[Slimie]

Anyone seen this months TBuM? A review of the Aprilia RXV (as you may have guessed :roll: )

In a box at the end of the piece is "...the company are looking to take the bike into the rally-raid scene"

Mentioned are a fairing, an oil cooler and a 30 litre fuel tank "amongst other 'desert' parts!!

I'd think the bike makes (in 550cc version) about the same as the Twinky but probably weighs less than a fairy's fart. Looks great too, IMHO.

Now, where's that "drool" smiley

Any thoughts? Jenna, any inside info that you can't possibly share with us, eh?!!

-Simon

 

[Jenna]

the RXV as on show at the milan show:

I dont know a great deal about future company plans other than whats been published to be honest however there was gossip that the track racing budget was coming to the end of 4 year term so its possible they could be considering attacking the Dakar seriously. Certainly there is a 'dakar' spec bike as this along with the 3 other 'off-road project' bikes were shown to the journo's back in november last year at the Milian site. They also said that this was an ongoing prject that will run from 2005 to 2008 and the RXV/SXV will cost 9.200-9.500 Euro which puts it bang on the KTM 525 price :wink:

Also remember that Aprilia are not new comers to the raid scene!.. back in late 80's they built the raid spec Pegaso which although not pritty it was a very good bike taking some good finishes in both the Phoaoh and Dakar. In recient years the company has backed a few privateers to compete ( err do hunt for Tuscany-Tibet Raid '04) with modified Peg 650i's. :wink:

 

[Slimie]

I knew I could rely on you, Jenna!

Thanks :thumbright:

-Simon

 

[Mudwiz]

Noticed that too. Would love a v-twin thats about 60kg less than my TA!

(With much of the mods factory done too, 9500 euros is about £5500 isn't it??)

 

[anton88]

the RXV as on show at the milan show:

I dont know a great deal about future company plans other than whats been published to be honest however there was gossip that the track racing budget was coming to the end of 4 year term so its possible they could be considering attacking the Dakar seriously. Certainly there is a 'dakar' spec bike as this along with the 3 other 'off-road project' bikes were shown to the journo's back in november last year at the Milian site. They also said that this was an ongoing prject that will run from 2005 to 2008 and the RXV/SXV will cost 9.200-9.500 Euro which puts it bang on the KTM 525 price :wink:

Also remember that Aprilia are not new comers to the raid scene!.. back in late 80's they built the raid spec Pegaso which although not pritty it was a very good bike taking some good finishes in both the Phoaoh and Dakar. In recient years the company has backed a few privateers to compete ( err do hunt for Tuscany-Tibet Raid '04) with modified Peg 650i's. :wink:

Thats a sweet looking bike - but will the Aprillia shop/service be up to scratch, as ive read thyre not too clever for getting spares :?:

 

[Jenna]

for my sins i have always been a Cagiva fan, like Aprilia the quality of engineering is second to none, however the flip side is without doubt parts or more precisely the manufactures staff that you have to deal with to get the parts is nothing short of a nightmare!... if any country in the world needs a bomb putting under the proverbial 'arse' of management it has to the Italians.

Reading through the specs on the bike its looks as i guessed well engineered (dry sump, clever new casting methods etc) which is good and essential if they want to take on KTM which they openly claim they do. KTM do have big fan base and good dealer backup thats been established over a very short time and thanks to some very smart marketing really cornered the specialist 'offroad' market but then if you have owned a KTM you will know these bike are VERY service hungry and VERY technology reliant which makes them not a good buy for the average joe shmoe with a limited budget. IF Aprilia can keep the cap on the running and repair bills then i think this bike will be a main player in the future thats for sure, its well designed, its got all the right giszmos for serious motorsport on the shelf to fit and the price is good value for money... personally its higher on my want list than most the competition thats for sure.

 

[icenian]

if you have owned a KTM you will know these bike are VERY service hungry and VERY technology reliant which makes them not a good buy for the average joe shmoe with a limited budget

Is that the hardcore competition bikes, or are you including things like the LC4 and LC8 Adventure bikes?

 

[Northy]

The RXV is a beauty (seem a couple in the flesh) but the biggest problem could be the seat ! ....I suspect it not designed for long distances sitting down and pillions ??? :roll: :shock: forget it . So it can't really compare this to a TA
I been searching in vain for a that lightwieght, comfty, powerful, dual sport bike, reliable ,that can take a pillion now and then.......still haven't found it .....anyone got any ideas :roll: :?: KTM are getting there , BMW too expensive
As for Aprilia, they been taken over by Piaggio, along with Guzzi, what difference that's will make to the part/ service supply remains to be seen but has to improve from the past few years. Aprilia also have some new 750 / 850's coming up, plus a new V4 race engine,so they are looking grow and the only way to do this is by having a good dealer/servicing back up.
But a lot depend on the dealer :lol: as we know there are good and bad ones
I do my own servicing on my Aprilia Caponord, nothing to it as the shim are always in spec, no carb to fiddle with, just a few qurks to iron out.
As for KTM being service hungry, only if you compete every weekend but for mere morals like me I can't use the full power of the ktm on the dirt ........I could but it would end in tears very quickly (EXC 300) .There design for racing and most are not so the service intervals can be relaxed ie for exc 400/ 450/525 etc may be not for the new DOHC 250.As for LC4 and the 950'sc there just the same as other road bike.

Yes I also own a Guzzi :lol: :lol:

new 750 shiver

new 850 Mana with fancy 3 way switchable power delvery

 

[Muckybill]

KTM also own and make Husabergs and folk reckon they are even more higher maintenance. But after owning a FE450 berg for over a year I reckon they are no different to any other race prepared enduro bike. At the end of the day it is down to how they are used and maintained. I have stuck with the maintenance schedule (measured in hours run on the engine) and so far engine components are lasting better than my mates KTM 450 which has a lot of engine design taken from the berg. I think this is mostly down to brand of engine oil used and riding style.
My mates brother has just bought an Aprilia Supermoto 450 and it is a beautiful looking bike and after he run it in and derestricted it he says goes much better than the works Yam he used to race in motos.
I would love to have go at racing a RXV in enduros but then if I owned one I wouldn`t want to get it dirty.

Bill