aprilia rsv

[gfab]

does anyone have experience with aprilias? they have not seemed to have broken the canadian market very much and am wondering how they are for reliability, getting parts etc. i've loved the mille since first seeing it, but never entertained the idea of getting one figuring parts and service would be an issue (not to mention the cost, insurance and the practicality, or lack of). however, i saw one with really low mileage and an incredibly low price in the trader (so much so that i think it must be a typo). but, on a whim i checked the insurance and was surprised that it is actually only about $100 more than my sv1000. which is to say in the realm of the reasonable. so now its got me thinking about them, but still the issues of parts, service...... anyone have an opinion?

[TimP]

Does lust count as experience? I've never ridden one, let alone owned one, but they've sounded great going by (mostly in the States) over the years.

I don't know where you are but if you're anywhere near Toronto try this: http://www.gentrylane.com/motorcycles.htm

The used RSV R shown on the linked page has been in the window looking good for a while. Let us know if you get a good deal.

[Kootenanny]

There's a Yamaha shop in Kelowna that used to carry Aprilia (dunno if they still do); I'm in there one day, and they have this RSV1000 sitting in the line in the rather cramped showroom, wedged in beside an R6. While I'm drooling over the Aprilia's Italian sexiness, a young guy (late teens?) walks in, and--completely ignoring the Aprilia--starts drooling over the R6 right beside it.

Nothing wrong with that, but to me it shows up how much our "culture" informs our lusts. To me, the R6 is "just another Big four supersport," while the Aprilia is desireable and sexy--"Hey, it's Italian!" Both bikes do basically the same thing, probably each just as well as the other; there's not even that much difference in the way they look, but...well, coming from different backgrounds, that kid and I each had very different ideas as to what the "ideal sportbike" might be!

(BTW, that's about all the experience I have with Aprilia. Truth be told, were I to indulge in an Italian bike, it would likely be a Ducati or, preferably, a Guzzi...the MGS-01 has to be one of the best looking bikes I've ever seen, thankfully it's not street-legal in Canada or I might be in hock a lot more than I am...)

[Rocking Couple]

Couple years ago, was chatting with a young guy (seemed to be uncharacteristically level-headed too, for his age) who has one in Rally town. He had nothing but good things to say about it. The two things that really stood out, aside from very competent handling, brakes, go etc was not only how smooth and balanced the motor was, but also how fuel efficient. Everyone knows that performance big block V twins suck gas. Well this thing regularly delivered 50+ mpg. (being ridden in such a way that an SV1000 would give you about 37 to 39, and a Firestorm about 29 to 30)
As I didn't hide my skepticism on both those fronts, he did remain quite adamant. Right off the top of his head, he had the numbers...litres used and kms gone on fill up, and his tire's look, proved he was not blowing smoke in how he described his riding style on roads that I too, knew.
The vibration test of course still lays in wait. Besides, no two motors come off a line identically balanced anyway. But I suspect it must be a great design, plus he happened to get a smooth one. I have ridden a couple of Firestorms, and they didn't feel identical in the bars.

I forget his previous bike, but he was considering a used RC51 when he bought this one. Fuel mileage and heat were among the factors that he weighed against the RC. He thought he was going to get SV type mileage with the RSV, so was amazed how much better, especially given the level of aggressiveness he rode.

He did say that aside from maintenance items, he hadn't needed any parts. I forget how many kms he had on it or which dealer he sourced it from.

Oh ya...re that great fuel mileage. This was a pretty smart kid really, not only did he say that he purposely left the OEM stock can on it for that reason
but also he didn't want to announce his whereabouts all around town. The cops in Rally Town have no humour left in them.

[sportbikecalgary]

The only experience I have with the Aprilia brand through my friends '07 Tuono.

He picked it up at the local Ducati dealership when Aprilia decided they wouldn't sell enough of them and gave the rights to Blackfoot. Although the duc shop probably wasn't putting through the numbers Aprilia wanted, Blackfoot would only be interested in getting them out the door and after that, you're on your own. (Unrelated to this topic, BF recently started a service policy of not servicing bikes prior to 2002!) The duc shop was 'allowed' to keep their "registered service depot" status, so the servicing is still good. Parts availability is good, however the Aprilia community seems to have come together at the Apriliaforum.com. (http://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/default.asp) I've seen my friend order a shock and pipes through these guys at really good prices.

The bike is fantastic to ride. As stated above, it gets great gas mileage and can easily do 350 km to a tank. Compared to the expected 220 km that I could squeeze out of my '01 RC51, it's amazing. It made me re-think my Duc St4s' riding position after we swapped for a quick spin while on a mountain tour. I was immediately 20km faster in the corners ...and it took 2 corners to feel comfortable on it! When I gave it back to him, I snarled that he should never let me ride it again. Oddly enough, he's ok with that.

You guys have all seen this before, but I had to show it again...
http://68.146.12.230/Neil/Misc/CC_web/highwood2.jpg

[gfab]

hey sportbike calgary,
awesome picture. not sure what is more gorgeouse, the bike or the mountains. your info regarding bf is kinda what i was afraid of. here in ottawa, powersports (honda) was a dealer for aprilia for a few years and now their 'sister' dealership, gearhead, sells aprilia, guzzis, piaggio and vespas. however a quick look on their site only listed 2 aprilias....i know they didn't sell very well and it is afterall, all about numbers.

as for service, a colleague of mine bought a vespa and has had nothing but hassles when it comes to service and parts. she's been waiting since last summer for paint to fix some scratches!! i'm skeptical about the dealer as i have had poor service from the parent powersports dealer. but, if its so difficult to get something as simple as paint, i hate to imagine what i'd have to go through to get a part. and then have to trust one of these non-caring dealers to install it.
that also raises the issue of dealers: i have tried just about each dealer in town for parts/service and accessories and have had a very hard time finding someone who really seems to care. i can go on about this with various examples of poor service and customer relations, but, thats another rant lol

i think i have faith in the quality of the bikes, all the magazine and web reviews i've read have been positive, not just the rsv but the other models too. but they will all need service sooner or later and its the lack of service and difficulty of parts that i'd be leary about. my faith in the dealers is not very high.

its so unfortunate that all these wonderful bikes don't sell very well here in canada, as there are so many great bikes we miss out on. transport canada regulations sure don't make it easier....

kootenany, i think you're right about the 'cultural thing'. which probably doesn't help the numbers.

timp, thanks for the link. i hadn't ever come across that dealer but looks like an interesting one to check out every now and then.

well, thers my somewhat disjointed rant....lol

[gfab]

hey rc,
i totally missed seing your note.... must have gotten distracted by the picture...
thats some good info to hear. i've been feeling that my sv1000 isn't getting great mileage (hey should that not be 'kilometerage'?! :-) the fuel light goes on at about 170km with city commuting but i usually can get about 230km on highway -- just far enough (almost) to get me from ottawa to shannonville. this seems to be about the same that i've gotten on previous bikes (zx750, zx1200). good to hear too that he hasn't needed parts, but, like you say, no 2 engines are identical..... could be a good thing or bad thing....