Author Topic: 2004 Aprilia  (Read 2439 times)

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Offline socal1200r

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2004 Aprilia
« on: January 16, 2016, 03:36:37 PM »
Just picked up this beauty a few days ago.  It's a 2004 Aprilia RSV Factory with 5500 miles, and the full Akrapovic racing exhaust with carbon fiber muffler hangers.  .  The Factory version has all kinds of goodies from the factory, like full Ohlins suspension, OZ Racing forged aluminum wheels, lots of carbon fiber pieces (front/rear fenders, side panels, upper inner fairing, side fairing vents), Ohlins steering damper, solo seat, etc.  I ordered some aluminum muffler hangers to replace the CF ones (the mufflers aren't level at the back), should have those next week.  Haven't got the DMV paperwork done yet, so I haven't taken it out on a local road test yet, but the temptation might prove too great, lol! 

Found a good Aprilia parts site, and if I had to replace some of the things on this bike at retail prices, it'd be like I got the bike for free!  The exhaust is $2800, wheels are $2800, rear shock is $900, CF pieces are over $1000, etc.  I'm not carrying collision insurance on the bike, so if I ever get in an accident, it better not be my fault!

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2016, 03:42:50 PM »
really nice...is that the Rotax v twin?
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2016, 03:51:42 PM »
Great lookin bike but those have got to be the biggest mufflers I've ever seen on a bike!
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Offline socal1200r

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2016, 07:27:41 PM »
really nice...is that the Rotax v twin?

I think so.  I know Aprilia made their mark with 250cc GP bikes, and big bikes was a new venture for them.  I'd consider this a Gen II model, the next after the Mille, but I think it still is based around that Rotax twin. 

Offline simon#42

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2016, 01:46:04 AM »
yes this is the rotax engine , and it is one of the best engines ever made , sort of think of it as a reliable ducati !
for some reason they dont fetch much money over here [ compared to the high end ducati's ]. i have no idea why though they are a great bike
you will love it .

Offline socal1200r

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2016, 08:18:24 AM »
yes this is the rotax engine , and it is one of the best engines ever made , sort of think of it as a reliable ducati !
for some reason they dont fetch much money over here [ compared to the high end ducati's ]. i have no idea why though they are a great bike
you will love it .

"Reliable Ducati"...now there's an oxymoron, lol!  I used to own a 1993 Ducati Superlight, and it was a GREAT bike, handled terrific in the twisties of southern California.  But on a straightaway, the 851s, 888s, and 916s of the time would just blow by it.  However, there was something to be said for the simplicity of the air-cooled, carbed Ducatis from those times.  I seem to remember that Ducati almost never finished an endurance race, so that said something about their overall reliability. 

I've never owned an Aprilia, but I'm hoping to put a lot of worry-free miles on this one.  I'm hoping they have the "modern" technology stuff sorted out (fuel-injection, ECU, etc), and it won't leave me stranded on the road somewhere.  Guess only time will tell!  I still have my 1979 CB650, so if I'm in the mood for a nostalgic ride, I'll throw a leg over that one.  Also have my 2014 Yamaha Bolt, so I've got the modern cruiser mood covered.  Probably won't ride the Aprilia as much as the other two, but when the mood strikes, it's good to know it's there!   

Offline simon#42

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2016, 08:21:37 AM »
i think once you have had a ride you might want to use it more often than you think

Offline socal1200r

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2016, 07:12:32 PM »
Just wanted to post an update.  My work and weather finally were in alignment last Friday, and I was able to put some miles on the RSV.  First impression, I forgot how uncomfortable modern sport bikes are in regards to riding position.  With that being said, this thing is crazy fast for a twin!  When it's in motion, it has a pretty fluid ride, in that it's easy to change directions and stay pointed in that direction.  I like how the Akrapovic exhaust sounds, there won't be mistaking it for a Ducati, but it has a good v-twin sound all its own. 

Now for the bad news.  Long story short, I had a low-speed highside leaving the dealership that installed a new set of tires for me.  I got a fractured rib, bruised some others, black eye, concussion, and numerous contusions and scrapes.  Seems that most of the damage to the bike is cosmetic, all on the left side.  I ordered a new set of body work, so it won't look like a stock RSV Factory, but with the carbon pieces, black frame, and OZ wheels, it'll still be a Factory under the new skin.  Also ordered a Puig smoked windscreen, new windscreen hardware, new bar-end weights, and new mirrors.  I'm also kicking around the idea of replacing the big Akrapovic racing cans with something that's shorter and not as big, but need the diameter of the inlet on the can to get some options.  The emergency room folks cut thru my reflective vest, riding jacket, flannel-lined jeans, and University of Hawaii pullover I had on (my youngest daughter goes there), so those are all ruined.  So in addition to having to buy a new helmet, I also ordered a new Tourmaster lined mesh jacket (Intake 3).   

And another thing.  Accident happened a little after 5pm, I was discharged from the hospital about 7 hours later, and my bill came to over $23K!  Can you believe that?!  My insurance approved half of that, and my share of what's left is almost $3K.  Guess I know where most of my tax return is going, lol!   

Offline Powderman

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2016, 08:44:20 AM »
Who's paying the other $8K? New tires handled differently than the old ones? Get well soon.

Offline socal1200r

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2016, 03:50:14 PM »
Who's paying the other $8K? New tires handled differently than the old ones? Get well soon.

Can't tell you if the new tires handled differently than the old ones, I only traveled maybe 100 feet or so...

As for the bill, my insurance only approved a little over $10K out of the total, and with my $1K deductible and other charges, my share is $2800 out of what they approved.  I guess the hospital or whoever handles their debts can either write off the balance, or take me to court. 

Offline simon#42

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2016, 04:11:57 PM »
new tyres have a release agent on them , its to help getting them out of the mould when they are made , it wears off after a couple of miles but can be very slippy at first

Offline Powderman

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2016, 08:16:19 PM »
You never said what caused the accident?

Offline calj737

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2016, 03:24:24 AM »
You never said what caused the accident?
If its the "Dealer" I am thinking about, then its down to new tires, dirt/gravel lot, and a bit of rider error. That particular dealer is located adjacent to a gravel lot though theirs is paved. You exit onto a pretty busy secondary highway, then within about 200' usually yank a U-turn which is also quite dirty normally, especially now during our winter months, and Bang! You high-side!

Simon is of course correct, the dealer really should street prep new tires on the sport bikes coming out of there. A quick wipe down or scuff would be the correct treatment during spin balance. I doubt SoCal is the first customer of theirs to ever encounter this mishap within 1 mile of their place.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2016, 11:27:21 AM »
You never said what caused the accident?

+1. How could a low speed accident cause so much damage??   Sorry to hear...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2016, 11:42:08 AM »
You never said what caused the accident?

+1. How could a low speed accident cause so much damage??   Sorry to hear...
Have you not high sided before, Steve-O?...generally involves the bike, and especially you, flying through the air...its gonna hurt.  I have experienced the brand spankin' new tire mold release slip out issue, and yes it is real and can happen very unexpectedly, even if you are aware of the possibility.  #$%* can be that slippery.  Mine ended with just a little low side, scuffed footpeg, and a little hole in the elbow of my leather.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #15 on: February 07, 2016, 12:20:36 PM »
You never said what caused the accident?

+1. How could a low speed accident cause so much damage??   Sorry to hear...
Have you not high sided before, Steve-O?

No, been lucky.  Been hit by a car though, 3 times...again, very lucky.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline socal1200r

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Re: 2004 Aprilia
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2016, 02:48:31 PM »
Hoping to have the bike back any day now, since they told me almost two weeks ago it's almost done, lol!  I found an RSV seat with the one-piece cover, and had it on the bike at the time of the accident.  I dropped off the RSV Factory seat with the 3-piece covering to get redone in black suede, with tri-color stitching.  Got that back today, and although the green thread isn't as bright as I had wanted, like they say in the military, "don't let perfect stand in the way of good enough".

I also told them I'd fix the left-side muffler myself, so no need to order the replacement titanium muffler at $680 and the mounting strap at $70.  I have a pair of Magnaflow mufflers in satin stainless and a pair of FMF clamps waiting, and my idea is to remove the Factory mufflers and midpipes, take the Magnaflows and midpipes to this muffler shop that's done work for me, get them to make the Magnaflows slipfit over the midpipes, then hang 'em with the FMF straps.  I'll take some "before and after" video with sound, and post it up once it's done.  Magnaflow mufflers were $140 for the pair, and I think the FMF straps were around $50.  These mufflers are much more streamlined than the big Akrapovic cans, and should give a trimmer look to the bike once they're on.  I'll be curious to see what they sound like, compared to the Akrapovic racing cans.   
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 02:53:12 PM by socal1200r »