RSV? ***updated***

[EricJ]

I need to pick a few brains here if possible. I very bored with my RT and was thinking of replacing it with an '08 RSV and had a few questions. I actually was considering a sumo but opted not to for my needs so I'm trending towards a sport type bike. I have had many sport bikes in the past and kind of miss them. I have a MTS that will do the sport tour thing and still have room for the Mrs. Maybe I should post these questions on the Aprilia forums? I'm taking a ride to a dealership tomorrow that has both the factory and the standard RSV. I'm not sure if they offer a demo ride but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I understand that the factory has the Öhlins Racing rear monoshock but what other features or benefits does it have that justify the healthy bump in price. Aesthetically, I'm having trouble getting over the gold frame and wheels on the factory. I guess it's just not my taste, no disrespect to others that have this color combo. I think the gold on a black bike is sharp, just not with the race paint scheme.

- How are the ergos for someone 200+ lbs 6' 4"?
- Quirks, I've read about the rear brake issues, any others?
- Range per tank
- Maintenance intervals
- Parts availability
- Reliability
- I have read about vibration in the pegs and sometimes the handlebars/clip ons?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
Thanks,
Eric

[Orson]

The RSV has been mentioned as a bike for big guys.

I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam and I flat foot my 2000 model RSV...just  

I haven't experienced any quirks. Reliability has been rock solid. The BIKE magazine calls it the best Japanese bike made in Italy   The V twin powerplant is awesome  

there are vibes in the pegs and grips, but I must have a high tolerance as they don't bother me.

[bubba zanetti]

there are vibes in the pegs and grips, but I must have a high tolerance as they don't bother me.

Go on ... let it out ... you like the vibes ... in fact you are addicted to the vibes in a none too veiled erotic kind of way ... you are disgusting !!  

[Orson]

Go on ... let it out ... you like the vibes ... in fact you are addicted to the vibes in a none too veiled erotic kind of way ... you are disgusting !!  

Moderators! high sticking!  

[EricJ]

Thanks for your comments orson.  

[Orson]

Aprilia's roots are in racing.

As such, the RSV makes few allowances for comfort.

I think service intervals are 6000 miles.

As far as parts, from whut I've read, some dealers have no problem getting parts...others do.

As with most Italian makes, a good dealer can greatly enhance the ownership satisfaction.

[EricJ]

Is the factory really worth the extra $$$?

[Orson]

Is the factory really worth the extra $$$?

Depends on the rider.

for my riding capabilities, the base model is more bike than I am capable of  

still a lotta fun to ride  

[EricJ]

Here she is!


I got 171 miles on her today.

[MisterSmooth]

Well, now, that's what I'm talking about!  

Now that the Bol d'Or scheme is gone, that's far and away the best looking RSV paint scheme--and that includes the black and gold of the Factory.

Nicely done.  Congratulations!  




Be warned...owning big Aprilias gets under your skin.  I've dispensed with "practical" bikes and acquired both a previous gen Mille and a current gen Tuono.  

[Orson]

Congrats!   V twin torque shall inherit the earth  

interesting that you traded the RT in for an RSV.

I wuz shopping for an RT back in 2000 when that wicked, wicked RSV caught my eye  

it wuz all over but for the crying  

enjoy the twisties  

[Fav]

Damn, that's a pretty bike. Makes me want to get one...but it's less comfortable than my R1 and not much room for risers. Sexy as hell though and wicked sounding.


Good luck with it  

[EricJ]

Thanks Orson & Fav,
I took Orson's advise & bought the standard. Truth be known I would be pressed to use the full capabilities of this bike. The RT was fine for a bike. It did everything it was supposed to do but still has that for lack of a better term Goldwing feel to it. My thoughts aren't aimed at flaming RT owners. Just not my cup of tea so I'll use the MTS for sport touring & 2 up with sweet thang.  

This dealership had all 3 color combos. I almost bought the Bol d'Or but I really wanted the lion graphics on the side. The Bol d'Or though...  

My ass was worn out after my ride yesterday. Damn, I'm getting old! This bike was sure footed & rails like a mofo. What an experience to ride. Hell, at the price he sold it to me it was in the price range of a GSXR1k or an R1.

Thanks again for those who offered comments.
Eric

[Fav]

My ass was worn out after my ride yesterday. Damn, I'm getting old! This bike was sure footed & rails like a mofo. What an experience to ride. Hell, at the price he sold it to me it was in the price range of a GSXR1k or an R1.

You can't beat that pricing  . When I almost bought the 07' RSV vs a left over Raven R1...it was a bigger difference in price.

Now for your RSV They make racks and you can tour on it in style. I know a couple guys who tour on Tuonos .
RENNTEC RACKS $133

Then you can mount a Topcase for traveling/touring  

[Ape Factory]

Ventura's been making a rack system for the RSVR for years.  I just took my Factory on a 3,000 mile trip from Florida to Indy and back.  Didn't miss a beat the whole trip!  I have Gilles variobars (risers) and a gel seat.  It was pretty comfy except for the long highway runs I was forced to take on the way home and even then, it was the seat that gave me issues, nothing else.

Congrats on the purchase, it's a fantastic bike!  Join us over on the AF1 Aprilia forum too.

[AV8OR]

Beautiful!!!

Just add an ohlins rear shock and a ohlins steering damper and you have yourself a factory.

Where did you buy this beauty??

[EricJ]

Where did you buy this beauty??
RedLine Motorsports redlinemotors.com They are the only dealer in VA.   They are located in Yorktown just outside Williamsburg. A small shop that carries Ducati & Aprilia only. The owner David took a lot of time to help me set up the suspension for initial break in and will help me reset it after the 600 mi. service which I greatly appreciated.

I will spend the winter months figuring out how to set it up for touring and a few carbon fiber tidbits. Here in VA it's prime riding season so I will focus on riding as much as I can till the really cold weather hits.

Eric

[EricJ]

PS: WTF do they use to stick the "do not kill yourself" stickers on??!!!1!!! Holy cow what a pain in the arse.  

[keystonejenks]

Words cannot describe how much I hate you right now. NICE BIKE!!!!!  

[MisterSmooth]

PS: WTF do they use to stick the "do not kill yourself" stickers on??!!!1!!! Holy cow what a pain in the arse.  

Yeah, no doubt.  I've tried a number of solvents, but in the end it's always hours with an orange stick, chipping them off.  Acetone will take off the leftover adhesive on the aluminum bits.  I wouldn't try acetone on any painted surface, though.

[Ape Factory]

Just add an ohlins rear shock and a ohlins steering damper and you have yourself a factory.

Don't forget the lightweight forged wheels!  They're "look alikes" on the non-Factory model, cast aluminum vs. forged.

[keystonejenks]

Don't forget the lightweight forged wheels!  They're "look alikes" on the non-Factory model, cast aluminum vs. forged.

I've heard the forged wheels don't like rough pavement though. Would hate to hit a pothole and damage my wheels.

[Dave the slave]

I've heard the forged wheels don't like rough pavement though. Would hate to hit a pothole and damage my wheels.

forged are stronger... you might be thinking forged magnesium don't like rough pavement.  But forged aluminum are stronger than cast.

[Fav]

Yup cast is more brittle than forged....but imo you'll need the type of pothole you shouldn't be hitting in the first place....to damage your wheels.

[DigST]

EricJ, congrats on the new bike. I absolutey love mine. On the advice of Ape Factory I added the the Vario bars, then went went one further with woodcraft adjustable rear sets. This bike gets more looks and comments when I am out and about. +1 on the AF1 forums, and AF1 dealership, they have everything you will ever need for this bike. Again congrats, and maybe we meet up somewhere in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley, I live about 10 miles from Winchester, VA. Two of these bike rolling along people woun't know what to think.

[MisterSmooth]

I like the Acculign rearsets myself.  Crafted to an absolutely OCD level of perfection.    You can rotate the pegs around on the eccentric and vary the height of the peg with the pattern of five predrilled holes.

Maybe the best thing about fitting rearsets is that they offer some protection for the frame in case of a drop.  See the brake lever in this shot?  When Aprilias are dropped the brake peg can hit the ground, bending the lever into the frame and gouging the frame.

That's something to check when buying a used RSV or Tuono; you look at the frame behind the brake and shifter pegs to see if the bike's been dropped.

[EricJ]

EricJ, congrats on the new bike. I absolutey love mine. On the advice of Ape Factory I added the the Vario bars, then went went one further with woodcraft adjustable rear sets. This bike gets more looks and comments when I am out and about. +1 on the AF1 forums, and AF1 dealership, they have everything you will ever need for this bike. Again congrats, and maybe we meet up somewhere in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley, I live about 10 miles from Winchester, VA. Two of these bike rolling along people woun't know what to think.

I sent you a pm. I'll ride with you anytime.

[MilleRrrr]

All I have to say is head that bike towards the WV mountains (seneca Rocks) and you will appreciate it even more.

As you probably know by know the bike is pretty good for bigger guys.  

This might help you out for suspension guide.  I put this together when I got mine.
http://aprilia.rsvmille.home.comcast.net/bikes/suspension_guide.htm
http://aprilia.rsvmille.home.comcast.net/~aprilia.rsvmille/bikes/pdf/bikesetup.xls

[EricJ]

Beautiful!   Thanks for posting the links and I'll have try head west to Seneca Rocks. I haven't been there before.

Eric

[garry]

Beautiful!   Thanks for posting the links and I'll have try head west to Seneca Rocks. I haven't been there before.

Eric

There's some big fun jumping back and forth across the WV/VA border in the mountains (50, 33, 250, 39). Congrats on the bike. There's a black Factory collecting dust in the local Aprilia dealer. I try not to drool on it. Don't think it's been there long enough for them to get REALLY motivated to sell it. I'll be checking it out (drooling) again next weekend.

[MisterSmooth]

There's some big fun jumping back and forth across the WV/VA border in the mountains (50, 33, 250, 39). Congrats on the bike. There's a black Factory collecting dust in the local Aprilia dealer. I try not to drool on it. Don't think it's been there long enough for them to get REALLY motivated to sell it. I'll be checking it out (drooling) again next weekend.

There are some outrageous deals out there.  Moto International in Seattle has a Factory for around $11,000.  Damn that's cheap.

And MI has new RSV's for $9,000.  Unbelievable, probably a better deal than the Factory.   $13,000 bikes with Ohlins forks, radial brakes, rock solid build quality, that stompin' Rotax engine, and less expensive than a Japanese 600!  

An RSV would sure be a nice counterpart to that KTM, Garry...