As often seems the case when opportunity knocks its timing can be less than optimal. The RSV4 & Tuono models have long been on my motorcycling bucket list however never during my wishful thoughts had I imagined doing so across the east Anglian Fens in the depths of winter. An opportunity it still most certainly was and one I’d be foolish not to accept.

First up was the RSV4 1100 Factory. Picked up on a sub zero day with a smattering of snow involving an 80 or so mile of mostly A roads. My initial impression of the RSV4 was how compact it felt despite its large exterior. A long, low looking machine with its deeply impressive superbike aping rear swingarm and MotoGP styled aero winged front fairings.

Despite being towards the top of the weight list of the current crop of superbikes (205KG with fluids) this is not apparent at a standstill, feeling nicely balance with its weight seemingly carried low.

A much shorter seat/ footpeg/handlebar ratio than I was expecting for a standard road bike. Feet rearward and tucked up almost perfectly (on track) for myself at 5ft 10in however it could well be considered as some form of torture for those over 6ft.

The first hurdle to overcome was to check through the various rider mode settings taking the weather conditions and Supercorsa tyres into consideration. This was easier said than done. Trying to figure out the nuances between the various buttons and the operating system saw me simply increasing the traction control using the easily understandably plus/minus finger/thumb operated paddles on the left hand switch gear and a note to self to try again later in a bid to get moving as quickly as possible.

A notably long reach to the non adjustable for span clutch lever and the need to use more revs than expected for a clean getaway are the only things of note during the first few miles of roundabouts. Rock hard tyres aside the rest of the package is taking the sedate pace in its stride. The electronic suspension is maintaining a suitable level of dive/pitch during braking and turning generating much needed heat into the tyres and in turn increasing my confidence that we will make it home in one piece. Despite the lower rev levels involved the shifter/blipper are working impeccably along with the small throttle opening fuelling. The rear brake is effective and progressive, a massive help negotiating the icy roundabouts with the front Brembo stylema setup again showing why it’s still the OE. package to beat with amazing feel and progression.

The mirrors worked, wind protection was good and the seat was comfortable. The only fly in the ointment being the shape of the petrol tank, manging to offer little in terms of real grip with its shape angular sides falling just within my inside thighs, rather than above my legs which after an hour or so of riding was making itself known in the form of some dull pain.

Despite its high state of tune, size and V4 configuration the engine was the epitome of smooth despite never troubling more than 5000 rpm for the whole journey. The extra heat it was providing was more than welcome on this cold day, however it was noted how quickly its temperature rose to cooling fan inducing temp at several of the longer traffic-based waits during the journey. I can well imagine the pain that could be felt during a hots summer ride in traffic or sitting in pit lane exit waiting for your track day session to start could bring.

Overall for a 200bhp plus superbike the RSV4 handled our first ride admirably and left me looking forward to the next ride on more familiar roads in hopefully better suited conditions.

My next time out happened to be on a closed runway for the photoshoot of the article. A cold, bright and very breezy day. For the shoot we were using a disused corner of the facility which could be ridden as a large figure of eight in either direction. One way offered slow in, fast out corners onto its short straights whilst the other, more tricker on the day fast in with consistent radius ever decreasing speed turns before driving hard from a significantly lower apex speed.