SV gone and an Aprilia in my Futura?

[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)