I'm considering getting one (the V twin) and was wondering if anybody has had one and what they thought.
Aprilia RSV Factory
- Thread starter columbus
- Start date
I had a Tuono, essentially the same bike but factory streetfightered.
Funners had the RSV Factory and may be along shortly...
Much the samer as the 1200GS, there are a LOT of potential problems, but ALL can be avoided or sorted.
The main ones are:
Rear suspension tie bars snapping which causes immediate locking up of the rear wheel - sorted with £30 replacement part from the states.
Brown plug in the loom from generator to reg/rec goes high resistance due to corrosion and melts, has been known to cause the odd fire - sorted by cutting the plug out and hardwiring the connection.
Low battery voltage leading to poor/non starting and broken sprag clutch in starter - sorted by the above mod removing the resistance to the battery charging circuitry, keeping the bike on a charger when not used, replacing the starter relay for a yamaha part and not starting the bike until you check the battery voltage on the handy volt meter built into the clocks.
They are the worst issues, but there are a few minor ones (captive threads on seat not actually being captive when you try to undo it, Ohlins fork seal popping on a regular basis etc) but ALL the issues are FAR outweighed by the ownership expeience. The engine and chassis is fantastic. The RSV looks gorgeous but IMHO the Tuono, whilst not as stunning, is by far the better ride on the road.
But then there is the problem. Aprilia.
They are just not geared up to supplying bike spares worldwide. Yes the fast moving items are now usually availible, but anything out of the ordinary will have massive delays (6-12+ months is not unheard of). Even the dealers don't like working with them. LOADS of what were Aprilia dealers have no longer got the franchise as they are so much bother.
It seems the best way is to use an Aprilia dealership run by Italians. That at least gives you a head start.
In short tho, do it. You (probably) won't regret it, but you (definitely) will if you don't.
Funners had the RSV Factory and may be along shortly...
Much the samer as the 1200GS, there are a LOT of potential problems, but ALL can be avoided or sorted.
The main ones are:
Rear suspension tie bars snapping which causes immediate locking up of the rear wheel - sorted with £30 replacement part from the states.
Brown plug in the loom from generator to reg/rec goes high resistance due to corrosion and melts, has been known to cause the odd fire - sorted by cutting the plug out and hardwiring the connection.
Low battery voltage leading to poor/non starting and broken sprag clutch in starter - sorted by the above mod removing the resistance to the battery charging circuitry, keeping the bike on a charger when not used, replacing the starter relay for a yamaha part and not starting the bike until you check the battery voltage on the handy volt meter built into the clocks.
They are the worst issues, but there are a few minor ones (captive threads on seat not actually being captive when you try to undo it, Ohlins fork seal popping on a regular basis etc) but ALL the issues are FAR outweighed by the ownership expeience. The engine and chassis is fantastic. The RSV looks gorgeous but IMHO the Tuono, whilst not as stunning, is by far the better ride on the road.
But then there is the problem. Aprilia.
They are just not geared up to supplying bike spares worldwide. Yes the fast moving items are now usually availible, but anything out of the ordinary will have massive delays (6-12+ months is not unheard of). Even the dealers don't like working with them. LOADS of what were Aprilia dealers have no longer got the franchise as they are so much bother.
It seems the best way is to use an Aprilia dealership run by Italians. That at least gives you a head start.
In short tho, do it. You (probably) won't regret it, but you (definitely) will if you don't.
Had an RSVR, the previous model to the Factory. There is a lot to be said for them, and mine was no trouble at all, aside from the vanishing rear brake syndrome. But this was only a problem at low speeds as the engine braking is just phenomenal. People who rode with me learned quickly not to get too close as it would slow very rapidly just by rolling the throttle off. Fabulous front brakes. Wonderful sound track.
Very focused machine. Doesn't tolerate sloppy inputs. A friend who rode one described it as being like a hyperactive kid - always doing something, even when you did not want it to. He hated it, I loved it because that is what makes it a terrific learning device. Persist, and you will become a much better rider and exerience joy on every ride.
Why did I sell it? After two years I realised that, wonderful as it was, it was too much for me for everday use. It needed nothing less than total focus (not a bad thing on any bike) but it also only made sense if it was ridden harder than was sensible on public roads. At 30% it was not that nice. At over 50% it was ok, and at over 75% great. It seemed it was very happy only at silly speeds. But I could do 400 mile days on it easily, and the riding position and balance were such that I found myself a few times stopped at traffic lights and only after a few seconds remembered that both feet were still on the pegs!
It had a short tank range - go beyond 90 miles and you had to keep a nervous, eye out for petrol filling station.
Wonderful experience I am very glad I had.
Very focused machine. Doesn't tolerate sloppy inputs. A friend who rode one described it as being like a hyperactive kid - always doing something, even when you did not want it to. He hated it, I loved it because that is what makes it a terrific learning device. Persist, and you will become a much better rider and exerience joy on every ride.
Why did I sell it? After two years I realised that, wonderful as it was, it was too much for me for everday use. It needed nothing less than total focus (not a bad thing on any bike) but it also only made sense if it was ridden harder than was sensible on public roads. At 30% it was not that nice. At over 50% it was ok, and at over 75% great. It seemed it was very happy only at silly speeds. But I could do 400 mile days on it easily, and the riding position and balance were such that I found myself a few times stopped at traffic lights and only after a few seconds remembered that both feet were still on the pegs!
It had a short tank range - go beyond 90 miles and you had to keep a nervous, eye out for petrol filling station.
Wonderful experience I am very glad I had.
Aye, that's why I reckon:
It has the same sublime engine and handling, but with a comfier seating position for lower speeds. It will cope with 140-150mph but not for long unless you have strong neck muscles. Its happiest around 70-100 but will be more than happily pootling through town once the smaller front sprocket it comes with is fitted (a must for either bike) to down gear it enough to get rid of the stupidly tall first gear. Throw a couple of frutier cans in the mix and you have an absolute weapon, or a pussy cat, just depending on how far you twist the grip...
A mate of mine in Perth has one which he can probably be persuaded to sell to fund his racing. Having ridden it, I suddenly understood why he went pretty much everywhere on the open road at 100 mph + which is when it begins to make sense.
As ever, YMMV.....
rudiemoto
Registered user
hi columbus
1st thing dont get 04,05 rsv millies as ecu r poo and just tons of faults
06 ,07 onwards r fine
happy hunting
All of the above is true...
...and I have one which is going to be sold soon.
Too much effort these days. Nice to have, and I've had two, but moved on to something more radical.
...and I have one which is going to be sold soon.
Too much effort these days. Nice to have, and I've had two, but moved on to something more radical.
+1. I had exactly the same bike and exactly the same experience / opinion of it.
Thanks for all your replies and advice. I managed to get the one I was looking at. It came from a guy who has a garage full and obviously knows what he is doing with them and how to look after them as its immaculate. All the electrical and mechanical mods pointed out have been done by him along with some others, Again thanks for the help 
Similar threads
