K-Tech Fork Slide Bushing Kit – Aprilia RSV4 / Tuono V4 (2004–2026) GBS-019

The K-Tech GBS-019 slide bushing kit is built to a standard the OEM part was never designed to match. Hardened steel construction with a copper undercoat and a PTFE contact surface means each bushing resists wear longer, moves more freely, and keeps your Aprilia's fork action precise through every compression and rebound cycle. If you are rebuilding suspension or chasing a smoother, more responsive front end, this is the component that makes the difference.

Key Features

• Hardened steel core with copper coating delivers exceptional resistance to wear and corrosion under continuous fork movement
• PTFE-lined contact surfaces minimise friction between the inner and outer fork tubes, improving fork sensitivity and overall handling feel
• Manufactured to OEM dimensions for a direct, like-for-like fitment — no modification or special adaptation required
• Precision tolerances held throughout: 43.00 mm inner diameter, 46.00 mm outer diameter, 15.00 mm height, 2.00 mm wall thickness
• Supplied as a complete two-bushing kit so both legs of the fork are rebuilt to the same standard in a single service
• Compatible with over 17 years of Aprilia RSV4 and Tuono V4 production — from the original 2009 Factory through the 2026 RSV4 1100

Construction & Material Quality

K-Tech engineered the GBS-019 around hardened steel rather than the softer alloy used in many aftermarket alternatives. The hardened steel substrate provides the structural rigidity needed to maintain dimensional accuracy over thousands of kilometres of road and track use. A copper intermediate layer bonds cleanly to the steel and acts as a sacrificial barrier that absorbs micro-loads before they reach the core material. The outer PTFE surface layer is the detail that most directly affects how your fork feels: it drastically reduces the static and dynamic friction that causes stiction, that frustrating hesitation at the beginning of fork travel that dulls feedback and masks road textures. The result is a fork that tracks, dips, and recovers the way it was designed to.

Performance on Road and Track

Stiction in a fork is one of the hardest suspension flaws to diagnose because it mimics poor spring or damper setup. Replacing worn or inferior slide bushings with the GBS-019 set often transforms a fork that feels vague or inconsistent into one that responds crisply to both brake inputs and mid-corner bumps. On track, where the RSV4 and Tuono V4 spend a meaningful portion of their lives, the margin between a fork that tracks and one that deflects is measured in lap time and rider confidence. The PTFE lining maintains its low-friction characteristics even under the heat generated by sustained hard braking and rapid suspension cycling.

Fitment & Compatibility

This kit is a confirmed direct replacement for the following Aprilia models:

• RSV4 1000 Factory (2009–2011)
• RSV4 1000 Factory APRC (2011–2015)
• RSV4 1000 RF (2015–2019)
• RSV4 1100 Factory (2019–2026)
• Tuono 1000 R (2004)
• Tuono 1000 R Factory (2006–2010)
• Tuono V4 1100 Factory (2015–2020)

Installation requires specialist tools and suspension knowledge. K-Tech recommend fitting to be carried out at an authorised K-Tech Service Centre to ensure correct assembly and optimal chassis performance.

Specifications

• Part number: GBS-019
• Inner diameter: 43.00 mm
• Outer diameter: 46.00 mm
• Height: 15.00 mm
• Wall thickness: 2.00 mm
• Material: hardened steel with copper coating and PTFE lining
• Contents: 2 slide bushings