SV gone and an Aprilia in my Futura?

[Spiffious]

So my wife and I just got back from a trip down to WV/VA area and back, only about 250 miles per day.  The ride home was tiring.  The primary complaint with my SV is wind fatigue, and leg room was making my knee/hip joints uncomfortable.

During the ride, I got to thinking about Aprilia Futuras for some reason.  When I got home I checked on advertised prices both for SV1000s' similar to mine, and Futuras.  It looks like I could sell my SV, and sell the Givi Stuff, handlebar kit, etc for about the same as a nice Futura would cost.  I have an 1125cr as my sportbike/hooligan/trackday bike, and perhaps something a little better for touring might be nice? Would this be worth it?

Would the Futura address my comfort issues? Is it better on the highway? Is the wind smooth/quiet?


Pros/Cons and pictures:



2005 SV1000s:

Pros:
-reliable, easy to find parts
-I already have it
-fun to ride around locally
-My wife somehow finds it comfortable enough (she's 5' 105lbs)
-Light
-simple to work on
-Has handlebar conversion, and Givi hard luggage

cons:
-noisy wind
-sucks on highway
-Legs cramped
-Can't seem to pile on the miles on trips that well (how much is the bike vs. my own endurance?)



2001-2003 Aprilia Futura

Pros:
-Looks awesome
-Rotax twin
-Comfortable
-Stock matching hard luggage
-Gauges look awesome at night
-better wind management?
-Better compliment to my Buell 1125CR
-Italian exotica

cons:
-older than SV
-Parts/accessories harder to find
-Topcase/rack not easily available
-Harder to work on, more little quirks/bugs
-hard to find for sale locally to test ride with the wife
-Italian exotica



What say you, STN?

[sammyseaman]

Would the Futura address my comfort issues? Is it better on the highway? Is the wind smooth/quiet?

What say you, STN?

Yes. Yes. I do believe so. Also the Futura has the BEST stock seat of any ST bike.

[chesthing]

The wind noise is probably similar, but the ergos on the Futura are better. Search for a peg lowering kit first - if you can lower those an inch or so, with your raised bars the Futura probably isn't going to be much different. What it will do is give you hellofalot better looking/functioning bags

[Giaka]

I know someone who picked up a Futura not to long ago. He also has a 2006 VFR. After about six months on the Futura he sold the VFR. Not sure what that says to you but to me it says it will be one hell of a better ST bike then your SV1000S.  

[scottzilla]

My brother-in-law has had a Futura for years.
Best seat ever to appear on a motorcycle.  Ever.  It's like a wave runner seat.
Bike has an engine that *gasp* you can feel from time to time.  Nothing like riding a motorcycle and actually feeling like you are riding a motorcycle.
Cockpit is plenty large to hang GPS, microwave, Ham radio, etc.
Back when the magazines were still testing this bike it always managed to be the sleeper in whatever current group of latest sport-tourers they were testing it against.
Count on horrible buffeting which the Laminar Lip cures with extreme ugliness.  

[wynterwolf]

My brother in law jumped on my Futura two weekends ago.  He's owned lots of bikes, and ridden many more.  He just sold his second ZG1000 for a K1200LT, and his comment to me was "Man, the ergonomics on this bike are perfect!"

The Futura is an awesome bike.  Quick, nimble, stable, comfortable and very sexy.  A double bubble/laminar lip or homegrown alternative will help alot with wind protection up high.  Down low wind protection is pretty good stock.  And the seat is everything everyone says it is, if not more.

It's one big knock is the availability of parts and their cost.  Thankfully, there's pretty much a workaround for almost anything you would come up against as long as you don't mind going away from stock.

For me, it's the best ST bike, bar none, and quite possibly the best bike yet made.  It will munch miles, carve canyons, bomb the track and be the center of discussion for most motorcycle riders out there because generally, they don't know what it is.  

Of course, I'm a Futura owner, so take that as you will.

[Spiffious]

Thanks for all the responses--

Any thoughts on VFR800 and Sprint ST in this game?  I hate to open a can-o-worms, but all these great bikes fall in a similar used price range of between $4-5k.

[eljefe-speaks]

-Italian exotica

How is this on the con list!?

[scottzilla]

Before we scare him off with parts availability issues, head over to af1racing.com and hit the Futura section.
The Rotax engine has some clutch slave issues which are generally fixed with a quick bleed of the clutch system.
Other than that, you're good.
Anything the bike may need is available from af.
As for cost, what does a typical OEM Honda oil filter cost these days?  $20.00 or something??

[chesthing]

The same thing that stopped the Futura from selling is the same thing that keeps me away - the looks. I'll never understand what in hell Aprilia was thinking...

[Spiffious]

"-Italian exotica"

How is this on the con list!?

All that Italian "character" ie: maintenance bugs/quirks.  

The same thing that stopped the Futura from selling is the same thing that keeps me away - the looks. I'll never understand what in hell Aprilia was thinking...

I think this bike looks awesome, and the design is still fresh 10 years later; one of the best looking ST bikes out there IMO.  I think that guages are 1980's futurism coolness.

[sammyseaman]

Thanks for all the responses--

Any thoughts on VFR800 and Sprint ST in this game?  I hate to open a can-o-worms, but all these great bikes fall in a similar used price range of between $4-5k.

Consider it officially open.

[wynterwolf]

All that Italian "character" ie: maintenance bugs/quirks.  

So, you will be pleasantly surprised with the Futura then.  It's actually a pretty low maintenance bike.  Not the typical 'italian' maintenance hole.

[Spiffious]

So, you will be pleasantly surprised with the Futura then.  It's actually a pretty low maintenance bike.  Not the typical 'italian' maintenance hole.

Excellent to hear that.

Can you comment on engine smoothness?  The twin in my SV feels a bit noisy/crude  compared to the twin in an sv650... which is smooth and burbley.   The rotax in my 1125 sounds like a can full of nuts and bolts at idle, but at operating speeds 4000rpm+ it is much smoother and winds up like no other twin.  In contrast, the triumph 1050 is soo smooth that there is no character at all.

[falconati]

I just bought one, so I can give you my impressions this Saturday.

[Espada]

Every time I see a Futura, I think it should be murdered out in flat black, and that the panniers should be conceal two Javelin missiles.  

[Esaki]

Very nearly bought a Futura recently. Unfortunately the '04 Futura was actually an '01 (in Germany the 'year' is the year of first registration, not build, something to look out for) + had no panniers (red flag) so it wasn't worth it $$ wise.

Anyway, I did a load of research for 'gotchyas', http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk/v2/ is a great site for owning reference.

Aside from 'the usual' basically 3 important things to check/fix:

1) Plastic fuel quick release has been replaced with metal ($100 to fix).
2) Wiring mod or new rectifier (poor charging otherwise) (wiring mod is simple but rectifier is another $100).
3) If it's an '01 or '02, the ECU needs to be remapped. This should have been done by a dealer but it's something to check up on afterwards.

Otherwise it looks like a great bike, seat is awesome and the riding position was very comfy. I'm pissed it didn't work out

Checkout http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/ for used, one just sold there recently at a 'stole it' price.

[TriumphTiger1050]

I know nothing of them.  Good looking bike.  Only thing that would scare me is the fact those Italia fangled bikes are either expensive to service if you don't wrench or when the model production end was almost 10 years ago............where do you get reliable parts?

Other than that, if you want it; buy it!

[Prozac]

I just bought one, so I can give you my impressions this Saturday.

How much did you end up getting it for?  This is another bike that interests me as much as the Sprint ST.

[falconati]

Just over $5k, and it's a 2002 with 2,000 miles in excellent condition  

[Frankienuckles]

Never rode one, but I think those futura's are sweet! I've haven't heard or read much bad about 'em either just good stuff.

[Playinthestreet]

I rode a Futura from PHX to St Louis several years ago and would agree with others that it has the best stock seat and ergos, for my size, of any off the shelf motorcycle I've ever ridden.  I stayed with Sprint STs mostly due to a good relationship with my local dealer and what I perceived to be a better dealer network.  The Futura fuel capacity and fuel mileage were the only negatives, in my mind.

[Castaway]

Just over $5k, and it's a 2002 with 2,000 miles in excellent condition  

Nice buy! So, no more Speed Triple?

[falconati]

Indeed, Speedy is sold.

My current garage is:

Honda CRF230M
Aprilia Futura
MV Agusta F4

[nevinfs327]

Indeed, Speedy is sold.

My current garage is:

Honda CRF230M
Aprilia Futura
MV Agusta F4

That's a pretty awesome garage.  

[Castaway]

Indeed, Speedy is sold.

My current garage is:

Honda CRF230M
Aprilia Futura
MV Agusta F4

You're startin' to go through bikes like Frenchie.  

[falconati]

 

 

[satxbonneville]

Indeed, Speedy is sold.

My current garage is:

Honda CRF230M
Aprilia Futura
MV Agusta F4

I'm gonna ride up to WI just to smack you upside the head for having such a great bike collection. It's wrong, I tell ya! Wrong!  

But I'm thinking seriously of selling the big Strom and picking up a Duc ST or a Futura.

[falconati]

I had a Duc ST and it was great.  My only complaint was valve intervals, which is addressed in the Futura.  Just wait a year, I'll probably want to sell mine by then  

[Castaway]

I'd appreciate reading about your impressions of the Futura as you get to know it - it's a bike I've often thought of owning.

[satxbonneville]

I had a Duc ST and it was great.  My only complaint was valve intervals, which is addressed in the Futura.  Just wait a year, I'll probably want to sell mine by then  

The Mrs and I did a day-long test ride on an ST3 a couple of years back and loved the bike. Handling. Braking. Engine. Comfort. Excellent package. As you said, what ultimately kept me from buying was the maintenance compared to the V-Strom. If I had been able to find a Futura for sale at the price I was willing to pay I would likely have one in the garage now instead of the Strom.

[Mephistopheles]

I have a Futura.

Not as fast as the current crop of STs out on the market new, but it will do 0-60 as fast as a Vette, "I know from experience, dude", and it'll do close to 160, I have read.

And if you like to talk to people, no one knows what it is you are riding, and it looks like a stealth fighter, so be prepared to talk about it all the time.
Even ladies seem to like it's unusual angles.  

Long and short of it, it is great.

Ash Black is the fastest color.

Mine is Ash Black.

[Spiffious]

Ash Black is the fastest color.

Mine is Ash Black.

How is that color for keeping clean, waxing, etc?  It looks like a satiny-matte type finish.

[falconati]

Man, what a great bike.

The engine is really fun.  It's definitely rawer than the ST3 engine and has a good amount of vibes.  It's more eager to rev and makes power even more stealthily than the ST3.  The handling of the Futura is better than the ST3, and leans into turns as eagerly as a Street Triple (yes, a Streety).  Obviously it doesn't corner as well, but the turn-in is as sharp.  Really great transmission - actually feels better than the MV    

The seat is phenomenal - on par with the ST3's amazing seat.  I think the Ape's might be slightly better, but they're both world-class.  My main complains so far are the aforementioned vibes and the seating position.  It's upright, but with my arm length, it just seems 'odd' right now.  I couldn't get comfortable on it, though I'm hoping that changes with time.

[Croak]

Very nearly bought a Futura recently. Unfortunately the '04 Futura was actually an '01 (in Germany the 'year' is the year of first registration, not build, something to look out for) + had no panniers (red flag) so it wasn't worth it $$ wise.

Anyway, I did a load of research for 'gotchyas', http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk/v2/ is a great site for owning reference.

Aside from 'the usual' basically 3 important things to check/fix:

1) Plastic fuel quick release has been replaced with metal ($100 to fix).
2) Wiring mod or new rectifier (poor charging otherwise) (wiring mod is simple but rectifier is another $100).
3) If it's an '01 or '02, the ECU needs to be remapped. This should have been done by a dealer but it's something to check up on afterwards.

Otherwise it looks like a great bike, seat is awesome and the riding position was very comfy. I'm pissed it didn't work out

Checkout http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/ for used, one just sold there recently at a 'stole it' price.

Hi Steve!

[ride200mi]

Yes. Yes. I do believe so. Also the Futura has the BEST stock seat of any ST bike.

I'll second that....

[Grizz]

  I have had my Futura for a little over a year now and it does not get any dust. It has been up and down the east coast and has been flawless. I can go over 200 miles to a tank and get low to mid 40s MPG. My wife just got me a Blackbird for my birthday and I went out and put 100 miles on it today and then hopped on the Futura for a short ride and it felt like a old pair of slippers it was so comfy. And yes the seat is that good. There is a member on the AF1 web site with over 125000 miles on one and it is still his daily driver.

[Castaway]

Granted I can't afford a new bike, but I kinda wish Aprilia would hear all this praise for the Futura - it gets rave reviews on most forums I've come across - and come out with an update.

[Sign Guy]

I've had my Futura for 5 years and right at 45K miles. Not another bike out there that I would consider as a suitable replacement. BTW, the valves are still factory spec!

[falconati]

Update after a season with the Futura: what a great bike!  Agreed with mileage (high 30s if you're revving the shit out of it, low 40s if you're not), motor is feeling better, great transmission, and just good overall look and feel to the bike.  I really do wish Aprilia would release another model.  The only updates I would ask for are:

1.)  better stock suspension
2.)  electronic cruise control
3.)  shaft drive (i'm alright with chain, but i think it would help sales)

[Castaway]

Update after a season with the Futura: what a great bike!  Agreed with mileage (high 30s if you're revving the shit out of it, low 40s if you're not), motor is feeling better, great transmission, and just good overall look and feel to the bike.  I really do wish Aprilia would release another model.  The only updates I would ask for are:

1.)  better stock suspension
2.)  electronic cruise control
3.)  shaft drive (i'm alright with chain, but i think it would help sales)

Shaft drive? Huh? Wha? I can't see it, personally ... too sporty a bike to add that weight.

Have you gotten used to the seat/bar arrangement? Too bad about the mpg - how many miles do you get out of a tank at the high range?

[falconati]

Yep, the ergos are great for me now.  I just think that my first impressions were hindered by the fact that I had a really long day getting it back.  I actually think the mileage is pretty good.  The tank is 5.5 US gallons and gets 40 mpg for me with combined city/sporty backroads riding.  I normally like to stop every 2 hours or sooner, so range isn't an issue for me at all.

I don't have any issues with the bike.  The things that I asked for are 'nice to haves.'  Also, how much weight would shaft drive add?  The bike feels VERY light on turn-in (much lighter than my Duc ST3), so I'm fine with a bit of weight so that I don't have to buy a chain every few years.

[Croak]

It would have added a fair amount of weight, and you would be replacing rear tires more often (increased weight), fueling more often (less efficient than a chain), decreased power (again. less efficient) and all the little handling/throttle quirks even the best-designed shaft drives introduce.

[ktmrider]

As a new Futura owner.... I FREAKIN' LOVE IT! I traded my KTM 950 Adventure which I liked the power and bike overall, But never rode it off road. I traded for a BMW R1100S which I thought I wanted. Liked the looks, Liked the "BMW" image ect..... Hated the bike. Hate is probably too strong... OK I didn't LOVE the bike. Suspention was weird and the seat was a Mid-Evil torture device after 4 hours, Brakes were great.... Engine was comparable to an agriculteral device..... BORING. It wouldn't wheelie in first gear without clutching it... WHAT? an 1100cc bike that won't power wheelie in first gear???? Sorry... Ya gotta go. I found what I wanted in the first place since I sat on a new one at a dealership 5 years ago.... I got a used 2003 Futura with 7500 miles and near showroom condition...... FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!! My Bro has a 2005(or mabey 06?) K1200S that he paid $9500 for... I wouldn't trade him even up for my Futura I paid $5K for.

[ride200mi]

As a new Futura owner.... I FREAKIN' LOVE IT! I traded my KTM 950 Adventure which I liked the power and bike overall, But never rode it off road. I traded for a BMW R1100S which I thought I wanted. Liked the looks, Liked the "BMW" image ect..... Hated the bike. Hate is probably too strong... OK I didn't LOVE the bike. Suspention was weird and the seat was a Mid-Evil torture device after 4 hours, Brakes were great.... Engine was comparable to an agriculteral device..... BORING. It wouldn't wheelie in first gear without clutching it... WHAT? an 1100cc bike that won't power wheelie in first gear???? Sorry... Ya gotta go. I found what I wanted in the first place since I sat on a new one at a dealership 5 years ago.... I got a used 2003 Futura with 7500 miles and near showroom condition...... FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!! My Bro has a 2005(or mabey 06?) K1200S that he paid $9500 for... I wouldn't trade him even up for my Futura I paid $5K for.

Like what he said. I miss mine and can't ride the distance on my Triumph GT like I could on my Futura, but I plane wore out my Futura and just couldn't find one to replace it with (in my area).... Good luck with it and make sure you check in with the AF1 forum. Those guys will help with what ever come up.

[TERRY MC]

I recently purchased one in the midwest. I bought a plane ticket flew from Phoenix to Chicago picked up the bike and rode it home in just over 2 days. 1900 miles and I love the bike. within the first week of owning it I had put 3000 miles on it between the ride home and some local trips once there. There are no words that can do justice to a seat that you can do 1200 miles in 18 hrs and not be saddle sore!

This bike is better than any other bike I have owned for long distances and it is nice and nimble also.

Terry