Getting my new 08 RSV1000R tonight!!!!!

[steveg56]

New here, but have been lurking for the last month or so and have found some good information regarding my decision to purchase Aprilia.  I have not been on this type of bike for 15 years  Currently I have dirt bikes and Harley's, but no rice rockets  Took the advise from Eric J as he has a similar back round to mine, thanks Eric.  I will post pics once I get her home and bathed

Wish me luck!!!

[CoolWhip]

Congrats & welcome Steve!  

I am not an Aprilia owner, but I did get to test ride both the RSV1000R & Tuono @ Daytona this year. IMHO, the Aprilia demo program was a class-act. $20 bought you a 1.5 hour test ride with snacks, t-shirt, cap etc…   Enjoy your new mount!  

[steveg56]

Thanks man.  Looking forward to it.  

[MisterSmooth]

Aprilia rocks.

Welcome to the cult club.    It's nothing but goodness.  

Don't forget...first thing to do is drop the front sprocket to 15 teeth in lieu of the 16 that comes with the new bikes.  16 is an EPA concession; it was designed for 15 and the engine is much happier at low revs with the shorter gearing.  And it's cheap to do.  

[Orson]

Currently I have dirt bikes and Harley's, but no rice pasta rockets

Fixed that for you  

Not to worry...BIKE magazine called the Aprilia RSV "the best Japanese bike built in Italy"  

[garry]

Congrats on the new bike! My local Aprilia dealer has a 2007(?) black/gold RSV Factory sitting on the floor  

I would love to have a Euro liter sportbike in the stable, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for screaming deal on lightly used Daytona 955i, RSV/Mille, or Duc 999.

[falconati]

Congrats on the new bike! My local Aprilia dealer has a 2007(?) black/gold RSV Factory sitting on the floor  

I would love to have a Euro liter sportbike in the stable, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for screaming deal on lightly used Daytona 955i, RSV/Mille, or Duc 999.

My local ducati dealer has a 999 with 7k miles - they want $10,199 (down from 14k).

www.motoprimo.com

[steveg56]

Aprilia rocks.

Welcome to the cult club.    It's nothing but goodness.  

Don't forget...first thing to do is drop the front sprocket to 15 teeth in lieu of the 16 that comes with the new bikes.  16 is an EPA concession; it was designed for 15 and the engine is much happier at low revs with the shorter gearing.  And it's cheap to do.  

Will do the 15 tooth front.  I read about that and feel it would be better off with that mod too.  

Thanks for the heads up!

[spaz_666]

Congrats!  Looking forward to pics!  

[EricJ]

Gratz! Can't wait to see the pictures!

[CDN]

... I will post pics once I get her home and bathed

Must be too busy riding to bath it and post pics    Lucky SOB...congrats  

[R Doug]

My advice would be to stay away from Eric J.  He's a bad influence and has poor tastes in bikes.  

Congats on the new bike!

[EricJ]

My advice would be to stay away from Eric J.  He's a bad influence and has poor tastes in bikes.  

Congats on the new bike!

Hey, I resemble that remark!  

Eric

[steveg56]

Here she is!!!


[/img]

[spaz_666]

 

[Hickey]

Wow! That is a pretty bike!  

[BizJetGuy]

Wow - nicely done!      

[R Doug]

Gorgeous bike.  I especially like the rear swingarm and wheel.  

[traveler]

 

[duceduceexplorer]

looks great, bet it sounds AMAZING!

[EricJ]

Just gorgeous! I will be very interested in your riding impressions when you get to spend some time on it. I hope it brings you many, many miles of smiles!  

Eric

Edit to add: The lion graphics on the side are the shizzle!!!!

[Orson]

Mama mia! Dat's a spicey meatball!

[Tyrroneous]

The lion graphics on the side are the shizzle!!!!

What he said.    That is a purdy machine!

[xbud]

 Very Nice, Congrats on the RSV.

[Hotbrakes]

Nice...please adjust your profile info to read harley  APRILIA RSVR

[steveg56]

Nice...please adjust your profile info to read harley  APRILIA RSVR

Good Thinking!!!!

[steveg56]

Just gorgeous! I will be very interested in your riding impressions when you get to spend some time on it. I hope it brings you many, many miles of smiles!  

Eric

Edit to add: The lion graphics on the side are the shizzle!!!!

Took it out today for 150 mile ride.  Weather was very windy and cold, but bike was hot!!!!!!  Love the motor and the sound from the stockers is not bad.  I must admit that the riding position will take some getting used to.  Seems a bit hard to hold a steady line in a corner, bike wants to dive in or stand up.  I only notice this while in a 20-30mph corner, long sweeping corners at higher speeds are no problem and bike will hold a steady line.  Seems twitchy in slower speed corners.  Is this normal for these types of bikes?  I took it to a shop today to have the sag and clickers adjusted to my specs and am running 32 psi in front with 38 psi in the rear...

Anyone have any experience with aftermarket bar risers??  

Other than the slight twitchy feeling in sharp corners bike is sweet!!!!!!  

[FutRider]

OMG!  Bella!

[stefrrr]

Mama mia! Dat's a spicey meatball!

 
How on earth could five people ignore you?

[Orson]

Seems a bit hard to hold a steady line in a corner, bike wants to dive in or stand up.

I don't know about the newer models, but my 2000 RSV practically demands that you move one butt cheek to the inside for cornering.

Some bikes you can just plop your butt in one place and countersteer...not the RSV. It demands that you put out some effort  

 
How on earth could five people ignore you?

practice?  

[Rincewind]

Here she is!!!


[/img]

Nice!  Is that the only pic you have?  

[falconati]

It even has a TV on the back!  

[steveg56]

It even has a TV on the back!  

That's is so funny you mentioned that.  I just looked at the picture again and noticed it for the first time.  LOL

[2RR2NV]

It even has a TV on the back!  

 

dang,  not even broken in and already customizing it. some people!

[atadaskew]

It even has a TV on the back!  

The camera is in the front pointing at his face.  It's so all the people that he passes can see his manic grin!

[Hotbrakes]

Took it out today for 150 mile ride.  Weather was very windy and cold, but bike was hot!!!!!!  Love the motor and the sound from the stockers is not bad.  I must admit that the riding position will take some getting used to.  Seems a bit hard to hold a steady line in a corner, bike wants to dive in or stand up.  I only notice this while in a 20-30mph corner, long sweeping corners at higher speeds are no problem and bike will hold a steady line.  Seems twitchy in slower speed corners.  Is this normal for these types of bikes?  I took it to a shop today to have the sag and clickers adjusted to my specs and am running 32 psi in front with 38 psi in the rear...

Anyone have any experience with aftermarket bar risers??  

Other than the slight twitchy feeling in sharp corners bike is sweet!!!!!!  

That's the nature of the beast.  My RC51 feels the same way.  And I call it the Beast because of this.  Does it have a steering stabilizer?  If not then this would help.  But these "race bikes" are twitchy at legal speeds.  The RC really cleans up its act over 80mph and while hanging off dragging a knee around a turn.  That being said I only ride it when I need ultimate sex appeal and in the summertime once my ass is thoroughly broken in for long sport rides in the mountains.  And the track of course.  Otherwise I prefer the forgiving Superhawk for high speed fun.

The more you ride it thgouh the better it will feel.  Take it to the track and give her a proper flogging!

[steveg56]

That's the nature of the beast.  My RC51 feels the same way.  And I call it the Beast because of this.  Does it have a steering stabilizer?  If not then this would help.  But these "race bikes" are twitchy at legal speeds.  The RC really cleans up its act over 80mph and while hanging off dragging a knee around a turn.  That being said I only ride it when I need ultimate sex appeal and in the summertime once my ass is thoroughly broken in for long sport rides in the mountains.  And the track of course.  Otherwise I prefer the forgiving Superhawk for high speed fun.

The more you ride it thgouh the better it will feel.  Take it to the track and give her a proper flogging!

Hey thanks for the explanation on that, it makes sense.  I took it out today for a go on some twistys and I feel i'm getting much better at understanding the way the bike settles into corners.  It does feel so much more at home with higher speeds.
Funny when I first left my house the first 5 min. I was like, man this is uncomfortable, 10 min. later hey this is not so bad, and by the time I got home I was wishing for more...go figure.  

I do wish it had more of like a ZX 14 or BMW K1200s sitting position, but I also don't know that I won't get used to this position and end up enjoying it.  My buddy asked me tonight if I could do it again would I pick the same bike.  I said right now the position is the only thing I question.  The RSV is 2-3" in bar height away from being the perfect bike for me.  I have looking into bar risers, but they look somewhat difficult to install and don't really like the way they look.  Bottom line is, I need more miles to really know for sure.  Each ride gets better, but it's always in the back of my mind that how good could it be with the right seating position.

[MisterSmooth]

I had a 2002 Yamaha R1...only necessary mods were frame sliders and HeliBars.  The stock bars were just too damn low.  With the HeliBars I took it on several trips, including twice to the STN meet in Fortuna.  No problems at all, it was fantastic.

Funny thing, now I've got a 2001 Mille R and the position is fine with the stock bars.    It's one of those things that varies by person and ergononomics of a particular ride.

From my perspective, get ye some HeliBars if the clip-ons don't suit you right.  They're not cheap but they're made very well and might be the finishing touch on your RSVR.  

[EricJ]

Steve,

They do make risers for it and this mod is on my wish list when I get around to it. I'm also going to put a dbl bubble windshield when I do the risers. I agree with what Hotbrakes says and it will get much better as you learn your bike. I would also suggest that you have your suspension tuned again when you get around 1,000 on her. I was told that it has to settle in before you can really fine tune it to your weight. There are some damn good experts in this forum to give you advise setting up the bike for your needs. Ask away & I'm sure they chime in. Again, congratz! It'd f'n gorgeous!!!  

Eric

[atypical1]

Took it out today for 150 mile ride.  Weather was very windy and cold, but bike was hot!!!!!!  Love the motor and the sound from the stockers is not bad.  I must admit that the riding position will take some getting used to.  Seems a bit hard to hold a steady line in a corner, bike wants to dive in or stand up.  I only notice this while in a 20-30mph corner, long sweeping corners at higher speeds are no problem and bike will hold a steady line.  Seems twitchy in slower speed corners.  Is this normal for these types of bikes?  I took it to a shop today to have the sag and clickers adjusted to my specs and am running 32 psi in front with 38 psi in the rear...

Anyone have any experience with aftermarket bar risers??  

Other than the slight twitchy feeling in sharp corners bike is sweet!!!!!!  

Congrats on the bike. Those things really are a thing of beauty.

Before you change anything besides the sag on the bike I would ride it for a while and get used to it. I don't know what your bike history is and how used to sport bikes you are but they take a bit of getting used to. Especially Italian ones. When you say the bike wants to dive in or stand up in corners I'm thinking you're on the throttle or brakes incorrectly for that bike. You'll be surprised at the impact that those controls will have. What about the riding position don't you like? Remember that you're not supposed to rest on your wrists. Use your core and the gas tank to take the weight.

OK, enough unsolicited advice   Get out there and enjoy that bike....and I am sooooo jealous!

james

[steveg56]

Congrats on the bike. Those things really are a thing of beauty.

Before you change anything besides the sag on the bike I would ride it for a while and get used to it. I don't know what your bike history is and how used to sport bikes you are but they take a bit of getting used to. Especially Italian ones. When you say the bike wants to dive in or stand up in corners I'm thinking you're on the throttle or brakes incorrectly for that bike. You'll be surprised at the impact that those controls will have. What about the riding position don't you like? Remember that you're not supposed to rest on your wrists. Use your core and the gas tank to take the weight.

OK, enough unsolicited advice   Get out there and enjoy that bike....and I am sooooo jealous!

james

James,

Thanks for your advise I appreciate it very much.  The last sport bike I had was a 1987 Honda Hurricane (cbr600)  and was only 16 or 17, so a lot has changed with me since.  I did not ride street for the next 13 years until I bought my first Harley.   I have been on Harley's for the last 6 years and have become used to the lean back position.  

I feel like there is so much weight on my wrists and my Triceps were actually sore from my 150 mile outing.  IS this something you get used to after some time?  I think you would.  

As far as the cornering goes, the brakes and throttle had a bunch to do with the bike diving and standing in the corners...so i got your point there.  The funny think is, I used to rail on my CBR like crazy  I had full control of that bike in very high speeds and cornering was never an issue.  I think I had to may miles sitting the other way, as I actually can rail the corners on my harley with ease.  

I really appreciate everyones advise on this matter.

[Orson]

I feel like there is so much weight on my wrists and my Triceps were actually sore from my 150 mile outing.  IS this something you get used to after some time?  I think you would.  

Aprilia sportbikes are pretty uncompromising. They're pretty much race bikes with lights.

Any speeds below about 80 mph don't provide enough wind blast to help relieve your wrists.

that's the uncompromising part  

If you're relatively young, you may develop your muscles and eventually grow more comfortable with the riding position.

[EricJ]

I feel like there is so much weight on my wrists and my Triceps were actually sore from my 150 mile outing.  IS this something you get used to after some time?  I think you would. 

I too was having sore wrists when I first started riding my RSV. I spoke to my dealer about this and he suggested that I need to rethink how I ride after coming off a relaxed riding posture. He stated the best way to deal with this is really grip the bike with your legs  and do not rest your weight on your hands/wrists. The seat and areas that I grip with my legs are really smooth areas and make it tough to grip so a lot of people put the grip pads on each side of the bike. If I'm just wearing bluejeans, I tend to just slide around trying to grip the bike. If I wear my leather riding pants, it grips a whole lot better.

When i tried riding like this it almost eliminated the problem for me but I will say that it was hard for me to "rethink" how I ride this bike. Over time I've developed better muscles in my abdomen and legs and it has only gotten better.

I'm sorry you're having these issues with your new ride. 


Eric

[garry]

I feel like there is so much weight on my wrists and my Triceps were actually sore from my 150 mile outing.  IS this something you get used to after some time?  I think you would.  

You should have no weight on your arms when riding. Your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders should be totally relaxed all the time. The bike handles better when you're not stiff. When doing it right, you should be able to flap your arms like a chicken. That means building up core strength and gripping the bike with your legs. I'm screaming up on 50 years old and manage 400+ mile days of twisties on a sportbike. Actually, a screaming deal on a leftover RSV could put one in my garage. Sweet bike.

[BobW]

Congrats on a very sweet ride!

+1 on garry's advice. When your using correct posture, pivot from your hips (don't slouch) it should be your legs and core muscles that will be used/tired and if you are getting wrist/arm/shoulder muscle pain you should take a break, relax and think about how you are controlling her. EVERY time I switch bikes I question my choice due to some aspect of the ergos. I find the best thing for me is to take a couple weeks/1-2Ks of riding first to see if my muscles have adjusted and then look at a different bar position, screen, seat, etc. 90+% of the issues go away with riding time regardless if it's been going to a cruiser, standard, ST, bars VS clip ons, etc.

Safe travels!

Bob  

[steveg56]

Congrats on a very sweet ride!

+1 on garry's advice. When your using correct posture, pivot from your hips (don't slouch) it should be your legs and core muscles that will be used/tired and if you are getting wrist/arm/shoulder muscle pain you should take a break, relax and think about how you are controlling her. EVERY time I switch bikes I question my choice due to some aspect of the ergos. I find the best thing for me is to take a couple weeks/1-2Ks of riding first to see if my muscles have adjusted and then look at a different bar position, screen, seat, etc. 90+% of the issues go away with riding time regardless if it's been going to a cruiser, standard, ST, bars VS clip ons, etc.

Safe travels!

Bob  

Thanks Bob!

I'm going to give it some time to see how I adjust.  What about my neck feeling the strain of keeping my head up.  Do I need to invest in a better (lighter) helmet to take some of the heaviness away?  I will pay more attention to the way I use my core to keep the weight off my arms and wrists.  

I think I have the cornering down now with the tips everyone here suggested.....thanks everyone!!!!!

[Oddball]

She is very nice.

[KMAX]

Congrats on the new bike! My local Aprilia dealer has a 2007(?) black/gold RSV Factory sitting on the floor  

I would love to have a Euro liter sportbike in the stable, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for screaming deal on lightly used Daytona 955i, RSV/Mille, or Duc 999.

My local dealer has the same bike.  Leftover 07 Factory 18 will let go for 13! Im tempted

[scottzilla]

Took it out today for 150 mile ride.  Weather was very windy and cold, but bike was hot!!!!!!  Love the motor and the sound from the stockers is not bad.  I must admit that the riding position will take some getting used to.  Seems a bit hard to hold a steady line in a corner, bike wants to dive in or stand up.  I only notice this while in a 20-30mph corner, long sweeping corners at higher speeds are no problem and bike will hold a steady line.  Seems twitchy in slower speed corners.  Is this normal for these types of bikes?  I took it to a shop today to have the sag and clickers adjusted to my specs and am running 32 psi in front with 38 psi in the rear...

Anyone have any experience with aftermarket bar risers??  

Other than the slight twitchy feeling in sharp corners bike is sweet!!!!!!  

Congrats on the purchase.  The twitchy feeling may "go away" once you get used to the bike.  It's possible the dealer has the back end jacked up though (I can't recall if RSV's have ride height) or a lack of preload in the front forks.  Make sure you properly ID "Twitchy" vs Stability".

[Galo]

Don't forget...first thing to do is drop the front sprocket to 15 teeth in lieu of the 16 that comes with the new bikes.  16 is an EPA concession; it was designed for 15 and the engine is much happier at low revs with the shorter gearing.  

Wow....15 teeth....that's one helluva lot of angular acceleration/twist of the chain.....
Any problems with accelerated chain or sprocket wear with this sprocket?
I would much rather go up two or three teeth in the rear sprocket than drop to a 15 in front...

[kevin_stevens]

Aprilia rocks.

Welcome to the cult club.    It's nothing but goodness.  

Don't forget...first thing to do is drop the front sprocket to 15 teeth in lieu of the 16 that comes with the new bikes.  16 is an EPA concession; it was designed for 15 and the engine is much happier at low revs with the shorter gearing.  And it's cheap to do.  

EPA concession?  

KeS

[chornbe]

Congrats on the new bike! My local Aprilia dealer has a 2007(?) black/gold RSV Factory sitting on the floor  

I would love to have a Euro liter sportbike in the stable, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for screaming deal on lightly used Daytona 955i, RSV/Mille, or Duc 999.

Meh... I was less than impressed with the suspension and handling of the 955i I recently acquired to part out. The engine is just freaking awesome and could make me dream nasty, dirty things. But the rest of the bike... meh...

[keepergale]

EPA concession?  

KeS

Its a consession for noise. It is a little quieter rolling by the sound check station (in europe) geared higher.

[Croak]

Its a consession for noise. It is a little quieter rolling by the sound check station (in europe) geared higher.

It's also running lower RPM (and burning less fuel) at the same road speed, so it tends to blow a little cleaner in emissions testing.

[ibppjr]

I went 15/43 on my ST4S and it REALLY brought it to life.  That is not too tight of turn on the front, and with an odd tooth count on the rear can substantially increase chain life.