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Am I good enough?

Colonial Boy

Colonial Boy

Joined Feb 2009
15 Posts | 0+
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Hi All! Been back into bikes for a year after a thirty year rest (wife, mortgage, kids). Seen some changes! Did 4000kms on a Kwaka ZR7S then got an old GPZ900R that I love. But I'm lusting after an RSV and wonder if it's too much bike for me. Lots of quiet country roads down here in New Zealand for me to ease into one but doubters say if you don't ride a sports bike like the Aprilia hard you'll fall off! I mostly travel two up (my wife is petite) and we are comfortable at around 120kph. Is the RSV the right bike for us? And while I'm at it, my wife fancies a 955 Daytona instead - anyone like to make comparisons? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Hi fellow Kiwi, Where in god's own are you ?. The "Ape" was meant for NZ, trust me I know :)

Forget the Trumpet, too high in the maintenance stakes !!, The Ape will be perfect for two up touring.
 
Listen buy the RSV its got grunt grunt and more grunt

Easy to ride, comfortable for the pillion, reliable if kept on charge and most of all its got character
 
Hi Kiwi! I'm in Central Hawkes Bay. Funny you should say the Trump is high maintenance - "experts" here say the other way round!

Thanks for the advice Areessmill. What exactly do you meen about keep on charge? Should it be externally trickle charged when not in use?
 
Cool , I am from Christchurch originally....

Yup when not in use leave them on the Optimate 24x7, one thing about the big twin is that it needs plenty of volts to turn it over /spark it up so the battery needs to be in tip top shape.

I guess differant people have differant views on the Trumpet, as with any bike.
 
Thanks Kiwi. No real experience with a twin other than rides on an 883 Sporty and a Firestorm. Am looking to test an RSV next weekend and hoping that it will be a lot smoother than the Honda which I have to say was a big disappointment.
 
Twin is something totally different from inline 4..

Once you get a hang of it you just love it... Specially on winding back roads. and maybe after some gearing mods.

I only have had twins, but been riding I4s as well.
 
The only way to get the firestorm to handle was fit fireblade suspension to it !!, it was just too soft not just in terms of suspension but power .....The APE will blow you away with its handling, of all the twins i have ridden in the last 5 years (yes I started riding again at the age of 40), The APE is the sweetest and easiest to live with.
 
Thanks Jussi & Kiwi. Looks like the Aprilia might be for me! I'd never sell the GPZ so I want a modern bike that offers something different. Any ex Daytona riders out there who can make an objective comparison?
 
yep, theyre **** in comparison, get the mille

The most focused bike ive ever ridden
 
loving the unbiased opinions of the forum lol

but to put it bluntly my mate has a triumph 955i and I test rode it before buying my mille, the 955i is quite a heavy bike, decent grunt but doesnt shift like the rsv does. Its an obvious choice really ;)
 
Thanks Olek and V Senna. Yeah, I guess un unbiased view is being a little optimistic! Interesting that the Triumph is heavier - maybe they'll both feel light after the GPZ but it will be something I will take note of. I dunno, the Mille just makes my heart pump a little faster just looking at it. Looking forward now to a test ride!
 
Please buy a honda!!
You wife will stay with you just a little longer!!
If you must have a ape than buy a Capo
RSV are not made to drive with you're wife on the back.
 
Well Doc, that's an interesting point. I guess my wife will have the last word on the comfort issue. However, I fear if I buy a Honda I might just fall asleep! How many of you regularly ride two up for long distances on your RSV?
 
Buy a Honda and I will make sure that the entire "TwoLongaLoafa" tribe descend on you for a decade !!! :)
 
just my .02..a good friend of mine rode a 00' 955i and loved it to death! not the prettiest bike out there, but if definitely had character. He beat the piss out of that thing and must have dropped it two times or more and never had any problems whatsoever up to about 21k miles when it was sold. I think they recommend valve adjustments every 16k, but he never had one done. The motor had some tick but still ran good. Also as far as the RSV, i'd say do it of course. Test ride both the RSV and the Tuono and then decide which is for you. IMO a twin is the only way to go with a motorcycle unless you're talking a MV Agusta F4 :p
 
Hi mate i took the wife out on the back and she hated it so take your wife on the test ride as well but they are very good fun this is my toy
leesbike004-2.jpg
 
Ha ha Kiwi - a fate worse than death! Don't worry, A Honda isn't in the running!

Thanks for the Daytona support Mr Chow. I have to say the styling is a big draw-back with choosing one. I think I could live with an '02-'03 but I'd still be looking at Milles......

Lees that is one sweet RSV! They don't come any cleaner! I will definitely have my wife on the back when I test one (after I've taken it for a squirt solo of course).

Mutts I used to like the Falco 'cos I think it would be a better bike for two up, but I have this thing about a full fairing. I guess I'm just a MotoGP wannabe!
 
Colonial Boy said:
Ha ha Kiwi - a fate worse than death! Don't worry, A Honda isn't in the running!

Thanks for the Daytona support Mr Chow. I have to say the styling is a big draw-back with choosing one. I think I could live with an '02-'03 but I'd still be looking at Milles......

Lees that is one sweet RSV! They don't come any cleaner! I will definitely have my wife on the back when I test one (after I've taken it for a squirt solo of course).

Mutts I used to like the Falco 'cos I think it would be a better bike for two up, but I have this thing about a full fairing. I guess I'm just a MotoGP wannabe!
Click to expand...

Futura it is then :devious
 

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