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New member with a question.

Stormmy

Stormmy

Joined Nov 2008
7 Posts | 0+
Northampton
Hi Guys, I have a question for you. I have always been a jap bike rider, i have ridden everything from AR50's to Yamaha R1's and all sorts in between. However for my next bike i an seriously considering an 2005 RSV R Factory. I local dealer has one and it looks amazing.

Whats the reliability like? How do they far performance wise against the likes of the ZX10's, R1's and GSXR's os this world?

My only twin experience is a Honda VT1000 Firestorm, which I loved, how does the power delivery compair to that?
 
Hi Stormmy,

First of all WELCOME , youv'e certainly come to the right place !!.
My first v-twin was the venerable Firestorm so I think I can say that they are "chalk & cheese" with perhaps the exception of the exhaust note !!.
The Firestorm suspension was too soft and lazy , you can/could tie it in knots too easily the RSV is very focussed requires a certain amount of committmant but will leave you grinning from ear to ear and wanting more.
Engine wise The Rotax is a grown up VTR , it produces more power, more torque and many more mpg !!
Spares are on a par , there are a couple of dedicated mail order companie's that can you can use.
Other than the now well documented "Sprag clutch" issue , theres not much that goes wrong with them.

Hope this helps

Alternative answer - Buy it , Its the best thing you could ever do for yourself :)
 
As kiwi said but there are a few checks and questions to ask on pre 2006 models.

All 2004 and some 2005 bikes wer subject to a recall on the swingarm. makes sure it's done.

You can tell but looking on the inside of the chain guard and there should be a small black bracket linking it to the back of the toe guard.

Also there have been some problems with a melting loom connector behind the radiator expansion bottle. You obviously can't see it on the dealers showroom floor but if you take it for a ride look at the voltage on the dash and if it's below 13v at anything above idle be suspicious. Easy enough to fix but charging system damage will ensue if it's not sorted. I would recommend you remove the connector anyway.

engine internal wise they are bulletproof generally. If you get one maintaining the batt is a necessity. Twins need big power to start and a semi flat batt won't cut it and may damage the starter clutch. Optimates are great and not having an alarm is even better. The 2005 bike has a factory immobiliser which is usually good enough for most insurers.

A good suspension setup is also highly recommended to get the best out of it. The suspension it pretty high spec and will reward you if it's right with a much better riding experience.
If it has Ohlins forks just check the front fork seals have no weeping.
 
if you liked the firestorm,youll fukn LOVE the mille mate.
not as fast as the latest gixer/r1/zx10 but so much more fun and shitloads more character.plus youll stand out at the bike meets ect,as theres a much lower ratio of rsv's about than the usual top il4's.
they very easy to ride fast and handle superbly imo,loads of grunt and torque and you can get on the gas mid way through a corner!
spoil yourself this xmas buddy,and if you get a good un,you wont look back.
 
What they said but beware.......the ensuing grin may make you look like a simpleton!:pirate:eatcorn:eatcorn
 
I would get it.I have two millie r and one is a 02 and one is a 07. just awesome bikes.good reliable and the maitance is the same as the inline fours.oh did i tell how fun they are.donnie.i take mine on the track and have no problem taking care of the inline fours.yeeha
 
Ive got an 06 RSVR aswell as an 07 R1. The R1 is the prettiest girl in the class, but lacks substance, The RSVR is the gawky looking one in the corner, you know the kind you know is a looker if she lost the glasses.

The R1 has a big hole in it under 4k as the fly by wire throttle limits the accelaration, It feels nervous in corners & lacks drive until its upright, the engine spins tho and is brutal over 4k, I had the Yam hitting 177 with another gear to go....

Im on my 2nd RSV after having a 2000 model which was traded in for a new blade last year, I didnt realise how much I loved the RSV till it was gone, and the newer ones handle even better, theres as much drive mid corner as you could ever want, fast enough to leave anything wanting. I'll always have an RSVR in my garage
 
Ive just brought a 04 RSVR, had it 2 weeks and been out on it s few times even thought the weathers not so good now. Im very pleased with it, ive always had jap bikes and this is a real change for me, 1 that i have no regrets about.
Its had the swinging arm changed last year and only done 8k miles, very clean indeed.

Theres a few after market bits id like to get for it just to make it my own but nothing major as its all there. Ohhhh apart from a steering damper, i take it its only the factorys that come with a steering damper as standard???? Anyone know?

I must get one for this wheelie prone machine :)
 
04 onwards Aprilias only the Factory came with a Damper standard. I actually don't think I need one
 
yep the factroy comes with it. my 07 did not but i bought one. i will take it on the track here cali.but i did take it in the canyon and it did fine with out it.d
 
the reason i will get one is to avoid getting tank slap, ive had it before when riding on crap roads, small pot holes etc... nightmare.....
 
I here you. go get it .it will make a differance. dam pot holes.you will be surprised how well it dose handle with out it ,but it will make it better of course. have fun my mille freind.
 
Hi mate, you have to try one! I've had minie less than 2 months, but have spent plenty of time and money doing bits to it, it does make you enthusiastic shall we say.:exclamation
VERY different kettle of fish to an average inline Jap 4, but that's bloody obvious. They are comparitively huge for a start and the engine couldn't be more different. They aren't really for mindless commuting, much happier bikes when you have some effort to give them if you know what I mean. Induction & exhaust noise to die for! :pirate
Good luck and oh, AR50 - my first road bike too way back when!
 
Thank you so much for the reply's, really appreciated. Looks very much like I am looking at the right bike. Very interesting that almc should compare the RSV against the R1 since an 05 R1 is my alternative choice.

Can I ask another question, I am looking at an 04 or newer, i have noticed that there are two models the RSV R and th RSV R Factory, my question, is it worth paying the extra for a Factory? What exactly do you get?
 
if you have the extra cash go factory .You get the oz wheels and a olins rear shock. other then that you can go on line and compare specs and the motor out put is the same,what ever one you get you will be happy I am sure of that. :doug oh and you get the olins steering dampner. good times
 
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great bikes, mines on 53k with no big problems, down gear it and yer sorted, it wil eat all bikes til about 170mph.
Ck
 
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