First off, I own one.
Very nice bike and I do recomend it as long as you know how to use gears.
This next bit is c/p from a question I answers previously
"I have one and if you want to email me im happy to answer any further questions but I will try my best now...
[email protected]
Me:
Im 16 have been riding for 7 months through the winter with no drops or crashes.
I have been riding manual bikes for a lil while currently owning a Suzuki LTR 450 quad bike.
The bike:
I bought the bike new in red and white because the color was just released at the time I was looking.
The bike is lovely I pulls sweetly throughout the rev range in first because there isnt much to pull as its very light, how ever in 2nd and above when under 7000 rpm it just wont do any think (the joy of 2t right?)
My bike is nearly full desresticted, it has the large front sprocket and the restriction in the exhaust removed (yes im riding illegaly) how ever the carb is still out of the box.
Has anything gone wrong?
Yes! Ive had the rear wheel go flat twice the first time it was bold so needed replacing and the second time was yesterday and it has a quater inch cut in it, you guessed it it needs replacing. The person in the tyre shop said the Aprilia used to fit a different tyre which was higher quality.
Nearly bare rear brake pad, I barely use the front so the back has soon warn down.
Nearly rusted through exhaust- pipes and box which will soon need replacing.
Washed off decals- the seem realy thin and poor quality added to a pit to much pressure.
Sprockets and chain- the chain and sprockets have been replaced because I under oiled them.
Would I recomend it?
Depends. If your son is only allowed it if its restricted then no! Dont go for it, I dont know if you ride bikes but try and drive every where at 30 and changing gear 6 times just to get there! Its not possible, people will be letting you out of junctions and then expecting you to rocket off but in sted you will be moving slower than some tractors, If your son is the sort of person who wants an RS then I doubt he has the will power to stick to that and will probably get it derestricted on the quiet.
How ever if you allow him to have one derestricted then I say go for it, no big capacity bike will be able to touch him through bends and he will soon learn to ride defencively like ive learnt to. (PS you will need deep pocket for the fuel (which it gulps like a fish because its always revving on the limit) and all the brake downs)"
I hope that helped, and btw if you live near Dorset I am selling mine mid August- £2000 (with a bit of give) as I have my full UK bike test booked due to enjoying this bike soo much! Now looking at getting a GSX 650f... yay.
O and about the gear... I wear the full job, boots trousers and all that, I see it as important because for a few minutes more of getting read you will be able to stay warm and much safer, however recently ive started wearing just jacket, gloves and helmet and saving the boots and trousers for weekend rides.
I think those who claim 65 lie out their a** because mine has the larger front sproket and the most ive had is 61 and that is with the revs 1.5k over the red line.
