Ducati Aprilia comparison - Ducati.ms

Alpha · Jan 13th, 2012, 6:51 pm

So I've been looking into adding an RSV4 to my stable. I like the styling of the bike and the way it sounds. I've never really heard anything bad about the bike, but I've never ridden one either, so it's hard to draw a distinction between My current Ducati 1098 and the RSV4. I've heard Troy Bayliss mention during a World SBK race, that the Aprilia RSV4 is very wide and that it feels awkward. Of course that may very well have been an advert for Ducati as he is their factory test pilot. Has anyone here ridden one of these bikes and can tell me a little bit about them compared to the 1098?

ZDM · Jan 13th, 2012, 10:37 pm

I heard Troy's comments on the Aprilia (Race 2, Imola) and he really didn't bash the bike. He did say that it felt tall and he's right, after I sat on one they are tall. Don't recall him saying it was wide, but after riding a Ducati superbike everything feels wide. I remember demoing the BMW and that tank felt ridiculously wide compared to my 999. He was pretty unbiased during that particular conversation, but no doubt he is Ducati. I saw a Biaggi replica at my local dealer. It is quite a machine, I was most impressed. Haven't ridden one, they are small but ergos are fine for someone tall. Every piece of that bike is top quality, the rearsets are unbelievable as is the whole bike....it would be a nice addition to anyone's garage.

j.davis · Jan 14th, 2012, 10:21 am

a few folks discuss the differences between ducatis and the rsv4 on this thread:

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...highlight=1098

zvez · Jan 14th, 2012, 4:23 pm

Love mine and looking forward to taking it for it's first track day at Barber in March. The electronics are outstanding, but if it were up to me I'd get a bike without all the wheelie control etc. too many things to have potential problems with.

EVERY bike feels wider than a Duc superbike. That said, everyone that sees mine perceives the ape as being very small.

Admit I'm lusting after the 1199!!

Chris

Alpha · Jan 15th, 2012, 1:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by zvez

Love mine and looking forward to taking it for it's first track day at Barber in March. The electronics are outstanding, but if it were up to me I'd get a bike without all the wheelie control etc. too many things to have potential problems with.

EVERY bike feels wider than a Duc superbike. That said, everyone that sees mine perceives the ape as being very small.

Admit I'm lusting after the 1199!!

Chris

I see that you have the APRC. Does the base model RSV4r have wheelie control or is it only available on the APRC model?

paulmm600 · Jan 15th, 2012, 2:52 am

i test rode one at a dealer demo in 2010 and loved it, i'm 5'11' and found it very comfortable, very racey feeling but i think the short reach to the bars allow you to support your weight with your torso, sounds like the panigale has gone for the same ergos, i felt like i could tour on the RSV4 pretty easy.

i nearly bought one a couple of weeks ago, and asked for advice on here, i got some good responses from members which might help you.

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/17-chit-...ting-rsv4.html

good luck on your quest and don't forget to post up lots of pics

zvez · Jan 15th, 2012, 6:25 am

I'd have actually rather had the non-aprc bikes but ANY 2011 RSV4 in the US is pretty hard to come by.

If you go for one, I'd strongly recommend going for an 11 or 12, the 10 had a few issues, and the mapping was improved on the 11s.

Pretty sure you have to have an APRC bike to get wheelie control as well as quick shift, launch control, traction control.

BTW> I stumbled on mine at Rider's Hill in Dahlonega, a great dealer. It was the only 2011 RSV4 they got this year. You might consider them as the 2012s should be in in the next month or two.
Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha

I see that you have the APRC. Does the base model RSV4r have wheelie control or is it only available on the APRC model?

Mad Dog · Jan 15th, 2012, 6:31 am

Sounds like rarity of the bike in the US may mean trouble when something happens mechanically. Will parts also be a rarity? Dealers?

zvez · Jan 15th, 2012, 8:32 am

I've owned Apes off/on since they first came to the US, parts supply was horrendous for many years. With Piaggios ownership it's gotten much better. The best US dealer, AF1 has just about everything on hand for these bikes.

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dog

Sounds like rarity of the bike in the US may mean trouble when something happens mechanically. Will parts also be a rarity? Dealers?

Stock gt · Jan 15th, 2012, 10:45 am

I test rode one when I was getting my s1000rr serviced. Let me tell you the aprilia is very smooth from power delivery to cornering,Everything on this bike was just comfortable to me. I'm 6'0 tall 200lbs and the only thing I didn't like about it was first gear didn't seem like it had much power( could be a good thing to some). That said I still wouldn't trade it for my BMW!