Aprilia Futura

[BURGBILLY]

Does anyone have any info for someone who is interested in the Aprilia Futura? Any maintainence items to worry about or look for? I'm looking for feedback on how they age? Generally I've read that Aprilia's in general are fairly reliable all they way around and age very well. Just looking for a little feedback?

Thanks

Burgbilly

[BizJetGuy]

I highly recommend apriliaforum.com - much info over there.

Just the headline news - check the brown connector from the rectifier for signs of excessive heat.  There are fixes for that.  Also make sure that the plastic fuel quick-disconnect under the tank has been changed to a metal one.  Other than that, just put gas in it, change the tires as needed and enjoy your rides!

I have a 2002 and I've only had one strange issue with it.  Once that was resolved, she's run tip-top.

Love mine.

[Sign Guy]

Great machines! I've got a 2002 and still get asked if it is the latest thing out. Fixes are easy and make for a dead reliable bike. 30K and the valves are still factory spec. Outside of having to adjust the valves (checking is a bit time consuming the first time but easy) all maintenance is straight forward. BTW, it is not unheard of for these to go 50-60K before needing them to be adjusted. I had a R1100RT prior and the Fut is WAY faster and much more comfortable. I can easily do 500+ mile days. I did 650 the first day I had it.

[thatguy]

My Tuono is pushing 60K miles and haven't had to shim the valves yet.

[rdbandkab]

We just turned over 55,000 miles on ours...   I was thinking about getting the valves checked.  They've never needed adjustment yet.  More for peace of mind.

[Arcus]

As far as maintance/problems goes there are very few issues with this bike.  As mentioned before the voltage connector is a known problem.  Also you need to check the fuel quick disconnect to make sure it has the new metal one.  The side stand has given a few people problems (me included) it cracks and allows water in to short the circuit which eventually keeps the bike from running in gear.  There have also been accounts of fuel leaks from “plugged up tubes” in the bottom of the fuel tank.   That is all the problems that I have found online.  Over all this is a very reliable motorcycle with a great engine and better handleing then most people can use.

[Oddball]

I've had one since the beginning of April.  Purchased it with 5200 miles and in now has more than double that.  I really enjoy it.  But I did keep my R1100RT and ride it just as much.  One ride does not do it all.

[Spiffious]

I love and want a Futura also...  

How are they for 2-up touring?  My ~110lb pillion rides and somewhat enjoys the SV1000s... How would the futura compare?  How big/small/tall/low/heavy is the bike compared to the SV? compared to a FJR?  

[Newtfox]

I owned a Futura for over a year and I feel it is one of the best bikes ever made. It has by far the best stock seat you could wish for. The biggest drawback for me was the nearest dealer was 2.5 hours away and I was starting to get worried about parts availability since it had been discontinued.

[rdbandkab]

update.
56,000 miles and the valves were still in spec.

[Squiggy]

update.
56,000 miles and the valves were still in spec.

I used to think Yami's 26,000 mile valve inspection was great but 56,000 and no adjustments...wow.

[woodman]

The Futura is a great bike with little or no real problems to worry about.
Mine is an 02 with 39,000 miles on it and still runs perfect. Recently checked the valves and still at the low side of the specs. I'll check them again at 58,000 but doubt they will have to be adjusted. I have been riding for 34 years and this is the only bike I have kept for 5 years.

Buy one, you will never regret it.

[MisterSmooth]

But I hear that Futuras can be kinda confusing...




Jim became a little too obsessed with "Where I've been."

[SpitfireTriple]

Here's what a Futura is capable of:

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159832

This could be you visiting 15 countries

[MilleArp]

I know those Rotax engines are fairly bulletproof!  23k on my Mille-R and no valve adj needed yet !!!
In fact, no major maintenance at all.  Just the usual suspects; oil, brake pads, chain+sprockets, etc..  It even drops well!  

.

[red_rice]

Futura  The finest mix of race and touring to make for a solid machine.  Parts can be longer on order, my local shop takes 1 month typically, I would recomend AF1racing.com for parts.  

The motor is stout.  A sound engineering design our of rotax.  Related to the above post and parts availablity, many parts share use in other Rotax applications.  Service schedules are not to terrible and often the service is redundant.  I ran the valve check on my first futura at 18,000 and was perfectly on spec. My current fut' i just checked at 40,000 and she also checks within spec (two valves at limits).  My wifes Rsv was perfectly in spec at first service.  Sound engine!

Check charging output!  This is near the only issue had by large numbers of owners.  AF1 forum has a sticky that should be read as to how to check and the grounding wire fix and aftermarket fix.

The bike is hot looking, bags are big, the seat aww I miss riding right now is the most comfortable I have ever enjoyed including corbin and sargent beyond all OEMs.  The looks have fallen into a more acceptable or even current looking category.  

Pick her up and join the Italian owners goup.  

congrats on your decision  

[FutRider]

Just replacing the regulator/rectifier with aftermarket and soldering the connections were sufficient enough to get the 14+ volts that it needs.  I think doing the wiring mod suggested on the forum is too much.  AF1 racing has an aftermarket reg/rec.  Awesome bike.

[SpitfireTriple]

One of the chaps who posts regularly on both Apriliaforum.com and aprilia.co.uk has set up a web-site specifically for the Futura:
http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk/index.shtml

[Castaway]

Just replacing the regulator/rectifier with aftermarket and soldering the connections were sufficient enough to get the 14+ volts that it needs.  I think doing the wiring mod suggested on the forum is too much.  AF1 racing has an aftermarket reg/rec.  Awesome bike.

Just now picking up on this thread - I've always been a Futura admirer. With the RR fixes, does the bike put out enough juice to ride with electrics, GPS, and whatnot?

[SpitfireTriple]

Just now picking up on this thread - I've always been a Futura admirer. With the RR fixes, does the bike put out enough juice to ride with electrics, GPS, and whatnot?

I haven't done any of the electric fixes myself. And my bike happily runs my BMW heated waistcoat. I suppose it's probably a borderline thing: Get lucky (like me) and your Futura won't need the fixes. Besides, the wiring mod is really really easy. And dirt cheap - a couple of dollars. If you choose to replace the R/R, then it starts to get a bit more pricey. But still an easy job.

Wouldn't want to turn you away from ST-N, it's a great forum, but for this sort of model-specific technical info you're better off on The Futura forum.  You will drown in info there.  But don't be put off: The Futura has a handful of known issues. All are fixable at low cost, with the possible exception of the wobbly rear wheel: If tyre fitters did a bad job refitting the rear wheel, you could be talking $200 to fix. And that's not a job many could do at home.

Once people buy them, they tend to keep them. It really is a super-comfy reliable sports-tourer.

[Castaway]

All are fixable at low cost, with the possible exception of the wobbly rear wheel: If tyre fitters did a bad job refitting the rear wheel, you could be talking $200 to fix. And that's not a job many could do at home.

Once people buy them, they tend to keep them. It really is a super-comfy reliable sports-tourer.

The rear wheel wobble is a first - haven't heard of it before. More a tire installation fault than wheel bearing? Weird.

[SpitfireTriple]

I mention the tyre fitter because that's where the problem starts. If it starts. If tyre fitters are sloppy, and reassemble the rear wheel components carelessly, and/or if they fail to torque the wheel-nut up tight - really tight - it will come loose when riding. It doesn't immediately fall off, you just feel the rear wheel wobbling, almost as if the bearing had gone.

But it doesn't happen often. And if you recognise it for what it is straight away, you can generally fix it by simply tightening the wheel-nut before any damage is done. But it's a good idea to take your Futura to a good bike shop rather than a backstreet car-tyre place.

[rdbandkab]

The rear rim has 3 receiving holes that have to be matched to 3 pins on the hub.  If not matched, the wheel will work loose and slam the pins into the rim.  And will ratchet the other way when brakes are applied.  If you have someone else mount the rim, just look down there and make sure you don't see the pins outside the rim.
Guys have ridden and done damage but there are fixes.. (easier to take a look before riding the thing after getting new rubber)

[BlueRidgeKat]

Come on Aprilia, bring back the Futura for 2010.

[sammyseaman]

Come on Aprilia, bring back the Futura for 2010.

With the RSV4 motor  

[ride200mi]

The rear rim has 3 receiving holes that have to be matched to 3 pins on the hub.  If not matched, the wheel will work loose and slam the pins into the rim.  And will ratchet the other way when brakes are applied.  If you have someone else mount the rim, just look down there and make sure you don't see the pins outside the rim.
Guys have ridden and done damage but there are fixes.. (easier to take a look before riding the thing after getting new rubber)

rdbandkab;
How are you both doing.... I don't read AF1 much anymore, don't know why.... I have been doing dirtbike stuff with my son mostly.....
I still have my Futura but Piratesmate can't tour anymore..... Dummer for sure.....
Just did a valve reshim..... Making a little more noise than I wanted to hear. 48K on the clock. Still run fantastic.

[Castaway]

Picking back up on this thread because I found a Futura with low miles/good price. For those owners past/present, how does the Futura do two-up on a long haul. (I know the proper bike is something like a FJR, V-strom, but I've lusted for the looks of the Futura so long ....)

[SpitfireTriple]

Can't give you a two-up long haul story.  But I got back yesterday from a week's holiday - rode there (160 miles each way) with the missus and a lot of luggage. Between us we weigh over 30 stone (450lb) and we had the panniers squeezed full of clothes and books.  Plus a large rucksack on Sue's back.  

I have to admit, with this load the Futura was no longer what you'd call nimble.  Nor was it fast.  It's pretty much the only time I felt I'd have been happier on a 1300+ 4-cylinder. But it still did the job.

Two-up without the luggage, or solo with lots of luggage, it's fine.

[Mr Sunshine]

I mention the tyre fitter because that's where the problem starts. If it starts. If tyre fitters are sloppy, and reassemble the rear wheel components carelessly, and/or if they fail to torque the wheel-nut up tight - really tight - it will come loose when riding. It doesn't immediately fall off, you just feel the rear wheel wobbling, almost as if the bearing had gone.

Just how tight do you think the rear nut has to be torqued?

[Castaway]

Can't give you a two-up long haul story.  But I got back yesterday from a week's holiday - rode there (160 miles each way) with the missus and a lot of luggage. Between us we weigh over 30 stone (450lb) and we had the panniers squeezed full of clothes and books.  Plus a large rucksack on Sue's back.  

I have to admit, with this load the Futura was no longer what you'd call nimble.  Nor was it fast.  It's pretty much the only time I felt I'd have been happier on a 1300+ 4-cylinder. But it still did the job.

Two-up without the luggage, or solo with lots of luggage, it's fine.

Thanks for the anecdote, Spitfire. The logical side of me says that something 'upright,' like a Tiger, V-Strom, Versys, is the next step, but I love the look of the Futura and going the dual-sport route somehow acknowledges that I ain't as young as I once was.  

[ride200mi]

The Futura is one of the most comfortable bikes we have owned. With little to no issues and 52K on the clock, I'm still keeping it for a while.

[falconati]

The Futura is one of the most comfortable bikes we have owned. With little to no issues and 52K on the clock, I'm still keeping it for a while.

Still looking great!

[ktmmiker]

Just bought my first Futura,  02 with less than 2k miles.  Now I'm looking  for a shipper to pick her up.  She'll make a great cool weather commuter.

I rode a Falco for about a year, used the Cortech Tri bag setup, sweet, sporty ride, but wore thin on my old bones when the days pushed toward 200 miles.  Wore even thinner on my driving record!

The Futura will certainly be an improvement, except perhaps in JUly and early August temps.
The Rotax's are definitely bulletproof.

[Castaway]

Wow, what a find! How does anyone own such a bike and only put 2K on it?    

[MisterSmooth]

Wow, what a find! How does anyone own such a bike and only put 2K on it?    

My thoughts exactly!       Two thousand miles, that's essentially a new bike.


From experience, I'd replace the fan relay ($30), the sidestand switch (about the same), the oil pressure sensor and the starter relay (Aprilia part = $80, Yamaha better part = $30) immediately as preventative maintenance.

I bought a 2001 Mille R (I'm sure the above parts are the same or very similar) a couple of years ago and all of those items needed replacing as PM.  The fan relay went out on a local ride and left me parked with a very hot Mille.

A common upgrade for the starter relay is to install a Yamaha part instead.  The Aprilia part doesn't carry the amperage of the Yamaha part and as wacky as this sounds it is a straight swap.  Matter of fact, they look so similar be careful that you keep them separated lest in the heat of the moment you reinstall the old one.  

If you go onto the Aprilia Forum website hosted by AF1, you will be able to find the correct Yamaha equivalent part number for the starter relay.  It's very, very easy to change and you will be able to do it yourself in fifteen minutes.

Aprilia sidestand switches are notorious for failure, so replacing the eight year old one with a new one is a rational call.

These are simple precautions.  The Aprilias are pretty reliable, certainly the most reliable Italian bike out there.  Sounds like you got a find!

Now...where are the pics???    We want pics!

[rdbandkab]

Picking back up on this thread because I found a Futura with low miles/good price. For those owners past/present, how does the Futura do two-up on a long haul. (I know the proper bike is something like a FJR, V-strom, but I've lusted for the looks of the Futura so long ....)

We just turned over 60,000 on ours.  Just take care of the known issues (rectifier/plastic QD) and you're good to go.   Some have dried out vacuume tubes after 30,000 miles, some have plug wires that need replacing also.   A lot of forum info on known issues.

This is an excellent bike for 2up...which we've done about 100% of the time.  THIS BIKE is the proper bike for touring..

richy

[Castaway]

We just turned over 60,000 on ours.  Just take care of the known issues (rectifier/plastic QD) and you're good to go.   Some have dried out vacuume tubes after 30,000 miles, some have plug wires that need replacing also.   Alot of forum info on known issues.

This is an excellent bike for 2up...which we've done about 100% of the time.  THIS BIKE is the proper bike for touring..

richy

Thanks for the feedback. The 'great deal' was snagged while I was traveling. BTW, it was an '02 with 7K for $4300.

[rdbandkab]

You're welcome...

Between the apriliaforums/sport-touring forums, you'll find a wealth of info.

richy

*ride200mi -check your PM's!!

[SpitfireTriple]

you could also try apriliafutura.co.uk (soon to become apriliafutura.com)

[FutRider]

Why do we have to have our bikes in our photos? That's at Indian Creek Overlook on the road between Happy Camp, Ca (Hwy 96) and O'Brien, Or. (Hwy 199). The road is in great shape.