Its Summer! Lets talk motorcycles.

[Noah930]

Oh, and if it matters to you, while you'll probably run into other RC51's out there, the 'Priller will be a much more exotic ride.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Huh, I've NEVER seen an RC51 on the road here...but I've seen more than a few Aprilias. Might have to do with AZSBK being right up the road from me, though.

[JavaBrewer]

Agree with all the comments. Todd, the Mille is the same on Craigs list. Guy does not seem all that hurried to sell but it does just sit in his garage as he's riding a new ZX636. I will try to negotiate on the price regardless.

I tend to buy and sell stuff quickly. Cars, and now apparently bikes, generally stay with me for 12-16 months before I grow anxious for a change. That's why I'm always looking for second hand stuff as I would go broke taking the initial depreciation hit all the time. It's bad enough on the sales tax. My thinking is that if I go with the Mille I'll rack up 10K or so miles, have a blast, maybe invest $1K in service and parts, and then turn it for max $1K less than my purchase price. The RC on the other hand, with low miles, will take a bigger hit in depreciation. It was super clean and very tight, so other than pads and rubber I doubt it will need much over the next 12 months.

Regardless, the wife says to get what will make me happy. The RC is not out yet, but it's prospects are looking weaker than they did this morning. My concerns about the Mille is buying a tired sportbike with shot suspension. It does not look it but with 11K miles I have to assume they were not *easy*.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by Noah930
Oh, and if it matters to you, while you'll probably run into other RC51's out there, the 'Priller will be a much more exotic ride.

+1. The bike, especially in the blue, just jumps out and grabs you round the neck. It's really striking in person. The RC is no slouch either and has the cool history and nich market while keeping the rice bike reliability. Seriously the RC is one sweet bike and with the Sato's actually made the Mille sound a bit weak. It had a PCIII and right off idle was very agressive, for a twin.

[Steve Carlton]

Did you ride a BCR yet?

[JavaBrewer]

No Steve I haven't. I have not found one anywhere close to San Diego. If I were to ride a R1100S (non BCR) how close would it resemble the BCR experience?

[JavaBrewer]

Or in yellow with olins...have not see this bike in person.

[nostatic]

I love Arrow pipes...and Olins rock. Where's the yellow one? I love the blue wheels...

[5axis]

Originally posted by nostatic
I love Arrow pipes...and Olins rock.

Next step pull the forks, and shock and get them set-up just for you. The difference between stock pogos (even Ohlins), and having a pro re valve and respring can be dramatic. I think you have some very good west coast suspnsion guys. I like Max @ http://www.traxxion.com/ He does have a colorful reputation
Suspension set-up is kind of like a religeous/political argument thing, but it is WORTH it for any bike you intend to rail on.

Ps. Please stop posting those pretty Mille pictures, you may make me spend more money on a HWT track bike.

[motion]

Dave,

The Mille is an excellent choice. I'd pick it over the Honda in a second. Sooooo much more personality. Have you checked out this forum yet?

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12

5axis - Mmmmmmmmm, a RSV. Damn, what a sweet bike that would be. But how to keep it running? I'd have no idea.

[5axis]

Q.

Originally posted by motion

5axis - Mmmmmmmmm, a RSV. Damn, what a sweet bike that would be. But how to keep it running? I'd have no idea.

A.

Pay Rocky Stargel lots of money to be your tuner.


At a USGPRU race last year Garret Carter, ridding one of Rocky's RSV's passed a very fast TZ riding friend of mine like he was standing still. A TZ is a TZ, but a works bike is another world of super cool stuff

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
No Steve I haven't. I have not found one anywhere close to San Diego. If I were to ride a R1100S (non BCR) how close would it resemble the BCR experience?

It would be identical if you rode a Boxercup Prep, which has the same sport shocks, low clipons, and 5.5" rear wheel. Preps don't have ABS, some '04 BCRs do, which has power assist and feels different.

If you rode a standard "SA," it'll have the higher bars (which you might prefer), the power-assisted ABS (starting in '02), and slightly softer shocks.

I'd give priority to a bike with Ohlins first, exhaust second (if you value that upgrade), then maybe luggage. Many other things can be added or switched around. '04 would be the most desireable year, as they have the 2-spark motor and an updated transmission.

[JavaBrewer]

Rode the blue Mille for ~20 miles today. Surprised with the amount of heat directed at the legs, seemed more than the RC, foot position is more extreme (uncomfortable) than the RC too . Very stable bike with an amazing engine. The bike has one less tooth up front and has great power everywhere. Good wind protection, excellent brakes, intoxicating sound.
Sadly there is a deal breaker, the bike has the Mille R subframe and with the titanium exhaust there is no option for rear seating & pegs. I'm still trying to talk myself into this bike...

The yellow Mille is also an R so that's out too. The search goes on.

[NICKG]

I had both an rz350my first street bike ) and an rz500...both really cool..i wish i had kept the rz's they are worth a heck of alot of $ now...

[JavaBrewer]

Going against all odds and sense of logic I gave the priller another go. I lasted about 30 minutes and finally succumbed. Got this for $800 more than the blue Mille with same (11K) miles and includes the Olins front/rear @ steering stablizer, OZ rims, Arrow exhaust, and new rubber. Brembo's are unreal.



Track days here I come!

[nostatic]

Don't say I didn't tell ya. Nice score. I'm seriously thinking of swapping from a Duc to an Aprilia later this summer...

[Steve Carlton]

Wow!

[Noah930]

nostatic: You're already thinking of ditching the Duc? Didn't you just pick it up a couple months ago? Perhaps your MTS just isn't the right Duc for you...

[nostatic]

oh, it ain't the model. Its the reality of 6K mile services. These days I average about 1K miles a month...that means twice a year. Not good for the wallet...

[Noah930]

I used to have a Yammie. Simple enough to do all service yourself. And valve checks were 26K miles apart!