Aprilia SXV550 MOTARD

[FlangMasterJ]

Just spent a couple of days flanging around on my very trustworthy friends new Aprila SXV550.

I'm no expert (far from it) but I have ridden a number of motards ranging from a KTM350 to Husaberg 650's and the big beasty KTM950.

First off this must be the coolest looking bike on the market at the mo including roadbikes.



I'll try and keep it short.

Instrumentation is clearly visible with a digital rev counter, odo, time, temp and speedo, all modes scrollable with the press of a bar mounted button. Ride height is fairly high which is common on most motards. Seat is comfortable for the first 500m.

The fuel injected V-twin motor is a gem. Starts effortlessly with the electric leg.

With the current ECU map it is like a light switch (not so great around town but alot of fun calving up the Rimutakas!). It loves to rev, the red tacho light comes on at around 9000RPM with another 2000RPM's before it hits the limiter. Did a fair bit of motorway commuting between Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. It seems to handle the open road failry well even when cruising at a respectable 110kph with plenty more power on tap for overtaking.

Handling wise you would be hard pressed finding a more agile and manouverable bike on the market. Anyone whos ridden a motard will know how easy it is to throw one of these things around.

These bikes are made for the track so comfortability obvioulsy isn't a priority. If you were to use this bike for commuting you would have to change the ECU mapping to something a little more forgiving and you would most definatley have to buy an aftermarket seat with a little more padding.

Reliability wise I have really no idea but the manual says they are good for 60 hours before they need a top end rebuild. Which is fairly respectable for a modern high performance motard.

That's about it, remember I'm no expert I'm just a novice who loves motorcycles. All I know is this bike is a hell of alot of fun and would put a grin on anyones mug from beginner to seasoned pro. Now all I have to do is find $17G's lying around then I'm sorted.

So if you get the chance go to your local Aprilia dealer and ask for a test ride. You may not buy the bike but you will no doubt have a ball.

[Ruralman]

And a top end rebuild on a racing v twin engine would cost what??? - something bloody scary

[paturoa]

There is one at Mt Eden mcycles that will take a few hours of cleaning today to get my drool off it. I was there yesterday and it looks too light if that is possible.

60 hours ??? WTF ... a top end rebuild??

that can't be right

[Kickaha]

Nice bikes, Guy down here is already racing one, he's been out at the last two meetings getting some Km up on it to be ready for the Greymouth Street Race

At the moment he is no faster than any of the KTM's etc that are out there so it'll be interesting to see how he goes when he has a bit more seat time

[Mr. Peanut]

Chuck that in an RS250 Chassis.
F3 Anyone?

[k14]

Yep would go damn well. The one yesterday was probably around 1 sec off my pace yesterday. Was the only motard I couldn't slipstream down the straight, definately got some hp those things. Look very sexy too. Oh yeah, the one I'm talking bout was only a 450 too.

Apparantly they bolt straight into a RS250 chassis.

[dawnrazor]

There is one at Mt Eden mcycles that will take a few hours of cleaning today to get my drool off it. I was there yesterday and it looks too light if that is possible.

60 hours ??? WTF ... a top end rebuild??

that can't be right

was really looking forward to this bike coming out, saw it as a real option to the sportsbike market when the time came (esp. around town) but the major engine rebuild every other week is not particle.

Hmmmmm maybe they will put their 1000 V twin in a supermote chasis.....now that would be fun