So close to swapping my VTR SP1....
- Thread starter Pug
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hehe the 'Prilia RSV4 - tasty no doubt...
BUT, not out yet, gonna be costly, and its italian (costly parts and difficult to get parts for when it goes wrong...)
Least KTMs (from my experience of their off roaders) are pretty bullet proof. And look at the RC8. yum.
BUT, not out yet, gonna be costly, and its italian (costly parts and difficult to get parts for when it goes wrong...)
Least KTMs (from my experience of their off roaders) are pretty bullet proof. And look at the RC8. yum.
The Aprilia V4 also looks nothing like that pic, official pictures have been released now: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/september/15-21/sep2108-aprilia-rsv4-revealed/?&R=EPI-103042. Ugly, but brilliant. Looks much nicer in race bike form (so headlight covers, end can and removed mirrors for the road maybe?).
I love SP-1's and SP-2's. Considering one as my next bike. I've seen a few RC8's now and they do seem like nice bikes though.
I love SP-1's and SP-2's. Considering one as my next bike. I've seen a few RC8's now and they do seem like nice bikes though.
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Soldato
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We have an RC8 coming in a couple of weeks I believe, I'll get some pics up when it arrives along with the MV RR's and the Monster Tricolore 
rear end 'gap' looks great, from front it's v ugly.
what is the real bhp, torque and weight on these bikes ?, everywhere on the web says different... some sites it looks lardy and underpowered, others a missile. Seems to be comparable to a 1098 ducati ? (I know power / weight are not the be all and end all of a good bike... but when right they make for a exciting ride)
I would never buy a KTM since the incident where they refused 'long way round' bikes as they thought they were too unreliable... would you trust a manufacturer with no faith in their own bikes ?. Maybe harsh.. but that stuck with me at time and put me off the brand.
what is the real bhp, torque and weight on these bikes ?, everywhere on the web says different... some sites it looks lardy and underpowered, others a missile. Seems to be comparable to a 1098 ducati ? (I know power / weight are not the be all and end all of a good bike... but when right they make for a exciting ride)
I would never buy a KTM since the incident where they refused 'long way round' bikes as they thought they were too unreliable... would you trust a manufacturer with no faith in their own bikes ?. Maybe harsh.. but that stuck with me at time and put me off the brand.
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SP1s and 2s are just the most sexy bike, even after all these years.. and the sound hmmmmmm. BUT, they are seriously overweight by todays standards and put out not much more power than a sports 600. Shame honda didnt keep developing them
Keep the SP1, but take it Roger @ Revolution and let him work his magic on it. He did have one of the best SP1's in the country till some one stole it.
Reckon he know's more than Honda about the V-twin in the SP1/2/Firestorm. He worked closely with Moriwaki in developing the tuning kits for that engine.
Reckon he know's more than Honda about the V-twin in the SP1/2/Firestorm. He worked closely with Moriwaki in developing the tuning kits for that engine.
To my understanding its approx 150BHP, 185kg. So no missile, but then Twins never are - its more the grunt-for-grins factor.
fair doos - imagine the bad press tho if it falied and cocked up the entire schedule/show - PR nightmare. The KTMs i've (ab)used have been fine
as for the person buying one soon, fancy a 2003 (late reg) silver anniversay edition SP1?
Whilst i agree the SP1 is awesome (still) its nice to have a change. Getting a test ride on the RC8 today, and gonna try for an 08 blade test drive as well just to see how the RC8 compares to the best 1litre jap bike this year.
Unless roger at Revolution can make it a few years noewer and a few 10s of kilos lighter, we'll see
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i'm guessing that blade will blow you away, as much as v twins are fantastic, the 08 blade is just beyond words how good it is.
I wouldn't spend tons on getting the SP1 modded up, though if you have a huge wallet it would be a great bike... I think sometimes you have to start again, then do some modding
I wouldn't spend tons on getting the SP1 modded up, though if you have a huge wallet it would be a great bike... I think sometimes you have to start again, then do some modding
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I really don't like the RC8. I've never ridden one though.
I find the styling to be "fussy" and over styled. I think it a few years time it's going to look very dated.
It's a real shame Honda dropped the SP1/2. They were ace bikes and with some modern brakes, a bit more grunt and a more modern FI system (and a diet) they could still be top of the V-Twin class.
With regards to Aprilias and reliability/parts. I've yet to have an issue with the RSV. It's not broken at all and from talking to other owners, they seem pretty reliable. Parts availability can be an issue though.
The RSV4 looks beautiful but it's got the wrong number of cylinders
I find the styling to be "fussy" and over styled. I think it a few years time it's going to look very dated.
It's a real shame Honda dropped the SP1/2. They were ace bikes and with some modern brakes, a bit more grunt and a more modern FI system (and a diet) they could still be top of the V-Twin class.
With regards to Aprilias and reliability/parts. I've yet to have an issue with the RSV. It's not broken at all and from talking to other owners, they seem pretty reliable. Parts availability can be an issue though.
The RSV4 looks beautiful but it's got the wrong number of cylinders
Whilst i agree the SP1 is awesome (still) its nice to have a change. Getting a test ride on the RC8 today, and gonna try for an 08 blade test drive as well just to see how the RC8 compares to the best 1litre jap bike this year.
Unless roger at Revolution can make it a few years noewer and a few 10s of kilos lighter, we'll see
Give the suspension a work over, front and back.Had my firestorm fettled by Roger, transformed the handling from a wallowing beast into a much more rideable bike.
As to loosing weight, get some nice Moriwaki bits fitted
The RSV4 looks beautiful but it's got the wrong number of cylinders
least they're banked cylinders tho, instead of inline
Test rode done, i'll add more later, but suffice to say it was quick, not massively so (quicker than my sp1, obviously) but the main thing was ity was a comfy riding position and felt very light, and flickable. I'd describe as a 750 sized bike, if not a tadge smaller.
'Blade test drive will wait, as they wouldnt let their beloved machine out in the slight hower we had (not like i wanted to knee down every roundabout!)
Waiting to see what they say mines worth, and hence the trade up price. If its gonna be a lot i wont bother - it wasnt that much better, and didnt have quite the "character" i'd hoped...
We'll see...
i'd not describe it as a wallowing beast, but the RC8 did seem a lot more manouverable, near didnt make the turn when i got back on my SP1 for the ride home - didnt turn in tight enough hehe! Once going tho my SP1 feels very planted, whereas the RC8 (whilst fine, safe and no issues) did feel a little more skittish - but the suspension on the whole was sublime.