Aprilia RSV1000R Vs R1200GS ???

[Rhodeseeker]

Hi New to the forum, just checking out what your thoughts are which will obviously be slightly biased but i think my sports bike days are over as the old comfort factor is creeping up.

I am thinking of buying a 54 plate R1200GS from Preston Superbikes with 32k on it. Its not perfect cosmetically, but fits my budget and i can sort the bits i dont like.. My Aprilia is immaculate and that concerns me with the GS, but then i think they have all been used and done some miles so i need some help.

Do you have any advice, thoughts, do's / dont's as you are all in the know.

It will be a sad day letting the Ape go, but hey, life moves on....

I am calling to Preston in the morning so any info tonight would be appreciated.

Thanks Rhodesy...

 

[peterh]

Setting aside the points to look for in a 2004 GS, I went from an RSVR to a 1200GS in 2005 - I miss the Mille still in some ways, but have no doubt that the change was absolutely right for me.

There is no 'rush' in the GS to compare to that given by the Mille, but it is a much easier experience in the real world, and if you want to get from a to b the GS will likely get you there as quickly if not more so than the Mille, with the bonus that you will arrive in a more relaxed frame of mind.

There is plenty of fun in a GS, but that fun is less likely to involve licence threats. It's a different thing, and in the end it's a choice only you can make.

 

[Rhodeseeker]

Setting aside the points to look for in a 2004 GS, I went from an RSVR to a 1200GS in 2005 - I miss the Mille still in some ways, but have no doubt that the change was absolutely right for me.

There is no 'rush' in the GS to compare to that given by the Mille, but it is a much easier experience in the real world, and if you want to get from a to b the GS will likely get you there as quickly if not more so than the Mille, with the bonus that you will arrive in a more relaxed frame of mind.

There is plenty of fun in a GS, but that fun is less likely to involve licence threats. It's a different thing, and in the end it's a choice only you can make.

Thanks for the reply...

I have made my mind up really that i want a GS and think i might get a trackbike to have the odd play on so i have the best of both worlds..

I would like to know if the odd scuff is normal as they are on / off road after all? As mentioned my Ape is mint and never see's rain and thats probably why i need a change, to get use in all weather, all terrain etc..

Any obvious probs to look for?

 

[Bounce]

My 2 penneth worth.....

I had a mille R for 3 years, and it's the best sports bike I've ever owned; totally reliable, never missed a beat & did everything I wanted...did a few long euro trips, and apart from sore wrists & ankles, all good.

Sold it 2 years ago in search of a GS...for a variety of reasons, have only just got a 1200GSA a few months ago. Apart from my best mate owning a GS1150 adv & wanting me to get one too, I went off & did a load of my own investigating, plus an off road course, and just got the bug for a big adv tourer. Now that I have it, I love it - eats up the miles, gets me to where I'm going, is fitted with all the toyz to keep me amused, great forum like this for info, advice & making a few good mates, less fatigue on longer trips, less attractive to the old bill etc etc.

So, IMHO, I'm delighted with the move that I've made, no regrets and looking forward to many adventures

Best of luck

 

[C-J]

I can't really advise on the bike in preston Superbikes...

however while you're up here have a look at a couple others.....

This one's in a car place just round the corner from me.... Much lower mileage

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...e/pr55uw/quicksearch/true/radius/20?logcode=p

and this one's in Shorrocks...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ue/postcode/pr55uw/radius/20/page/1?logcode=p



Doesn't hurt to look

 

[Rhodeseeker]

I can't really advise on the bike in preston Superbikes...

however while you're up here have a look at a couple others.....

This one's in a car place just round the corner from me.... Much lower mileage

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...e/pr55uw/quicksearch/true/radius/20?logcode=p

and this one's in Shorrocks...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ue/postcode/pr55uw/radius/20/page/1?logcode=p



Doesn't hurt to look

Thanks Pal, i will have a look...

Much Appreciated..

 

[columbus]

I have just added a 2003 RSVR Factory to my garage to sit alongside my R1150 GS Adventure. Totally different although so far I have only managed around 200 miles on the RSV.

I bought it as a second bike, more of a toy than an every day bike but as the GSA is currently in bits I have been using the RSV for commuting so the roads are my normal run giving me a good idea of how different the bike is.

The only comparison that seems to make sense is that they are both motorcycles and will get you from A to B. The way they do it is so different that to compare the two against each other doesn't make sense to me. I am thoroughly enjoying learning the RSV but at the same time I'm looking forward to getting the GSA back on the road.

The gs will be down on power from what you are used to by a big amount. I had a blackbird before I got the GSA and it felt quite lethargic at first. I took it on a run around one of my old local blasts and apart from the acceleration and speed side the route was actually more fun. the riding position allowed a better view and by going slower I saw more of where I was rather than passing through it.

If you can get a decent test onroads you are familiar with you may well be surprised at how the GS handles and how comfortable it is. As far as the condition in relation to your RSV I can only say my GSA is used but foxable whereas the RSV is 99.9% immaculate and has only been out cos its dry and sunny (& the GSA is in bits). Good luck with whatever you choose i'm just lucky I have the choice.

 

[Rhodeseeker]

I have just added a 2003 RSVR Factory to my garage to sit alongside my R1150 GS Adventure. Totally different although so far I have only managed around 200 miles on the RSV.

I bought it as a second bike, more of a toy than an every day bike but as the GSA is currently in bits I have been using the RSV for commuting so the roads are my normal run giving me a good idea of how different the bike is.

The only comparison that seems to make sense is that they are both motorcycles and will get you from A to B. The way they do it is so different that to compare the two against each other doesn't make sense to me. I am thoroughly enjoying learning the RSV but at the same time I'm looking forward to getting the GSA back on the road.

The gs will be down on power from what you are used to by a big amount. I had a blackbird before I got the GSA and it felt quite lethargic at first. I took it on a run around one of my old local blasts and apart from the acceleration and speed side the route was actually more fun. the riding position allowed a better view and by going slower I saw more of where I was rather than passing through it.

If you can get a decent test onroads you are familiar with you may well be surprised at how the GS handles and how comfortable it is. As far as the condition in relation to your RSV I can only say my GSA is used but foxable whereas the RSV is 99.9% immaculate and has only been out cos its dry and sunny (& the GSA is in bits). Good luck with whatever you choose i'm just lucky I have the choice.

Thanks for the info Columbo.... I will let you know later what i have done..

 

[Lamble]

I too took the move from Mille to GS but via Futura. Loved the Aprillia engine, don't much care for the GS 's in the same way, it won't set your blood on fire, but I have the 1150, so 1200 may be much better, or not.

You will be experiencing a new type of riding with the GS. It'll still get you from A-B but does open up the opportunities to carry on from B-Z and back if you want. It's sort of liberating in a way the Mille wasn't. The adventures become bigger, the scope wider. As the nature of the bike is less focused, so the picture becomes open to more varied interpretations.

The compensation for not being so fast and sexy is, that instead of spending money on making your bike lighter by ounces so that you have less, you can spend just as much and more on adding weight by the kilo and get more.

You'll have days when you'll pine, twisties where you'd love the low down visceral rumble of the Mille, but open up the GS and enjoy it to the full and that's rewarding too, only different.

But, lots of folks don't even have bikes so wont ever be able to experience any of this. So enjoy, you are privileged whatever you ride.

 

[trancey]

I've had 3 RSV's and a Tuono and now have an 1150GSA. I can echo the comments above and I'm enjoying my riding more than ever at the moment. I wasn't using the Aprilia's much and I thought I'd lost interest in riding bikes, but I've now realised that I was riding bikes that just didn't suit me any more. My price range was also directing me to an older 1200, but I eventually found the 1150. Try and sell your Aprilia privately, I've sold 2 this year through MCN, you can then shop around for your GS. The bike that I've bought is low mileage, it has the odd scabby part that I will change, odd corroded fastener etc., but I found that it doesn't bother me so much, GS's are supposed to look a bit worn, you will adopt a different frame of mind.

 

[FastFred]

I had RSV and Tuono's but love my GS12. You can have plenty of fun and have practicality..

 

[Rhodeseeker]

Well ive done it... I bought the GS....

It has a few bits that need sorting, the odd rusty fixing and the front engine cover is corroded as well as the brake lever arm, but i think a few pennies thrown at it and it should come up to scratch...

I collect next Sat, so i hope to speak to you all soon and looking forward to getting some miles under my belt...

Sorry to see the Ape go tho, but life go's on eh....

 

[JJ's GS]

Well done getting the GS I'm sure you'll love it.

Keep your eyes open in the for sale section on here, you may find the bits you want and probably cheaper.


JJ

 

[Shurv]

Welcome to the darkside of GS ownership......

 

[millemg]

Hi , I'm near Southport, not a million miles away

I bought my GS very recently, and kept my MilleR

I have done more miles on the GS in 2 months than I have done on the Mille in 2 years

I still love the RSVR, it's a monster ! but the GS is so much more useable

 

[Rhodeseeker]

Hi , I'm near Southport, not a million miles away

I bought my GS very recently, and kept my MilleR

I have done more miles on the GS in 2 months than I have done on the Mille in 2 years

I still love the RSVR, it's a monster ! but the GS is so much more useable

Nice bikes Pal... Both looking good....

Looking forward to getting in the saddle of the GS...

 

[casperfelix]

My wife loves the GS even more now!

My wife loves the GS even more now!
My RSV1000R spat me off at Snetterton on Wednesday. Lowsided when the front lost traction at the Esses. No damage to me and very little to the bike thanks to crash bungs and my knee holding it up.
However the current Mrs CasperFelix feels the GS wouldn't have behaved so badly. Think she's got a point. It's never misbehaved and it's done a lot more miles than the 2004 Aprilia which may now have to go. Any offers?