Just test rode an RSV1000R

[Silver]

Just got back from test riding an Aprilia RSV1000R. Was supposed to be riding a GSX-R1000 too, but they'd run out of fuel on site and the Suzuki had nothing in it. As it was, the Aprilia only had about 15 minutes worth, but better than nothing.

I've liked the Aprilia for a long time. Their attention to detail is impeccible and they design aspects of the bike rather than just building it. The Suzuki thou is the obviously progression for me, as I've owned two GSX-R400s, one 600 and one 750, and got on well with all of them. The plan was to ride them back to back and sort one dilema in my head once and for all; which was best. The other dilema was "do I really need a litre sports bike?". Well, to be honest, I already know the answer to that - to be brutally honest I don't need a 750 for the road and a 600cc sports bike is more than adequate for road use. Doesn't mean I don't want the best though!

Anyway, so I didn't get too long on the bike due to lack of fuel. This is only the second twin I've ever ridden (the first being a Ducati 748). The roads were also damp/wet as well as being very cold so conditions were far from ideal. Last thing I wanted to do was stack a test ride bike, especially after having agreed to the £1000 excess. Didn't stop me giving it some stick, but I was just cautious.

The first thing I noticed about twins is that they pull harder from lower revs. The GSX-Rs are very revvy bikes anyway (in a kind of two strokesque way) so this was very removed from what I'm used to. Comparing the difference in power delivery is almost like comparing similar 2T and 4T bikes; the Gixxer likes you bouncing the needle off the redline and the closer you get towards it, the more you're rewarded with a surge of power. In contrast the RSV's power delivery felt very linear and predictable. Although the RSV has a 250cc advantage over my GSX-R it only creates marginally more power, although torque is up from around 63 to 74lb/ft (which is evident).

On the road the RSV felt very narrow and compact. The only minor annoyance was that it seemed a long way down to look at the clocks. This was the RSV-R version and so is somewhat more trick than the standard RSV. Ohlins front, rear suspension and steering damper (tragically hidden below the yoke), radial Brembo brakes, some carbon bits, and lightweight wheels. I didn't get much of a chance to test handling because as well as being wet and limited by fuel this dealer is situated on the longest, straightest road in history! From what I didn't manage (throwing it past cars, hard acceleration/decceleration, a few bends) it seemed very sorted. It's all I would expect from a bike shod with Ohlins as my R6 works extremely well with them too.

Is it better than my GSX-R? Tricky. I wasn't on it long enough to answer that question, but I can tell you that it's a good bike. I'm not sure I like the incessant drone of a twin over an inline four. They never sound like they're doing any work. Go to the shops round the corner, or blast down a track at three figure speeds and it sounds the same! I like the bike to scream when it's being worked hard. We're going fast, I want to hear it as well as see it. The other thing I like about the GSX-R is that hit of power as the needle climbs. Sometimes it can catch you out when you've been riding around town at 4,000rpm and then open it up onto an A road. The Aprilia seems to provide the linear delivery that would be the same at 2,000rpm as it would at 10,000. Combined with the uninvolving sound, it might lead me to become bored.

Still, it's too early to say. I'm going back in a couple of weeks (when they've learned where the nearest petrol station is) and I'll ride it again, and back to back with the GSX-R1000. Hopefully it'll be dry and I'll get 25 minutes on each so I'll be in a better position to judge.

The RSV is pictured below.

A couple of other things to point out, that I noticed today:
It is fecking cold today. After ten miles it felt like someone was driving nails into the tips of my fingers. As a side note, don't leave your jacket and gloves in a cold garage during the week and then hope they'll keep you warm when you put them on!

Cabriolets. What's the point? I came up behind a Merc something or other on my way there. I was shivering on the bike... and he had the roof down! I'm sure people get these cabriolets and then think they have to drive them with the roof down, just to justify the purchase, regardless of the weather.

Golf R32s aren't that quick!

[Villers]

An RSV was to be my next bike before I got knocked off and stitched up, so I found your review interesting!

I havent had the pleasure of riding one, but as Im sitting Im being led by my heart and not my head.

It would be very interesting if you were to choose one over your beloved gixers though

Update us when youve had a better go of it!


____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille ≥ Sv1000s somehow
'You came on your own, thats how you'll leave'

[Andy C]

[silverfox]

get it mate i've got a 04 model lovely bikes more exclusive than a gsxr 1000 plus it already got trick bits on it i.e. ohlins and oz wheels

[numark1]

Nice write up.

It's not cold you wimp I walked around kempton today for about an hour and a half in only a t-shirt.

Why not try an SP1/2

[Silver]

[Bod]

Hi there, I have a RSV Mille, its a standard model will the RSVR racing chip and exhaust on. All I can say is its a fantastic bike. I love mine to bits, and always, always turns heads. The only down side is the price of parts, they a bit EXPENSIVE.... Other than that its lovely, I really love my bike. Hope you get it, you wont be sorry.
Bod
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/vwgolfboy/06130001a.jpg[/img]

[Kickstart]

[TOM M]

That aprilia is sexy, i want one

Good informative write up
____________________
Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[Silver]

[Kickstart]

[SoND]

Is the RSV just as reliable as the jap bikes?
____________________
Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."

[zaknafien]

New RSV's are stunning.


____________________
02 Firestorm.

[craigs23]

Nice write up Always impressed with the spec from them as a standard, off-the-shelf bike (especially as they're only a couple of grand more than the base model).

Bar the R1-SP thingy, why can't more Japanese manufacturers do that?

The Milles always reminds me of the batmobile from the back end, like 'dem funky looks.

Which do you prefer the sound of?

[cc123]

Only ever had a pop on a SV650 so never really felt the power of a litre V-twin but imagine the gap in excitement and ouuuumfh at top revs wil be the same with an inline-4 to a V-twin 1000.

They just don't excite me, the old 98 R1 I had a go on about a year ago is still awesome to me. I just can't entertain a V-twin.
____________________
Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

[BobM]

Nice write up. I've just bought an RSV Factory without having a test ride. In fact I haven't ridden a bike for years - the last bike I had was 19 years ago, a 1976 Ducati 900SS.

I've only recently been given planning permission to have a bike again, and a mate has a GSXR 1000 K5 which he loves. My brother still has my old Duke, and of course reckoned I should have a Ducati. I went to a local dealer to have a sit on a 2002 999 as I'd been warned they were on the small side and I'm 6'5". The 999 seemed fine, but my attention was drawn to the shiny new Aprilias which are heavily discounted at the moment. After 2 days thinking about it I went back and stuck a deposit on the 05 Factory. Should be taking delivery on Monday evening

As has already been said, it already comes with most of the fancy bits you'd want on a bike, and at the moment they're ridiculously good value. The Gixxer is undoubtedly a faster bike, but the RSV's a really pretty looking bike and is a bit more exclusive somehow. Also probably marginally less of a handful for an old git like me who can hardly remember how to ride a bike

[lurker]

i hear the sound of broken plastics...
...only kidding, although i would say it would be a good idea to ride it conservatively for the first six months or so.

[riichy]

very nice....

would love one but they are a bit pricy and if they are anything like the 125 will need a lot of time and money
____________________
.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

[Silver]

[LUXY DJ]

why are the pipes SOOOO FAT on the mille?
____________________
GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net

[G]

[lurker]

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

Not bad prices for the aprilia's over here

https://www.duques.co.uk/bikes/index.php
____________________
www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net

[BobM]