Now I've gone and done it.....
Discussion
Back in April I sold my 900 Ninja and been without a bike since. Next week I am going to purchase a 2008 Aprilia RSV - R Factory. Now never previously owned a V twin what am I in for a real treat I hope (can't wait to collect)? V twin owners previous and current your comments welcome. Cheers.
JT
(Library picture)
JT
(Library picture)
Thanks for your comments fella's. I am expecting a generous booming exhaust tone compared to my Ninja. Just anticipating the low down grunt and smooth easy power delivery unlike the Kawasaki which was a bit more work then manic when higher up the rev range. As for handling I have read that the RSV is ideal for the track but can be a handful on the road for inexperienced rider. I'm no old lady when it comes to getting on with moving down the road but am wise enough to know my ability/limitations which hopefully won't do injustice to this bike. What else can I expect to be different between the two bikes regarding performance and handling? I know the fuel consumption is going to be different but that is not a concern as the Aprilia is only for fun and not a used daily bike. Cheers.
JT
Really liked my Ninja but not everybody is a fan and could probably say the same about the RSV but each to their own.
JT
Really liked my Ninja but not everybody is a fan and could probably say the same about the RSV but each to their own.
catso said:
Ducati 916, Ducati 900 Monster and Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans, so all getting on a bit now especially the Guzzi.
The Ducatis are fairly high maintenance but I do my own servicing etc. and enjoy it so no problems there, 916 still rides like a fairly modern machine (especially mine as it is slightly 'updated') and despite having less power than a new bike it can still hold it's own in the real world - as, I would imagine can the Aprilia.
M900 is a hoot to ride as it has a nice, unsubtle power delivery from low down that brings out the hooligan without having to ride at silly speeds whereas the Guzzi is from a different era, very agricultural (undergoing some surgery at the moment due to valve to piston interface
) although it can still hustle along at a good pace - I bought it because it was the 'poster bike' of my youth.
I must be getting old though as I'm buying ever slower bikes...
Nice to have a varied selection to ride depending on how you feel on any given day each with different qualities, lucky chap The Ducatis are fairly high maintenance but I do my own servicing etc. and enjoy it so no problems there, 916 still rides like a fairly modern machine (especially mine as it is slightly 'updated') and despite having less power than a new bike it can still hold it's own in the real world - as, I would imagine can the Aprilia.
M900 is a hoot to ride as it has a nice, unsubtle power delivery from low down that brings out the hooligan without having to ride at silly speeds whereas the Guzzi is from a different era, very agricultural (undergoing some surgery at the moment due to valve to piston interface
) although it can still hustle along at a good pace - I bought it because it was the 'poster bike' of my youth.I must be getting old though as I'm buying ever slower bikes...
JT
Mastodon2 said:
Lovely bike. If you've never owned a V twin before, prepare for a surge of power in the middle that tails off towards the top, the grunt out of corners is nice though. The only V twin I've ridden was a mate's SV650S, it was amusing enough in the short term but with 74bhp once the roads opened up it felt a bit breathless. I imagine an RSV R with 140bhp will be a different experience, but still focused on the mid range. Expect engine braking too, a lot more than you're used to! This caused a problem for the SV650S again, as every time I let off the throttle the front would dive - I didn't think much of the suspension anyhow but that did get a bit annoying, the bike would pogo about on the throttle a lot more than I was used to. Again, I imagine the Aprilia will not be nearly as bad, but you'll still have a lot more engine braking than you got from your Ninja.
It looks a top bike though, have fun with it.
Thanks Mastodon2 that's exactly the type of advice I was hoping for, much appreciated. It looks a top bike though, have fun with it.
JT
dibblecorse said:
Nice bike and a good choice, as another owner (like Catso) of 3 V Twins I'm definately a fan 
Just be careful the first few times out, as when you close the frottle its like breaking on an IL4, the engine braking really needs getting used to.
Most of all enjoy and I suspect it will sound epic compared to your old bike.
Hello dibblecorse really wetted my appetite now Just be careful the first few times out, as when you close the frottle its like breaking on an IL4, the engine braking really needs getting used to.
Most of all enjoy and I suspect it will sound epic compared to your old bike.
JT
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