Anyone running an Aprilia SVX 5.5?

[anonymous-user]

I'm seriously thinking of getting one of these animals. It will be my first and, at present, only bike as I just want something for evening and weekend fun blatts down the twisty lanes of Dorset.

Anybody going to talk me out of it (reliability issues etc etc) or make my mind up with a bad/good ownership story.

The KTM dealer naturally says they are fragile but I so want one and just need to know it's not an ownership nightmare.

Thanks

[BobM]

My local dealer is running one himself and says it's the most fun he's ever had on the road on a bike. So far as I'm aware he's had no issues with it.

He did let me take it out for a quick blat and all I can confirm really is that it was pretty mental. Very light, very responsive, even a numpty like me was able to take it into roundabouts sideways. Front tyre didn't seem to have much affinity for the tarmac though.

Practicality wise it was very small and cramped for me (but I'm 6'5" and the tank range is <40 miles. Having one does appeal but I guess only as a second bike for local hooning.

[door]

I'd love one
I have a RSV Mille R and I have never had any trouble with it. Appart from dropping it once

[runnersp]

Had a go on one and they're fantastic, but the engine is delicate in the extreme, talk of rebiulds every 35-40hrs of use...

[r5gttgaz]

runnersp said:

Had a go on one and they're fantastic, but the engine is delicate in the extreme, talk of rebiulds every 35-40hrs of use...

My friend works for Aprilia and deals with these machines and also the Alice Racing teams bikes, I will get him to post some info on here shortly.

[BobM]

runnersp said:

Had a go on one and they're fantastic, but the engine is delicate in the extreme, talk of rebiulds every 35-40hrs of use...

I spoke to the dealer about this, he reckons it's tosh. He says they've quoted 35-40 hours as it's a race derived motor but he reckons it's intended as 35-40 hours of *racing* not road use and that it isn't fragile. Yeah, I know, 'he would say that', but I don't think he was bullshitting me.

[anonymous-user]

BobM said:

runnersp said:

Had a go on one and they're fantastic, but the engine is delicate in the extreme, talk of rebiulds every 35-40hrs of use...

I spoke to the dealer about this, he reckons it's tosh. He says they've quoted 35-40 hours as it's a race derived motor but he reckons it's intended as 35-40 hours of *racing* not road use and that it isn't fragile. Yeah, I know, 'he would say that', but I don't think he was bullshitting me.

I agree with Bob. The quoted re-build times are for racing. Normal road use should see servicing every 3-4000 miles. Bike Mag (or TWO) did a test last month and said one customer had done 5000 and had still not had a re-build. I sooo want one of these it will be interesting to see what r5gttgaz's mate says!!

[dizzy2strokes]

Hi there, i work for aprilia lincoln and i have a good deal of experince with these bikes.

First off they really are fast for an SM in de-restricted form - one could say they were built to wheelie! Servicing? The race bikes we look after have lasted all season without missing a beat or needing a rebuild, try and get a crf or ktm lc to do that!

Parts for them are cheap if anything does go wrong, and as we work closely with alice racing we could build you a full s1 spec race bike if you wanted! We keep most performance parts on stock too.

www.aliceracing.com for the full list of options we can do for one, contact stuart if you are serious about buying one as he will advise you on what you need to know.

[711]

I've not got anywhere near the variety of experience as the Alice Racing lot, but I've done a few thousand road miles on my 450 without need a top end rebuild. Here's hoping I have not just cursed myself no problems at all so far though...