2012 Aprilia RXV 550 vs the 2008 KTM 690E l- let the games begin

**vegeman** · 31st January 2012, 12:04

I thought I'd start this thread, as there is little on the Ape 5-fitty..and even less on the RXV (its all SXV) and then practically nothing for NZ...so my mate Festy (aptly named) has been heckled, cajoled and convinced to get the mighty v-twin beast...all with the goal of being faster/better than my beloved 690.

He has been a yammy man forever, and his WR450 with road kit is a sensational alrounder, awesome off road yet more comfortable on road than you'd think BUT, my 690 beats it for performance, whether accerlation, top end...the WR can't match it and he hates ( i love it :-). Lets make no mistake - the WR is better for enduro/trail riding once the speed and terrain gets difficult simply because the WR is nimble compared to the 690...but this is about bragging rites, and the ktm is quik!!, whats faster...whats better - we will see???

So...step one...trade one of his bikes from the stable (Yamaha R1 superbike) for the RXV 550 - crazy bike for crazy bike. The RXV 550 is $17,000 then you have to buy the 12L tank ( standard is only 8l ish) , performance exhaust which needs new seat ..so this should to make it at least dual sportish and then get the new maps to crank out the power.

The order was done, and while he was away for a couple of weeks...the guys at the shop set about getting the beast ready!

Well...first things first and not a good start - The brand new shop model didn't go at all!, no one knows why but it was DOA!, so another one was shipped from Auckalofa, and while this one actually runs...the mechanics didn't know how to change the EFI from run in mode, to standard mode...eek - something about needing a code, and no one again knows what that is...WTF, I thought if you were going to represent the brand, you'd have someone who has worked on at least one. nope.

So the experience isn't going well...the only thing that should still see the deal go through is the the v-twin is supposedly a rocket...god help the dealer, and the planet if after all this shit...my tweaked 690 still rules.

We'll get some dynos and tests here shortly...thats if the damn thing lives!!

V

**Eddieb** · 31st January 2012, 12:54

Wow, thats not a good start.

**blackdog** · 31st January 2012, 14:46

Cue Hitcher. He will be along shortly to extol the virtues of being an Aprilia owner in New Zealand.

**vegeman** · 31st January 2012, 15:07

the more we can share about this, the better.

good news, the bike is going albeit all standard...and its on its way around for a looksy, and a quick ride around the block. It has to be ridden 'nicely' just for a couple of hours, 250K's or something...so no more reving that 8000...funny.

Photos shortly - must get the helmet cam sorted too - I'm just as excited as he is, because its a v-twin dirt bike...but slightly nervous that its going to roost my face...and I won't be happy

...I recall a comment from Mark Coma in the Dakar just gone as he was chasing the RXV at one stage...and he mentioned that they were 'fast' - eek. Maybe I might have to go to the new 690...which now is a 690!

**vegeman** · 31st January 2012, 17:11

...just been for a quick ride...

holy shit - I think I'm in trouble

**Night Falcon** · 31st January 2012, 17:27

Sounds like an exciting project

I like the Ape rila but the 690 is as close to the fringe as I'm prepared to go. By its very nature Dual sporting can be hard on man an machinery, so while its cool having a unique bike it could be a pain in the colon keeping it on the trail. Thats not to say KTM is a walk in the park for parts and servicing, they are a bit short on dealers, but the mechanics I've delbt with certainly know their stuff! A decent ADVrider RXV 550 thread would be handy though...if there is one?

will watch with interest

**Padmei** · 31st January 2012, 18:04

Throw in a couple of pics of the aprilia - we've seen enough bloody 690s around

**NordieBoy** · 31st January 2012, 20:02

Yeah, some photos of a DR roosting it would be cool...

**vegeman** · 31st January 2012, 20:53

ok...64kms on the clock

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she sure is nice looking. Seat is actually comfy, headlights are bright as, it has one of those stupid kick stands that pop-up by themselves...which I accidentally did...and accidentally drop the bike on the ground (festy not happy

...but fortunately it was a slow put down, as I realised once it was going down to keep holding the handlebar...doh!!

So...whats it like.

the v-twin sounds cool as, we removed the little db silencer to let it out and its sex - with a real slipon it will be awesome. Its quick for sure, easiest power wheelies on the planet...wow, and we aren't even pushing it. It had more low down power then expected.

Suspension is plush has, and makes the 690 feel quite hard...which we know they are.

It feels like a WR450 on steriods - light, flickable, brakes and stuff awesome...and its got some gas!!

...speaking of gas, it seems to suck it far more, than my machine, so more testing is required to find out it true km/l...we were sure it was full before we went out, but at about 70km, the fuel light came on. which makes it at about 11km per litre - the 690 riding the same gets 20km per litre...more testing before the ordering the bigger tank, as it may need the BIG tank.

it should have done the 3hr engine time before the week ends, and will get its post run it service, then out for a weekend thrash.

its fun to have see such a new machine to see in action

**Night Falcon** · 1st February 2012, 06:28

I see they've put KLR indicators on it, obviously to slow it up while running it in then ditch them for some 21st century clear lenses

**vegeman** · 1st February 2012, 11:26

ha...for sure. The shop replaced the rear license/light section with an aftermarket...as the standard aprilia is one of those long floppy tail thingys which will snap for sure. I pretty sure the lights are from the aftermarket kit, but I could be wrong.

**paturoa** · 1st February 2012, 12:00

The early models had crazy short service intervals including new pistons etc. What is the service schedule for the new donk?

**vegeman** · 1st February 2012, 12:07

I'll get the manual off Festy and upload some of the basics, but we were talking this morning, and he mentioned 3000K's is the oil change period... thats pretty high now, so they must be comfortable enough now to state that as a service interval.

I think they have sorted those major prob's from the past...*fingers crossed*

**nzcarnivore** · 1st February 2012, 12:31

yes, service interval... 500km breakin service then every 3000...

There doesn't seem to be hardly anyone in NZ that knows much about them (including service agents) so feel like a guinea pig of sorts... but from 80km's of "break'in" riding this thing will kick KTM orange ass!!!

Will be initial serviced by Friday and take it off-road for first time then.... really need the 12 Litre tank though as current range blows!

The low down torque on this thing is mind boggling and arm wrenching and that's with stock parts and stock ECU map!

Will update after more riding and learning more about this machine.....

Early gut feel ....... will need to relearn how to control this power off-road...(and to a lesser extent on) but once mastered ...KTM will suffer the shame.

(I sense it will also be expensive.. parts, fuel, breakages.... no decent mechanic to service, fix etc....) but hey... still better than spending it on a new kitchen for the Mrs! expensive fun is better than none!

Festy