RSV-R maintenance

[Bend-it]

Hey,

The RSV-Rs :scooter: are awesome looking bikes, go well, handle well, brake well, comfy, v-twin throb etc...

Question is, what is it like on build quality, maintenance and reliability? You know, the things jappas are so good for...

Any idea from the Aprilia owners?

Cheers! :yes:

[Cajun]

well service intervals are longer (every 10,000kms)

they say every service is about $250, so in theory works out simlar price compared to services on jap every 6,000kms, and alot cheaper than a duke

we only had our rsv-r 1 week so can't say to much, but build quality is great.

[sAsLEX]

Plus they run a 2+2 factory warranty, in that if for the first two years you have all scheduled maintenance done you get another 2 years warranty on top!

[Dazza]

Hey,

The RSV-Rs :scooter: are awesome looking bikes, go well, handle well, brake well, comfy, v-twin throb etc...

Question is, what is it like on build quality, maintenance and reliability? You know, the things jappas are so good for...

Any idea from the Aprilia owners?

Cheers! :yes: As a past Aprilia owner, 70000k's on 2 bikes combined,both serviced by the dealer, just keep it on a battery tender if you don't ride it too often (Tui Add), build quality awesome. Meet a guy @ the gas station in Wanaka over new year period & he'd had his 1999 RSV fm. new and it had 101,000k's on the clock with no issuses. Just keep the change the fluids/service @ the recommened intervals & you cannot go wrong ! :yes:

[WRT]

Build quality is great. Had mine for 15,000k's, never skipped a beat. Service recommended every 10,000k's, I'm doing mine a bit more frequently than that, @ ~$250 it's not going to break the bank. Had two issues fixed under warranty, switch gear failed and there was a recall on the swingarms. Prone to cracking apparently, never saw any sign of it but it was done without fuss, even though it was by a different dealer than the one I purchased the bike from.

Dunno about the 2+2 deal though? Havent heard of that before.

[Cajun]

yeah the 2+2 is on new models
if you do all services for 2 years, they will extext the factory warrenty for another 2 years, so in turn you get 4 years factory warrenty, good way to stand behind there product really, 4 years warrent, is alot really

[WRT]

What year did they start that with? Mine's an 04 - too much to hope that it would apply to mine too?

[WRT]

The RSV-Rs :scooter: are awesome looking bikes, go well, handle well, brake well, comfy, v-twin throb etc...

Hang on, just seen this bit - don't believe anyone when they tell you they are comfy! Not a chance buddy. Admittedly they aren't as bad as some, but don't expect to go touring on them, about 3 hours is the limit before things get nasty. Definitely don't expect to take a pillion for long either!

My pillion can last maybe 30 mins at the outside, as long as she has the liner in her leggings. Admittedly, she doesn't have a lot of padding on her arse, but still . . . that's not very long. I've had her out on longer runs, but only with the liner in her pants and a cushion shoved down there too. Seriously. We went to Orewa last night on the bike, she was sore by the time we got there. That's only about 20-25 mins away from home.

Comfy, my arse (groan).

[Cajun]

Hang on, just seen this bit - don't believe anyone when they tell you they are comfy! Not a chance buddy. Admittedly they aren't as bad as some, but don't expect to go touring on them, about 3 hours is the limit before things get nasty. Definitely don't expect to take a pillion for long either!

My pillion can last maybe 30 mins at the outside, as long as she has the liner in her leggings. Admittedly, she doesn't have a lot of padding on her arse, but still . . . that's not very long. I've had her out on longer runs, but only with the liner in her pants and a cushion shoved down there too. Seriously. We went to Orewa last night on the bike, she was sore by the time we got there. That's only about 20-25 mins away from home.

Comfy, my arse (groan).

Ya might need to bring ya seat and asses down my way to get ya seat looked at

[Cajun]

What year did they start that with? Mine's an 04 - too much to hope that it would apply to mine too?

No idea i think it might been 05, i know our 06 has this, go talk to local dealer

[WRT]

Ya might need to bring ya seat and asses down my way to get ya seat looked at

I'd love to, but I'm a bit skint on fundage at the moment and shoving a cushion down Pip's trousers is free! :bye:

[Bytor]

Drop a PM to ams67 (Antonio) and see what fun he had with his Factory!

[Cajun]

bytor, whatever brand you have, there are always dodgy storys

only real probes i have heard with new models is clutch/brake

the rear brake problem i think relates to people those people not really using it enough,
and cluctch could be related to same problem, but are a few known fixes for this problem

[Bend-it]

The one at Wgtn M'cycles is gone!! Arrgghh!! Just popped down to have a look during lunch...

Also, the non-Rs have a single front brake disc, as opposed to the twins on the RSVRs, does it make a huge difference?

I mainly commute and do the occassional blast around, but not much touring or track riding.



Comfy, my arse (groan)


Interesting to hear that, 'coz lotsa reviews say it's the most comfy sporty v-twin...

[Coyote]

Is the 2002 model just as good? My Dad will be all for me getting one if it's reliable (he always reads The Dog and Lemon guide and we've got a Ford Laser and a Toyota Camry)

[DMNTD]

Fark'n top Twins....sorry for the flash back! :sick:
Know of Aprilia's done well over 70,000kms with no issues at all.
'03 have had "issues" re clutch etc but for $50 it's fixed....no issue there.
Rear brakes is an easy and cheap fix.
Having owned 4x '97 TLS' I assure you that the RSVR has plenty more stomp/presence/style/horn factor etc and the handling :shit:...albeit we have the Factory(Olins front 'n rear).


Oh btw...we both find our's to be comfitable considering how hard the seat is.
I'd prefer to ride our RSVR than my ZX10 re comfit


Also check out THIS (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/) forum for loads of info :yes:

[Bend-it]

Sweet! Great to hear that these bikes are sexy AND reliable!! :)

Just waitinga round for one at the right price, ohh yeah, and the Mrs' permission... :)

[Dazza]

Sweet! Great to hear that these bikes are sexy AND reliable!! :)

Just waitinga round for one at the right price, ohh yeah, and the Mrs' permission... :)
It depends on what year your talking about, the 04's onwards riding position are a little more track orintated (sp) but 98-03 not an issue, I had a 2000R (bought new Dec 01) and it was comfortable as (the little lady didn't like the back though), I rode from Fox Glacier back to Takaka in a day with no problems. It was a more comfortable than my Falco as a rode bike :yes:My mate accompanied me around the South Island earlier this year on his 02R (60,000k's on the clock) & he's got a fucked hip/ leg (fm. previous accident in his early 20's) & he had no issues with comfort, might have had something to do with all the fuel stops we had to do due to the size of my tank.

[WRT]

Interesting to hear that, 'coz lotsa reviews say it's the most comfy sporty v-twin...

The TLR was slightly better for rider, HEAPS better for pillion, and that wasn't what you would normally call "comfy". Interesting DMNTD's comment comparing it to the ZX10. Also comparing it to the TLS - whole different ball game. The TLR is a much closer match performance wise, but in handling it still can't hold a candle to even the standard RSVR, let alone the factory.

Funnily enough, from the "seat of the pants" dyno my old TLR would give the RSVR a run for its money in a straight line. On paper (factory specs) it shouldn't even be close, but I reckon the Aprilia wouldn't beat it by much on acceleration, mid range it might even have less poke than the TLR, which was a surprise and a bit of a disappointment for me when buying the RSVR - I guess I was expecting more from a bike that was 6 years younger and twice the price. However, adding aftermarket pipes did big things for adding a bit more oomph, and even bigger things for improving the sound.

Don't get me wrong, the Aprilia is a far superior bike. But I do get nostalgic for my old TLR from time to time. While there would always be a place in my "dream garage" for a yellow TLR, I definitely wouldnt trade the Aprilia for one.

[Dazza]

I definitely wouldnt trade the Aprilia for one.

Well that's ok then :yes: Got to check out my mates 06 Factory in the weekend, what a horn piece of gear, the jury is still out on the gold frame though,loved the look of it with all the subtle decals that you don't tend to notice initially !

[WRT]

Well that's ok then :yes: Got to check out my mates 06 Factory in the weekend, what a horn piece of gear, the jury is still out on the gold frame though,loved the look of it with all the subtle decals that you don't tend to notice initially !

Yup, they go good, look good, and sound good. More and more people buying them tho, don't like the idea that they might be come the next GSXR - as in everybody's got one. Should be some sort of ownership criterior, to stop the rabble getting their dirty mitts on them. :shutup:

[Dazza]

Yup, they go good, look good, and sound good. More and more people buying them tho, don't like the idea that they might be come the next GSXR - as in everybody's got one. Should be some sort of ownership criterior, to stop the rabble getting their dirty mitts on them. :shutup:They'll "NEVER" be the next GSXR, mates had Tigcrafts on it but with 3 other aprila's a Triumph & the KTM it was a little hard to pick it out noise wise, & the fact he was behind us :dodge: why do you think I've gone with KTM, was the only guy down this way with an Aprilia for years, now I can make atleast 8 phone calls and make sweet music :yes:

[DMNTD]

... the jury is still out on the gold frame though...
That there is why we didn't buy the '06...lol...lame I know but when spending more than reasonable coin on a bike I'd say it's fair to be picky



Yup, they go good, look good, and sound good. More and more people buying them tho, don't like the idea that they might be come the next GSXR - as in everybody's got one. Should be some sort of ownership criterior, to stop the rabble getting their dirty mitts on them. :shutup:
Bwahahaha! Like the idea...valid comments too re getting more "common".

[Dazza]

[QUOTE=DMNTD;938148]That there is why we didn't but the '06...lol...lame I know but when spending more than reasonable coin on a bike I'd say it's fair to be picky
Mates got an engineering firm & deals with an Italian firm, noted that they had Aprilia on their letter head so contacted them as to what was the conection, they replied with a thick Italian accent " we do carbon fibre air boxes which give you 40% more capacity and racing heads which give you 13% more power". His free airbox turned up last week and he's just waiting on the $5,000 heads. Hopefully he'll let me go for a squirt on it once it's done,fingers crossed !:rockon:

[DMNTD]

Mates got an engineering firm & deals with an Italian firm, noted that they had Aprilia on their letter head so contacted them as to what was the conection, they replied with a thick Italian accent " we do carbon fibre air boxes which give you 40% more capacity and racing heads which give you 13% more power". His free airbox turned up last week and he's just waiting on the $5,000 heads. Hopefully he'll let me go for a squirt on it once it's done,fingers crossed !:rockon:

Mate....my contact detail are in my User Notes! :love:

[sAsLEX]

the rear brake problem i think relates to people those people not really using it enough,
Whats a rear brake..........




"seat of the pants" dyno

This is not the best...... like Motu said in his Twingle post the "feel"of a bike could be rather different than the performance or power from a bike.

[WRT]

This is not the best...... like Motu said in his Twingle post the "feel"of a bike could be rather different than the performance or power from a bike.

Quite agree, however I rode the TLR for nearly 3 years as my only form of transport, and had the RSVR for 15,000k's now. I've got a fairly good feel of what each will do, what gaps I can pull out into, what space I need to over take, and on the TLR especially, what corners I cant go round :bye:

[Sensei]

Some pics from last Sundays ride , was good to meet the old owner of my RSVR on his new 06 RSVR & to do abit of back wheel Blackline painting on the road :Punk: . Have riden both TLS & TLRs & they are a powerful motor alright but thats about it . Never had trouble with the seat have done 8hrs on it with no worrys , ya all better " Harden the Fuck Up "! LOL

[Dazza]

Some pics from last Sundays ride , was good to meet the old owner of my RSVR on his new 06 RSVR & to do abit of back wheel Blackline painting on the road :Punk:
Nice one, been waiting for those, it's good to see Sensei is still struggling with the R - Factory concept.:yes:

[Bytor]

bytor, whatever brand you have, there are always dodgy storys

Mate I hear you, but if someone is contemplating spending a lot of dough on a prestigious bike then they need to understand that if something does go wrong, it may not be as easy to fix (parts/cost that is) as the mass produced jap brands.

BTW I love the RSV's and would have one tomorrow if I had the cash.

[ams67]

I loved my RSV. It is a great bike. It is a pity that the current NZ distributor is not good. That was the only reason why I had to give up on her and get a jap bike.

[sAsLEX]

I loved my RSV. It is a great bike. It is a pity that the current NZ distributor is not good. That was the only reason why I had to give up on her and get a jap bike.

Isnt the Auckland crowd Mt Eden? I know thats the retail side of things but generally they are pretty good to deal with..... where did you get the Kwak?

[ams67]

Yep, they are very good. I am very happy about their services.
It is the Aprilia distributor in Christchurch that are not good enough.
Yep again, I got a ZX-10. Nothing wrong with her. I just miss my Italian V-twin

[Sensei]

Nice one, been waiting for those, it's good to see Sensei is still struggling with the R - Factory concept.:yes:

As I see it Mine is a Factory as the Factory has nothing more than what I have so no Struggle there . hope ya Parallys are up to the Mighty Z6's or ya going to be TEC { Tail end Charlie } :scooter:

[sAsLEX]

I note that one of the reasons for the 1098 was to increase service intervals etc as Ducati are viewed as not only being expensive to buy but then to run as well, compare that to a rsvr which is cheaper and has long 10k intervals they make good sense. Will have to see the maintenance schedule the 1098 releases with.....

[Dazza]

As I see it Mine is a Factory as the Factory has nothing more than what I have so no Struggle there . hope ya Parallys are up to the Mighty Z6's or ya going to be TEC { Tail end Charlie } :scooter: I Know, but you have to come to grips really Scott, things change, we need to accept it, build the bridge ( I can lend you some blocks) move on :dodge: .As for the tyre thing, I'd forgotten what it was like to have new tyres front & rear, the old girl just rolls into corners again, nice !! No problem with TEC, someones gotta cover the back , just as important as lead scout :yes:
1098, phewt, I'd love one, but as a road bike 15.5ltrs, almost as pathetic as the Super Dukes 15ltrs !!!

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=Dazza;942385]I Know, but you have to come to grips really Scott, things change, we need to accept it, build the bridge ( I can lend you some blocks) move on :dodge: .

I hope that Super-Duke is going to beat my old " RSVR " on Saturday or Fuck you'll never hear the end of IT !! :yes:

[Dazza]

[
I hope that Super-Duke is going to beat my old " RSVR " on Saturday or Fuck you'll never hear the end of IT !! :yes:I'll never hear the end of it either way, "old RSVR" crikey it's done less k's than the Super Duke,haven't done any practice starts yet, should be entertaining all the same.:yes:

[Sensei]

Going out tomorrow night if ya keen for a few trys at Spot X . Give me a TXT if keen .

[BrianNZ]

[QUOTE=WRT;937924]Hang on, just seen this bit - don't believe anyone when they tell you they are comfy! Not a chance buddy. Admittedly they aren't as bad as some, but don't expect to go touring on them, about 3 hours is the limit before things get nasty. Definitely don't expect to take a pillion for long either!

I happily toured (sport-toured?) the Sth. Is. with no comfort issues .......but I was using a sheepskin! By the time the tank needed topping up, I was ready for a stretch anyway. It was a 'boxers, tee-shirt, jeans and credit card' for luggage under the seat. Two up riding is out for me.....the extra ballast just isn't needed.
The bikes done over 54,000 and still going strong. The only issue I have with the finish, is the 'gold' plating on the fork sliders wearing off....Iv'e seen the same on other Aprilias. It doesn't affect how they work, or weep oil....it just looks a bit tacky when you are drooling over the rest of the bike. :)