OT: 08/09Aprilia RXV550 - Ducati.ms

parkcrf · May 6th, 2009, 11:19 pm

Anyone have on of these on this board? Looking like most of the problems have been sorted. I'm considering it for next dirtbike. Anyone have one?

Thanks

infidel · May 7th, 2009, 12:39 am

No RXV, but I have a 2006 SXV550, it was one of the very first ones brought into the country - first one to be insured in fact. I put a deposit on one unseen, before they were in the showroom and waited 4 months for it.

The problems you hear are all about the earlier bikes, I know because I have one, and to be honest most of them were assembly related problems not design. The problems I have had are:

Case sealant failure (mine originally had the orange case sealant which was not adequate for the job. Aprilia changed their sealant and have had little trouble since).

Cam surface pitting (the original cam surface coating was prone to pitting, my first cams lasted 5000kms. Again Aprilia changed coatings)

Oil filter cap blowing off (the original cap was plastic. It has a fine thread and would thermally cycl and eventually blow off. Luckily mine did it when i was warming it up before a ride and i was standing next to it when it happened and hit the kill straight away. They are now fitted with alloy fillers).

Other people have had problems with oil pump seal failures and the Starter motor burning out, but i have not experienced those.

Just about all of these issues have been addressed by Aprilia. The 08 bikes appear to be as reliable as a KTM or Husky. Even a 06 or 07 will be realiable if you set it up well. These bikes are brilliant. I will not sell mine as it is an absolute ball to ride, but you need to respect the purpose they were built for. My bike is a track bike only now. Things to be aware of are:

The motor needs to come out of the frame to check the valve shims

They are very sensetive to engine oil level (must be between 1250-1300ml, over that and it will pump into the airbox).

If you fall on the right hand side you need to check if you have had oil overflow to the airbox.

You need to check oil levels regularly and adhere to the service intervals

Throttle bodies will come out of sync after a while (say 3000kms) and the bike will become harder to start and develop a high idle.

parkcrf · May 7th, 2009, 1:10 am

Great! Thanks for the response Infidel

infidel · May 7th, 2009, 1:30 am

No worries. I can't tell you how the RXV handles in the dirt cause i've never ridden one. To be honest i think it would scare me shitless. I used to have a husaberg 650 which had a lot of balls, though was all bottom end. The SXV is all top end, but i know the RXV has different cams, mapping and gearing so i'd really like to try one out.

parkcrf · May 7th, 2009, 1:38 am

The only choice for me would be the RXV550. Me like power

I'll let you know how it is if it all works out Thanks again

Crank1000 · May 7th, 2009, 2:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkcrf

The only choice for me would be the RXV550. Me like power

I'll let you know how it is if it all works out Thanks again

I also only have the SVX, but I frequent the AF1 forum, and can tell you what I've read about the RXV compared to the SXV. If you're riding fire roads, the RXV cannot be touched. If you're riding tight technical woods trails, the power is VERY hard to control. Kind of like a bike with not much more than an on/off switch. Don't plan on lugging it through tough terrain. If you're not in the 4500+ rpms, you're going to hate the ride. Stop by the AF1 forums, and search around. There are a LOT of threads about this. I was actually considering one to replace my CRF450, but I need bottom end grunt more than top end speed when I ride dirt.

AXE · May 10th, 2009, 12:42 am

So what did you decide? I am leaning towards a 450, but want to do a little more research. I see some prices advertised around $8200. I wonder if you can get OTD under $8000K in this market.

Out!

parkcrf · May 12th, 2009, 2:03 am

Axe,

Rode the Hyper to the local dealer this weekend. I pulled the trigger on a new leftover 2008 RXV550 on saturday. From what I understand the 550 has insane power, just what the Dr. ordered in my case. There are some great deals from great dealers that will ship to you all setup and de-restricted - very important to be done right! One of the top Aprilia dealers is doing $6599 + $500 shipping for new 2008. Plus your tax, title, license in CO. This is for the 550! If you decide on The RXV450 should be $500 or more less. PM if you have questions.

Also check out www.apriliaforum.com

AXE · May 12th, 2009, 11:40 pm

Where did you get that price? I would be on it for those $. I am going to a dealer Thursday morning in Glenwood Springs to check them out. Their website is says $8K plus.

What about the 09s, I can't tell if the issues have been worked out 08 and 09 or just 09. I guess your about to find out. I want to as well.

Out!

infidel · May 13th, 2009, 12:30 am

not many changes fro 08 to 09. Most of the changes were 07 to 08.