Aprilia RSV4R Factory versus 1199

I am considering...Don't flame me.. Selling my 1199 and buying an '13 Aprilia Rsv4r Aprc Abs Factory ....

Obviously this is a Panigale forum so views will be biased but they will also be on the Ape forum too... so I have to start somewhere...

Can anyone give me any input on this bike?? It has Ohlins ..Carbon.. Adjustable swing arm.. adjustable steering geometry..Abs.. Brembos and its (Imo) a sweet looking bike...

I was considering a Hp4 but I rode a S1000 Saturday with an Akra pipe and whilst that bike is wicked..so wicked in m any ways.. It has very little torque and even less personality... Very disappointing actually..

So at the risk of getting beaten up..Aprilia??? Good bad or indifferent??

I don't like the looks nearly as well as the Pani. I guess the question is why? Is it the heat, the performance, the looks, too many problems with your bike, something else?

Why the switch? Once we figure that out maybe we can dig into it a bit.

No valuable feedback to offer, but I do have a question. Why not wait for the all new 2014 Aprilia?

What is that hug piece under the Aprilia's tail? Sorry man, but that is an unattractive bike IMO.

Yes, the HP4 looks much better to me, of course not as good as our beloved

Listening intently......

Capt CF said:

I don't like the looks nearly as well as the Pani (I actually prefer the looks of the HP4 I think). I guess the question is why? Is it the heat, the performance, the looks, too many problems with your bike, something else?

Why the switch? Once we figure that out maybe we can dig into it a bit.

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Lol... Ok... well I have the dash issue.. Of course.. and reading on here I am feeling its an ongoing unresolved issue... so given this and the fact my Diavel had a very similar failure I am loosing faith in Ducati.. Harsh maybe but true... now dont get me wrong.. This is no where close to a done deal (trading/selling bike).. I am mulling..but I'm feeling a little miffed about the whole thing..

Stw said:

Lol... Ok... well I have the dash issue.. Of course.. and reading on here I am feeling its an ongoing unresolved issue... so given this and the fact my Diavel had a very similar failure I am loosing faith in Ducati.. Harsh maybe but true... now dont get me wrong.. This is no where close to a done deal (trading/selling bike).. I am mulling..but I'm feeling a little miffed about the whole thing..

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Im sure the Aprilia has its share of issues as well. Something to consider.

EvoL said:

What is that hug piece under the Aprilia's tail? Sorry man, but that is an unattractive bike IMO.

Yes, the HP4 looks much better to me, of course not as good as our beloved

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+1 - I don't like the headlights, the swingarm, and don't get me started on that pipe!

rm4two said:

No valuable feedback to offer, but I do have a question. Why not wait for the all new 2014 Aprilia?

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Fair question... I dunno.. lol... the price of the Factory @19995 is very attractive

Stw said:

Lol... Ok... well I have the dash issue.. Of course.. and reading on here I am feeling its an ongoing unresolved issue... so given this and the fact my Diavel had a very similar failure I am loosing faith in Ducati.. Harsh maybe but true... now dont get me wrong.. This is no where close to a done deal (trading/selling bike).. I am mulling..but I'm feeling a little miffed about the whole thing..

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That is one piece of information that I can actually understand and can't fault you for. I don't think the Pani (or any duc for that matter) is as reliable as a lot of the other stuff out there. I have one problem Duc in my stable right now and I totally share your frustration. I'm actually thinking about trading it in on a Japanese commuter bike so I can't fault your reasoning. If mine starts having all sorts of issues it will be out the door too. I just can't keep something around that spends more time in the shop than on the road..no matter how nice it is to look at.

Subscribed...

the Ape will be easier to ride well, will have much smoother power and is all around a significantly better bike. it is less expensive, doesn't have heat issues, the display doesn't melt, fog up and malfunction. the traction control is considered more refined, the suspension is Ohlins... it may be a touch slower on a racetrack but only for the less than 1% expert rider, but the 99% skillset rider will be faster on the Ape -- the latest review i posted here had the APE edge out the Pani R for BOTH EXPERT RIDERS around a track -- so maybe the Ape Factory is in deed faster than the R for everyone!

so it only comes down to aesthetics. when you ride, you see the tank and dash area. i like the tank and dash of the Ape, even if the rest of it isn't as pretty as the Pani. I actually love the rear-end of the Ape, esp when cleaned up. And you can add legit frame sliders to the Ape, if that peace of mind counts for anything...and you can get it SUB 20k if you wait a bit...

Ape all the way Stw!

EDIT: i forgot, the Ape has the adjustable wheel size feature so your traction control works across various tire sizes too!
EDIT2: not sure how anyone could not love the beemer!?!?! it is a fantastic machine!!!
EDIT3: for below that say parts are an issue -- there's this place called http://www.af1racing.com and they generally have all the parts you need assuming dealer is out. they also have a forum where you can confirm that you shouldn't have issue getting parts -- the whole fear of parts supply is utter legacy nonsense fears from like circa mid to late 90s...

The Aprillia is a very nice bike but if you test drove the BMW HP4 and if you didn't like it, the Aprillia will even be more disappointing. It is a very very compact bike, it handles well, sounds awesome, doesnt like being driven in town like the Pani and the con of the Ape is that the distribution channels for parts really sucks. Ordering parts can take a very long time and expensive because of the economy of scales. Its still a wonderful bike and its still more bike than most can handle.

im with vast

rsv4 would of been my 2nd choice

i mite even consider geting a 2nd hand for a track in future

i think beemer sux
boring boring boring
mite aswell kept my gixxer over that

all the technology and hp can never replace a bikes soul
which the beemer has none
its just a robot at your command

VAST said:

the Ape will be easier to ride well, will have much smoother power and is all around a significantly better bike. it is less expensive, doesn't have heat issues, the display doesn't melt, fog up and malfunction. the traction control is considered more refined, the suspension is Ohlins... it may be a touch slower on a racetrack but only for the less than 1% expert rider, but the 99% skillset rider will be faster on the Ape -- the latest review i posted here had the APE edge out the Pani R for BOTH EXPERT RIDERS around a track -- so maybe the Ape Factory is in deed faster than the R for everyone!

so it only comes down to aesthetics. when you ride, you see the tank and dash area. i like the tank and dash of the Ape, even if the rest of it isn't as pretty as the Pani. I actually love the rear-end of the Ape, esp when cleaned up. And you can add legit frame sliders to the Ape, if that peace of mind counts for anything...and you can get it SUB 20k if you wait a bit...

Ape all the way Stw!

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All very good points, however on the negative side you forgot to mention;
Parts availability and Dealer network or lack there of for both.

I would speak to people about Aprilia and their attitude towards warranty.

Thanks for Stw to start this thread and thanks to all who provided feedbacks.

I do like the compact size. It seems to be fun to ride for a smaller guy who is 5'8" like me.

Stw,

so no more HP4!??

I never test rode one but sat on few. I think it looks o.k. the front looks little bulky? not like clean cut model like Panigale.

Parts do matter to me so maybe I wont get it in the future as well.

Xbox said:

I would speak to people about Aprilia and their attitude towards warranty.

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Can you be less cryptic please???

rm4two said:

All very good points, however on the negative side you forgot to mention;
Parts availability and Dealer network or lack there of for both.

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Historically you maybe right on the parts situation... But it is my understanding that since Piaggio bought Aprilia things have improved dramatically???

correct! from my above Edit3:

for below that say parts are an issue -- there's this place called http://www.af1racing.com and they generally have all the parts you need assuming dealer is out. they also have a forum where you can confirm that you shouldn't have issue getting parts -- the whole fear of parts supply is utter legacy nonsense fears from like circa mid to late 90s...

Stw said:

Historically you maybe right on the parts situation... But it
is my understanding that since Piaggio bought Aprilia things have improved dramatically???

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