Don't get me wrong, the R12S is staying and going nowhere any time soon
but I have had a yearning for something else to add to my garage, thoughts have gone through all kinds of bikes from trailies to low riders but my real tendencies have been for either another R1100s ( graphite and mandarin or Mamola) or recently I've been attracted to some really immaculate low mileage Aprilia RSV100Rs for much lower money than a BCR.
So my question is: does any one on here have experience of a 2004 plus RSV1000R?
I know that the motor is bullet proof but what are the riding ergos like long term?
I used to think that I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure
Steve
Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware
I had a 2005 RSV1000R from 2006 - 2009. Beautiful looking & superb fun bike. Brilliant engine and handling. Sounds great with after market exhausts. Went to France on it one summer, not as bad as you would think, but no tourer. (Travelled light, tailpack & rucksack) 90 - 130 miles from a tank dependent on wrist action.
Biggest bugbear - Rear brake reservoir is too close to the engine. The fluid boils and leaves you with no back brake after 300 miles. Even after fitting a heat shield and bleeding properly it only lasts 500 miles! You get used to having no rear brake & the front is phenomenal. Just roll off the throttle & the engine braking makes it stand on its nose anyway.
You may recall I had one (2004 RSVR) and brought it to Wales at least once. I got rid when I bought the HP2.
Good points? Stonking engine and front brakes.
Reliable (once I got it sorted).
Sounds fantastic, especially with Akra cans.
Handling.
Looks.
Bad points? Rear brake utterly useless unless you bleed it once a week. Side stand was a complete joke, with quite a few falling or being blown over in a stiff breeze (sorted by fitting a Fireblade side stand).
Thirsty engine, very thirsty when pushed.
Low speed riding was a challenge at first but sorted by a adding )or was it subtracting?) a couple of teeth from the front cog. Fueling was also improved by Power Commander.
Riding position is a little stretched and the ride is firm and the seat is thin.
That said I rode mine over to the Ring in one day.
Clocks were good but had a tendency to reset the milometer if the battery ever totally discharged.
Sitting in traffic you felt like you were sitting on a bar-b-cue. The right hand foot peg used to get so hot I was uncomfortable!!
If you can get a Factory version they come with Ohlins and monoblock Brembo brakes as standard, as well as some carbon bits and pieces. Better value that the cooking version if you are prone to upgrade bits.
An RSVR Factory held the lap record at the Ring for quite a while I recall.
All in all I loved mine and a hell of a lot of bike for the money.
DT
Last edited by Dog Tyred on Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
I have a 'Gen.1' (pre-2004 model). They are superb bikes to ride. The 04+ bikes are smaller but probably no more/less comfortable than any other sports bikes of the era. It would probably feel much much smaller and racier than the R12S so the two should compliment each other really well. I don't think you'd be disappointed if you got one.
rsvr.net and Aprilia Performance (Tamworth) on FB are the places to frequent.
slparry wrote:are they affected by the ever expanding fuel tanks Steve?
There have been a few peeps on the prilla forums with that problem but it's not too bad, Dave has it worse on his Falco, very difficult to get the tank back on, even after elongating the holes at the yoke end.
Thanks for all of the replies chaps, very very tempted to splash the cash I don't have
Steve
Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware
Rationalise down to one bike: R1200RS. You know it makes sense
You can have a go on mine in Wales, if you like.
Cheers,
Paul
You know that I can resist anything.........except temptation
I may just take you up on that, but My 12S is staying put, I think I have an RSVsized itch to scratch!
Steve
Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware
but my real tendencies have been for either another R1100s ( graphite and mandarin or Mamola) or recently I've been attracted to some really immaculate low mileage Aprilia RSV100Rs for much lower money than a BCR.
