link here:https://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?371117-2021-RSV4-Engine-Problem/page5

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/20/2022 @ 9:35 AM *

Update, Aprilia is replacing the entire engine on this guy's bike under warranty, whether we ever hear what the final cause was for the failure is anyone's guess. My thoughts are if it's a one=off we won't ever hear anything, if it's a bad heat treat or other design/manufacturing issue, there will be a recall soon enough.