[bMar]

Hello all, I'm new to BCSB. But not new to bikes. Ive had many years street riding on 600 sports and one fortunate summer on a Monster 1000. A couple of years back I sold off the street machine and now I'm looking to get back on the road. I have successfully convinced my wifey to allow me to go the way of a supermoto machine. (She thinks they're safer.)

Any ways....I have always been a sucker for the exotic and recently the Aprilia SXV line has caught my eye. I took one for a test ride and if it wasn't for the known reliability issues there would probably be a 07 4.5 already sitting in my garage. I have read quite a bit online about these bikes and the need to really keep up on the maintenance. I am aware of many of the issues the earlier models have with FI problems and the orange seals leaking amongst other things. My question is...have they remedied these issues in the 10/11/12 models or is it the same old story? The internets reviews of these bikes were mainly of the 06/07 models. My biggest fear is buying a older (new) one to save some $ only to have it sitting in some shop racking up the bills. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Marty

 

[Pee Wee]

Expensive as hell to maintain. As far as I know the newer ones don't blow up, but you never know. It's a pure race bike. If you wanna supermoto that's reliable, just get a DRZ400SM and call it a day, way better street bike too. We have 10 of them blown up at our shop.

 

[Mike76]

The problem with a DRZ is they are boring as hell and gutless. I have a SXV 550 and once I rode it I knew it was the kind of SM I was looking for. The newer ones are known to be more reliable but they are still a performance Italian that needs to be well taken care of to be trouble free. Some of the older ones like mine, have had the engine replaced and updated with the newer more reliable version. You need to run the engine stamp VIN with Aprilia to be sure. It really depends on what you are looking to do with the bike. If you want to commute or put on higher miles and want more reliability over performance than go japanese. If you want the performance side of things and are able to do your own basic maintenance then look into European such as the SXV. If you got your heart on the Aprilia ask questions and research here www.apriliaforum.com

 

[bMar]

^Thanks Mike, I really do want performance over reliability. Whatever bike I get will be for Sunday rips up the back roads and maybe the odd evening ride in the heart of summer. I was considering the Ktm smc's as well but that v-twin and good looks of the Aprilia have me drooling right now. I know if I get the Aprilia it will cost me some extra $, just like when I owned the Ducati, but to me the performance gain and bigger smiles is worth the extra money. I really need to know if I should buy late model or older model, there are a couple dealers selling brand new 07 550's for a pretty good price but maybe the extra money for the newer ones will be cheaper in the long run??? Did Aprilia replace the motors for free?

 

[Pee Wee]

LOL...we'll see if you still have that grin when the service office hand you an invoice for a 1/3 the bikes value. If you've never ridden one, I'd suggest that before you buy. Not everyone can ride one. Husaberg FE650, more power than an SXV550 and reliable and easy to service. KTM SMC, reliable and almost bullet proof, easy to work on yourself. Husqvarna SM610, still better than the SXV and italian. All bikes I'd buy well before throwing a leg over the SXV.

 

[S.X.V.]

Hey Marty, I own an 07 SXV with an 08 motor. Here's an actual owners perspective.

All the reports about bikes blowing up and having problems are true. Aprilia did screw themselves by releasing a bike with an unproven sealant, a weak starter and with a few cheap components. As far as I've heard (on all the forums where the guru's hang out), the 08 and up bikes have very few major problems. Mine is an 08 engine and I had it cracked open this winter and my (very experienced) mechanic said everything looked great. If you're concerned about the maintenance schedule, stay away from any meant-for-racing supermoto's. It's technically a road bike, but it really is a race bike. If you think of it as buying a WSS bike to ride on the road, you're about on track. That goes for the Husky R's, as well. I think that managing your expectations before hand will go a long way to making sure you know why you're buying it, and how you'll react to having to spend some moolah to get it fixed from time to time.

I think the key to buying an SXV is getting one from a previous owner that has spent the cash to make sure it's been maintained properly and cares enough to fix the little things. Someone who has all the maintenance receipts and is experienced with bikes. If you do, you won't stop smiling. I've been fortunate enough to ride most every modern bike out there, and my only bike right now is my SXV. I love it. Nothing makes me grin more, I've never closed my garage door without looking back and loving it. I'm committed to it, I have a good amount of cash socked away in a separate account in a solid fund that is earmarked "when my SXV blows up". Some may say that's ridiculous, but I think it speaks volumes for how special, and how much fun this bike is.

My advice to anyone that's looking for a new bike is to make sure you ride everything you're looking at. You'll know what you want to buy after that.

Nothing against PeeWee's comments.

Good luck and have fun shopping!

 

[arcrz]

Well if you want performance over reliability its definitely the bike for you.
If I was given one I`d get rid of it for any of the bikes that Pee-wee mentioned. If I wanted a bike that would give me tons of fun an never a worry about break down I`d get a DRZ.

 

[S.X.V.]

Well if you want performance over reliability its definitely the bike for you.
If I was given one I`d get rid of it for any of the bikes that Pee-wee mentioned. If I wanted a bike that would give me tons of fun an never a worry about break down I`d get a DRZ.

Your definition of "tons of fun" is different than mine. The most boring bike I've ridden is a modded DRZ400SM. My opinion, of course.

 

[arcrz]

I noticed you didn`t mention the "never a worry about break down " part

Of course its not as fun as a 550, I`ve ridden a few of them and they`re a beast but weigh in the peace of mind that comes with the 400 and its a bike you can still have a great time on with no worries.

 

[Pee Wee]

Don't worry about offending me, I rode a demo and sold them to two friends. Both don't talk to me now.

I'm just stating my experiences, I carry this guilt assosiated with the bike, and I just hate to see people get bend over and their wallets raped.

 

[S.X.V.]

Don't worry about offending me, I rode a demo and sold them to two friends. Both don't talk to me now.

I'm just stating my experiences, I carry this guilt assosiated with the bike, and I just hate to see people get bend over and their wallets raped.

I'm not envious of you on that front, I can see why you're not a fan now. That being said it sucks that people would write you off for that, they need to do their own research and make a decision they are comfortable with.

arcrz - I know what you mean. Peace of mind is huge. I don't worry about breaking down because I know it's totally possible (and just having a clean bill of health on the engine helps :spinsmile).

Marty, I hope this helps you make a good decision for yourself. I'm a big fan of the Husky 510smr too, buddy has one and it rips.

 

[sushigrl]

The problem with a DRZ is they are boring as hell and gutless.

i agree :laughing

 

[Mike76]

No offenseto your DRZ Anna but I really like power wheelies off the throttle in third... comes from riding litre bikes I guess. Again though your can't compare a DRZ to SXV in term of performance or reliability/maintennce, two totally different fish.

 

[Mechanic]

If you really want fun, get yourself a CR500 (KX500, second best). And it's more reliable than modern high performance 450's etc.

60hp -220lbs - some of my best biking memories :thumbup

 

[bMar]

Hey Marty, I own an 07 SXV with an 08 motor. Here's an actual owners perspective..........

Thanks, I will heed your advice! I think I will try to find an 08 and up model if I do go with the SXV. It is good hearing from SXV owners, thats exactly what I was hoping for when starting this thread.

I appreciate the other comments too, but the DRZ especially is close to the bottom of my list. I understand they are very reliable, and popular for that reason. I just want more performance than it offers. I'm still considering a KTM and maybe a Husky, but my mind keeps going back to the Aprilia SXV's. If there are anymore SXV owners out there, your experiences would be great to hear.

 

[S.X.V.]

If you really want fun, get yourself a CR500 (KX500, second best). And it's more reliable than modern high performance 450's etc.

60hp -220lbs - some of my best biking memories :thumbup

True story! A friend in town has a cr500 in a modified 250 frame, he ice races with it too. Complete monster!

 

[T-rex]

Heck, I mind as well chime in here, too. Mike76 knows what he's talking about - he did his due diligence, and got himself a great bike: mine.
I bought an sxv550 from the Ape dealer in seattle, one of the best in North America. It was a 2007 with an 08 engine, with all the recalls done, proper maps loaded, etc. I did my research on it, too.
Then, kaboom! It fried four starters. PacYam and Valley Motorsports (chilliwack) are the only local ape dealers who will work on the sxv, and pacyam is new to it. They sure got a lot of practice on my bike! Spent more time there than on the road. Maintenance is one of the big things with this bike - you have to drop the engine to check the valves, and if you don't know what you're doing, it'll take you a long time. If you do, it's about 45 minutes.
An oil change is a big headache, too. You have to be EXACT with the levels, both gear and tranny. Overfilling causes spillage onto the rear wheel, and down you go. Underfilling puts the engine at risk of going kablooie. And you should change it every 300 miles or so, just to be safe (which is the only way to treat these bikes).

I knew all this when I bought it, and I also didn't heed PeeWee's warnings (I had PMed him about it, since he had worked on them). Well, he was right. It was in the shop for four out of the six months I owned it. Thank god I had warranty on it, which saved me from big bills. But when that ran out, I was faced with the prospect of having to sink lots of money into it, should it blow up on me again.

Now, that being said, I freakin LOVED that bike. It had the grunt of a 600, and the weight of a 250 MXer. And the sound - GAWD THE SOUND - at WOT.
So the big consideration is how much you're willing to work on it. You have to be handy with a wrench, and even then, there's some stuff that has to be done at the dealer, because they have a special diagnostic computer (I believe it's the Axone) needed for the ECU.
It will cost you lots of money to own this bad girl. If you have the wallet and the patience, it's go for it.
Oh, and you better be able to ride, too, because this ain't no bike for a noob. It will buck you off like a rookie cowboy if you can't.

So there's my 2cents!

Thanks, I will heed your advice! I think I will try to find an 08 and up model if I do go with the SXV. It is good hearing from SXV owners, thats exactly what I was hoping for when starting this thread.

I appreciate the other comments too, but the DRZ especially is close to the bottom of my list. I understand they are very reliable, and popular for that reason. I just want more performance than it offers. I'm still considering a KTM and maybe a Husky, but my mind keeps going back to the Aprilia SXV's. If there are anymore SXV owners out there, your experiences would be great to hear.

 

[T-rex]

Did your friend build it or buy it? I was looking at one down in washington that was ssssuhweet!

/end threadjack

True story! A friend in town has a cr500 in a modified 250 frame, he ice races with it too. Complete monster!

 

[S.X.V.]

He built it, he's had it for 5 years now I think. Never have I ever been on a bike that makes power like that.

 

[sushigrl]

No offenseto your DRZ Anna

none taken. it would take way more than calling my bike a POS