Re: Besotted with an italian
 

:/
It's this one I bought, bout it doesn't look like he has them any more: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-new-Spee...3#ht_673wt_907

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

Thanks for the link anyway, though it looks like the price had gone up to £50 in his last listing.

I've added to to my favourite sellers as it seems he sells a lot of Aprilia stuff.

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

The kit is good quality, can easily modify it for a more supple ride. Not that they're massively harsh.

I'd rather have something a bit harsh in places than something wobbly everywhere though!

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

Ahhh the RSVR - Here's mine I sold last year.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...sCamera121.jpg

Problems that need rectifying:

Plastic connecting blocks on the Reg / Rec circuit need hard wiring out as they provide resistance and melt
Sprag Clutch - Keep an eye on as it costs a fortune. Metal whirring sound on start up is a good sign. Although you can fit Ducati parts that are much cheaper.
The hyd clutch is really heavy. Fit an MPL slave from Germany makes it 25% lighter.
Gearing needs changing from standard, which is new sprockets and chain. (can't remember what to)

Suspension is really good as standard, although I fitted a Nitron shock to improve. Factory comes with Ohlins.

Early 04 models suffer with the clocks resetting if the battery is taken out, and this includes the Odometer. Mine went from 4000 to 0 when I fitted a stronger battery. Sold it with 500 miles, although I had all paper work to back up true mileage.

Fit a stronger battery with as much CCA as will fit in the bike.

I fitted twin Akra's and had a Renegade air box, dyno'ed and A PC3 fitted and mine was pushing 135 bhp. However it only gave me 60 miles to a tank which is silly.

They are a joy to ride and are sooooooo poweful, mine used to power wheelie right up to 4th. They corner like they are on rails if set up for you right.

A real battle is finding someone who knows the bikes and can be trusted to work on them. Aprilia dealers are few and far between, and a lot of the main dealers are Sh*te. It is worth finding an independant who knows the bikes.

Best source for info when I had mine was the RSVZONE forum, but I think the site crashed and all the data was lost.

There is the AF1 forum which is USA based, but there are some mega ego's on there.

The back brake is ****, as the master cylinder is located too close to the exhaust and heats the fluid. I had to bleed mineevery 400 miles. One good fix to to fit Gilles rear sets as it relocated the master cylinder.

Hope that helps, great great bikes for fun, just not very practical for any distance.

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

Welcome to the aprilia club! Overall mine has been pretty good all round bike. Mileage can vary a lot! Got as little as 110 and as much as 180 to a tank.

Standard eprom is best for mileage but least power as its runs very lean. I'm currently running a Gabro eprom but next Saturday I'm getting a pc3 advanced custom map made to smooth out the power a little.

Hope you continue to enjoy yours!

He he.

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

So glad you are enjoying it! My 06 was pretty much my dream bike (that I could afford anyway!!) after having the baby RS125 many years ago. Ive not had any problems with mine yet but the rear brake fluid has gone right off and needs bled again. Im suprised by some of the mpg fgures here. Mines got akra's on it with the map set to stage 2 (I think thats what its callled for the aprilia akras) and the airbox mod. Last week I managed to get to 88 miles from a full tank before the light came on. I think I could get that higher up if I was careful but then there would be no point!

Have fun with your new toy! :)

Re: Besotted with an italian
 

I didn't realise how many people on here were RSV/Falco owners, obviously a popular step up from the SV :) I fitted a new starter solenoid on it today though after finding the nuts weren't properly tightened on the old one I'm not sure I really needed it! Still, it's spinning over much more enthusiastically now, especially when hot.

The brown connector was still in place and showing no signs of melting. I'd rather not permenatly splice the reg/rect to the main loom, so I've just soldered the crimps, cleaned the contact surfaces and squeezed them up to make it all nice and tight for now. I've got a set a 75Amp Durite connectors on order which I'll fit when I get them. Looking at the size of the connectors, I suspect they are perfectly up to the job until moisture gets in - if manufacturers would fill non-sealed connectors with contact grease this wouldn't be a problem.