Fancy a Futura. Tell me why not :D
Discussion
As title, mate has one, after ten years on Pan Euros I fancy a change (well at any rate an addition to the stable, just in case I can't live with it). Similar power but 100Kg lighter than a Pan, panniers look silly, clocks look like they were styled by Airfix, single sider and upside-downers, detuned RSV motor, Italian electrics, what's not to like?
I seriously thought about one when my Yam 900 XJ was totaled. Was the comfiest seat I've ever sat on BUT it doesn't compare with a Pan. Bought a trophy 900 instead. Very similar to the XJ except more power lower in revs. I now have an FJR best bike I've had. BUT the Futura does have a style that will always be a bit quirky/80's ish.
Its pretty much guaranteed not to start every time you want it to.
Despite having a £80 super strong battery and a starter solenoid out of a super tenere my tuono was prone to unpredictable starting. Not too bad at home but the worry of it doing it when out was more than I could cope with.
Despite having a £80 super strong battery and a starter solenoid out of a super tenere my tuono was prone to unpredictable starting. Not too bad at home but the worry of it doing it when out was more than I could cope with.
Good luck.. lol I hope you don't want to use the thing every day and reliably.
I'm sure BlackK1 will be along to express his postive spin on the owning experience. LOL
I owned an Aprilia Falco (sister model on which the Futura is based) for 3.5 years from new bought in 2000. Given the likey ages of the bike will be similar it will likely have the same inbuilt 'challenges' to expected normal operation
I used it for commuting daily. The rotax 1000 v60 twin engine is really nice and that part didn't ever go wrong its just all the other bits that connect stuff together or allow you to have control over stuff electrics etc.
Where would you like me to start?
Tyre valve stems from the factory that bypassed the valve so let the air out for you - should have been addressed pretty quickly. My warranty didn't cover my front doing this.
Duff charging system.. needs addressing with after market mods otherwise it has a habit of not being happy in winter time even with a decent battery. It will reset all the clocks may struggle to start the bike and cause it flood unless you hold the throttle wide open to clear it.
Brake switches front and rear both broken within 2years
Rear master cylinder failure
3 x Cluch slave master cylinders - all within the chocolate teapot 3 year warranty only one successfully replaced using warranty.
Every time it rained you got a warning/error flashing on the screen - aparently sensor/position caused this.
Duff sidestand causing it to fall over and the mearest of breezes on the wrong direction - fixed by aftermarket mod.
On top of that I had immobiliser issues - Datatools fault in this case but added to the woes.
If you want one go ahead I'm sure it will work perfectly
I'm sure BlackK1 will be along to express his postive spin on the owning experience. LOL
I owned an Aprilia Falco (sister model on which the Futura is based) for 3.5 years from new bought in 2000. Given the likey ages of the bike will be similar it will likely have the same inbuilt 'challenges' to expected normal operation
I used it for commuting daily. The rotax 1000 v60 twin engine is really nice and that part didn't ever go wrong its just all the other bits that connect stuff together or allow you to have control over stuff electrics etc.
Where would you like me to start?
Tyre valve stems from the factory that bypassed the valve so let the air out for you - should have been addressed pretty quickly. My warranty didn't cover my front doing this.
Duff charging system.. needs addressing with after market mods otherwise it has a habit of not being happy in winter time even with a decent battery. It will reset all the clocks may struggle to start the bike and cause it flood unless you hold the throttle wide open to clear it.
Brake switches front and rear both broken within 2years
Rear master cylinder failure
3 x Cluch slave master cylinders - all within the chocolate teapot 3 year warranty only one successfully replaced using warranty.
Every time it rained you got a warning/error flashing on the screen - aparently sensor/position caused this.
Duff sidestand causing it to fall over and the mearest of breezes on the wrong direction - fixed by aftermarket mod.
On top of that I had immobiliser issues - Datatools fault in this case but added to the woes.
If you want one go ahead I'm sure it will work perfectly
Edited by sjtscott on Thursday 14th July 12:02
sjtscott said:
Duff sidestand causing it to fall over and the mearest of breezes on the wrong direction - fixed by aftermarket mod.
Forgot about that one.Its really not a bike for you if you are a worrier.
The other thing I really didn't like about my Tuono was the brakes. The front was so sharp it was difficult not to lock the front wheel at low speed and the back didn't do anything at all most of the time.
hornetrider said:
You sound like a ham fisted gibbon.
Not at all. One finger lightest pressure between nothing and on and it would lock the wheel particularly at petrol stations.I accept there may have been something wrong with my calipers but they were serviced / rebuilt a couple of times to no effect.
trickywoo said:
hornetrider said:
You sound like a ham fisted gibbon.
Not at all. One finger lightest pressure between nothing and on and it would lock the wheel particularly at petrol stations.I accept there may have been something wrong with my calipers but they were serviced / rebuilt a couple of times to no effect.
I did a set of front EBCs in 6000miles road ridingOh and worry about sidestand?.. when it costs you a new throttle side clip on because you've got a free cruise control cos its bent you do!!
Edited by sjtscott on Thursday 14th July 12:00
sjtscott said:
... I'm sure BlackK1 will be along to express his postive spin on the owning experience. LOL ...
I’m not going to put either a positive or negative spin on my experience of owning one, I’ll simply say it how I found it!!!It’s a brilliant, superb, bike that is completely 100% reliable, does everything anyone ever wanted and all at peanuts cost!!!
However, in the real world ….. They’re a pretty good bike that really fits the sports touring tag well. Quick enough and fun enough when attacking twisting mountain passes but comfortable enough and with long enough legs to cross countries quicky.
As with all Italian bikes, the electrics are the weakest link. The side stand cut out switch is a real pain and WILL fail at the most inconvenient time if you don’t bypass it. The regulator can cause issues but is pretty easy to replace. Coil failure is pretty common but with 2 plugs and 2 coils per cylinder, can go unnoticed for some time although you’ll find you’re getting through the petrol a whole lot quicker. They’re a pain to replace as they’re housed in the frame.
There were some issues with plastic fuel feeds failing but most of these have been replaced with metal. If I remember correctly, it’s also worth checking the rear wheel mounting as it’s easy over/under tighten (I can’t remember which) and stuff the whole thing – expensive!!!
Fairing fasteners can be a problem if corrosion is allowed to take hold but that’s true for just about every bike on the market.
The pannier keys ALWAYS break as they’re just too small/fine but the panniers are large and fit the bike well. The panniers open with a screwdriver so not locking them is probably the best answer.
The issues are no more or any less than pretty much any other bike of that age. Parts can be hard to come by but there’s a strong owners following. The engine is a complete peach which oozes character and the sound is hard to better, especially with an aftermarket can.
If I was looking for something of that age to do some touring on, I’d definitely give a Futura some serious consideration but I’d want one from someone who has owned it for some time and who has looked after it!
black-k1 said:
I’m not going to put either a positive or negative spin on my experience of owning one, I’ll simply say it how I found it!!!
It’s a brilliant, superb, bike that is completely 100% reliable, does everything anyone ever wanted and all at peanuts cost!!!
However, in the real world ….. They’re a pretty good bike that really fits the sports touring tag well. Quick enough and fun enough when attacking twisting mountain passes but comfortable enough and with long enough legs to cross countries quicky.
As with all Italian bikes, the electrics are the weakest link. The side stand cut out switch is a real pain and WILL fail at the most inconvenient time if you don’t bypass it. The regulator can cause issues but is pretty easy to replace. Coil failure is pretty common but with 2 plugs and 2 coils per cylinder, can go unnoticed for some time although you’ll find you’re getting through the petrol a whole lot quicker. They’re a pain to replace as they’re housed in the frame.
There were some issues with plastic fuel feeds failing but most of these have been replaced with metal. If I remember correctly, it’s also worth checking the rear wheel mounting as it’s easy over/under tighten (I can’t remember which) and stuff the whole thing – expensive!!!
Fairing fasteners can be a problem if corrosion is allowed to take hold but that’s true for just about every bike on the market.
The pannier keys ALWAYS break as they’re just too small/fine but the panniers are large and fit the bike well. The panniers open with a screwdriver so not locking them is probably the best answer.
The issues are no more or any less than pretty much any other bike of that age. Parts can be hard to come by but there’s a strong owners following. The engine is a complete peach which oozes character and the sound is hard to better, especially with an aftermarket can.
If I was looking for something of that age to do some touring on, I’d definitely give a Futura some serious consideration but I’d want one from someone who has owned it for some time and who has looked after it!
Thanks for the review, but sorry, they are not more or less the same as any other bike of that age! Nor is self-destructing switchgear on beemers!It’s a brilliant, superb, bike that is completely 100% reliable, does everything anyone ever wanted and all at peanuts cost!!!
However, in the real world ….. They’re a pretty good bike that really fits the sports touring tag well. Quick enough and fun enough when attacking twisting mountain passes but comfortable enough and with long enough legs to cross countries quicky.
As with all Italian bikes, the electrics are the weakest link. The side stand cut out switch is a real pain and WILL fail at the most inconvenient time if you don’t bypass it. The regulator can cause issues but is pretty easy to replace. Coil failure is pretty common but with 2 plugs and 2 coils per cylinder, can go unnoticed for some time although you’ll find you’re getting through the petrol a whole lot quicker. They’re a pain to replace as they’re housed in the frame.
There were some issues with plastic fuel feeds failing but most of these have been replaced with metal. If I remember correctly, it’s also worth checking the rear wheel mounting as it’s easy over/under tighten (I can’t remember which) and stuff the whole thing – expensive!!!
Fairing fasteners can be a problem if corrosion is allowed to take hold but that’s true for just about every bike on the market.
The pannier keys ALWAYS break as they’re just too small/fine but the panniers are large and fit the bike well. The panniers open with a screwdriver so not locking them is probably the best answer.
The issues are no more or any less than pretty much any other bike of that age. Parts can be hard to come by but there’s a strong owners following. The engine is a complete peach which oozes character and the sound is hard to better, especially with an aftermarket can.
If I was looking for something of that age to do some touring on, I’d definitely give a Futura some serious consideration but I’d want one from someone who has owned it for some time and who has looked after it!
My Falco spent nearly three months of the road waiting for warranty parts. Yet my Sprint 1050 was utterly faultless over six years (not even the smallest fault), as was the VFR, CBR, countless other Jap bikes, even plenty of Dukes
I'm restoring Japanese bikes up to 40 years old at the moment. All on the original switch gear, in fact almost all original parts. Save for consumables
Add up all the faults and parts availability for all of them, and you'd be approaching my experience with two years on the Falco - from new!Still lovely bikes though. Beautiful handling, brakes that rotax engine is just lovely. I still love Aprilias, albeit fettling RS250s these days
black-k1 said:
I’m not going to put either a positive or negative spin on my experience of owning one, I’ll simply say it how I found it!!!
It’s a brilliant, superb, bike that is completely 100% reliable, does everything anyone ever wanted and all at peanuts cost!!!
However, in the real world ….. They’re a pretty good bike that really fits the sports touring tag well. Quick enough and fun enough when attacking twisting mountain passes but comfortable enough and with long enough legs to cross countries quicky.
As with all Italian bikes, the electrics are the weakest link. The side stand cut out switch is a real pain and WILL fail at the most inconvenient time if you don’t bypass it. The regulator can cause issues but is pretty easy to replace. Coil failure is pretty common but with 2 plugs and 2 coils per cylinder, can go unnoticed for some time although you’ll find you’re getting through the petrol a whole lot quicker. They’re a pain to replace as they’re housed in the frame.
There were some issues with plastic fuel feeds failing but most of these have been replaced with metal. If I remember correctly, it’s also worth checking the rear wheel mounting as it’s easy over/under tighten (I can’t remember which) and stuff the whole thing – expensive!!!
Fairing fasteners can be a problem if corrosion is allowed to take hold but that’s true for just about every bike on the market.
The pannier keys ALWAYS break as they’re just too small/fine but the panniers are large and fit the bike well. The panniers open with a screwdriver so not locking them is probably the best answer.
The issues are no more or any less than pretty much any other bike of that age. Parts can be hard to come by but there’s a strong owners following. The engine is a complete peach which oozes character and the sound is hard to better, especially with an aftermarket can.
If I was looking for something of that age to do some touring on, I’d definitely give a Futura some serious consideration but I’d want one from someone who has owned it for some time and who has looked after it!
It’s a brilliant, superb, bike that is completely 100% reliable, does everything anyone ever wanted and all at peanuts cost!!!
However, in the real world ….. They’re a pretty good bike that really fits the sports touring tag well. Quick enough and fun enough when attacking twisting mountain passes but comfortable enough and with long enough legs to cross countries quicky.
As with all Italian bikes, the electrics are the weakest link. The side stand cut out switch is a real pain and WILL fail at the most inconvenient time if you don’t bypass it. The regulator can cause issues but is pretty easy to replace. Coil failure is pretty common but with 2 plugs and 2 coils per cylinder, can go unnoticed for some time although you’ll find you’re getting through the petrol a whole lot quicker. They’re a pain to replace as they’re housed in the frame.
There were some issues with plastic fuel feeds failing but most of these have been replaced with metal. If I remember correctly, it’s also worth checking the rear wheel mounting as it’s easy over/under tighten (I can’t remember which) and stuff the whole thing – expensive!!!
Fairing fasteners can be a problem if corrosion is allowed to take hold but that’s true for just about every bike on the market.
The pannier keys ALWAYS break as they’re just too small/fine but the panniers are large and fit the bike well. The panniers open with a screwdriver so not locking them is probably the best answer.
The issues are no more or any less than pretty much any other bike of that age. Parts can be hard to come by but there’s a strong owners following. The engine is a complete peach which oozes character and the sound is hard to better, especially with an aftermarket can.
If I was looking for something of that age to do some touring on, I’d definitely give a Futura some serious consideration but I’d want one from someone who has owned it for some time and who has looked after it!
It workedReal world feedback is all I'd ever give too. But if its sh*te its sh*te.. sadly Aprilia made some fantastic bikes with great v twin engines let down by other stuff. Aprilia UK and its chocolate teapot warranty and lack of help/support and difficulty getting spares all that time ago also added to me getting out of the Aprilia ownership experience.
Us owners were relying on community forums, aftermarket fixes/workaround and helping each other DURING our warranty periods!!!!!
Whats more impressive is that you stuck by yours.
Edited by sjtscott on Thursday 14th July 13:09
abarber said:
Thanks for the review, but sorry, they are not more or less the same as any other bike of that age! Nor is self-destructing switchgear on beemers!
My Falco spent nearly three months of the road waiting for warranty parts. Yet my Sprint 1050 was utterly faultless over six years (not even the smallest fault), as was the VFR, CBR, countless other Jap bikes, even plenty of Dukes
I'm restoring Japanese bikes up to 40 years old at the moment. All on the original switch gear, in fact almost all original parts. Save for consumables Add up all the faults and parts availability for all of them, and you'd be approaching my experience with two years on the Falco - from new!
Still lovely bikes though. Beautiful handling, brakes that rotax engine is just lovely. I still love Aprilias, albeit fettling RS250s these days
I didn't know Aprilia used BMW switch gear! You learn something new every day! My Falco spent nearly three months of the road waiting for warranty parts. Yet my Sprint 1050 was utterly faultless over six years (not even the smallest fault), as was the VFR, CBR, countless other Jap bikes, even plenty of Dukes
I'm restoring Japanese bikes up to 40 years old at the moment. All on the original switch gear, in fact almost all original parts. Save for consumables
Add up all the faults and parts availability for all of them, and you'd be approaching my experience with two years on the Falco - from new!Still lovely bikes though. Beautiful handling, brakes that rotax engine is just lovely. I still love Aprilias, albeit fettling RS250s these days
sjtscott said:
Whats more impressive is that you stuck by yours.
I bought mine secondhand as a cheap second hand bike to use as a second bike. I had it for 4 years and enjoyed riding it. I had a few issues with mine (sidestand and coils) but that was about it. I only sold it because it was good at the same things as my K1200S but wasn't as good as the K1200S. I'm sorry that mine didn't let me down more and that I found it no less reliable than Japanese or German bikes of simillar ages bought and used in the same way! If I were to buy another I'd make sure that it broke down more regularly so that I too could be really unhappy with it but until I buy that bike, I'll just have to put up with being happy with the one I had.
Thanks chaps, food for thought... although I got an insurance quote and it was four times that of the Pan, though I think that's because unless I swap the policy over I would have no NCD on the Futura.
I know my mate has had a couple of electrical issues with his, the last being corrosion of the terminal stud on the starter motor. He bought a used one and I rebuilt his original as a spare.
Whenever I've ridden it I did think the sidestand was like a garden cane
Another mate had an RSV and I rode that a couple of times, utterly superb power delivery and the ideal tool for a Sunday morning twisty but I couldn't contort my knackered old corpse for long periods.
The Futura has a park bench for a pillion seat (like the Pan) which is important for getting Nursy to come out with me. I know the obvious answer is an FJR13 or Blackbird but I'm not into warp speeds so either would be a waste.
I don't mind a bit of 'character' (after all I drive a TVR
) and the styling is OK for the most part, you can't see how ugly a bike is when you're riding it after all
My other thought was a Stelvio but I hear bad things about the early ones and I can't run to a newer one...
I know my mate has had a couple of electrical issues with his, the last being corrosion of the terminal stud on the starter motor. He bought a used one and I rebuilt his original as a spare.
Whenever I've ridden it I did think the sidestand was like a garden cane
Another mate had an RSV and I rode that a couple of times, utterly superb power delivery and the ideal tool for a Sunday morning twisty but I couldn't contort my knackered old corpse for long periods.
The Futura has a park bench for a pillion seat (like the Pan) which is important for getting Nursy to come out with me. I know the obvious answer is an FJR13 or Blackbird but I'm not into warp speeds so either would be a waste.
I don't mind a bit of 'character' (after all I drive a TVR
) and the styling is OK for the most part, you can't see how ugly a bike is when you're riding it after all My other thought was a Stelvio but I hear bad things about the early ones and I can't run to a newer one...
Wedg1e said:
Thanks chaps, food for thought... although I got an insurance quote and it was four times that of the Pan, though I think that's because unless I swap the policy over I would have no NCD on the Futura.
I know my mate has had a couple of electrical issues with his, the last being corrosion of the terminal stud on the starter motor. He bought a used one and I rebuilt his original as a spare.
Whenever I've ridden it I did think the sidestand was like a garden cane
Another mate had an RSV and I rode that a couple of times, utterly superb power delivery and the ideal tool for a Sunday morning twisty but I couldn't contort my knackered old corpse for long periods.
The Futura has a park bench for a pillion seat (like the Pan) which is important for getting Nursy to come out with me. I know the obvious answer is an FJR13 or Blackbird but I'm not into warp speeds so either would be a waste.
I don't mind a bit of 'character' (after all I drive a TVR) and the styling is OK for the most part, you can't see how ugly a bike is when you're riding it after all
My other thought was a Stelvio but I hear bad things about the early ones and I can't run to a newer one...
get an FJR.............high speed comfortable cruising and still throwaroundable, its all about power and that shaft drive, yum.I know my mate has had a couple of electrical issues with his, the last being corrosion of the terminal stud on the starter motor. He bought a used one and I rebuilt his original as a spare.
Whenever I've ridden it I did think the sidestand was like a garden cane
Another mate had an RSV and I rode that a couple of times, utterly superb power delivery and the ideal tool for a Sunday morning twisty but I couldn't contort my knackered old corpse for long periods.
The Futura has a park bench for a pillion seat (like the Pan) which is important for getting Nursy to come out with me. I know the obvious answer is an FJR13 or Blackbird but I'm not into warp speeds so either would be a waste.
I don't mind a bit of 'character' (after all I drive a TVR
) and the styling is OK for the most part, you can't see how ugly a bike is when you're riding it after all My other thought was a Stelvio but I hear bad things about the early ones and I can't run to a newer one...
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