1098 or RSV??? (oh! and hello to all, newbee here)

M

Madi B

New member
hello all,
i have been doing alot of research on the rsv (aprilia) and i have really fallen head-over-heals over the 2008 paint scheme...however, i went to the closest aprila dealer (raleigh, nc) today and heard some very dis-heartening news. Apparently, they will no longer selling anymore aprilias due to the fact that there have been some gasket issues that have allowed oil and water to mix in the engine (not good news for someone who was REALLY looking forward to being an up-and-coming RSV owner)...and to top it all off, aprilia will not fix nor share in the cost of fixing the issue
the dealer turned me on to the 1098...and the more i look at it the more GEORGOUS...(ready for my newbee Qs?) what are the known issues/headaches/joys of the 1098? has anyone had any nightmares? what is up with the overheating/getting really hot issues, etc...and thank you in advance for welcoming me to this forum...i will be purchasing my soon-to-be-mine bike in the next 90 days

peace
doc
 
This might help you:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5489

Also, I think the oil/water mix issue was with the RXV/SXV bikes (I know, I have an SXV supermoto with that issue), not with the RSV.
 
the aprilia is a great bike. its one of the nicest bikes i have ever ridden.....that being said i wouldn't trade my ducati for 2 new aprilia(unless the v4 actually makes it to production while im young enough to ride)
 
this particular dealer has had this issue with all 3 of the rsvs that he has sold in the last 12 months...(the fact that it may be also an issue with the rxv/sxv (different engine) is also dis-heartening as well) the dealer is dropping all support for aprilia due to the headache associated with the rsv issue
 
How sorry this deal with Aprilia RSV. A friend of mine (Bud) has this exact problem on his and the Aprilia dealer in PA asked him some 4,000.00 bux to fix it. He is now debating whether to fixt it or just sell whatever is sellable of it and switch to a 1098. Thanks for the info Doc!!!
 
Interesting question.....I'm actually a die hard Aprilia owner. I have 3 as you can see by my signature and love them all. My 2001 RSV Mille R (Factory Race Replica) is an amazing bike. I bought it new in '01 and have had ZERO problems with this bike. It's as bullet proof as can be and is still showroom ready after 8000 miles. In 2005 I bought the RSV Factory R which is essentially a Race Replica bike like my '01... Ohlins, Oz Forged Aluminum rims...all the goodies. It too is an amazing bike and I have had ZERO problems with this bike as well. I personally believe that the '05 Factory R is one of the most beautiful sport bikes ever produced. And no, I'm not kidding. Style wise, composition wise, and performance wise this bike is amazing! And of course I love the SR scooter....once again...Zero problems, fabulous performance (de-reg'd moped that goes 57) and amazing looks. I mean it matches my '05 so 'nuf said. Ok....now that I've laid out my foundation, let me just say that I love my Aprilias....I mean I LOVE these bikes. However, and man does it pain me to say this....The 1098s that I purchased ( '08 ) is flat out the most amazing motorcylce that I've ever ridden. It's performance is outright nuts, the balance, geometry, chassis, and engine are nothing short of magical. And I mean that. I never thought I would find a motorcyle that I liked more than my '05 Factory R and I'm including all past Ducati's which I love as well. I am a die hard enthusiast and will not be blinded by what the honks tell me is the best, or what people in my circle tell me is best. I ride it, push it and make up my own mind. The 1098 is my favorite. Oh, and the part about the '05 being one of the most beautiful sport bikes ever....true, but bested by the Duc. The 1098 now sits atop my personal list of style and performance when considering sport bikes. And the other bikes (including my '05 RSV) don't measure up. And I can't tell you how it hurts to say that.

As to the water in the oil issue....wow! Hadn't heard that. That would be quite dis-heartening. In conclusion....look at them all, ride a few, then buy your 1098 and laugh about it everytime you get on. Just my 4 cents worth.
 
thank you everyone for your resonse...
ZMAN - i appreciate your response in particular b/c even though i am not a current rsv owner, i can "feel your pain"...i have loved the rsv for years now and it is THAT bike that initiated the dream of owning an Italian bike...i have loved the RSV for the last 5 yrs (but was never in a financial position to purchase one...was stuck with a katana)...
i am now frustrated that the RSV is having these types of problems and in a time that the rotax may get phased out in the next 3-4 yrs with the new V-4 (maybe???)...
and so my dream of owning an Itialian bike will not die!!! and the more i stare at the duc the more i lust...
have you had any particular headaches or issues with your bike? or what causes your bike to act finicky? what are some major "NO-NOs" (e.g. for the rsv - never use twist the gas when starting if cold, etc)?
thank you for taking the time to answer my questions...you guys are fantastic
peace
 
-have you had any particular headaches or issues with your bike? or what causes your bike to act finicky? what are some major "NO-NOs" (e.g. for the rsv - never use twist the gas when starting if cold, etc)?


I've had no problems with either RSV. They're both incredibly reliable. As to "finicky" the '01 takes a short time to warm up. It has an enrichener (it's a fuely so this is much like a choke) so to start it, I may need to use it in the first couple minutes or so. I've got a full sytem and a power commander on this bike, but when it was stock it still needed the enrichener (probably why it's there...lol) Never any twist of the throttle for either bike. The '05 has no enrichener and just pops off and is ready to go as far as the fuel system goes. A major "No-No" (and this would also apply to most V and L Twins) would be an issue with starting out, going around slow corners or dropping the thottle without clutching. Since these bikes have so much torque and engine braking, low end maneuvering and deceleration takes some getting used to if you've only ridden the inline style engines. Throttle control is imperative, and if you're not paying attention, or don't know the specifics of these bikes....the rear wheel may chatter or hop when going slow around corners, starting out, or coming off of the throttle hard without clutching if you don't know what your doing. Low gear, tight corners and inconsistent throttling can lead to nasty surprises on these high torque machines. Of course with "your new Ducati" this wont be a problem because you'll opt for the slipper clutch The slipper clutch will solve this issue for the most part due to it's ability to release under situations like these keeping your bike chatter and hop free (among other benefits). Hope this helps.
 
ZMAN - thanks again, your information is valuable...please be patient with a few more Qs...

1) on average how affected is your wallet for tune-ups, maintenance, etc? (one of the big points against the duc on the RSV forums is that you have to take out a second mortgage just for maintenance costs...ok thats a rather large exaggeration)
2) that slipper clutch rocks, can you tell me a lil' bit more (i.e. cost? did you put it on or have dealer do it?)
3) how severe are your nuts boiling in the summer after a 100 mile ride or so (excessive heat issue)
4) how comfortable are longer rides (especially for passengers...i have to get my wife on the back periodically...she is looking forward for us to go on some more motorcycle dates with some of our friends)...any issues that you have noticed? (of course i know that it is a sports bike and not a goldwing...lol)
5) have you any experience with the stalling that happens whenever it wants to? (i don't know if you have noticed yet but i am asking Qs based on many of the complaints that other people have stated in "other bike" forums about the duc...i want to know if these issues are accurate or if they are based soley due to duc envy so that they feel better about their bike)

lastly, the dealer has 2 red 1098s (plural, not the 1098S) and a yellow 1098...additionally he has a red 848 and all of them are quite sexy...but the bike that is (pardon the ebonics) "FAT YO" for me is the black 1098S...pure sex...however, the dealer is willing to give me some good deals (especially now due to the winter season, i am sure)

i appreciate your time, effort, response, and patience with all of my questions...sorry about the long novel...
peace
 
Back
Top