Mid-Life Rider

If you haven’t read this yet someplace else, I’m an enthusiast. My opinions are no more or less biased than anyone else’’s.
With that said, I”m often asked by friends to provide advice on buying a motorcycle. One of my favorite categories of bikes is the “sport touring” category. In the spirit of full disclosure, [...]

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The SV is a bike that never caught on. It’s too bad. Built during a period when manufacturer attention had turned to building big twins in order to counter the winning ways of Ducati super bikes. The urge passed, at least temporarily, and rider and manufacturer attention moved to zillion horsepower four cylinder bikes.
Like I [...]

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I posted before about my initial riding impressions of a 2004 Aprilia RSV Factory vs Suzuki SVS). Well, today the Sun Gods smiled just a bit and I took out my brandy new 2007 Factory for its maiden voyage (an entire 68 miles). Here’’s my review.The bike is intimidating as shit for several reasons . [...]

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After weeks of obsessing, Dave at MotoInternational delivered to me a 2007 Aprilia RSV 1000 Factory.

Blogged with Flock

Tags: Aprilia, RSV 1000 R Factory, MotoInternational

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I rode a 2004 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory today. It has very low miles, owned by a doctor, and has some mods to it which probably makes it the equivalent of the 2007 bike.

143 hp at the crank
Ohlins front, rear, and steering damper
OZ wheels
Carbon fiber bits and bobs

When you sit the priller next to the SV, [...]

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This is my 2006 Yamaha FJR1300. I’ve owned the bike since new. I’ve done the following modifications to it.
Rich’s custom saddle: Stock seat is flat as a board and about as comfortable.
Alaska Leather sheepskin butt pad: Just makes the seat that much better.
Cal Sci windscreen: Dramatically reduces turbulence.
Hyperpro front springs
Hyperpro rear shock (three way adjustable): [...]

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