Returning to biking (The Trooper)

[The Trooper]

Hi! I am a 40 yrs old and looking to buy myself a bike. I grew up in a bike mad family in England. My dad rode a Ducati 860 GTS and we regularly visited the Isle of Man for the TT as my grandparents had retired there for that very reason. I rode trials bikes as a kid and then on emigrating to NZ i bought a Ducati Monster which i quickly crashed and wrote off (!) through standing it up in a corner (crap riding skills) and then a Honda CB1300 which was great until i had to sell it a year later for financial reasons. However i am now in a position to but a secondhand bike again and am toying with the idea of an Aprillia RSV1000 or a Honda VFR800. My heart says Aprillia my head says Honda! I like the idea of a V Twin as that Torque is a sensation you cannot replicate. Just hoping i can ride whatever i buy without killing myself!

[BigAl]

Hi and good luck with a bike acquisition mate.

There are plenty of kbers from ham so check out laxed out ride thread once you are mobile.

Might pay to go on a few track days to refresh your skills.

[The Trooper]

Thanks AL!

[nosebleed]

G'day Trooper and welcome.
Best resource for parts is AF1 Racing in Texas, and servicing I'd suggest NTB Racing in Hamilton.

You'll be having issues so just jump on the AF1 Racing Forum
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?72-RSVR-and-RSVR-Factory-(2004-2009)&s=&daysprune=

or RSV Zone (which is mainly UK based, and has more of a Mille bias)
http://apriliarsv.com/aprilia-rsv-forum.php

or RSVR.net
http://forum.rsvr.net/

You can flick a me PM if there's anything general that's causing grief. My first tip (for free) is one "l" :devil2:

[gunnyrob]

hi trooper, good D to get back into riding, I did the same thing after a 15year break & am now back at a good experience level (90,000km since).

check out the info at http://rideforever.co.nz/returning-to-riding/ it's all good stuff. Get training to get back into the groove, and also seriously think about the type of bikes you want to ride. The two you're looking are pretty advanced. v twins are pretty good, but have a look at some of the other mid range options out there.

[The Trooper]

Thanks Gunny rob. I will heed your advice. I have already abandoned the idea of the RSV as the position is just too sporty for me. Will keep you posted.

[Edbear]

We try to be logical and practical when considering our needs...

Then we see a bike that really floats our emotional boat and logic flies right out the window! By all means be a little bit practical but biking is an emotional exercise, buy what you want!

[Edbear]

PS.

Definitely do a riding course!

[GrayWolf]

Thanks Gunny rob. I will heed your advice. I have already abandoned the idea of the RSV as the position is just too sporty for me. Will keep you posted.

The VFR800 has been around for a 'while', even longer if you add it in the 750 guise,, I know a few people with them and I have to admit they are nigh on faultless as a rider's machine, they tour, they can 'scratch' they have a reasonably god turn of speed and acceleration. For NZ roads I would almost go as far as to say there are literally 'perfect'///
Another Serious contender worth considering is the last Suzuki 750 Katana (modern version).