Just in time for Winter, I picked up this bad boy!

[~Barn~]

Worked out the fine print out over the phone, and rode home from Pueblo on Thanksgiving eve. I got her with a whopping 2600 miles, and the exhaust, aftermarket levers, and frame sliders already added by the 1st owner; who also had the ECU reflashed with a "race" map.

The motorcycle itself is an Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory, which is to say it is a limited-run model that comes from Aprilia fully kitted out with Ohlins suspension front and back, an Ohlins steering damper, monsterous Brembo radial brakes and related components, uberleggera OZ (forged) wheels, and carbon fiber bits sprinkled about. Engine is a 60* v-twin, and it produces forward momentum that is immediate and unrelenting.

I'm in love, and I call her Gemma.














Even still has factory warranty on it, until August!

[dommo_g]

That's a nice fukcing bike.

[~Barn~]

Thanks yo. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime kinda deals, so I had to transact the transaction and get it.

[Operator]

Good looking cycle!!!!! Winter aside, get out and ride!

[kingtut]

She's an absolute beaut Barn, Congrats.
Was wondering when you were going to introduce Gemma :stalker:

[~Barn~]

T.Y. guys.

Operator, since I got'er, I've put about 1000 miles on, but this last little storm hasn't helped things. I did take a quick spin today though, just to keep the battery primed.

[Operator]

PPIR and HPR need to be your home away from home in the summer.

[chickenwafer]

Nice man. I love Aprilia's

[speedjunkie]

Wow that thing is gorgeous. Congrats.

[~Barn~]

Thanks Eric... CW. I wish I had heated gear!

And yes Operator, I definitely intend to start making my way out to HPR on the regular. Now I just need to find a cheap trailer!

[Whizbang]

i have never ridden a motorcycle, something i wish to correct.

[RX-7 Chris]

nice bike. I stay away from bikes because I don't do well with 2 wheels. I even crashed my stationary bike (looks at tut).

[Huzer]

Hey, didn't someone else just sign up with a Tuono R? I think an Aprilia sub-forum is in order. Cool ride, does this replace the since departed Duc, or have you had something in between?

[erod550]

Sweet bike. Really need to get one one of these days.

[~Barn~]

i have never ridden a motorcycle, something i wish to correct.

It's never too late!

nice bike. I stay away from bikes because I don't do well with 2 wheels. I even crashed my stationary bike (looks at tut).

Thanks. And yes, it's definitely not for everybody. =)

Hey, didn't someone else just sign up with a Tuono R? I think an Aprilia sub-forum is in order. Cool ride, does this replace the since departed Duc, or have you had something in between?

Grazie Tim! E parliamo solo Italiano nel nostro forum!

And you're absolutely right about this being the direct successor to the 748 (which I ended up selling to one of my good buddies). That bike was a thing of beauty and rarity in its own right, but this.... Man... This Aprilia is that Ducati's wealthier, more powerful, more desired, and more mysterious younger cousin. I think around only 200 of these ear-marked for US import for that model year, and my VIN ends in 00085, if that truly holds any significance.

But that said, the whole line of 916/996/998/748 Ducatis, pretty much invented the bar by which other sportbike looks were judged. There was something very supermodel sporty about that 748, where this liter RSV has potent athletic sex appeal. It was like the Anna Kournikova, to the Aprilia's Gabrielle Reece. Similar and different.

The less romantic truth of it all though (just as it could probably be argued with cars, I'm sure), is that 1000 sportbikes are a bit easier to live with and ride on the daily. Middleweight sportbikes are still crazy fast and capable, but you can't be as lazy on them, as you can with literbikes at-speed. You simply have to "work" them more, to wring the most performance out of them.

Sweet bike. Really need to get one one of these days.

Thanks Eric! Let me know when you do, and I'll ride with you anytime.