Aprilia RST1000 Futura (2001-2003)

The bike has an amazing Jekyll and Hyde character - well mannered enough to tour two up with luggage and sporty enough for an exhilarating blast down your local B roads. The RST will eat miles in comfort and is on the wholereliable. What's more, those looks just get better with age. For more infor see http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk

I have had mine since October which i purchased for seriously cheap money (though the luggage is missing). Apart from service and a dead fuel pump relay, it has been good. Its done over 25000 miles and has had the original exhaust replaced with a twin can/pipe Staintune job. The riding position is fine for me (6ft 2, long legs), but I get a bit of a numb bum after about 2 hrs.

This is a mile cruncher. It has the best seat going, I travelled 836 miles down to the south of France in a day with no aches or pains. The V twin Rotax engine will pull in any gear and with the latest fuel mapping is smooth even at low speeds. People have criticised the styling but Honda with their VFR and Triumph with the Daytona have taken similar angular lines with their bikes, it even looks good without the hard luggage as there is no nasty iron framework to spoil its lines. Although not a light weight it will still perform well on the twisties and with that V twin grunt, pull out the corners with ease. It's a shame Aprilia didn't market this bike properly as a lot of people have missed out on a very underated bike. Strengths: It has a good riding position with not too much weight on the wrists and the seat for both rider and pillion is best in class. Maybe a little tall for some but most people seem to manage. The bespoke hard luggage is a good size and is easy to take on and off. The headlights are more than adequate and the Brenbo brakes do what their suppose to. Front and rear supension are fully adjustable to suit whatever your requirements and it can go like stink and cruise over 100 mph all day long. Weaknesses: There are some weaknesses. The mirrors vibrate showing little more than an elbow and the Italian electrics could be a little better with the use of different components which a number of owners have changed. With those problems solved you have a good all round sport tourer.

Some people berate this bike, but these people have never ridden one! Put it in gear, any gear, and ride the torque. Adjustable clutch and brake levers, slipper clutch, offset filler cap, little things that make life easy. The seat, engine and brakes are excellent. If you want cheap 2-up riding, you want a futura you do! Strengths: Handling, engine, comfort, brakes, exclusivity. Weaknesses: Spares and trick bits can be hard to find. Dealers with the engine diagnostic equipment few and far between.

this was my first big bike for about 10 years off the seat, i had it for 6 months and moved to a millie r then the 04 model R1. big mistake as i'm a big hairy arsed biker and i regret sellin ma futura, it had a lovely soft big seat and the colour coded panniers were well worth the 300 quid extra. im buying a new futura. ive tried bandits, gsx1400, cbr1300, the works pan euros and fjrs. Strengths: most things with 1 exception. Weaknesses: the shape of the fairing is too much for some folks out there but u make yer mind up; me i go for comfort not fashion

After 2 years on the Futura, I've no thought of changing the bike. What would I want to do that for? Commuting, continental tours, twisties or shopping, it does it all. There are flaws, the charge rate can be better, and the plastic quick-disconnect in the fuel line (same as used by other bikes eg Triumph and Ducati) can fracture, but an hour's work puts a permanent fix on both of these small glitches. Strengths: Engine, handling, luggage and comfort. Weaknesses: not many Aprilia dealers around for service and spares. Charge rate (although I never had to recharge the battery in the 2 years before I improved it) and fuel fittings.

Dodgy clocks that don't want to work properly and a not too brill finish to deatail, along with less than satisfactory dealer backup and service marr a very good bike. Comfort and handling of the Futura are its major points, with that beautiful v-twin purring underneath. DK Motorcycles don't seem to bothered about customer care. their comment was "put some mileage on it, then bring it in in a few months". Buying a brand new bike, everything should work from day one. If it breaks, it should be fixed immediately. DK don't seem to want to do that. Strengths: Brakes are excellent, if maybe at times a little too keen. Weaknesses: Clocks seem to be problematic. Dealer told me this morning that there are others with rev-counter problems like mine has. They say it's down to a chip behind the dash which controls everything. Fit of the seat at the front is bad on some - mine included. Mirrors rattle out of position.

The looks of anything are judged by the eye of the beholder. However Honda thought it good enough to copy for the VFR V-tec styling. Do you really think the Triumph TT600 is better looking? C'mon, some journo starts a trend and we're supposed to agree? Wake up guys if you want something to look at buy a painting, if you want something that functions as it should buy a Futura!! The Futura is a true sports-tourer. Panniers are specifically made for the bike. Pillion's are extemely happy with the ergonomics and the seat must be one of the most comfortable standard fitments around. The bike will scratch with most, although in truth the ability of any bike is more to do with the rider than the machine, Rossi and Yamaha ring any bells? However the bike handles well, it has character (seriously lacking in many bikes nowadays)and it has more than enough go for road use. How good is it for a track day, see Rossis and Yamaha reference above. Strengths: Comfort. Handling better than most riders will be able to exploit. Character. Easy to mount, de-mount panniers. V-Twin drive and torque. Enough go to keep it interesting. Very easy to live with. Everyone hasn't got one (until this review). Weaknesses: Only those that 'sports bike' journo's imagined. Even when it was judged the best on a certain magazine's comparison test they couldn't bring themselves to admit they'd been wrong. They had to say it had come first due to the failings of the others. Excuse me, it was considered better than the Triumph ST, Honda VFR and the Ducati ST4. Was the competition really that weak?