Yeah they're in the plan. Being a short arse I thought I'd see where my knees came to first. Had them on the Blade, stuck some on the Triumph and never got near to touching them.
Stunning that @dainesefreak .......didn't realise you'd got it!!! Looks the bollocks I had been looking at them myself before I went for the Pani. Main reason being I have Ducati Manchester on my door for looking after it. I used to go to Griff at Aprilia performance when I had my RSV, only guys I'd trust with it too......probably one of the reasons I didnt go for the Aprilia is I didnt fancy the trip up too Tamworth and back Will you take it there for servicing or back to the shop where you bought it from? Bet you can't wait to start buying bits for it.......its one of the joys of getting a new bike......bet the tail tidy is already ordered right??
I got it from Wheels in Peterborough who are about 85 miles from me. I've got 3D Moto 18 miles away who seem to be decent enough and I've got another one down the road from the mother-in-law in Nottingham. It's a 50 mile jaunt, but I could drop it off, do the visit with the Mrs and pick up on the way home. It'll only go near a main dealer for a scheduled service and a stamp in the book. Anything else will be down to Griff who's about 10 mins away, unfortunately for him. I've already told him it'll be in to have the suspension sorted when the weather improves. Lucky guy. I used to be a regular with the Mille. It's funny how it has a smell that's all Aprilia, didn't realise I'd missed it until I walked back into the garage. Screen's now on and the levers have just turned up, they'll be a job for a day when I've got some patience. I noticed the clutch locking nut is more or less covered and butted up to the cable. So it's going to be one of those millimetre at a time jobs. Joy. The Duke's a beauty. I did consider one but I'm a sucker for a bargain and the RSV had just over £3k off.
Puig screen and Evotech levers now on and R&G Traction Pads ordered. I think the next bit will be suspension setup and then possibly the slip on. I may even ride it at some point.
So before the rain came I took the opportunity to pop to the petrol station and sort of around the block. Things I have learnt. I'm getting or am old. The pegs are high, wrists down, makes the mirrors feel like they're near your hips. Not sure how it now compares to the latest 2020/21 gen litre bikes. The riding position definitely feels higher at the pegs and lower at the wrists than the 2018 Blade I had. Could just be me not 100% remembering, but that's how it feels. I took me about 10 mins to feel comfortable again with the ergos coming from my latest 2 bikes, Street and then Speed Triple. Everything feels well screwed together even neutral worked both times I used it. Jumping 1st/2nd, 2nd/1st and missing neutral being a bit of an Aprilia trait. I have noticed the infills under the handlebars are a bit cheap, hard plastic looking, but that's the only gripe so far with quality. Gearbox is "different" and takes a bit of getting used to, there's no real sort of positive engagement/click into gear. It just seems to snick in and you check to see if it's changed. Not sure if that will change as it breaks in, just the way it is or something to do with the quickshifter/autoblipper attached to the lever. Quickshifter/blipper is ace, better than the Triumph, just snicks in with no drama, no jolts. The quick loop I did is a couple of miles or so of 30 mph town A roads, into a 60 mph country B road and then onto a semi country 60 mph main A road. The engines feels turbine like, just pulls, loads of low down torque and power. I only spun it up to 7500 rpm, just about where it started to sing and where I'm sort of supposed to max out for running in. But in 3rd/4th it would hit 85 mph at fairly low revs. The engine seems to be a little bit more vibey through the bars than the Triumph triple, but nothing major, just something I noticed. Even though I wear some fairly hardcore ear plugs, I could hear the V4 starting to sing when we were over 6k revs and I can't wait for it to dry up so I can wind it on. Handling felt ultra stable, no fuss, solid. Didn't really get thrown around though any bends, but it has a feel that it's unflutterable and composed. At lower speeds it obviously feels less manoeuvrable than the Street/Speed, but that's horses for courses. Gripe - wtf is going on with the size of the petrol filler?! The diameter is tiny, has a rubber ring around the inside to create a seal around the pump nozzle. So as it fills it's obviously struggling to vent, spins around inside and sprays some out. Quick Google and yes - welcome to the RSV 4. So the long and the short of it, can't wait to get a decent ride, get the 1st service done and give it a spanking. I think I'll then have to get some physio sessions pre-booked and plenty of ice in for the baths.
Great review that mate, yes you may be getting old but who cares!! You got yourself a spanking new V4 to play with!! Yeah it kill your wrists and you'll struggle to get your feet on the pegs when you set off and you've got all your kit on but you'll definitely feel alive when you get home after a monster ride out!!
Sounds like your enjoying it and that’s the main attraction! I have to say out of all the current crop of Superbikes I’m still really impressed with how comfortable and ergonomic my Pani V4 is! It was a total pleasure getting back on it after riding the new Blade! Think the ape is somewhere in between. Can’t comment on the BMW but heard that’s supposed to be the the best of the bunch for for comfort...My V4 is definitely more comfortable and easier to live with than my old V2 Pani Not sure how different the new Ape will feel, pretty sure they would have changed some dimensions. Sure we will all know soon enough
Deciding what to do with the can. The Akra is probably the least hassle but is ££££'s and I'm not convinced, buy something else that's got a cat and remove the cables, less ££££'s but not by much. Buy something without the cat and fit the Race ECU, ££££'s.
Nice bike @dainesefreak. Was it Joe that sold you it? I bought my 2020 Tuono V4 Factory from them. Cheapest one in the country and they delivered pretty quickly and am up here in Scotland. Enjoy here's hoping for a good summer
Yep it was Joe, nice enough guy. £12995 for an RSV4, it felt too good to miss. When did you get the Tuono? The driver said he was north of the boarder the day before he dropped mine off.
I got it September 14th last year, boy was dropping off a Goldwing. I haggled with them and got 8k for the MT 10 which I had for almost 3 years. I haven't even run it in yet. Yesterday was the first day out on it this year.
So today turned out differently. I was originally going to go over the sit on the Superduke, have a proper look and arrange a test ride. Then head over the the guys I know at Triumph to talk figures on a Speed and arrange a test ride. What actually happened was I bought a Superduke and traded the RSV. Long story short, I think if I'd have gone Street Triple or 890R, which was the original plan, I'd have kept the Ape. Having gone over and sat on the 2021 Street and owning a 2019 previously, I just thought I'd want more engine. The 890R reviews really well, is supposed to have more low down poke than the Street, but it felt built to a price. Which in fairness it probably is. Again I think I'd miss the midrange coming off Blades, Speed Triple and Ape. So whilst I'm in the showroom looking at and sitting on a 2021 Duke and talking colours with the Mrs, the salesman drops in he's got a black 2020 model with £800 off, free Tech Pack and an Akra for £199. Hmm, ok tempted big time. So we went and talked figures. With the Superduke it just didn't make sense to keep the Ape with the px price they were offing and £800 off the Duke at 3.8% APR. It gave me a walk away point and meant I owed nothing on the RSV So I should hopefully be picking up the Duke Saturday.
Bloody ell .....thats got to be the shortest ownership of a bike ever that!!! If you're not feeling it though, you've got to do what puts a smile on your face so good for you @dainesefreak !!!
I sold the car a couple of weeks ago and oddly it made me think I wanted something in the garage I could just throw a jacket on and go. The Ape's a bit more committed than that. I'd even put the groundwork in and prepped the wife for another bike sitting in the garage.
