Aprilia RSV1000R & Factory (2004-current)

Short review: I had an 04 rsv-r. They have their good points and bad. More good then bad though. But here's the good points first: This bike ridden right is uncatchable. race cans mean best sounding bike ever. It has so much torque you really need sticky tyres. It is so involving! Its like riding a mental animal. Will wheelie over 100mph. and is the best handling bike in the world. according to me and mcn. Thee most fun thing you will ride but to mental for the road, will end up band or dead. fun though. Bad points: Check the inside of the swing arm before you buy because they crack. side stands are weak. Speedos blank out and start agene from 0000. so it may be higher miles than says on the clocks. not really fast top end speed but you'll beat everything to 150mph so what more do you need really? I'd have another any day but my wife won't let me, she thought I was too mental on it.

Had an 04' Factory a few years back and changed to a K7 GSXR1000 which is a great bike but way too easy to go stupidly quick on...sold it and bought an 05' Factory..OK its slower but so much more involving and makes you ride the bike..perfect Sunday bike and the sound is just intoxicating...its not everyones cup of tea but it suits me. Quick enough at the speeds that matter and always gets noticed compared to jap il4's. There is just something about the way Aprilia design their bikes that suits me....this is my 5th and all of them have made me smile...closest to these would be KTM's which are just fun and addictive. If you want a jack of all trades comfy bike look at this last...if you want style and a touch of class at a sensible price you could do worse.

Ill keep this short. If like me your coming from the newer inline fours especially a 04 R1 don’t do it you will regret it! Even though it’s got Ohlins and OZ and that swing arm etc, which was one of the selling points for me, it is no better chassis wise then my old R1, road or tarck and if you ask me the Aprilia best feature is its chassis. (I’d say the R1 is superior even without the trick bits, let alone a properly set up R1). In fact I’d call the RSV wooden! (Yes I do know what I’m talking about. I’m always at the very front of the fast groups, on track days and I also do about 20000miles a year on the road).The engine is gutless (regardless of what gear you’re in, or where you are in the rev range) regardless of what you do to it (mine made 130 rwhp). The back brake is shit, it needs a cover, and constant bleeding with 5.1 or you have to buy new rear sets and hang the master cylinder on the pegs like a normal bike! The mileage resets if the battery runs flat. Although reliable and built well for an Italian bike, it ain’t that reliable and there’s a definite difference in build quality between the two. Fuel economy is not great in comparison to the R1 either. I also found that the seat is too wide and digs into the top of my inner thighs when my feet are down making the bike feel taller then it really is. Did I mention it’s a bit of a porker! However, it is a bloody good looking bike and the kit you get for the money is exceptional value and with a set of cans it sounds awesome! I am however significantly quicker on the R1, whether I’m on track in the fast group, on just out for some fast road riding. I bought it as I had fond memories of my old SP1 and thought it would be a step on from that. I was wrong buy the SP1 instead. Maybe I’ve been unfair? Maybe I’m just not a twin man? But I wasn’t impressed!

I love it to death, but it's completely raped my wallet to keep it on the road. I've now bought the bike twice over in repair costs from things just randomly breaking on it. My local garage assure me that it's a one off & that I've been "unlucky", but sadly I feel my confidence in the Aprilia brand has been dented too much to ever buy another one. I've heard KTM are worse, but I fancy a change for my next bike when the time finally comes. Maybe I'm a masochist at heart. Aside from my troubles, the handling is utterly sublime, brakes... powerful (I'm never owning a bike without brembos again!) & engine... torquey. Having never ridden a V-twin before, the engine breaking took a bit of getting used to. Now I never need to touch the break lever unless undertaking 'spirited' riding. The engine sounds awesome. Especially with the full akrapovic system ;P. Having said that, I wish it had a bit more power. When things finally stop breaking on it I'll hopefully be able to stockpile enough money for the 1060cc rebore, racing cams & some headwork. The guy at my local dyno's had 155BHP at the rear wheel on the last one he gave the above treatment to! I'll just have to keep saving & dreaming til then.

had mine from new and not one mechanical problem. It is ridden hard here as the cops are not as prominent as back in the UK, many track days around Kyalami and so far 24,000 very happy km's.It is nknown locally as the "snottin snortin rhino of a bike" as the pipes have been gutted and it make an unbelievable crisp rummble. do all the basic service stuff myself as we have same problem of shortage of dealers etc. clutch and brake master cylinders need bleeding regular to keep in top form...typical italian bike. i could never replace it with anything else. i am looking at a triumph rocket three to totally move away from superbikes in my old age (45). regards to 'blighty' from Botswana!

Still got the Aprilia after 3 years, and the only bike I'd consider changing it for would be either a Duc 1098 or KTM RC8, both of which are now out of my price range (thank you Mr Brown) So, I've now clocked 25,000 miles in 3 years. What's gone wrong? In all honesty, very little, the wet summer last year saw off the speedo sensor (mounted near the rear caliper so gets soaked) but picked a second hand one up for £16. The Ohlins fronk fork oil seals started leaking at 21,000..Er, that's it..The well known cr*p rear brake is still cr*p, but at least it now works after investing £5 for a genuine Aprilia heat shield which is standard fitment on the 07 on models. If anything, the engine is nicer now than it was when new, it feels nicely run in and the gearbox is very slick. Neutral is another well known foible, but it becomes second nature to snick into neutral as you pull up. The finish is holding up really well, (far better than the Suzukis & Kawasakis I've owned in the past)despite it being used all year, as long as the roads not covered in snow and ice.. So, despite early worries regarding the Italians reputation re reliability, the Aprilia has been superb, and with the prices now reasonable I'd definately buy another, though not the terrible garish new factory colour scheme..

I bought my 2005 Aprilia 6 months old and with 1000 miles on the clock. As new! and as soon as I set eyes on the RSV, I knew that I would buy it and struggled to keep my cool long enough to do a deal. As the starter was thumbed, my senses exploded. Looking, Listening,.... Looking,.... Dribbling! How can you haggle when the owner sees you are frothing at the mouth? This bike is Beautiful,....... Perfect! I didn't know why he was selling and I never find out. It was going to be mine and I didn't care. Stupid, Stupid, FOOL! Rash decisions like that can bite you! Did an MCN check after the event. (really would recommend doing one before, though) Ha Ha, this time though,... No Bites! It goes, stops, handles sublimely. It is Awesome! I love this bike and so does everyone else. I know you covet my Ox, but it's mine! The best bike I've owned. By Miles.

Bought my silver 06 Factory 2 years ago, and hve clocked 16000 miles up..Like other owners who'd moved from Jap fours, they take a bit of getting used to, but oncethe cans are changed and the fueling set up they're superb..You need to ride these bikes as unlike Jap bikes they're not bland machines that do everything for you. Niggles? Back brake tha doesn't..Aprilia deny there'e a fault but every foum has a magic fix for the problem..The speedo sensor is placed underneath the rear caliper and as such gets all the water thrown at it, and in Aprilias wisdom they're not waterproof..Plop some silicone around the joint and problem solved otherwise its £67 fo a new one.. Spares? Got a speedo semnsor over counter..Ditto wing mirror after droping it in the garage, the build quality is on a par with Honda, but like any modern motorcycle they need looking after..Mine still looks superb despite the mileage..

I have the 2007 model non factory and love it now, but upon first picking it up from the dealer (brand new) I almost took it back to ask for my Gixer 750 K4 back. As it was like riding on a JCB, I had previously had two milles (older model) so knew what to expect with a v-twin. But this model felt rubbish to start with at low speeds just wanted to surge and was a nightmare keeping low speeds. So got advice off the forums and changed the front and rear sprockets and added some end cans and boy did it make a difference. It is now so planted and stomps like hell, ok top is a bit down now but the low and mid are awesome. Its also very comfortable even though I am 6.3ft, although the mirrors are useless and had to add some spacers to them to make them useable ish. Its also slightly let down on the paint quality on the tank as its water based and showed signs of wear after just a couple of hundered miles. But that said it is easily the best bike I have ever owned and you get a smile every ride and is great fun on the twisties.

The bike is an 07 bought from Taz motorcycles with the Akropovic cans thrown in for nowt. I enjoyed the bike, but thought the bottom end wasnt all it should be and the suspension very unforgiving and a little scary over rough back roads. A few head shakes when the front lifts and it felt very tall and heavy. My brother bought one at the same time as me and convinced me we should try to improve them slightly ( against my better judgeent )It has now had a steering damper, power commander and renegade air box fitted. This was fitted and the bike was dyno'd by the excellent lads at Southern Cross motorcycles in London. They also set the suspension up which has made a massive difference. The power, noise and rideability of the bike has been completely changed for the good. I can only tell you what a fantastic machine this is to ride, smiles all the way.The guys at Southern cross fitted some crash bungs through the fairing too, and made an excellent job so you can hardly tell they had cut the panels. On the downside I have had a ooolant leak from the crimped hose clips on the rad and the adjuster on the bottom of the rear shock lost its ratchet with muck getting in all within 10 weeks. Easily sorted though. The battery has gone flat on me too, but you cant turn the lights off when the ignition is on, battery dies very quickly. Note to self, dont leave the ignition on when tinkering to stop the alarm going off Ride one and see for yourself, anyone who has one, seriously consider getting the mods done, you cant imagine how much this transforms the bike