What are the "essential" RSVR upgrades needed? 1 frustrated owner!

Bigjonny · Oct 7, 2010

Hi all
Ive owned my '03 RSVR for just over 2 month now after having a very reliable R1 for 4 years.
Im finding it slightly frustrating to say the least! twice its failed to fire up when cold even though the battery is fully charged.

It sounded like the starter was struggling (sticking) a couple of times. Ive heard people say they have changed the solenoid-what is the best to get?
I bought an optimate 4 and as long as it has been hooked up after a few days of not being used its fine-but I dont think I should need to rely on it being connected all the time. (what if im not at home with the bike for instance)
According to the optimate, the battery is in excellent condition.
Already had to modify the sidestand as the fooker nearly toppled down on top of me first time I parked it up!
Another gripe is that it feels like its geared too tall. Im guesiing it has a 17t sprocket? 2nd gear bogs down around town and roundabouts. What is the best to change to in your opinions?
mucho helpo appreciated !!!!

tKIDDIERIDESq · Oct 7, 2010

Essential mods

14amp battery.

Check out the brown connector mod too (can be done for free). Link below.

www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171391&highlight=brown+connector

Started solenoid (link from member Garvey2003) or phone Aprilia Performance whom supply

http://www.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5834046qqq3532154

17/42 gearing is standard.

16/44 is a popular mod.

Definately worth getting the bike fettled by someone like Griff of Aprilia Performance as, when not set up right (engine tune, suspension) they are not very impressive however when tuned, set up, they are just incredible.

Mark

Valade · Oct 8, 2010

Just going down one on the front sprocket will make a huge difference .
It will stop that ,'' I must be in second ?'' feeling when taking off from stopped .

Duckfoot · Oct 8, 2010

Ape's dodgy sidestand said:
Hi all
Ive owned my '03 RSVR for just over 2 month now after having a very reliable R1 for 4 years.
Im finding it slightly frustrating to say the least! twice its failed to fire up when cold even though the battery is fully charged. It sounded like the starter was struggling (sticking) a couple of times. Ive heard people say they have changed the solenoid-what is the best to get?
I bought an optimate 4 and as long as it has been hooked up after a few days of not being used its fine-but I dont think I should need to rely on it being connected all the time. (what if im not at home with the bike for instance)
According to the optimate, the battery is in excellent condition.
Already had to modify the sidestand as the fooker nearly toppled down on top of me first time I parked it up!
Another gripe is that it feels like its geared too tall. Im guesiing it has a 17t sprocket? 2nd gear bogs down around town and roundabouts. What is the best to change to in your opinions?
mucho helpo appreciated !!!!

It maybe that the Sprag Clutch is on it's way out. Mine did it earlier this year, I tried all the mods, new battery, 150 amp solenoid etc but to late and I ended up throwing at Griff who changed the Sprag for me and seince then it's started first time every time.

If you go to pretty much any other garage they will use an official Aprilia sprag and it will be seriously expensive however BMW produce one that is apparently identical and a fraction of the price, also Griff is well used to this job so he doesn't stiff you on it..

Andy

Duckfoot · Oct 8, 2010

Ape's dodgy sidestand said:
Hi all
Ive owned my '03 RSVR for just over 2 month now after having a very reliable R1 for 4 years.
Im finding it slightly frustrating to say the least! twice its failed to fire up when cold even though the battery is fully charged. It sounded like the starter was struggling (sticking) a couple of times. Ive heard people say they have changed the solenoid-what is the best to get?
I bought an optimate 4 and as long as it has been hooked up after a few days of not being used its fine-but I dont think I should need to rely on it being connected all the time. (what if im not at home with the bike for instance)
According to the optimate, the battery is in excellent condition.
Already had to modify the sidestand as the fooker nearly toppled down on top of me first time I parked it up!
Another gripe is that it feels like its geared too tall. Im guesiing it has a 17t sprocket? 2nd gear bogs down around town and roundabouts. What is the best to change to in your opinions?
mucho helpo appreciated !!!!

By the way Griff can also source you a new solenoid, mine's off a Yamaha I believe.

Bigjonny · Oct 8, 2010

cheers fellas, I really want to like this bike as I had 1 blast out around yorkshire a couple of weeks ago where it felt brilliant. Handled great, more than enough power round the twisties etc. Maybe its just me being used to 150 bhp and 4 pots lol !!!
where does Griff live and would it be a 1 day job or is it leave then pick up when ready? Id be travelling from Newcastle.
cheers for the help

Duckfoot · Oct 8, 2010

Ape's dodgy sidestand said:
cheers fellas, I really want to like this bike as I had 1 blast out around yorkshire a couple of weeks ago where it felt brilliant. Handled great, more than enough power round the twisties etc. Maybe its just me being used to 150 bhp and 4 pots lol !!!
where does Griff live and would it be a 1 day job or is it leave then pick up when ready? Id be travelling from Newcastle.
cheers for the help

Griffs located in Tamworth, he does travel but if it was the sprag he will almost certainly want to do it at his premises because to get the old one out he might need oxy.. so it's a longish way for you but you'll save money and the bike will be right. He's the ex technical director for Aprilia and knows his stuff. His web address is:

http://www.apriliaperformance.co.uk/

Cheers

Andy

Diablo642 · Oct 8, 2010

A sense of humor is an essential upgrade.

But lile Andy said "Griff" is the man! I live in Kent and the journey is more than worthwhile.
Luckily for me I only needed Griffs magic the once and to this day my bike is a trouble free stallion.

Good luck and don't give up, its worth it.

Regards

Jake

bainsyzx6r · Oct 8, 2010

mark99 said:
Essential mods

14amp battery.

Check out the brown connector mod too (can be done for free). Link below.

www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171391&highlight=brown+connector

Started solenoid (link from member Garvey2003) or phone Aprilia Performance whom supply

http://www.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5834046qqq3532154

17/42 gearing is standard.

16/44 is a popular mod.

Definately worth getting the bike fettled by someone like Griff of Aprilia Performance as, when not set up right (engine tune, suspension) they are not very impressive however when tuned, set up, they are just incredible.

Mark

I will go with that , they are a pain till you get starting , suspension set up, good tyres, throttle bodies balanced then they are the dogs bolls ,ps Griff is the only person i would let touch mine [ bike] he also travels the country as he did thursday and worked on mine plus others , i went to spookies at liverpool 45 mile but would do lot more if needed, also went to morecambe few weeks back for fork oil change and sus set up, i think griff has a bit of pikey in him thats why he travels, also the crack with the lads alone is worth a trip as you may find.

bainsyzx6r · Oct 8, 2010

carpe diem said:
My top essential upgrade would be "Home start" either green flag or AA both ok......

You could be burnt at the stake for that outburst, how the fek are you me owd mucker? good crack at spookies other day , look forward to our next meet.ps i joined rac at midnight day before we went tamworth heehee, on griffs site as well now , may go on this now and again, but if your pie ning for me you know where i am chinchin pippip

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What are the "essential" RSVR upgrades needed? 1 frustrated owner!

Bigjonny

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Valade

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