Aprilla RSV4RF Group Test Winner

youngR · Aug 1, 2015

Compared to many folks here, I have a limited experience with diverse brands (just few like Ducati, BMW, Honda, and Harley) and never owned a Aprilla. I sat on one at a Dainese store in California... is all the experience I have.

My question is...and the british magazine as well... is that with Aprilla doing so well on testing with high scores...why do they sell so little numbers?

Like the Magazine mentions, it used to have parts issues, reliability issues, and dealer support but not so much anymore.

Do they still have these issues in USA? What is the cause of them not selling as well as other brands? anyone have an extensive knowledge and experience with them?

Love to hear your thoughts.

crazyduc996 · Aug 1, 2015

I had a 2007 RSV1000R Factory, Amazing Motorcycle, still wish I hadn't of sold it for a hypermotard.. I never had a problem with getting parts for it, AF1 has just about every part you could conceivably need and I'm pretty sure they can get the parts they don't have... I bought my '07 as a salvage bike that needed a few parts here and there, they had all the parts in stock and I had the parts in my garage before I had the bike in the garage.. I bough the bike one weekend and picked it up the next, so they are quick on the shipping...

MMC · Aug 1, 2015

Dealer network/knowledge/support....

...otherwise I'd get one!

ScrapperX · Aug 1, 2015

great bike but marketing sucks

flobrandx · Aug 1, 2015

I bought a 2010 RSV4 factory this spring for track only duties and so far it's a great bike. Easy to go fast on since the handling is as smooth as they say. I'm no expert rider by any means but the first track day I rode it I was comfortable pushing my limits on it. I have no problem staying with and getting ahead of the guys I ride with as the corner speed is fast. I can come out of turn 9 at my home track (PIR) and pull past my buddy on his Panigale 1199R down the straight since I have some much drive outta the corner.

From what I see the biggest issue is dealer network and support. Like it was said above I get a lot of parts from AF1 and they are great with answer questions and getting the parts you want and need. The AF1 guys are great to work with.

Would I buy another RSV4? At this point yes but I will always have a Ducati as well.

youngR · Aug 2, 2015

It's sad that they make such a awesome bike yet dealer net work and support is not up to par. You would think that's easier than making the bike itself...

Lack of number of dealers in some states as well. (Since I do move quite often)

Ducati does pretty well with both numbers and support for the most part.

JDBeretta · Aug 2, 2015

Haven't met a person with an Aprilia RSVxxx that had bad things to say about it.

I, on the other hand, had an Aprilia Shiver. Nothing really bad, in terms of running issues or anything, just not for me at all. That was a short lived experiment with "trying to slow down a bit".

ChrisE · Aug 2, 2015

A few weeks ago, i had to make a decision between this bike and a 1299S.

I've owned two Aprilia's, still have my Tuono which I love.

I'd read a couple of these tests where the 1299 ended up in 3rd place and the RSV4 RF in 1st.

But I also got a little scared by the RSV4RF's required maintenance, which doesn't get mentioned in these reviews.

I would probably never push the RSV4 RF into the heavy duty maintenance, but I felt that a bike with 7k-8k miles would be a tough second hand sale with the possibility of this hanging over it.

Around 9K miles, supposedly if raced or ridden hard, the ECU shuts down the power levels until the bike gets new pistons, rods and valves.

And on the flip side, I can never ride any of these bikes to the level where 1/2 a second on a lap time makes a difference to me.

I brought home a 1299S.

I saw my first RSV4R RF sitting in a dealership a couple of days ago, I'm still lusting after it.
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=284273&d=1436219970

Sprinkles · Aug 2, 2015

Love that dash...

JHTmcrider · Aug 2, 2015

If I weren't 6'5 I would have got one.

sexparty · Aug 3, 2015

I think the reason they don't sell more is because of the tiny cockpit.

We have one in the shop sitting right next to a Panigale and although everyone jumps on it and lusts after the motor and what the bike can do, as soon as they feel how cramped the cockpit is everyone goes, no thanks. Soon as they get onto the Panigale next to it, that's it, they're like yep, that's the Italian superbike to have, its lighter, looks better and cockpit is actually useable (for anyone over 5'8").

At least around here. Every one of my mates and the guys that work at the shop are taller than me and I'm 6ft with shoes on.

youngR · Aug 3, 2015

I appreciate all the inputs.

I did not know about below and yes...that could be a deal breaker for me.

ChrisE said:
A few weeks ago, i had to make a decision between this bike and a 1299S.

I've owned two Aprilia's, still have my Tuono which I love.

I'd read a couple of these tests where the 1299 ended up in 3rd place and the RSV4 RF in 1st.

But I also got a little scared by the RSV4RF's required maintenance, which doesn't get mentioned in these reviews.

I would probably never push the RSV4 RF into the heavy duty maintenance, but I felt that a bike with 7k-8k miles would be a tough second hand sale with the possibility of this hanging over it.

Around 9K miles, supposedly if raced or ridden hard, the ECU shuts down the power levels until the bike gets new pistons, rods and valves.

And on the flip side, I can never ride any of these bikes to the level where 1/2 a second on a lap time makes a difference to me.

I brought home a 1299S.

I saw my first RSV4R RF sitting in a dealership a couple of days ago, I'm still lusting after it.
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=284273&d=1436219970

JonT · Aug 3, 2015

For me it's just the aesthetics, the Ducati is by far the prettiest bike out there, I have never been a real fan of how the Aprilla looks but I wouldn't give it back if I won one, great bike.

reganc · Aug 3, 2015

the aprilia is a great bike but it's starting to feel a little old and it's heavy.

ChrisE · Aug 3, 2015

reganc said:
the aprilia is a great bike but it's starting to feel a little old and it's heavy.

Me somehow don't think you've read the specs on the 2016 Aprilia RSV4R RF (that's what they are calling it here on the USA), it lost some weight and picked up HP and they moved the engine for better handling. Sure it's still heavier than the Panigale, but it falls nicely in the same range as the R1 and S1000RR.

I've seen a couple of rear wheel dyne's of most of this new crop of bikes and the Aprilia and Ducati are about equal, although the Ducati makes more torque.

Where I felt this bike falls down a little on the Panigale S, the Ohlins, on the Aprilia is a little behind the Ducati.

This was a bit of a decider for me.

I think the Aprilia should have come with a TTX shock.

reganc · Aug 3, 2015

ChrisE said:
Me somehow don't think you've read the specs on the 2016 Aprilia RSV4R RF (that's what they are calling it here on the USA), it lost some weight and picked up HP and they moved the engine for better handling. Sure it's still heavier than the Panigale, but it falls nicely in the same range as the R1 and S1000RR.

I've seen a couple of rear wheel dyne's of most of this new crop of bikes and the Aprilia and Ducati are about equal, although the Ducati makes more torque.

Where I felt this bike falls down a little on the Panigale S, the Ohlins, on the Aprilia is a little behind the Ducati.

This was a bit of a decider for me.

I think the Aprilia should have come with a TTX shock.

You're right Chris, i assumed it was the same R with slightly different specs.

I better get reading

jdgun · Aug 3, 2015

I am no rockstar racer, but I owned a 2012 RSV4 Factory (race Ecu, slip-on & tons of bolt ons)and it WAS a nice bike, but I just did not get along with it all that great.
Anyone who says it feels light at any speed, must be comparing it to other 460lb machines.
The electronics were awesome & the brakes with a brembo 19x18/20 RCS master were amazing as well.
For sure a visceral machine that is a lot of fun to ride, but as mentioned kinda tight on space.
Might buy another one in the future, but i gel so much better with the Panigale 1199S and it gives me confidence i never had with my aprilia.

Aprilla RSV4RF Group Test Winner

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