Motard questions

[goof2]

Originally Posted by derf

I would really like a SM with the engine of an SV or 650r, something like that, even an ex500 wouldnt be bad. I'm not seriously looking, just pondering the thought. my next bike will probably be a sport tourer anyway, I'm just looking. It took me 2 years to really decide to buy a bike last time.

The Aprilia SXV models (4.5 or 5.5) are V-twins and are light as hell. That lightness comes with a price of maintenance that will shock you and supposedly less reliability though.

[pdog]

My biggest issue is the engine. I don't know if it's just my DRZ, but the thumper engine is a drama queen. It makes a lot of noise and vibration but just doesn't make much actual power and has tons of engine braking. An Aprilia 5.5 twin sounds about perfect to me but the reliability is just not there AFAIK. It'll be a HUGE change from your CBR900.

[fnfalman]

Originally Posted by goof2

The Aprilia SXV models (4.5 or 5.5) are V-twins and are light as hell. That lightness comes with a price of maintenance that will shock you and supposedly less reliability though.

Originally Posted by pdog

An Aprilia 5.5 twin sounds about perfect to me but the reliability is just not there AFAIK. It'll be a HUGE change from your CBR900.

The RXV and SXV are nothing less than full blown race bikes with blinkers and plates. Hell, the first year models are not even street legal.

You don't expect a race ready engine to be a reliable performer as a mundane street bike?

They are not made for droning day in/day out. The engine needs serious overhaul every 50-hours of operation.

The 4.5 model is less so, but also gave up lots of oomph. Still kicks ass and takes name but not overwhelming like the 5.5 model. When you take an RXV or an SXV out for a proper thrashing, I guarantee that you will get off the bike with your knees wobbling, your hands shaking and your weewee busting a nut. I've never ridden anything as intense as the SXV5.5 supermoto. Not even the KTM 950SM, BMW MegaMoto or the overhyped Hypermotard can touch the ferocity of the Aprilia 5.5 motard.

[jtemple]

Boy, do I wish I could afford an SXV 5.5.

[OTB]

Picked this up Sunday:

[marko138]

Originally Posted by OTB

Picked this up Sunday:

Whoa. I might need to check this bad boy out before you sell it.

[OTB]

Its a low-miles 03 DRZ400s with a Motostrano Quick-change kit (Excel wheels, Conti tires, wave rotor, caliper extension, braided lines, tail kit and a couple other bits. The bike has 2500 miles on it, the kit about 100 (the tires aren't even scrubbed in).

Quick turn-in, ridiculous lean angles and great for the tight and twisties.... for the freeway, not so much. Nervous handling and a tendency to get blown around by truck; but it is great for the torn-up sections of the beltway where the pavement gobbler scrapes up mile-long stretches of chunking, patched pavement and leaves dusty, sandy wiggly lined pavement with abrupt seams and 2 inch high drops and seams; there the long travel suspension excels.

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by OTB

for the freeway, not so much. Nervous handling and a tendency to get blown around by truck

Thats the ONLY reason I didn't go with a DRZSM. I didn't feel like being treated like a ragdoll when/if I had to do any hiway (which is nice when you've spent all day on the backroads and want to get back home in less than 3 hours)