New R1

[1POB]

legzr1 said:

Rsv4 Vs R1

Hi- Brilliant thank you!

I have been back and fourth over this a number of times debating if I want the latest/fastest or something prettier. The clincher in your post is the last paragraph - did you have lots of issues with the RSV4 ? I know about the coolant manifold but I was thinking the 2013 RSV4s would be relatively reliable.

Last weekend I called a dealer in Exeter about a very low mileage 2011 APRC SE which sadly sold the day before - I foolishly asked for a finance quote for the RF (11K deposit, the rest on finance) and now I'm tempted...

Cheers,

Ed

[legzr1]

1POB said:

Hi- Brilliant thank you!

I have been back and fourth over this a number of times debating if I want the latest/fastest or something prettier. The clincher in your post is the last paragraph - did you have lots of issues with the RSV4 ? I know about the coolant manifold but I was thinking the 2013 RSV4s would be relatively reliable.

Last weekend I called a dealer in Exeter about a very low mileage 2011 APRC SE which sadly sold the day before - I foolishly asked for a finance quote for the RF (11K deposit, the rest on finance) and now I'm tempted...

Cheers,

Ed

With the RSV4-RF you'll have both a 'pretty' bike (although that paint scheme and wheel colour devides opinion lol) and a quick bike with the latest tech and a fantastic chassis.

It's the bike I was going for, had a demo arranged and reports mentioned class leading top end without losing bottom and mid.
Then the dealer messed me around a little.

I prefer the R1 to the 2014 model RSV4 but the RF? I'm not so sure...

Reliability - you have to be careful looking at forums and reading unqualified opinion.
But, as I said in the quote the Aprilia forums are full of stories of issues with the coolant system and cylinder head/valve clearances - I had numerous leaks from two seperate places (and that was with the updated part fitted just before I bought the bike) - don't know if the RF has sorted the issue but a quick glimpse shows the same hoses, cheap clips and clamps.

I had the bike back to the dealers a couple of times with fault lights which wouldn't clear - need to be plugged into dealer PC for diagnosis etc which isn't an issue if the dealer is close (mine was around 10 miles away) but I can imagine it a nightmare if you're 100 miles away.

Cylinder heads - this is where it gets a little dodgy as we're talking big money if out of warranty along with waiting times in months for parts.
Some on the U.S. sites have checked valve clearances at 1000 miles and found 50% to be out of tolerance - there's a few that haven't bothered, ignored the hot-starting problems and noise and been left with wrecked heads .
Apparently poor seals on air boxes are allowing crap in which makes the issue worse causing premature wear to valve guides.

Don't let that put you off too much - my bike had leaks (sorted with decent clamps) and fault lights (cleared and diagnosed as water getting into flapper valve solenoid) and if you search long enough you'll find issues with all bikes.
The valve/cylinder head issues worried me a little especially as warranty was about finished but you never hear stories from riders posting threads like "10,000 miles and no dropped valves", you only get the negatives.

Talk was of a 4 year warranty and 72 hours parts delivery guarantee when I looked at the RF - apparently Piaggio were financing it in an effort to allay fears but it's all gone quiet on that front...

If you've a dealer nearby I'd seriously consider the RSV4-RF especially with the two year (possibly 4) warranty although I expect you won't be too disappointed with the R1.

[Richyboy]

I still can't get an insurance quote for an r1. Even last years r1 is double what I'm paying for my panigale.

[Jezz172]

Richyboy said:

I still can't get an insurance quote for an r1. Even last years r1 is double what I'm paying for my panigale.

Bennetts were the only place I could get cover, £600 F/C with £250 excess

[legzr1]

I was on hold for 40 mins trying to change from Aprilia to R1 with my current insurer.

The issue was simply trying to find the correct model in the database.
Try ringing rather than using interWeb and describe the bike as : 2014 on YZF-R1 (197hp)

Was fun a couple of years ago too trying to explain the difference between RSV4-F-APRC-ABS and RSV4-RR-ABS-APRC.

Much easier if the bike is already registered - just give them the reg number

[Walter Sobchak]

Richyboy said:

I still can't get an insurance quote for an r1. Even last years r1 is double what I'm paying for my panigale.

I wonder why that is?, weird.

I think Legz has covered everything with the RSV4, mine had some valves way out of clearance at 9k Miles but I had them done and it's running fine now, other than that I just got a strange electrical glitch over a bump which caused it to go into limp mode and had to be reset, other than that I've put 5k o. It since last summer and it's the best bike I've ridden, like he said too though I'd not consider it if I didn't have a dealership fairly close by, for the most part they're very reliable- the newer the better but if you have an electrical glitch etc it would be very frustrating having to go miles to get it sorted.
If there isn't an Aprilia dealership nearby I'd go for the R1 personally.

I'm still annoyed Aprilia army bothering to release the normal RR model of the new bike in the UK.

[legzr1]

Walter Sobchak said:

I'm still annoyed Aprilia army bothering to release the normal RR model of the new bike in the UK.

They're Italian and make decisions that defy logic at times but this is madness.

I asked the question and was told 'market research' showed that a typical Aprilia buyer from the UK will be using debt/finance/PCP to 'purchase' their bike and the £3500-£4000 difference in rrp between the two models was easily affordable in monthly chunks.

I'm not so sure.

Line an RR with the 2015 motor alongside something like an SP blade or R1 at similar money and ask the typical buyer to choose.

Crackers.

[Walter Sobchak]

legzr1 said:

They're Italian and make decisions that defy logic at times but this is madness.

I asked the question and was told 'market research' showed that a typical Aprilia buyer from the UK will be using debt/finance/PCP to 'purchase' their bike and the £3500-£4000 difference in rrp between the two models was easily affordable in monthly chunks.

I'm not so sure.

Line an RR with the 2015 motor alongside something like an SP blade or R1 at similar money and ask the typical buyer to choose.

Crackers.

Exactly, I'd buy an RR in a heartbeat for the same price as an R1 or S1000RR, I doubt most of us would notice the difference riding it between the RR and RF as the RR has got most of the upgrades that the R didn't get over the Factory- more adjustability, valve stacks etc.
I also prefer the colour schemes of the RR of I'm honest.

[Mastodon2]

Regarding the new Aprilia RF, the speed wobble is quite something, isn't it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCwf-YXf7A#t=115

Sorry to link to a video from a particularly poor source of motorcycling journalism, but that front end wander looks pretty alarming. He does say it can be dialed out, but I'm wondering why it was ever dialed in, I don't think I've ever seen a bike that shakes its head so hard from going in a straight line.

[bass gt3]

Mastodon2 said:

Regarding the new Aprilia RF, the speed wobble is quite something, isn't it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCwf-YXf7A#t=115

Sorry to link to a video from a particularly poor source of motorcycling journalism, but that front end wander looks pretty alarming. He does say it can be dialed out, but I'm wondering why it was ever dialed in, I don't think I've ever seen a bike that shakes its head so hard from going in a straight line.

I wouldn't worry too much, it's a simple set up issue. Not cool that it's doing it but easily rectified

[Mastodon2]

bass gt3 said:

I wouldn't worry too much, it's a simple set up issue. Not cool that it's doing it but easily rectified

He mentioned more preload in the video, what causes the shake? More preload would lower the back end presumably, what is it about a high back end that causes the shake?

[bass gt3]

Mastodon2 said:

He mentioned more preload in the video, what causes the shake? More preload would lower the back end presumably, what is it about a high back end that causes the shake?

A high tail will push the front into the ground as you accelerate. So as it pushes back the shake sets in.

[Mastodon2]

Ah I see. Makes sense!

[legzr1]

bass gt3 said:

I wouldn't worry too much, it's a simple set up issue. Not cool that it's doing it but easily rectified

Agreed and it's nothing compared to the launch bikes in 2009 - remember the dodgy batch of rods supplied to Aprilia that knock buyer confidence for years?

[wtdoom]

I realise I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't choose the Aprilia over the r1 even at a slightly lower price . I have a yamaha thing that dates back to the days of Rainey and know where I stand with japanese technology , reliability , parts availability . Hold the lynch mob but I even think this gen R 1 looks better !

As it stands , Imagine all the trick funk you can buy for the r1 and still it comes in cheaper than the italianos

[Walter Sobchak]

wtdoom said:

I realise I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't choose the Aprilia over the r1 even at a slightly lower price . I have a yamaha thing that dates back to the days of Rainey and know where I stand with japanese technology , reliability , parts availability . Hold the lynch mob but I even think this gen R 1 looks better !

As it stands , Imagine all the trick funk you can buy for the r1 and still it comes in cheaper than the italianos

Logically I'd agree with you, a Japanese bike is a safer bet-I've always liked Fireblades myself but I've had R1s and I'd definately consider the new one, it's shaping up to be great by the sounds of it. However after riding an RSV4, there is just something so good about its chassis and how it handles that you'll forgive it almost anything.

Legz I hope your suspension guy manages to get the R1 set up to near the telepathic brilliance of the RSV4, if he does, I may well want his number, and be heading down to a Yamaha dealership myself!!.

[BigHeartedTone]

Mastodon2 said:

Regarding the new Aprilia RF, the speed wobble is quite something, isn't it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCwf-YXf7A#t=115

Sorry to link to a video from a particularly poor source of motorcycling journalism, but that front end wander looks pretty alarming. He does say it can be dialed out, but I'm wondering why it was ever dialed in, I don't think I've ever seen a bike that shakes its head so hard from going in a straight line.

Isn't this just the bars shaking from the front coming up?

[Andybow]

1POB said:

Hi- Brilliant thank you!

I have been back and fourth over this a number of times debating if I want the latest/fastest or something prettier. The clincher in your post is the last paragraph - did you have lots of issues with the RSV4 ? I know about the coolant manifold but I was thinking the 2013 RSV4s would be relatively reliable.

Last weekend I called a dealer in Exeter about a very low mileage 2011 APRC SE which sadly sold the day before - I foolishly asked for a finance quote for the RF (11K deposit, the rest on finance) and now I'm tempted...

Cheers,

Ed

If you do get the RF, sp motorcycles are a great shop, all mad keen bikers who ride rsv4's
It's my local garage and have bought a couple of bikes of them in the past!

[apness]

Never been a fan of previous R1s but it looks like Yamaha have had enough of being handed the wooden spoon in tests and jumped to the top of the class again. is there a 'pecking' order of superbikes these days? As far as I knew it was BMW S1000rr then everyone else in whatever order you like. As far as I know it's now:

Yamaha R1
BMW S1000rr
Ducati 1299
Aprilia RSV4
Kawasaki ZX10r
Honda Fireblade
Suzuki GSXR1000

Missed anyone out? Got order wrong? I'm talking Handling, power, brakes, reliability, costs the whole package not just which one kicks out the most grunt. The GSXR1000 is long overdue a decent update instead of the 'bold new graphics!' they kick out every 2 years but whether they can jump up all those rungs with the new bike...?

[wtdoom]

I think these bikes are all so damn close that you could have a different result any day of the week depending on the track in question .