Fantastic review. Really informative, thanks for sharing. You clearly know your stuff!! l sold my last one back in 2010 and just bought another one. They really are an amazing bike!
Thanks for the kind words! It's been one of those bikes I've wanted to own for a while and it's such a great experience owning it. I agree they are a great looking bike and have aged incredibly well! It's still not perfect so there's always little jobs to be done Ride safe 👍
I currently have an sv650s 2007 as my first big bike. Be looking at getting one of these next year as only just passed in April. Cannot wait such a good looking bike!
The SV650 is a cracking bike and these are one of the only V twins I've ridden, that capture that ethos of the SV motor in my opinion. I.e good bottom end but rev out quite well. The Ape is a brilliant looker but in my opinion, (and feel free to ignore it) it's a bit of a big step from an SV as they are pretty unforgiving and not the easiest thing to ride around town and take some hustling when you get going. I haven't ridden one but I reckon the Tuono is probably the better bike for the road having owned the RSV
I've got a 2007 RSVR with Ohlins forks - this is the best bike I've ever owned. So far no stator reg/rec issues. It's an absolute monster and the only bike I'll ride from here on out other than the same gen Tuono.
They are a great bike for sure. They take some loving as they can be plagued with problems but man do they give you a smile like no other! I'm planning a follow up video for some upgrades I have planned so watch this space and subscribe if you don't want to miss out on that one 👍
Just bought a mint Factory RSV yesterday..identical to yours, 11000 miles with carbon Akrapovic exhausts. Due to be delivered hopefully this weekend. It will sit alongside my Fireblade quite happily 😎 Great video, useful info.. cheers
So glad you found the video useful! It's a great addition to the stable I'm sure. There's plenty of good Facebook groups for these bikes if you ever get stuck and need info on them 👍 hope we get plenty of good weather so you get to enjoy it 😁 I'll be doing a follow up video in the near future of some upgrades I've got planned for my bike so keep an eye out for that one 👍
@@ILikeMotorbikes Will definitely look out for your follow up vid.. Let’s hope that lockdown eases soon and we get some cracking summer weather to enjoy our bikes. Really looking forward to owning a twin again. Had a 916 Ducati and Suzuki TL-R in the past..so I’m sure the Aprilia won’t disappoint. Will keep an eye out on the known issues 👍🏼
@@woooster17 if you haven't already then please subscribe so you don't miss out 👍 it's likely to be an April release for the video all being well. I've ridden a friends TLS and a few other twins but this Ape is something else! I'm sure it won't disappoint Fingers crossed for an end to lockdown and good weather for sure
Amazing, i will actually be purchasing this bike (yes this exact bike!!)on Sunday from a guy local to me. Currently own a Speed triple 1050 2005, but my fav is twins. So had a look at the Mille last Saturday and have decided to take it. Bike is still in excellent condition.
no way!I often wonder what happened to it but glad to hear it's still going well Reg ends MUP? Feel free to get in touch via email, instagram or Facebook as I'd love to see some pictures
@@ILikeMotorbikes I will be meeting the guy again on Sunday when he returns from holiday to finalize payment and MOT booking. I will get some pics up together and send them to you via FB. Thanks for replying back.
@@atwiztedn00b88 Did you go through with the purchase in the end? I'd still be keen to see the bike if you have bought it and I'll gladly give you any info/history I can to fill in any gaps about the bike
Thanks for the great review. One’s come up on my radar at a good price so I’m tempted. I previously had and am now again looking for a good SP1, a very similar bike to the RSV but I know for a fact I love V-Twins either way.
My pleasure. Make no mistake. The RSV (especially the factory) has top level kit that makes it a great bike but they have their niggles. Buy the right one with all the problems sorted and I'm sure you'll have a great experience at roughly half the cost of the equivalent SP1
@Looks like ole Shelobs been 'avin some fun! No, I bought a boring ass 4 cylinder Fireblade 😂 HOWEVER, all is not lost, a couple weeks ago I picked up a Ducati 748 which sounds awesome.
Interesting fact: the Aprilia's manual also mentions the possibility of fitting a 180 rear tire. Especially on track, this is supposed to make it turn in faster. Myself, I have only ridden it with 190 tires, so I can't compare. Thanks for the review. I came to more or less the same conclusions in my review. 👍🏻
A brilliant review on a stonker of a bike, nailed it cons and pros , I have sorted r/ brake h/temp brake fluid (racing) tin foil wrap around m/cylinder (halford,s) and reservoir and caliper pipes near engine ,but u need to bleed system of bike too many high and low spots , good luck
Such kind words Dave! I really appreciate it! Yeah the rear brake is a pain. I'm planning to fit RSV4 rearsets and master cylinder to relocate the reservoir and make it vertical! I've got a few upgrades planned too and I'm hoping to video it so feel free to subscribe so you don't miss it if it interests you All the best
Great review mate. I've an 06 rsv1000r with the blue anodised Oz racing wheels & ohlins suspension pack. It's an absolute ripper love the thrills on it everytime & the looks it always gets. Ride safe mate enjoy👍
Awesome choice. Its a wonderful bike but sadly I've moved on to other things. Not many bikes stay long in my ownership Thanks for the kind words and I hope you have many happy miles with yours
Nice video! I had a 2006 with the Öhlins fork. I loved it. I fixed the rear brake problem with a different upside-down brake pump. Excuse my lousy englisch please. Greetings from germany.
I hope you have many happy miles on it. I still miss mine! Haha Cadwell is certainly infamous! I can't wait to go racing there later this year on my CB500 😁
@@Kobudobert it really is! I have a buiod series on here of converting it and a video about riding it at Oulton Park if that interests you? My first race weekend was great fun at Brands Hatch and I have a video of that due soon too
Hi, I enjoyed your review. I've been looking at possibly adding one of these to my stable. Currently have a 2014 street triple r so was surprised to hear your thoughts on the comfort level, mine was very firm but is better after adjustment. Also have a TL1000s which I've owned for the last 11 years, I do love a v-twin. The factory spec Aprilia does appeal to me though, they look to be holding values well to.
Hi Trevor, thanks for the support and comment. The street triple even with some adjustment never felt planted unless the road was smooth. In comparison the factory RSVR is way more compliant which is a huge plus point for the ohlins suspension! I've ridden a TL1000S and the engine is a lot more breathless towards the top of the revs compared to the Aprilia. I may be biased but I think for the amount of top level kit you get for the price these Aprilia's are hard to beat! If you do purchase one I hope you have many happy miles with it
Cheers for the positive response. I must agree most sportsbikes have mirrors that are a complete afterthought but this Aprilia is definitely the worst that I've ridden! Fireblades, R1s etc haven't been this bad!
Thanks for the kind words and the support Andy 👍 hahah the Benelli's of that era are renown for being one of the worst Italian bikes! Absolutely beautiful mind 😁
Great review Tom. I'm yet to get mine out this year. Im potentially going to try to upgrade and relocate my rear brake cylinder as i hate riding with no back brake. 🙄
Cheers mate! I'm taking mine for MOT today ready for the nice weather! Hold fir eon the rear brake cylinder. I'm seeing if I can't fit RSV4 rearsets and rear master cylinder to solve the problem. Will be doing a follow up video of a few modifications I've got planned 👍
Lovely bike , wish I’d bought one , when I was buying and riding bikes , my zx10r did 107 mph in first gear if you took it up to the Rev limiter , my busa didn’t do that , but difficult to keep to speed limits especially 30mph cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
It's a great bike but not easy to ride at slow speeds... It just wants to go all of the time and only starts to make sense above 50/60mph...not ideal for the UK 😂
Yes I've heard of it and I was planning this upgrade but since I changed back to full length levers I've had no problems selecting neutral, it's worked perfectly!
@@ILikeMotorbikes I recommend joining Aprilia forum there is a lot of good people that will help with future issues with this bike,I had 2 and I love the looks and sound but both had a service mode issue and I couldn't find a fix and had to sell or swap them.Looking at 07 factory tough very tempting 😁
@@GFDiablos1984 yeah there is lots og great information out there! The UK Facebook groups. They certainly have their niggles but are a great bike if they are sorted
picking up my first model This Friday from the Isle of Man! 2008 rsv Factory model, 8,800 genuine miles, I hope it's fast enough! Otherwise.....Hs2 here i come!
Sorry not sorry 😁 hope the video helped make you aware of a few details before you purchased. All the best with your new ride! Wishing you many happy miles together
@@ILikeMotorbikes Main issue is pre recall swingarm no cracks so far only bit of scratch. Found they still replaced it 3 years ago for someone in us so i have hope. Anyway i know the flaws but seeing you convinced me its worth to deal with it all.
@@ILikeMotorbikes bruh i knew sides was repainted cuz scratch i seen some low quality foto pre paint low details i just check Vin for service recalls and it show me its nera now i'm looking again at old foto and i spot there was lion
He don't knew what he was selling and i what i was buying i tought they only come with red wheels but there was blue too or i'm just confused you know way to spot some easy difference ? I'm gonna call Aprilia anyway at monday but i'm confused now
I'm glad you liked it. The later the bike generally the less issues they have though by now, most owners have sorted the niggles. My advice... Don't go cheap! Get the best condition bike with the most history you can find and you should be well. They're a fantastic bike, though not hugely comfortable for the road!
Very good review, its the current contender for buying for next season. What is the seat height like, I looked at official online details, however have read elsewhere that it's higher. I'm 5 foot 8, so the lower the better :-D I had a Sprint GT 1050 previously, so lower seat height (I think), but a hell of a lot heavier. Horrible to ride in town, but motorways were amazing.
Hi Ross, thanks for the kind words. I can't remember the seat height of the Aprilia (and I sold it earlier this year) but its pretty tall and the other pain is the seat is quite wide. I'm 5ft10 with a 30" inside leg and it was pretty much balls of feet to tip toes both sides... I'm sure you can get lowering links but can't comment on how badly it will or won't affect geometry. If you don't want a bike that's a pain around town then maybe an Aprilia isn't the best bet... They're a brilliant bike but only really work above 50mph 😂 if you have any questions I'll do my best to help otherwise the owners groups on Facebook are really handy!
@@ILikeMotorbikes thank you for the fast response. Luckily I'm avoiding a "town" bike and sticking to a Sundays only ride. I work from home full time, so don't need to commute anymore 🤣🤣. Good to know it's a tall boy, so I might shop around (or find a lowering kit). Thank you once again.
@@rossogier6942 my pleasure, as a weekend bike it's brilliant as it's such an occasion riding it! Never a dull moment when astride one and it does take some riding as its not just a jump on a go like some inline 4 Japanese bikes. Looking forward to seeing a response from you when you've bought one 😁👍
Worth clarifying it was ONLY the early Gen2 bikes that suffered regulator/stator problems. This did not affect any gen1 bikes which are generally more reliable. They need 150 amp starter solenoids fitted and best upgraded to Oberon clutch slave cylinders but by and large were far more reliable than later bikes. Worth also mentioning that all the front ohlins suspension on gen1 and gen2 bikes pop shock seals for a past time. Poor seal design leads to short life. Fuel economy is not that bad unless you ride like a complete t&at all the time. I averaged 40mpg from mine and 150 miles from a tank is no problem ridden sensibly. Best I saw was 55mpg on a long motorway haul on a gen1 rsv. It's entirely possible. Ride a gen1 rsvr. That's a real mans hairy chested man sized bike. Most people who own one eventually go back to one.
Great review 👍 I've a 2007 tuono, my dog bone linkage actually broke last year, luckily on a straight road after hitting a pothole .. the needle bearings inside were all corroded and lacking some grease... needed a new hugger, undertray, rear tyre and underwear... all fixed now and still love it... great bike all the same and regularly embarrasses Japanese superbikes 👍
Thanks Aidy, glad you liked it. Crikey! Breaking the Dogbone must have been frightening, I'm glad you're still with us. Could have easily been a different story I'm sure
I’m picking a gen 2 up on Saturday how would you know the likes of the solenoid has been upgraded I wouldn’t have a clue where to start lol will definitely be putting in a good battery on it
@gitoberg1 Facebook groups are a goldmine of information if you can sort through the faff. AP workshops group used to be full of useful information though I can't be sure it still is. I do remember the 150A solenoid looks different in some way (maybe it's marked differently?) So should be fairly obvious though it's tucked behind a side panel though maybe visible if you take the seat off. Forgive me I'm trying to remember a few years back and I've consumed plenty of beer and suffered a few knocks to the head since then 😅 best of luck with your purchase!
It's a bit late now... The bike has been sold for around a year now 😬 I have heard a few things about west country windings now as an alternative solution to the OEM lower wattage stator so hopefully that's an option for those without £1000 laying around if the issue arises
...and I've now sold it again without even riding it. Took four months to make 400 quid so not the best investment! Why are they not selling for proper money?
@@ILikeMotorbikes I’m sure if you liked it you will maybe get another one one day… this is my first . I’m 58 now never had a v twin or Italian bike.. loved these since the Gen2 .. I may struggle a bit with my wrist at my age but ha ho.. even if I just get one summer I can say had one..
@@stevie5141 you may be in for a bit of a shock the first time you pull the throttle back hard! instant shove that is quite addictive though the engine character can take some getting used to. I hope you'll love it and have plenty of happy miles on yours even if it does mean for just one summer
congrats! I'm 53 and still have my '04 i bought new Factory edition in '05, the only new vehicle i've ever bought!. Not currently running, needs stator etc. However i'm writing simply to say that if u haven't ridden bikes generally steadily through e.g. later 30's into now, then u should take it really easy and ease into riding again or for first time if u r a newbie. Presumbly not newbie. But my point is just safety, ie i noticed that a three year hiatus from age 38 to 41, made me so sloppy, particularly at night. @@stevie5141
@@zedddddful Doing that wouldn’t save you much fuel! That’s just riding carefully on standard gearing. I recently downgeared to 15/42 and it’s made a dent in my MPG
I have a spare £3k, I'm either buying a Gen 1 or Gen 2 orrrr a track car .. predicaments, Always love the Gen 2 but I feel it may be the worse bike due to my budget. Anyway I'm sure I'll figure it out
A nice problem to have really! £3k doesn't get a good Gen 2 example realistically so you may struggle. I think if you can't add more budget then a Gen 1 is likely the better bike. Hope you enjoy the searching process and bag a good bike
Everything done to that bike previously was made to be a stunt bike. Stunters constantly beat on the bikes redlining them the entire time. Would never buy a used stunt bike especially a sports bike turned stunt.
Fantastic review. Really informative, thanks for sharing. You clearly know your stuff!! l sold my last one back in 2010 and just bought another one. They really are an amazing bike!
Thanks for the kind words Phillip! Glad you found it useful, glad to hear you've bought another. Hope it serves you well!
Well done restoring such a fantastic bike, still looks good even after 17 years! currently on my 3rd Gen 2 and won't ever sell it.
Thanks for the kind words! It's been one of those bikes I've wanted to own for a while and it's such a great experience owning it. I agree they are a great looking bike and have aged incredibly well! It's still not perfect so there's always little jobs to be done
Ride safe 👍
Bike looks & sounds great. Nice work on the pros & cons, very informative. Ride safe!
Thanks very much for the feedback and kind words Barry!
Thanks and likewise
I currently have an sv650s 2007 as my first big bike. Be looking at getting one of these next year as only just passed in April. Cannot wait such a good looking bike!
The SV650 is a cracking bike and these are one of the only V twins I've ridden, that capture that ethos of the SV motor in my opinion. I.e good bottom end but rev out quite well. The Ape is a brilliant looker but in my opinion, (and feel free to ignore it) it's a bit of a big step from an SV as they are pretty unforgiving and not the easiest thing to ride around town and take some hustling when you get going.
I haven't ridden one but I reckon the Tuono is probably the better bike for the road having owned the RSV
I've got a 2007 RSVR with Ohlins forks - this is the best bike I've ever owned. So far no stator reg/rec issues. It's an absolute monster and the only bike I'll ride from here on out other than the same gen Tuono.
They are a great bike for sure. They take some loving as they can be plagued with problems but man do they give you a smile like no other!
I'm planning a follow up video for some upgrades I have planned so watch this space and subscribe if you don't want to miss out on that one 👍
I'm busy looking at one for myself ... thanks for the good quality content on the bike
Glad it's helped! If you're UK based I'm actually selling this bike right now
@@ILikeMotorbikes what price is it listed at? ...
@@thetechchefgaming5630 its on ebay if you're interested. Listed at £3850 with all of the spares and extras I have
@@ILikeMotorbikes anywhere I could see pictures of the bike please?
@@thetechchefgaming5630 not sure youtube will let me link but if you search this listing number on ebay you'll see all the details. 265128874382
well done mate you've turned that into a great bike !
Thanks very much Peter! I'm inclined to agree 😁
Good honest and informative review. Thank you
Glad you think so, thanks for the kind words
Just bought a mint Factory RSV yesterday..identical to yours, 11000 miles with carbon Akrapovic exhausts. Due to be delivered hopefully this weekend. It will sit alongside my Fireblade quite happily 😎
Great video, useful info.. cheers
So glad you found the video useful! It's a great addition to the stable I'm sure. There's plenty of good Facebook groups for these bikes if you ever get stuck and need info on them 👍 hope we get plenty of good weather so you get to enjoy it 😁
I'll be doing a follow up video in the near future of some upgrades I've got planned for my bike so keep an eye out for that one 👍
@@ILikeMotorbikes Will definitely look out for your follow up vid.. Let’s hope that lockdown eases soon and we get some cracking summer weather to enjoy our bikes. Really looking forward to owning a twin again. Had a 916 Ducati and Suzuki TL-R in the past..so I’m sure the Aprilia won’t disappoint. Will keep an eye out on the known issues 👍🏼
Subbed 🤙🏽
@@woooster17 if you haven't already then please subscribe so you don't miss out 👍 it's likely to be an April release for the video all being well.
I've ridden a friends TLS and a few other twins but this Ape is something else! I'm sure it won't disappoint
Fingers crossed for an end to lockdown and good weather for sure
@@woooster17 thanks for the support 🙌
Amazing, i will actually be purchasing this bike (yes this exact bike!!)on Sunday from a guy local to me.
Currently own a Speed triple 1050 2005, but my fav is twins. So had a look at the Mille last Saturday and have decided to take it.
Bike is still in excellent condition.
no way!I often wonder what happened to it but glad to hear it's still going well
Reg ends MUP? Feel free to get in touch via email, instagram or Facebook as I'd love to see some pictures
@@ILikeMotorbikes I will be meeting the guy again on Sunday when he returns from holiday to finalize payment and MOT booking.
I will get some pics up together and send them to you via FB. Thanks for replying back.
@atwiztedn00b88 awesome I bet you can't wait! Look forward to seeing the pics. Fingers crossed the summer returns so you get to have some fun on it!
@@atwiztedn00b88 Did you go through with the purchase in the end? I'd still be keen to see the bike if you have bought it and I'll gladly give you any info/history I can to fill in any gaps about the bike
Thanks for the great review. One’s come up on my radar at a good price so I’m tempted. I previously had and am now again looking for a good SP1, a very similar bike to the RSV but I know for a fact I love V-Twins either way.
My pleasure. Make no mistake. The RSV (especially the factory) has top level kit that makes it a great bike but they have their niggles. Buy the right one with all the problems sorted and I'm sure you'll have a great experience at roughly half the cost of the equivalent SP1
@Looks like ole Shelobs been 'avin some fun! No, I bought a boring ass 4 cylinder Fireblade 😂 HOWEVER, all is not lost, a couple weeks ago I picked up a Ducati 748 which sounds awesome.
Interesting fact: the Aprilia's manual also mentions the possibility of fitting a 180 rear tire. Especially on track, this is supposed to make it turn in faster. Myself, I have only ridden it with 190 tires, so I can't compare. Thanks for the review. I came to more or less the same conclusions in my review. 👍🏻
Not the same bike but I can confirm on a 04 Tuono this was the case switching from a 190 to 180 on the street.
A brilliant review on a stonker of a bike, nailed it cons and pros , I have sorted r/ brake h/temp brake fluid (racing) tin foil wrap around m/cylinder (halford,s) and reservoir and caliper pipes near engine ,but u need to bleed system of bike too many high and low spots , good luck
Such kind words Dave! I really appreciate it! Yeah the rear brake is a pain. I'm planning to fit RSV4 rearsets and master cylinder to relocate the reservoir and make it vertical!
I've got a few upgrades planned too and I'm hoping to video it so feel free to subscribe so you don't miss it if it interests you
All the best
Good video, full of great information 🙌
Great review mate. I've an 06 rsv1000r with the blue anodised Oz racing wheels & ohlins suspension pack. It's an absolute ripper love the thrills on it everytime & the looks it always gets. Ride safe mate enjoy👍
Awesome choice. Its a wonderful bike but sadly I've moved on to other things. Not many bikes stay long in my ownership
Thanks for the kind words and I hope you have many happy miles with yours
@@ILikeMotorbikes ohh take care mate all the best👊
@@luisyanez939 thanks friend, you too!
Nice video! I had a 2006 with the Öhlins fork. I loved it. I fixed the rear brake problem with a different upside-down brake pump. Excuse my lousy englisch please. Greetings from germany.
Your English is fantastic! My German is awful, Glad you liked the video, they are mega bikes when the little problems are sorted
Great info thank you for this very helpfull.
You are most welcome Rich. Glad it was useful 👍
just bought one! looking forward to riding it!
and regarding Cadwell, I'm not even from the UK and I know Cadwell because of the mountain! love it!
I hope you have many happy miles on it. I still miss mine!
Haha Cadwell is certainly infamous! I can't wait to go racing there later this year on my CB500 😁
@@ILikeMotorbikes Enjoy, the CB500 is a great bike!
@@Kobudobert it really is! I have a buiod series on here of converting it and a video about riding it at Oulton Park if that interests you?
My first race weekend was great fun at Brands Hatch and I have a video of that due soon too
@@ILikeMotorbikes I'll check it out 👌
Hi, I enjoyed your review. I've been looking at possibly adding one of these to my stable. Currently have a 2014 street triple r so was surprised to hear your thoughts on the comfort level, mine was very firm but is better after adjustment. Also have a TL1000s which I've owned for the last 11 years, I do love a v-twin. The factory spec Aprilia does appeal to me though, they look to be holding values well to.
Hi Trevor, thanks for the support and comment.
The street triple even with some adjustment never felt planted unless the road was smooth. In comparison the factory RSVR is way more compliant which is a huge plus point for the ohlins suspension!
I've ridden a TL1000S and the engine is a lot more breathless towards the top of the revs compared to the Aprilia. I may be biased but I think for the amount of top level kit you get for the price these Aprilia's are hard to beat!
If you do purchase one I hope you have many happy miles with it
Good review 👍
Honestly I've not had one sportsbikes with functional mirrors great overview of the rsv1000r BTW I have the Gen 2 tuono it's a cracking road bike.
Cheers for the positive response. I must agree most sportsbikes have mirrors that are a complete afterthought but this Aprilia is definitely the worst that I've ridden! Fireblades, R1s etc haven't been this bad!
Great review well done! Ive now subscribed! I have a 2005 benelli tornado rs with 5000 miles on it so im well used to italian bike issues😂👍
Thanks for the kind words and the support Andy 👍 hahah the Benelli's of that era are renown for being one of the worst Italian bikes! Absolutely beautiful mind 😁
Just to update bought a 2008 rsvr factory with 8000 miles. Loving it so far, great road bike!
Great review Tom. I'm yet to get mine out this year. Im potentially going to try to upgrade and relocate my rear brake cylinder as i hate riding with no back brake. 🙄
Cheers mate! I'm taking mine for MOT today ready for the nice weather! Hold fir eon the rear brake cylinder. I'm seeing if I can't fit RSV4 rearsets and rear master cylinder to solve the problem. Will be doing a follow up video of a few modifications I've got planned 👍
@@ILikeMotorbikes Ok i will do, if you have a stunning success, then text me 👍
@@RSV-REnglishman Will do mate, hopefully I'll be able to answer in the next few weeks
Great Video. But I'm curious to what year your bike is?
Thanks 👍 it was a 2004 bike but I had fitted slightly later (I think 2006?) fairings which is why it may be throwing you off
Lovely bike , wish I’d bought one , when I was buying and riding bikes , my zx10r did 107 mph in first gear if you took it up to the Rev limiter , my busa didn’t do that , but difficult to keep to speed limits especially 30mph cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
It's a great bike but not easy to ride at slow speeds... It just wants to go all of the time and only starts to make sense above 50/60mph...not ideal for the UK 😂
For neutral there is another upgrade from jet 40 to 60 I believe and it fixes the issue.
Yes I've heard of it and I was planning this upgrade but since I changed back to full length levers I've had no problems selecting neutral, it's worked perfectly!
@@ILikeMotorbikes I recommend joining Aprilia forum there is a lot of good people that will help with future issues with this bike,I had 2 and I love the looks and sound but both had a service mode issue and I couldn't find a fix and had to sell or swap them.Looking at 07 factory tough very tempting 😁
@@GFDiablos1984 yeah there is lots og great information out there! The UK Facebook groups. They certainly have their niggles but are a great bike if they are sorted
Looking forward to getting mine now… I just won’t pose on mine
picking up my first model This Friday from the Isle of Man! 2008 rsv Factory model, 8,800 genuine miles, I hope it's fast enough! Otherwise.....Hs2 here i come!
They're not a slow bike but far from as fast as the modern crop of superbikes. Hope you enjoy it! The grunt from these rotax engines is very fun!
Duck you just made me decide to buy 2004 factory near by just bring her home few hours ago seems fine just need visual polish and minor tweeks
Sorry not sorry 😁 hope the video helped make you aware of a few details before you purchased. All the best with your new ride! Wishing you many happy miles together
@@ILikeMotorbikes Main issue is pre recall swingarm no cracks so far only bit of scratch. Found they still replaced it 3 years ago for someone in us so i have hope. Anyway i know the flaws but seeing you convinced me its worth to deal with it all.
@@Karniak91 ah thats a pain but I'm glad I could convince you! They're an excellent bike once you get past the niggles
@@ILikeMotorbikes bruh i knew sides was repainted cuz scratch i seen some low quality foto pre paint low details i just check Vin for service recalls and it show me its nera now i'm looking again at old foto and i spot there was lion
He don't knew what he was selling and i what i was buying i tought they only come with red wheels but there was blue too or i'm just confused you know way to spot some easy difference ? I'm gonna call Aprilia anyway at monday but i'm confused now
excellent review. looking at maybe buying an 07 :)
I'm glad you liked it. The later the bike generally the less issues they have though by now, most owners have sorted the niggles. My advice... Don't go cheap! Get the best condition bike with the most history you can find and you should be well. They're a fantastic bike, though not hugely comfortable for the road!
Very good review, its the current contender for buying for next season. What is the seat height like, I looked at official online details, however have read elsewhere that it's higher. I'm 5 foot 8, so the lower the better :-D I had a Sprint GT 1050 previously, so lower seat height (I think), but a hell of a lot heavier. Horrible to ride in town, but motorways were amazing.
Hi Ross, thanks for the kind words. I can't remember the seat height of the Aprilia (and I sold it earlier this year) but its pretty tall and the other pain is the seat is quite wide. I'm 5ft10 with a 30" inside leg and it was pretty much balls of feet to tip toes both sides... I'm sure you can get lowering links but can't comment on how badly it will or won't affect geometry. If you don't want a bike that's a pain around town then maybe an Aprilia isn't the best bet... They're a brilliant bike but only really work above 50mph 😂 if you have any questions I'll do my best to help otherwise the owners groups on Facebook are really handy!
@@ILikeMotorbikes thank you for the fast response. Luckily I'm avoiding a "town" bike and sticking to a Sundays only ride. I work from home full time, so don't need to commute anymore 🤣🤣. Good to know it's a tall boy, so I might shop around (or find a lowering kit). Thank you once again.
@@rossogier6942 my pleasure, as a weekend bike it's brilliant as it's such an occasion riding it! Never a dull moment when astride one and it does take some riding as its not just a jump on a go like some inline 4 Japanese bikes. Looking forward to seeing a response from you when you've bought one 😁👍
Worth clarifying it was ONLY the early Gen2 bikes that suffered regulator/stator problems. This did not affect any gen1 bikes which are generally more reliable. They need 150 amp starter solenoids fitted and best upgraded to Oberon clutch slave cylinders but by and large were far more reliable than later bikes.
Worth also mentioning that all the front ohlins suspension on gen1 and gen2 bikes pop shock seals for a past time. Poor seal design leads to short life.
Fuel economy is not that bad unless you ride like a complete t&at all the time. I averaged 40mpg from mine and 150 miles from a tank is no problem ridden sensibly. Best I saw was 55mpg on a long motorway haul on a gen1 rsv. It's entirely possible.
Ride a gen1 rsvr. That's a real mans hairy chested man sized bike. Most people who own one eventually go back to one.
Great review 👍 I've a 2007 tuono, my dog bone linkage actually broke last year, luckily on a straight road after hitting a pothole .. the needle bearings inside were all corroded and lacking some grease... needed a new hugger, undertray, rear tyre and underwear... all fixed now and still love it... great bike all the same and regularly embarrasses Japanese superbikes 👍
Thanks Aidy, glad you liked it.
Crikey! Breaking the Dogbone must have been frightening, I'm glad you're still with us. Could have easily been a different story I'm sure
I’m picking a gen 2 up on Saturday how would you know the likes of the solenoid has been upgraded I wouldn’t have a clue where to start lol will definitely be putting in a good battery on it
@gitoberg1 Facebook groups are a goldmine of information if you can sort through the faff. AP workshops group used to be full of useful information though I can't be sure it still is.
I do remember the 150A solenoid looks different in some way (maybe it's marked differently?) So should be fairly obvious though it's tucked behind a side panel though maybe visible if you take the seat off. Forgive me I'm trying to remember a few years back and I've consumed plenty of beer and suffered a few knocks to the head since then 😅 best of luck with your purchase!
@@ILikeMotorbikes thanx man will figure it out lol
Try sintered brake pads good video I saw that some people put on a 350 regulator.
It's a bit late now... The bike has been sold for around a year now 😬 I have heard a few things about west country windings now as an alternative solution to the OEM lower wattage stator so hopefully that's an option for those without £1000 laying around if the issue arises
@I Like Motorbikes if cash was no limits I would have the 11 factory rsv.
I loved it so much, I sold it to some dodgy geezer from Barby!
Well it was a while ago I did the video 😁 congrats on your purchase
...and I've now sold it again without even riding it. Took four months to make 400 quid so not the best investment! Why are they not selling for proper money?
what did you pay for it?
Originally paid just £2000 but ended up spending at least another £1000 on lots of bits and bobs over my ownership
This bike def. Runs out of breathe up top
Keep it and get another
Sold nearly a year ago now so it's a bit late for that 😂 it was a lovely bike for many reasons and I sometimes still miss it but it is what it is
@@ILikeMotorbikes I’m sure if you liked it you will maybe get another one one day… this is my first . I’m 58 now never had a v twin or Italian bike.. loved these since the Gen2 .. I may struggle a bit with my wrist at my age but ha ho.. even if I just get one summer I can say had one..
@@stevie5141 you may be in for a bit of a shock the first time you pull the throttle back hard! instant shove that is quite addictive though the engine character can take some getting used to. I hope you'll love it and have plenty of happy miles on yours even if it does mean for just one summer
@@ILikeMotorbikes cheers bud👍🏻
congrats! I'm 53 and still have my '04 i bought new Factory edition in '05, the only new vehicle i've ever bought!. Not currently running, needs stator etc. However i'm writing simply to say that if u haven't ridden bikes generally steadily through e.g. later 30's into now, then u should take it really easy and ease into riding again or for first time if u r a newbie. Presumbly not newbie. But my point is just safety, ie i noticed that a three year hiatus from age 38 to 41, made me so sloppy, particularly at night. @@stevie5141
I’ve had 180 miles out of a tank and never less than 150 miles. 2006 rsvr
What do you do turn it off when your going downhill 🤣
@@zedddddful Doing that wouldn’t save you much fuel!
That’s just riding carefully on standard gearing. I recently downgeared to 15/42 and it’s made a dent in my MPG
@@jamestattersall2387 is that on the motorway I don't see how you are getting 180 out of a tank.
@@zedddddful it was probably mostly motorway, yeah.
UK MPG is around 45-50
@@jamestattersall2387 dude are you sure you've got an rsv not a scooter by mistake 😂
I have a spare £3k, I'm either buying a Gen 1 or Gen 2 orrrr a track car .. predicaments, Always love the Gen 2 but I feel it may be the worse bike due to my budget. Anyway I'm sure I'll figure it out
A nice problem to have really! £3k doesn't get a good Gen 2 example realistically so you may struggle. I think if you can't add more budget then a Gen 1 is likely the better bike. Hope you enjoy the searching process and bag a good bike
Everything done to that bike previously was made to be a stunt bike. Stunters constantly beat on the bikes redlining them the entire time. Would never buy a used stunt bike especially a sports bike turned stunt.