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Handling WOW!

BaronvonBomb

BaronvonBomb

Joined Jul 2009
160 Posts | 0+
Hi All,

I`m a noobie to this site but not to aprilia`s. I owned a 2001 rsvr a few years ago and defected to Ducati. I`ve come to my senses and i`m coming back.

I`ve just test drove a 2004 factory and i`m utterly blown away!!

It`s been a while since i rode my 2001 rsvr but i`m sure it didn`t handle that good. And don`t get me started on the brakes!!:biggrin

Now i`m in a dilema, my plan was to sell the duke get an 2001 rsvr again and spend the difference on some shiny and loud stuff. I`ve read on the forum about the difference in the two models and agree with comments about the power delivery. But is it possible , without spending wads of cash , to get a 2001 rsvr to handle like the factory? Also does the 2004 rsvr ( new shape ) feel as good as the factory on the road? I`m no riding god but am i going to get the same plushness (and fuzzy warm feeling inside )from the standard stuff?

Thank for any reply`s in advance. Hopefully I be joining your ranks soon. :thumbup
 
In my opinion, modding my non R to a R and driving a few of others, the bling stuff on the factory make no diference on the street. So go for it :thumbup

But it does matter how you have your suspension set up, so maybe you just didnt hit the right spot on your 01 and the factory was spot on for you.
 
My 01 with Showas handles brilliantly, despite a shagged rear shock. Sounds like set-up issue. And brakes? Short of having your mate drive around in front of you in a truck ready to drop a brick wall in front of you when you want to stop, you won't find much better anchors than four-pot Brembos!:dunno
 
In my expirience, 2 pads are oke, 4 pads are great, but radial are just a bit better :).

It also matters why kind of pads your running. Brembos for 4 pads are:doug

I have carbon lorraine sbk5 in my 2 pad calipers and they suck :)

Also one more thing... The most important thing is how good you are at brakeing :D
 
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When I did the Aprilia "ride the range" day a couple of years ago I couldnt tell any difference between Factory and R in terms of ....well ....anything really. I got back on to my 2000 to ride home expecting to feel a little let down but I can honestly say the only thing I thought that could do with improving was the brakes.
 
There`s a garage in glasgow that has a 2004 R. I think i`ll have to take it for a test ride. Another near it has a standard 2003 Mille so i might be busy this week.

The one I rode was a bit tatty and i think the dealer wants too much for it.
It`s an 04 plate Factory with 16000 on the clock and aprilia race cans, He`s wanting £5895. What do you all think?
 
I payed £4500 for my 04 factory with 6k on it! It was a shed, but not now:devious
 
Your never going to get a pre 04 bike to feel exactly the same as the post 04 bike exactly because the frame geometry is different and by some margin. It will have similar traits but they do ride differently to each other.

In terms of suspension the Ohlins has an advantage in terms of adjustment. As in each click makes a noticeable difference whereas i found the Showa's need more adjustment to reach the same alteration but in terms of performance, nothing in it.

To be honest the Ohlins would have cost me a shed load in the 13k of my last bike had i not done the forks myself. The shock i had to have rebuilt by a Pro as i have no access to Nitrogen and the rebuild cost me over £200. That was at 9k when the shaft seal inverted it's lip which is quite common to the forks also.

Ya pays ya money etc.
 

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