Aprilia RSV4R Factory versus 1199

Dylzduc said:

Unfortuately..as you know...a test ride isn't really enough time to tell a good difference. Hopefully though, you have a good area to wring it out a bit.

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yeah, I know, but I believe I'll be able to pick up some basic (but vital) stuff like riding position, cornering feel, throttle response, general rideability. I lurked on the Aprilia forum and saw that you were pretty positive about your experience. What made you go Factory over the R? Also what drove you to make the switch?

Dylzduc said:

I'm diggin the V4 so much I added another to my stable. Bringin it home this week, just waiting for my small mirrors, small signals and tail tidy. i really like v4's, had the old 1986 VFR 750 (the good one) that was an actual racebike and the previous generation 2005 vmax. This is no canyon carver, but the new Max boogies along pretty swiftly for a big machine!

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They actually set this bike up on a ledge off the ground at my dealership.Out of all the bikes they have...and this is the number 1 dealership in canada..they say the vmax is the bike that gets the most people trying to sit on it and do the touchy feely.

...... that's a big ............!

check this vmax!

Custom VMAX Hyper Modified Roland Sands - YouTube

Dylzduc said:

I'm diggin the V4 so much I added another to my stable. Bringin it home this week, just waiting for my small mirrors, small signals and tail tidy. i really like v4's, had the old 1986 VFR 750 (the good one) that was an actual racebike and the previous generation 2005 vmax. This is no canyon carver, but the new Max boogies along pretty swiftly for a big machine!

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Hogdog said:

yeah, I know, but I believe I'll be able to pick up some basic (but vital) stuff like riding position, cornering feel, throttle response, general rideability. I lurked on the Aprilia forum and saw that you were pretty positive about your experience. What made you go Factory over the R? Also what drove you to make the switch?

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I got a crazy good deal on my Factory..couldn't say no. Everyone is different...and I'm not here to slam the 1199. I was lovin the Pani for awhile but I was also in denial and or trying to convince myself that there were not as many flaws as there is. I don't feel the bike instills confidence...where the RSV4 takes only a couple rides before you can really get into a fast, confidence inspiring groove. Mid corner and corner exit is awesome fun and your not being punished to hell while doing it. I don't know if the RSV4 is any faster in a straight line wide open, but it's faster everywhere else...and much easier. I love it...and I'm getting real fast on it.Every ride i get better on it..where the Pani had me scratchin my head sometimes. One thing with the RSV4 that is a must before picking it up, is changing it's 16 tooth front sprocket. Waaay to tall and effects acceleration. Pretty much everyone changes that out and many do a 42 tooth reas as opposed to 40. I've done the 15 front but will be doing the 42 rear. Outside of that, i recommend the race ecu and whatever exhaust you like.Race ecu works with pretty much all the slip ons etc. Shop around for a left over 2011 Factory or R..there are deals out there..just have to do some homework. A tall rider might find the Ape challenging.I'm 5'10 and it's about perfect for me. I found..like my Pani the motor takes a few miles before it starts comin to life. I don't find the ape punishing, therefore, it's more enjoyable,I'm faster on it and have a bigger smile.Might not be the same for everyone though...but the strong majority feels the same and people are ditching their pani's for aprillia rsv4's

I can not maximize either the aprilia rsv4r and the 1199, but I choose over the 1199 because it is just fresh out of the market and a redesign is half a decade away. if you buy the aprilia rsv4r now, an all new model is just around the corner.

desmodromic system said:

I can not maximize either the aprilia rsv4r and the 1199, but I choose over the 1199 because it is just fresh out of the market and a redesign is half a decade away. if you buy the aprilia rsv4r now, an all new model is just around the corner.

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True..but an all new model is always a gamble in the first year or so.Sometimes they get it right ..but usually there is teething problems.Refinement on an aging design is not necessarily a bad thing. If the 1199 doesn't show any promise in WSBK..that redesign may come sooner than we think.

you can't enjoy the new model today if it's out in 2014. none of these bikes will appreciate like, say, a green frame 750SS from the 70s.

it's all a matter of depreciation with these bikes. so ride the best one today is what i say.

VAST said:

you can't enjoy the new model today if it's out in 2014. none of these bikes will appreciate like, say, a green frame 750SS from the 70s.

it's all a matter of depreciation with these bikes. so ride the best one today is what i say.

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Right on Brother

Of one thinks about it in any other terms, then IMO they're kidding themselves if they believe they can outguess the market in the future

Cheers

VAST said:

you going to Brooklyn dealer Lance? i know they have a factory coming in i believe by this weekend...

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No, we have a dealer near some good roads at the Ct / NY border, so test ride up there.

I don't think it's about resale. I would have hated to buy the 1198 in 2011, only to have it be "old news" 8 months later! Many did and could be completely happy, I just know I would always wish I'd waited. Same thing could happen buying the Ape, or R1, or CBR, or GSX-R this year (think I covered all the ones that haven't been redesigned in years).

Dylzduc said:

Outside of that, i recommend the race ecu and whatever exhaust you like.Race ecu works with pretty much all the slip ons etc. Shop around for a left over 2011 Factory or R..there are deals out there..just have to do some homework. A tall rider might find the Ape challenging.I'm 5'10 and it's about perfect for me. I found..like my Pani the motor takes a few miles before it starts comin to life. I don't find the ape punishing, therefore, it's more enjoyable,I'm faster on it and have a bigger smile.Might not be the same for everyone though...but the strong majority feels the same and people are ditching their pani's for aprillia rsv4's

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Interesting . Who are the strong majority ? I actually did the opposite and have adapted to the Panigale much quicker than my Ape .
Don't get me wrong I loved he RSV4 but my lap times and results are greatly improved on the Panigale .

DYLZDUC, thanks for your input, that was what I was looking for. i'm crazy about my Pani as well, but started getting irritated at all the warranty issues (now have a blown out rear Sachs shock, burned fairing, dash replaced once, etc) but still love her. Only thing is I'm tracking her every month and I'm not sure I'm improving on the pani as much as I might on a nimbler bike. i'm 5'7" so the size of the V4 might be an advantage for me. One question, a dealer told me that he can upgrade a V4R for about $2500 with front and rear Ohlins and get pretty close to the Factory specs, save for frame adjustments. Thoughts? Thanks again.

wilkson said:

Interesting . Who are the strong majority ? I actually did the opposite and have adapted to the Panigale much quicker than my Ape .
Don't get me wrong I loved he RSV4 but my lap times and results are greatly improved on the Panigale .

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There's an article on this post somewhere, that is a good read. It's not me coming up with it, it's common knowledge the RSV4 is more often than not turning quicker lap times than the Pani in tests shootouts or whatever. If you're quicker on yours, that's fantastic. I don't know how if all things are equal, but if so, that is great.

My mates on RSV4s have had blown head gaskets had gearboxes replaced and throttle sensors crap themselves several times .
I had a hard time stopping my bike from leaking oil . You should get one .

Hogdog said:

DYLZDUC, thanks for your input, that was what I was looking for. i'm crazy about my Pani as well, but started getting irritated at all the warranty issues (now have a blown out rear Sachs shock, burned fairing, dash replaced once, etc) but still love her. Only thing is I'm tracking her every month and I'm not sure I'm improving on the pani as much as I might on a nimbler bike. i'm 5'7" so the size of the V4 might be an advantage for me. One question, a dealer told me that he can upgrade a V4R for about $2500 with front and rear Ohlins and get pretty close to the Factory specs, save for frame adjustments. Thoughts? Thanks again.

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That's a tough one. Depends what you're going to be doing with the bike and if that $2500 is hurting your wallet or not.Like the base pani...there is absolutely nothing wrong with the R....it's all good stuff. Depends more on the individual. I'm always second guessing and or left wanting if i don't get the "higher" model. I don't really need the higher stuff...butI stew about it like an idiot...haha...but some don't care. I wouldn't start rippin apart a new bike personally...the R is an awesome machine too...if it was me..I'd get the race ecu with that money,do the sprocket swap and a slip on and you'll likely still have a few $ left over. go onto the Af1,apriliaforums site, lots of good info. Buy/order your ECU from Ted at AF1 or contact him on the forum.Those guys are awesome and a huge informative help. The 1199 and RSV4 are both awesome italian machines...top dogs.I just think the aprilia ia more refined and the better machine that is easier to live with and to ride.

Dylzduc said:

There's an article on this post somewhere, that is a good read. It's not me coming up with it, it's common knowledge the RSV4 is more often than not turning quicker lap times than the Pani in tests shootouts or whatever. If you're quicker on yours, that's fantastic. I don't know how if all things are equal, but if so, that is great.

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Which tracks are they quicker ? I know from racing one for a year and racing them now they struggle on bigger HP tracks against the Panigale and the BMW .
The sort of racing I do is by guys on realitivly standard bike so it's quite a good indicator on bikes flaws and weakness .
These bikes are all great bikes and all have positives and negatives there really isn't a bad one .

wilkson said:

My mates on RSV4s have had blown head gaskets had gearboxes replaced and throttle sensors crap themselves several times .
I had a hard time stopping my bike from leaking oil . You should get one .

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I have one..no problems for me. Hit and miss i guess, if you're pani is the better machine for you, then that's great. For me, RSV4 suits me better.....much better

wilkson said:

My mates on RSV4s have had blown head gaskets had gearboxes replaced and throttle sensors crap themselves several times .
I had a hard time stopping my bike from leaking oil . You should get one .

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lol

wilkson said:

Which tracks are they quicker ? I know from racing one for a year and racing them now they struggle on bigger HP tracks against the Panigale and the BMW .
The sort of racing I do is by guys on realitivly standard bike so it's quite a good indicator on bikes flaws and weakness .
These bikes are all great bikes and all have positives and negatives there really isn't a bad one .

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you are right,positives and negatives on all.not sure what level you're racing at...many factors, but you'll never convince me the pani is the better machine.The RSV4 struggling on high hp tracks against the pani..i don't buy it.I've ridden a stock bmw and the pani can only be compared on a spec sheet..which means nothing.The BMW walks the pani...badly...so i'll buy the bmw walkin on the ape a bit..but i don't buy the pani doin it.Besides racing is not about just long straights, and the rsv4 has been competitive right out of the box in world superbike and continues to be top dog.Every racing series will produce different results..i get that...but i don't see the 1199 ever winning a title ...maybe not even a race.Checa being hurt sucks, but they have a TON of work to do.

wilkson said:

My mates on RSV4s have had blown head gaskets had gearboxes replaced and throttle sensors crap themselves several times .
I had a hard time stopping my bike from leaking oil . You should get one .

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I guess i need the problem free pani...lol.