RSVR As first big bike??????

Hi Guys,

I've always been into bikes and since the age of 14, i've been riding (up to 400cc), i'm now 22 and the day after i pased my DA i went and bought a 2005 RSVR (about 7 months ago), i'm suprised at how much time and maintenence these machines need (don't get me wrong, i love it!!), i had a ZXR400 for a couple of years and it pretty much took care of it's self, i got my new beast and the she needs constant attention. All my friends think i'm a mad man to get such a ferocious bike for my first 'big' bike but i've done 5000 miles on her and only had a couple of big scares!!

My questions are;

Do you think my bike is too much for a novice rider like myself? :dunno

And;

What the best peice of maintenence advice you can give a young rider with an RSVR? :dunno

Thanks in advance! :thumbup

Two things..

1. How much maintance? your bike is 3 yrs old!!!
2. Big scares?? Wobble? slide? Contact???

Oh... do not paint it black. It will be too fast for you...:devious

As Flick says maintenance as in what :confused.

Regular servicing every 6000 miles for your bike, lube and adjust the chain, keep her clean and polished and hooked up to an Opimate. There's not much else to do. I take it the bike is now out of it warranty period.

What problems have you had?

With regard to your question only you can answer that one.

it clearly isn't too much bike for you if you've done 5,000 miles on it and no spills. With regard to maintenance what the heck u talkin bout????
I'm 22 myself and ride a CBR600FS and want an RSV just cus I'm always on windy roads and I want that v-twin acceleration out of the corners again (SV650 as previous bike). Just take it handy and you'll be fine, the bike will only go as fast as you want it to (which hopefully isn't insane fast........... well......... at least in moderation :devious)
happy biking matey irate

If you take it easy, learn about the power and handling, and don't get sucked into riding faster than your ability, by trying to keep up with more experienced riders. may sound obvious but you would be supprised at just who gets sucked in and ends in tears:jack.
my first real bike was a brand new ZX7R one of the first in the country 1996. this was after 1 year on a new GPZ500S. just took my time and enjoyed the learning process. i was told by good riders back then, speed is directly proportional to how far you twist the throttle.
keep it rubber side down, it's much more fun. and cheaper:thumbup

i know what you mean by extra maintence, my 750 takes quite a bit of looking after comapired to my 400! just things like tyers, brake pads, chains ect wear out faster. You'll find this with prity much again bike over 100bhp.

As for jumping up the power to quick, the RSV wont be a masive steep up in power, flat out power is going to be about the same as a new 600 (but far more low down torque). Rember the bike is only as fast as you twist the throtal, if you dont force it to go fast then it wont. Will brick your pants first few times! and take some time to get used to the twin, very diffrent riding style

eano2 said:

the bike will only go as fast as you want it to

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Well said :thumbup,

Bikes dont go fast on there own, the rider makes it go. The first bike i had was a Yam TZR125, i rode it for 3 years every day and can honestly say it was one of the best and most fun bike ive ever had. I then went straight on to a R6, again a fantastic bike, had a few scares but only cos i was riding it like a ****. Moral of the story is dont ride like a monkey and you will be fine.

You look in any breakers yard and see how many trashed 50-125cc scooters there are, there's hundreds of the f'*ckers. Now these bike aint particually quick, it's because most have been owned by 16-17 years old idiots who aint got a clue.

My opinon is keep the bike, ride carefully and enjoy it !!!


Cheers,


Ritch

I'm 23 going on 24 and the RSVR is only my second bike, after a Cagiva Raptor 650 I had for three years (on which I did PLENTY of miles). And I'm only riding since I'm 21, ànd I'm a gal, so I have more reasons "against" me than you, lol :laugh :laugh
I love the darn RSV to bits, can't get enough of it. and I'm taking it to the track in a few weeks :doug

Nearly everything depends on the rider, and this bike is very confidence-inhancing but wants to go fast, so as long as you keep that in mind and under control, you should be more than fine :thumbup

ENJOY :cheers

Go for it and enjoy it. Remember the throttle doesn't have to go to the stop all the time. Take care and learn and you'll be fine.

Maintenance wise I had a ZXR400 that need more looking after than my RSV. Other than chain oil, tension, tyre pressure and service schedules I haven't had to do anything to mine. Oh and polish it!!:thumbup

Get out and enjoy

22, god i'm old , i can't even remember being 22 :rant
Just enjoy the bike :thumbup

My `05 RSV is my first litre `proper sports bike` and at 35 I`m quite frankly shi77ing myself at the thought of my first hot sunny ride out.
Raced 500 2 stroke crossers at national level, had the 600cc, 850cc and laterly a 800 V-Tec experience, and decided that a RSV was one of the very few bikes I could get my 6`2" frame on and ride in any comfort. The VFR impressed the hell out of me but took a good while to ride with any great confidence,, I expect the prilla will take longer, but as most are saying, it only goes as fast as the noise making thing in your right hand.
I have booked myself on a Ron Haslam track day at Donny to help give me the tools I need to determine my own destiny,, and can`t wait for that.
I also tend to ride out on my own too or with people I know don`t mind waiting for, or being waiting for. psychologically I think that helps me ride to MY capability rather than my " I`m gonna do you" mentality from years gone by. That is not to say that I ride like miss daisy, but when I go out I wanna get home.
After 5000 miles you should have gelled with and feel a part of your bike I guess, but remember,,,,,, you never stop learning, and there is always a muppet ready to pull out on you

Ride safe. and most importantly,, enjoy it.

Ride it and feel the difference :devious.. welcome :thumbup

If I was you,I'd do whatever the hell you want mate. I started riding when I was 17 and went from a 50cc typhoon moped,a aprilia rs125 when I was 17, then on to 2 ducati 748's from a 18 to 22 year old,a zx6r an now my big baby, my 1999 rsv mille at 23. So GO FOR MAN!!!!!!! (just be sensible,if theres any chance of that happening while your having that much fun) :thumbup

I voted "go for it". To the new Mille riders: Just be careful with your throttle control when letting off the gas. When you go into the turns hot and let off the throttle too much the rear end will steer you around a corner like you are hitting the brake. My friends only get to see me do this around the first corner and then they lose sight of me when I accelerate into the distance :devious. The rear tire will leave a black streak when you let off the throttle too much AND it will also leave a black streak on the ground as you leave the corner when you are on the power pulling away. It's great.

The engine power when racing around on the street is not exactly for rookies so be careful. The inline 4 bikes are much easier to learn how to ride fast as they are more forgiving. But then again the Aprilia handles SO much better than the other bikes that it will probably save your butt when things get over your head. They really handle that much better than other bikes. I had a Suzuki TL1000R that I sold because they just don't handle well no matter how you adjust things. I loved the V-twin power and finally bought the Aprilia... much better bike. Watch your throttle control in slippery conditions and you'll be better off with the better handling (safer) Aprilia.

As far as maintenance just make sure you ride it to keep the battery charged, check tires (always keep fresh quality tires on for safety), lube chain, properly check and change oil... that should do it. I also recommend taking out the rear shock every 7-10,000 miles to inspect the bolts and linkage. They will need new grease at that point so that it continues operates smoothly. The forks will need new oil at that point as well if you want to keep the bikes suspension in good shape. If you don't do the upkeep on your suspension then it won't work like it should and performance will suffer. All this advice goes for all bikes though so it's just common sense. The only difference being that if you neglect these things the Aprilia is much more expensive to replace any broken parts. The regular service stuff is just as costly as every other brand out there.

You're doing the right thing by riding one of the best bikes you can buy. You won't have to worry about upgrading it like the other brands that sell you a mediocre components. Keep it clean!

RSVR said:

...My questions are;

Do you think my bike is too much for a novice rider like myself? :dunno

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yes. Get shot of it before you crash. You WILL crash. I will put money on it.

RSVR said:

What the best peice of maintenence advice you can give a young rider with an RSVR? :dunno

Thanks in advance! :thumbup

Click to expand...

My 07 requires no more maintenance than any other bike i've had. Oil the chain, check its tight enough every few weeks etc. Keep an eye on the oil levels.... just the usual.

the bike will be fine for you mate just get on and take it steady

insurance will be a pain as it was for me when i bought my 06 rsvr at the age of 23

i have a zxr race bike and the only thing you have to remember is on a 400 you can wack the throttle wide open and not be too fussed but for god sake dont do it on a milie

as for maintenence as everyone says keep on top of oil changes and keep the battery topped up

I know what ya mean on maintanance. Every couple of months bleeding the clutch and back brake can be a pain. (Hopefully the clutch will be better now ive fitted an MPL slave)
However it is the best handling bike ive owned and feels very good to me.

Er, guys, he ain't been on here since March.:eatcorn

im 22....do what you feel comfortable with....you could fall off a 50cc or a 125cc the same as a 600cc and 1000cc....

this is my first BIG bike in terms of above 750cc and i dont regret it....i love it.