Aprilia RSV-R. Sportsbike bargain of the year.

To finish off the test, I've brought the bike to Brands Hatch, to a Motorsport Vision trackday to see if it has an achilles heel. Can it cut it in a group of fast riders at a fast circuit? Can I? Only one way to find out...

It's the first time I've lined up in the fast group at a track day and my nerves are creating a horrible world of self-doubt inside my helmet. Everything in my immediate vicinity is adding to a sense of dread. Apart from a mate who's on a BMW R1200S and a standard-looking Blade, all of the bikes in the group are track or race bikes. More likely than not, there'll be a couple of racers in amongst the 15 or so bikes waiting for the marshal to wave us out. Just to add a sprinkling of extra pressure, Aprilia's PR man is standing on the pit lane...

We're being waved out. I give a final tug on my chinstrap, and for some reason a small pat on the tank (I'm not sure why, must be nerves). Fifteen seconds later, I'm out on circuit. 

Within 3 laps, the self-doubt is gone. The RSV-R's surefooted handling and its clean, predictable fuelling removes any worries that this bike isn't up to the job of scything around this great track at mid-pack pace. Quite literally, it inspires confidence. By the end of the first session the nerves have disappeared and I'm thinking about how I can be faster. I want to do this bike justice. I must get faster.

The second and third sessions are gone before I've consciously taken stock of the bike beneath me. Over lunch John Hogan talks knowledgeably about the RSV-R and gives some useful tips about the best lines for a flowing lap of the mile-long Indy circuit. I've since found out that before his role at Aprilia, John was senior road test editor at Visordown magazine, so I'm glad I paid full attention...

Through the afternoon sessions, as my riding becomes a little more relaxed and my lap times more consistent, there's a tiny bit of brain space left to make some observations about the bike.

Power-wise; there's plenty. Nowhere on this circuit could I use more. Looking back, I'd like to have been able to exit clearways onto the start/finish straight carrying another 20mph, but that's down to my corner speed limits, not any lack of power. Even with mediocre corner exit speed, the Aprilia was still hitting 145mph before I had to hit the anchors for Paddock Hill bend.

Handling - planted. Ohlin's front end takes care of giving an ultra-smooth, stable, supple ride. No dramas under heavy braking, and no cause for a squeaky bum at full lean over the bumps and ripples mid-corner at Clearways. Steering is quick and accurate.

Looks - gorgeous.

Engine - stomping.

Price - astounding.

At the end of a brilliant day, the Aprilia sat calmly in garage 22, thoroughly unruffled, ready to carry me 60 miles home.

All in all a cracking bike. If I bought one, I'd definitely add a set of Termignoni cans so I could hear that beating heart a bit more clearly. I see that Taz motorcycles have currently got a deal that means buyers get this extra included in the £8k price tag. Get one while you can.

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