SV gone and an Aprilia in my Futura?

[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