Aprilla RSV1000R Vs. R1200S

[03 Boxer]

Ok...I know most everyone here is BMW to the bone but does anyone know much about the RSV1000R...good or bad?? I'm just about ready to pull the trigger but looking for more information. Looking for the best bike for street and occasional track days.

[groundhog105]

I have a 2000.5 RSV and it makes a very good road bike and track bike. I have not ridden the 1200S but I have a R1200ST. What I have discovered is that even though the BMW does not have the HP of the Mille, what it does have is more torque and the telelever with good shocks (wilbers F&R) it stays pretty stable in tight canyons is actually less work to ride hard than the Mille.
Maybe I am just getting older and dont want work at it as hard. But for real world riding I would go with the BMW. Given the chance I would trade the Mille for the BMW. The MIlle also has premium suspension on it, so the two bikes are equal in that area.

[peter f]

The S is a good sporty bike (bias the solo sport touring theme) - although mine gave me a lot of frustration due to numerous issues. Additionally I don't trust the boxer for frequent WOT work (and that gearbox). For some track day fun, the eccentric butterfly "pulley" is nerve braking in short/tight circuits (the likes that you can find in England/Italy and maybe France).

The Mille is a proper sports/occasionally track day "exotica" (of the old times) but reliability woes and spare parts availability should be taken into serious consideration. Track days they DO have some potentially "oops moments" and thus check the real life aspect of ownership/usage first.

Mille's kitsch colors/paintwork to a certain extreme (depending on year) require respray (all black obviously, he he). They even provide some Mille with...er...gold frame (Mercy).

In a good day and in real-life Mille could eat R12S for breakfast, but is this the point?

[wera32]

actually less work to ride hard than the Mille.
Maybe I am just getting older and dont want work at it as hard.

I don't have a Mille or a 12s. However, since buying my 11s it has me looking for a way to make my RC51 easier to ride. Or selling it. Consider groundhog's comment.

[Dr. Curve]

I have had both. I loved the RSV and boy would it run up top and lean way over with ease..............but when it comes to real world roads that have bumps, ripples, and off camber slopes.........the R12S is a shoo-in. In my opinion the choice is clear and it is for the R12S. The RSV would indicate 173 on a very long straight while the R12S will indicate only 161 on the same stretch, but in less distance. In rough pavement back-roads fast pace TNP runs there was no comparison with the BMW being able to offer a predictable ride with regular hand color and feel while the RSV offered white knuckle fear grip rides with twice the mental and physical fatigue.

On the other hand........if you are privileged enough to KNOW that your rides are all going to be on smooth pavement with no surprises.........the RSV is the way to go. It is slightly quicker overall but no quicker in the midrange......and has about 10 more mph top end if you have a place to use it. As far as brakes and bike control when really getting on them hard.......the BMW wins hands down, no questions asked. It will simply stop faster from any given speed and if the hard stop is taking place on regular, kinda rough back-roads, the time from speed to zero speed is much quicker on the BMW. I don't know your age so perhaps you have multiple angels left in your guardian stable but if you are over 40.........go with the BMW.......its safer, stops quicker, handles better on rough surfaces, and has as much or more in the midrange, especially if you are not able to down shift the RSV. IMHOOC.

[03 Boxer]

Thanks for the input Dr. Curve's sounds like the choice is R1200S!

[schoolbusbob]

I had a 2003 Millie and put over 8,000 track miles on it without a issue. I bought sharkskins and would trade out the side panels for track days, then back for the street.
I did not take much to unplug the tail, and pull a fuse for the front light.
Until it developed a electrical issue and no knowable dealer support. It was sold at the end of that season. I do miss it.
I did have my R12S on the track day with Nate Kern. I was able to keep up with the 999 Ducati's without issue within my group. I was smooth and it was enjoyable putting it on the track but was concerned with the rear end/tranny. Hard engine braking into turns can be fatal on rear drives. Ask anyone that has had a Moto Guzzi.
THANKS BobL>

[Kernel K]

Here is a link to a comparison road test done by the British Visordown magazine:

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/road-test-r1200s-v-rsv-r-v-cbr1000rr-v-955i/4762.ht

[Droptarotter]

Kernel;

The link did not work for me.

Bob;

Why do you say that engine braking with rear drives can be fatal? I never had a problem on a BMW.

What happened with the Guzzi's?

Cheers

[Kernel K]

Let's try again.

Road Test: R1200S v. RSV-R v. CBR1000RR v. 955i - Road Tests - Visordown

[OwenM]

I have never ridden the old Aprilia Mille but I do own the newer 08 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory with Ohlins which replaced a Ducati 1098S. The Aprilia is in a different league to my old R1200S, the motor is much smoother, has a much wider rev range topping out at 2500rpm higher and pulls much better from low rpm. Throttle response and constancy is a huge improvement over the BMW as is the super slick gearbox and wet slipper clutch, all are a revelation compared to the R12S. Then there is the mild engine breaking and almost total lack of drive train free play on the RSV which makes life in the twisties much easier and more forgiving. Drive train free play is one of the shortcomings of the BMW shaft drive system, I worked out a way around it but I should not have to.

I spent months fine tuning the Ohlins on my R12S but the Ohlins on the Aprilia where better out of the box and after only a few adjustments the Aprila suspension left the BMW for dead, front rear balance was much better (near perfect) and unsprung weight felt much lower giving the Aprilia significantly better ride and handling on rough roads.
The Brembo brakes on the Aprilia also have better feel and much more power than the R12S, overall the Aprilia is a much more sophisticated and capable road bike that my R12S ever was.

For a track bike I would take my old Duc 1098S, the low riding position and responsiveness to body input made it unbeatable when leaned way over. The ferocious power delivery and torque was just icing on the cake but as a road bike it was not ideal, mainly due to the unforgivingly firm rear suspension.

[03 Boxer]

Well...I'm test riding the 09 Aprilla RSV1000R tomorrow so we'll see.

[OwenM]

If my Ohlins equipped RSV is anything to go by you should reduce rear compression damping by about 3 clicks from standard, the front is close to perfect.

[Dr. Curve]

My bike was a older unit which I bought new. Perhaps the newer units worked all the bugs out. Thanks for the information Owen. Do you have one of the last runs of the 60degree V2 engine? I think the 2008 run was the last and that is why the dealers are almost giving them away. One has been of the showroom floor here in Tallahassee for a long time and can be had, full warrenty, no miles, all options, 10,000 range.

[cageyar]

Check out my buddy's Tuono-it was a limited edition of which only 50 were brought into the U.S., according to him. It's a great looking bike, plus he has a full titanium exhaust, PC, Sargent seat, Pazzo levers, and a bunch of other stuff. It also came with a track kit with CF front screen, tail, etc. If he ever want's to sell it, I'd probably buy it. Plus, he only has 6,000 miles on it.

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by Dr. Curve

My bike was a older unit which I bought new. Perhaps the newer units worked all the bugs out. Thanks for the information Owen. Do you have one of the last runs of the 60degree V2 engine? I think the 2008 run was the last and that is why the dealers are almost giving them away. One has been of the showroom floor here in Tallahassee for a long time and can be had, full warrenty, no miles, all options, 10,000 range.

I have a late 08 RSV which I believe is very close to the end of the model run which began in 04.
The older models known as the Mille where significantly different both visually and mechanically.

The RSV I purchased was the first late model I had ever seen, had I experienced the Aprilia before riding the 1098S I would never have purchased the Ducati.

When I purchased my RSV1000R there where only 3 new Factory versions still for sale anywhere here, the other 2 where all black which I did not want, it came with the optional titanium akrapovic exhaust with no CAT's. Since the open race exhaust is a factory option the ECU has a special map that can be switched on by the dealer, this is not emissions compliant and runs open loop as there are no cat converters to worry about. The bike runs beautifully and has no fuelling issues what so ever, unlike BMW's.

The Tuono pictured above looks like an 04-05 Factory, the Tuono did not get the new frame, engine and other upgraded parts from the late RSV1000R until 2006.

I expect the Aprilia for sale at $10k is the standard version its incredible value at that price, if its a Factory the price is simply insane. I got a $6000AU discount off list and it still cost $28k AU (about $25k US), that's $2000AU more than a full optioned S1000RR which I also looked at.
The components used and standard of finish on the Aprilia make the BMW look very cheap and ordinary in comparison, then there is the wonderful V twin sound which is way in front of I4 rice burner noises IMHO. Choosing the Aprilia over the S1000RR was a no brainer.

I feel lucky I became aware of the Aprilia when I did, it was just what I was looking for and I expect it will be that last sports bike I will own unless Ducati come up with something really special before I'm too old.
It's a great shame big twin sports bikes have fallen out of favour, those of use that love them are almost out of choices if you want new, get one while you can.

[Reformed Squid]

While not an RSV, I do have experience between the Tuono and the 12S. Even though the bikes looks pretty similar on paper, the Tuono just does everything so much easier. My 12 just seems to have to work so much harder compared to the Tuono on the same stretch of road. If you like the 12, I'd look for a Tuono rather than an RSV. You can find lightly used models for ridiculously low prices.

[03 Boxer]

Here's 1 of my problems with an Aprilla. The resale value from what I see is horrible. I don't have a good track record for keeping bikes for a long time and it just seems they don't hold their value well. Here's the other issue. I'm 6'4 and the pegs seem really high....do they make a lowering kit for the rsv1000r?

[OwenM]

If you buy at a good price resale value is not a big issue.
I don’t understand why resale value would not be good considering the RSV’s have been around for a long time, they have proven very reliable and parts are cheap compared to Ducati and BMW. The small dealer network no doubt puts many people off and big twin sports bikes are just not popular, thats why all but Ducati have stopped making them.

The pegs feel high and I thought they would be a problem, but after long rides I am more comfortable than I was on the R12S and dont suffer any leg discomfort. Having said that I am 5” shorter than you so YMMV.
There are 1” lower pegs available cheap that use the original mounts if you feel the need.

The main comfort issue for me is the reach to the bars, it’s a bit long for comfort and I had the same issue on the R12S. The standard bars also put my helmet just into the buffet zone, a 1” higher bar puts my helmet in clean buffet free air so I have purchased a set of Gilles Variobars with up to 60mm rise, they are adjustable for hight, reach and angle (both vertical and horizontal) . They are not cheap but should do exactly what I want and they are beautifully made.
At 6’ 4” you should have no trouble with bar reach or buffeting.

[03 Boxer]

Well the real test will be today at 3:00pm (TEST RIDE) I'll let you know how it goes.