First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550

bwhip · 02-24-2007, 08:06 PM

Well, I got it back from the shop today, where my friend and trusted wrench had been correcting the mapping issues that many of these bikes seem to have, that makes cold starts difficult to impossible. He seemed confident that he had it sorted, and said that because I store my bikes in a warm enclosure I should have no problems. I had my fingers crossed.

I brought it home, turned the key, hoping for the best, and it fired up on the very first try! The first time I'd ever actually heard that sweet twin purr.

Then, despite the cold, gray weather (40 degrees and windy), you know I just had to take her for a spin.

My reaction to the bike so far, is equal parts:

Holy crap! This thing is a monster!

First of all, the bike looks great. I think it's the best looking supermoto bike there is. Fit and finish is very good (if maybe not quite to Honda standards).

The sound is really good, and unique. It's not that loud in stock form, but not that quiet either. Definitely a louder tone than my DR-Z400SM with it's FMF Q exhaust. I'm sure that the GPR or other exhaust would just sound absolutely deadly on this thing (and add some HP), but I'm not quite sure I want to attract that kind of attention as I terrorize the community.

The bike revs like a race bike should - exceptionally fast. Instant on/off throttle response. And the power is like no other. Crazy fast. Roll the throttle open in first or second and the front end heads for the sky - no clutch manipulation necessary. And I haven't even come close to hammering it yet since it's still in the break-in period. I haven't been over 8,000 RPM, and the redline isn't until 11,500. Hard to imagine how intense this thing will be when I can get on it a bit more. I can see that it will require very judicious use of the throttle.

Brakes are very good, although I'll probably want to stiffen the front suspension as it dives a bit more than I'd like under hard braking. Other than the front being soft, the suspension feels really good.

I adjusted the clutch so that the engagement point was further out, as two-finger clutching wasn't quite creating full engagement. It's better now. The gearbox is mostly really good, and generally smooth, although your foot movements on the shifter can't be subtle, or it might not engage the next gear. Second gear is occasionally tough to engage. I imagine with a few more hours on it things will get a bit more settled.

For some reason my right turn signal isn't working, but the left is just fine. I'll need to check into that.

The horn button is where I'm used to the turn signal being, so I honked at a woman in front of me when I was signalling to go around her. Sorry, lady.

Where the DR-Z has been a friendly, gentle toy of sorts, this bike is in a different league. It's a race bike, and feels like one. Hyper, ready to rip, and uncompromising.

I can't wait for warmer weather.

evl_twn · 02-24-2007, 09:37 PM

TraumaOne · 02-24-2007, 10:16 PM

suhweet!

jose_jimenez · 02-24-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evl_twn

+1

bwhip · 02-24-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evl_twn

Hey, I already posted pics in the other thread!

I'll get some more for you tomorrow. In the meantime, check out this "stealth" one a guy in Germany has. I'm not sure why his chain is hanging...

navydevildoc · 02-25-2007, 10:08 AM

Great timing... we were just at the Aprilia dealer here in San Diego looking at the RXV and SXV yesterday.

They are very sexy bikes, but we were wondering how they were to ride.

luvtolean · 02-25-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navydevildoc

Great timing... we were just at the Aprilia dealer here in San Diego looking at the RXV and SXV yesterday.

They are very sexy bikes, but we were wondering how they were to ride.

Yeah, as NDD will tell you, the RXV was really speaking to me...enough that I was looking at what I'd sell out of the garage to go plunk down the AMEX.

We got back to his house and he told his roommate I was going to buy one....

That reminds me, I gotta go get the CR up on Craigslist...

bwhip · 02-25-2007, 02:51 PM

They do look sexy, but the sound and particularly the ride is even more seductive. I can't yet speak to the reliability, but if it's even halfway decent in that department, I'm completely stoked. This is one wicked machine.

luvtolean · 02-25-2007, 02:53 PM

I just read a Dirt Rider review and they said the 550 was way scary on dirt.

How many HP is that thing supposed to make? The 450 is around 55.

I also read the fork, swingarm, and other bits are different between the two. So buying an RXV and getting the SXV stuff to bolt on for a trackday looks like a futile cause.

navydevildoc · 02-25-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

They do look sexy, but the sound and particularly the ride is even more seductive. I can't yet speak to the reliability, but if it's even halfway decent in that department, I'm completely stoked. This is one wicked machine.

If it's like the rest of Aprilia's products, they will be pretty damn reliable. The only thing that has busted on mine was when I recently had to swap the battery because it sat without a tender for a long time.

bwhip · 02-25-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I just read a Dirt Rider review and they said the 550 was way scary on dirt.

How many HP is that thing supposed to make? The 450 is around 55.

I also read the fork, swingarm, and other bits are different between the two. So buying an RXV and getting the SXV stuff to bolt on for a trackday looks like a futile cause.

I've read mixed reviews on the dirt performance of the RXV 550. The throttle response is supposed to be pretty abrupt, which doesn't make for a great trailie. For those that like to slide the rear end around, it's fine, but it's not for everyone.

If you look at the SXV and RXV side-by-side, you can see they're a fair amount different. The RXV sits a lot taller, obviously, but like you said, there are other significant differences as well, including gearing.

Here are a couple of excellent sites if you want to do more research on both:
2006-2007 Aprilia RXV, SXV 4.5/5.5 V-Twins - ApriliaForum sponsored by AF1 Racing, inc.

SLORider—San Luis Obispo Dirt Bike Rider Website (Aprilia/KTM/DR-Z400)

navydevildoc · 02-25-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Here are a couple of excellent sites if you want to do more research on both:
2006-2007 Aprilia RXV, SXV 4.5/5.5 V-Twins - ApriliaForum sponsored by AF1 Racing, inc.

SLORider—San Luis Obispo Dirt Bike Rider Website (Aprilia/KTM/DR-Z400)

The Aprilia Forum is an excellent resource. I have been on that board for a while now.

luvtolean · 02-25-2007, 03:59 PM

Yeah, I surfed it earlier. I didn't like it too much to be honest and bailed.

Plus, it was running real slow...

bwhip · 02-25-2007, 06:47 PM

Completed the first mods today. I didn't want to proceed with them until I was sure the thing actually ran.

New ProTaper bars, gel-type grips, Acerbis handguards, and some pretty trick little bits from Supermoto Engineering - axle sliders for the front, along with axle block sliders and red spacers for the rear.

It's killing me that it's raining and cold outside (and supposed to do the same all week). I really want to be out playing and breaking that baby in. Instead I get to strip bathroom wallpaper and go to the office for a bit.

Leelover · 02-25-2007, 07:43 PM

Awesome bike whip!

That engine should really deliver in higher rev areas that thumpers have always had trouble with.

How does riding a supermotard at a track day compare to a race rep type of bike?
Would any of you who have done this be satisfied with only a bike like this Aprilia as their only track bike?

bwhip · 02-25-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelover

Awesome bike whip!

That engine should really deliver in higher rev areas that thumpers have always had trouble with.

How does riding a supermotard at a track day compare to a race rep type of bike?
Would any of you who have done this be satisfied with only a bike like this Aprilia as their only track bike?

Thanks!

Supermotos are a blast at the track, but probably more so on tighter tracks than long, flowing ones. On a tight track a skilled supermoto rider could smoke the average sportbike rider, because the bikes are so light and easy to maneuver through the tight stuff. On long straights is where the sportbikes have the advantage with greater horsepower and wind protection.

I wouldn't want to choose between the two types, as I'll always love sportbikes and dragging my knee, but this sure is a fun alternative.

evl_twn · 02-25-2007, 08:23 PM

So just drag your knee while riding the motard

Leelover · 02-25-2007, 09:01 PM

I don't know if you would have to choose between the two...
From the looks of things you could show up at a track and have your choice of several bikes who's riders would be happy to swap out with you whenever you wanted.

MrX · 02-25-2007, 10:48 PM

Thats a super sweet toy.

I want one!

oldfogey · 02-26-2007, 06:45 AM

Well, another bwhip bike to envy him over

!

bwhip · 03-03-2007, 07:30 PM

It's been really cold here this week, with snow and rain on and off, so it's been really tough to ride much. Today it creeped up into the low 40's with no precip, so I took four brief rides on this baby (until my fingers were totally frozen).

I'm up to about 125 miles on it, still in the break-in period, so I'm still taking it pretty easy. This is probably a good thing, because it doesn't take much of a twist of the wrist to send the front wheel skyward.

It's ridiculous! What an absolute blast to ride. Just an absolute terror, with so much power it's downright scary (in a good way

).

The gearbox has become absolutely buttery. Maybe the smoothest I've ever experienced. That twin motor is really smooth, with less vibration than the bigger singles I've ridden.

It's still starting right up every time, which is a relief!

I spent a little time with it in the dirt today as well, and I'm impressed. I just find that I really need to be judicious with the throttle, as it has absolutely mad power.

I can't wait to get it fully broken in, and to get it out on a track.

I am VERY impressed with this bike.

luvtolean · 03-03-2007, 08:48 PM

I went to the Aprilia dealer again today to check out the RXV. This dealer had the 550.

Since I want a dual sport ride bike, I'm not actually sure it's the right one. In reading that 550 is just insane powerwise. All but uncontrollable on dirt.

That said, I skipped a short backpacking trip this weekend to continue getting various toys ready to sell.

I want one of these things, bad!

Leelover · 03-03-2007, 09:06 PM

Is the power delivery more radical than the old 2 smoker 500cc MX bikes?

bwhip · 03-03-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelover

Is the power delivery more radical than the old 2 smoker 500cc MX bikes?

Not as violent. It's buttery smooth while it propels you to mind-blowing speeds.

bwhip · 03-09-2007, 07:39 PM

I liked this post from one of the Aprilia forums, about a guy taking a test drive on the SXV550:

02-24-2007, 08:06 PM	#1
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,952	First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Well, I got it back from the shop today, where my friend and trusted wrench had been correcting the mapping issues that many of these bikes seem to have, that makes cold starts difficult to impossible. He seemed confident that he had it sorted, and said that because I store my bikes in a warm enclosure I should have no problems. I had my fingers crossed. I brought it home, turned the key, hoping for the best, and it fired up on the very first try! The first time I'd ever actually heard that sweet twin purr. Then, despite the cold, gray weather (40 degrees and windy), you know I just had to take her for a spin. My reaction to the bike so far, is equal parts: Holy crap! This thing is a monster! First of all, the bike looks great. I think it's the best looking supermoto bike there is. Fit and finish is very good (if maybe not quite to Honda standards). The sound is really good, and unique. It's not that loud in stock form, but not that quiet either. Definitely a louder tone than my DR-Z400SM with it's FMF Q exhaust. I'm sure that the GPR or other exhaust would just sound absolutely deadly on this thing (and add some HP), but I'm not quite sure I want to attract that kind of attention as I terrorize the community. The bike revs like a race bike should - exceptionally fast. Instant on/off throttle response. And the power is like no other. Crazy fast. Roll the throttle open in first or second and the front end heads for the sky - no clutch manipulation necessary. And I haven't even come close to hammering it yet since it's still in the break-in period. I haven't been over 8,000 RPM, and the redline isn't until 11,500. Hard to imagine how intense this thing will be when I can get on it a bit more. I can see that it will require very judicious use of the throttle. Brakes are very good, although I'll probably want to stiffen the front suspension as it dives a bit more than I'd like under hard braking. Other than the front being soft, the suspension feels really good. I adjusted the clutch so that the engagement point was further out, as two-finger clutching wasn't quite creating full engagement. It's better now. The gearbox is mostly really good, and generally smooth, although your foot movements on the shifter can't be subtle, or it might not engage the next gear. Second gear is occasionally tough to engage. I imagine with a few more hours on it things will get a bit more settled. For some reason my right turn signal isn't working, but the left is just fine. I'll need to check into that. The horn button is where I'm used to the turn signal being, so I honked at a woman in front of me when I was signalling to go around her. Sorry, lady. Where the DR-Z has been a friendly, gentle toy of sorts, this bike is in a different league. It's a race bike, and feels like one. Hyper, ready to rip, and uncompromising. I can't wait for warmer weather. __________________ Seamus is awesome. Seriously. My Gallery

02-24-2007, 09:37 PM	#2
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,664	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550

02-24-2007, 10:16 PM	#3
TraumaOne a mowing target Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Greenville, NC Age: 34 Bike(s): 2008 Yamaha FZ-6 Posts: 1,572	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 suhweet! __________________ Need a custom cake? The Cakery

02-25-2007, 10:08 AM	#6
navydevildoc Smog is better. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Bike(s): Aprilia RSV-R Posts: 1,286	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Great timing... we were just at the Aprilia dealer here in San Diego looking at the RXV and SXV yesterday. They are very sexy bikes, but we were wondering how they were to ride. __________________ Chuck Norris can divide by zero.

02-25-2007, 02:51 PM	#8
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,952	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 They do look sexy, but the sound and particularly the ride is even more seductive. I can't yet speak to the reliability, but if it's even halfway decent in that department, I'm completely stoked. This is one wicked machine. __________________ Seamus is awesome. Seriously. My Gallery

02-25-2007, 02:53 PM	#9
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,424	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 I just read a Dirt Rider review and they said the 550 was way scary on dirt. How many HP is that thing supposed to make? The 450 is around 55. I also read the fork, swingarm, and other bits are different between the two. So buying an RXV and getting the SXV stuff to bolt on for a trackday looks like a futile cause. __________________ The facility and excess of law-making seem to be the diseases to which are governments are most liable.- James Madison

02-25-2007, 03:59 PM	#13
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,424	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Yeah, I surfed it earlier. I didn't like it too much to be honest and bailed. Plus, it was running real slow... __________________ The facility and excess of law-making seem to be the diseases to which are governments are most liable.- James Madison

02-25-2007, 06:47 PM	#14
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,952	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Completed the first mods today. I didn't want to proceed with them until I was sure the thing actually ran. New ProTaper bars, gel-type grips, Acerbis handguards, and some pretty trick little bits from Supermoto Engineering - axle sliders for the front, along with axle block sliders and red spacers for the rear. It's killing me that it's raining and cold outside (and supposed to do the same all week). I really want to be out playing and breaking that baby in. Instead I get to strip bathroom wallpaper and go to the office for a bit. __________________ Seamus is awesome. Seriously. My Gallery

02-25-2007, 07:43 PM	#15
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Awesome bike whip! That engine should really deliver in higher rev areas that thumpers have always had trouble with. How does riding a supermotard at a track day compare to a race rep type of bike? Would any of you who have done this be satisfied with only a bike like this Aprilia as their only track bike? __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

02-25-2007, 08:23 PM	#17
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,664	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 So just drag your knee while riding the motard

02-25-2007, 09:01 PM	#18
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 I don't know if you would have to choose between the two... From the looks of things you could show up at a track and have your choice of several bikes who's riders would be happy to swap out with you whenever you wanted. __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

02-25-2007, 10:48 PM	#19
MrX First person view Join Date: 12-20-2006 Age: 27 Bike(s): I ride bikes Posts: 334	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Thats a super sweet toy. I want one! __________________ Summer should never ever ever end.

02-26-2007, 06:45 AM	#20
oldfogey Senior member Join Date: 12-14-2006 Location: St Albans, UK Age: 56 Bike(s): Honda VFR800i, BSA Posts: 1,177	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Well, another bwhip bike to envy him over ! __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have - Gerald R. Ford

03-03-2007, 07:30 PM	#21
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,952	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 It's been really cold here this week, with snow and rain on and off, so it's been really tough to ride much. Today it creeped up into the low 40's with no precip, so I took four brief rides on this baby (until my fingers were totally frozen). I'm up to about 125 miles on it, still in the break-in period, so I'm still taking it pretty easy. This is probably a good thing, because it doesn't take much of a twist of the wrist to send the front wheel skyward. It's ridiculous! What an absolute blast to ride. Just an absolute terror, with so much power it's downright scary (in a good way ). The gearbox has become absolutely buttery. Maybe the smoothest I've ever experienced. That twin motor is really smooth, with less vibration than the bigger singles I've ridden. It's still starting right up every time, which is a relief! I spent a little time with it in the dirt today as well, and I'm impressed. I just find that I really need to be judicious with the throttle, as it has absolutely mad power. I can't wait to get it fully broken in, and to get it out on a track. I am VERY impressed with this bike. __________________ Seamus is awesome. Seriously. My Gallery

03-03-2007, 08:48 PM	#22
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,424	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 I went to the Aprilia dealer again today to check out the RXV. This dealer had the 550. Since I want a dual sport ride bike, I'm not actually sure it's the right one. In reading that 550 is just insane powerwise. All but uncontrollable on dirt. That said, I skipped a short backpacking trip this weekend to continue getting various toys ready to sell. I want one of these things, bad!

03-03-2007, 09:06 PM	#23
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 Is the power delivery more radical than the old 2 smoker 500cc MX bikes? __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

03-09-2007, 07:39 PM	#25
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,952	Re: First Impressions - Aprilia SXV 550 I liked this post from one of the Aprilia forums, about a guy taking a test drive on the SXV550: