Advice on Aprilia RSV

[Canuck]

Afternoon
Just sold my GSXR and am looking for a twin
First started looking at TL1000R but now have seen a few Aprilia's around, but have never had anything to do with them.
Anyone had much to do with them?
Are they good bikes or do they break down alot?
Is the handling ok?

Any advice would be great thanks

[Jerry74]

Apart from being a temperamental attention loving Italian bike that needs TLC ,all that I have heard are good things about them.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Got the Rotax V990 motor, pretty much bullet proof. Google AF1 and have a read. Wouldn't swop mine for a Panigale. Absolute magic. Highly recommended.

[Hitcher]

Aprilias only have one L.

Here's the link to AF1 Racing in Texas. These guys are just outstanding and one of the few things that kept me sane when I was an Aprilia owner.

http://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/default.asp

[Sensei]

Own a 03RSVR done so for near 6 years now ... Tune & set them up as a sideline from home ... Owned 70+ bikes & this is the longest one I haven't ever kept because they are just that good , there isn't a bike made that hasn't had some problem with them so don't believe all the crap that people say about them ! Heard it all before ... Go for an R model Gen1 Rotax Twin plug motor , they are the easiest to self tune & service yourself ... Scott

[DEATH_INC.]

The guys I know with 'em love 'em. No reliability issues either.

[mashman]

I've had a couple of issues with mine in the 6 yrs I've had it, but the worst being a fault sensor. I love it. Awesome sound to wake up to and when a little time is taken to get her setup properly, a talent I don't have, rides like it's on rails. Always wanted one, saved for 7 years, didn't test ride it, will keep it for life.

Get one.

Oh, and +1 for AF1. Great community and fast shipping for bits n pieces.

[Laava]

So what are you waiting for?

[BMWST?]

Go for an R model Gen1 Rotax Twin plug motor , they are the easiest to self tune & service yourself ... Scott

i ll bite...what year(s) are they?

[Sensei]

99-03 all Gen1 motors early models had small valve heads , 01-03 have large valve heads & 03R models have close ratio gearboxes standard ......

[frogfeaturesFZR]

R models have all the Ohlins suspension. I've got Sachs on mine, and a Showa front. Perfectly happy with it. The front end is magic, I'd put my life on it. Track days are a blast, just remember it's a thouroughbred and deserves good tyres. I run Pirelli's and swear by them, however I used Michelin Power Ones previously and they were good in the dry. Not quite so good in the wet, it was like running slicks. Buy it, thrash it, you'll get addicted.

[reemit]

Wicked scratchers, I've got a 99 gen1 minter. You can thump along enjoying the ride or you can thrash the nackers off it on a back country road. If you fang too hard and get the line wrong, no worries just make a correction even under braking, the Ape let's you do that with good tyres. The Brembo stoppers are awesome on the front and shit on the back. But I never use the back. Ride it hard and it will rip thru back tyres like cheddar cheese and front ones for that matter. There are a couple of technical issues to know about like the Warehouse quality clutch slave and the sprag clutch. U can fix these. I once had a sprag clutch bolt fall out and shred the generator stator, filled the motor with copper, thats random tho, doesn't happen very often. I'd recommend a post 03 R which have better breathing motors and amped up wheels and suspension.
Like posters before me I will be keeping mine for life.

[KiwiRat]

Borrowed a mate's 30,000 km 2000 RSV Mille for a fang. 6 weeks later I went to return it, but he said hang on to it and keep riding until I get bored.

A further 6 weeks (and 9000 km) later, he asked me if I wanted to buy it at the right price.

So of course I said yes.

Prtety much everything that's been said in this thread is true. Set the bike up properly, do the maintenance, and you will be rewarded accordingly.

[Latte]

Borrowed a mate's 30,000 km 2000 RSV Mille for a fang. 6 weeks later I went to return it, but he said hang on to it and keep riding until I get bored.

A further 6 weeks (and 9000 km) later, he asked me if I wanted to buy it at the right price.

So of course I said yes.

Prtety much everything that's been said in this thread is true. Set the bike up properly, do the maintenance, and you will be rewarded accordingly.

Another happy Mille owner here, always puts a smile on my face, even the commute to work is enjoyable. 60+ K on mine and it's still going strong.

[Canuck]

Thanks very much for all the advice guys!!!!!!!
Now have an RSVR and loving it.