YOUR Italian Bike Thread

[Croak]

Originally Posted by Cos

True dat

This popped up locally...

http://www.buysellmoto.com/layouts/i...=5&mot_id=8520

I am having thoughts. Deep, serious thoughts.

You mind giving me a quick overview of the older Tuono?

It's awesome. It's fun. It's reliable. It's easy on the eyes. It's cheap.

[Wobbleside]

Originally Posted by Croak

While that's a wonderful stable, keep in mind that his entire collection can be had for less than the price of a new VFR, give or take. :)

I know. I was hunting for a Futura and looked at the Capo and Tuono hard in the process before I bought my Multi.

[Nomadgene]

Originally Posted by Croak

While that's a wonderful stable, keep in mind that his entire collection can be had for less than the price of a new VFR, give or take. :)

Well, that's not too much of a stretch. Lets just say that you could acquire all of them for that much but getting them up to snuff is another story. Tires, pipes, chips, brake pads and rotors, coils, filters, fluids, batteries….all necessary in most cases with new bikes. That stuff ads up.

Originally Posted by Cos

I am having thoughts. Deep, serious thoughts.

You mind giving me a quick overview of the older Tuono?

I think this is a fairly accurate write up, as I've ridden all three bikes.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_...red/index.html

I will say that the fit and finish, the attention to detail, and the quality of the stock componentry on the Aprilia will RUIN you for Japanese cookie cutter machinery henceforth. Get a 15 tooth counter sprocket, a gabro chip and a quality pipe to drop the stock bulbous boat anchor exhaust (if it still has one) and prepare for permagrin.

It was the original benchmark for Modern Naked bikes. There is a good reason it is still relevant over a decade after it's release. They are a great alternative to the inline 4. A well ridden one, is a very effective weapon. The bike was fairly high tech for it's day but that once state of the art technology is commonplace now. Still, it's linear, tractable and manageable power delivery coupled with its telepathic handling allows those with riding ability to quickly distance themselves from riders overwhelmed by gadgetry and light switch power delivery of some of the newer bikes.

It is a lot like a big bore motocross bike with lights. The handling really is spectacular, especially with the Ohlins suspension being serviced and properly sprung for your weight and the lightweight O.Z. wheels. Imagine a obsidian scapel cutting through jello. Yep, that how precise it feels to me.

I've really been thinking about my next bike purchase but I am thinking that I enjoy the choices my fleet offers rather than a single new bike such as a Multistrada. I like sharing the bikes with friends and the versatility they offer when, say, A nail appears in one of my rear tires….I don't cancel the ride, I just move to the next bike.

[ekms377]

My new baby......2002 Aprilia Mille

[Nomadgene]

Originally Posted by ekms377

My new baby......2002 Aprilia Mille

What are your initial impressions?

Beautiful bike. Congrats on the purchase.

[ekms377]

Originally Posted by Nomadgene

What are your initial impressions?

Beautiful bike. Congrats on the purchase.

Thx Nomadgene!

This is not my first Aprilia. I'm still working out the bugs and de-restricting it. Ergos are OK but it does have Heli bars on it. Raises them about 3/4-1". I'm still changing fluids and what not. All in all, I like the Rotax. Smooth power. It doesn't have some of the low end grunt of some other v-twins but the mid and top are great. I have a few parts on the way. Just tinkering with it. I like it thus far. It loves to be ridden.....and I mean hard and leaning over.

[Croak]

Originally Posted by ekms377

Thx Nomadgene!

This is not my first Aprilia. I'm still working out the bugs and de-restricting it. Ergos are OK but it does have Heli bars on it. Raises them about 3/4-1". I'm still changing fluids and what not. All in all, I like the Rotax. Smooth power. It doesn't have some of the low end grunt of some other v-twins but the mid and top are great. I have a few parts on the way. Just tinkering with it. I like it thus far. It loves to be ridden.....and I mean hard and leaning over.

Mod the link pipe with some crossovers:



The get a Gabro F255 chip in it, adjust the trim pots, and marvel at how much more low-midrange grunt you pick up.

You'll essentially get most if not all the performance of a full 2-2 exhaust, and Gabro's tuning is rock solid (timing and fueling).

[ekms377]

Originally Posted by Croak

Mod the link pipe with some crossovers:



The get a Gabro F255 chip in it, adjust the trim pots, and marvel at how much more low-midrange grunt you pick up.

You'll essentially get most if not all the performance of a full 2-2 exhaust, and Gabro's tuning is rock solid (timing and fueling).

I have a Gabro chip ordered. Will do the crossover mod this Winter unless I can find one already done. Waiting on a de-restricked snorkel. Changed the gearing. I also ordered a R1 and R6 throttle tube to try out. It's coming along. Thx Croak!

[strommin]

I had a little fun with my Aprilia on track @ VIR last week...




photo courtesy of Paul Murphy

[DelHess]

Originally Posted by strommin

I had a little fun with my Aprilia on track @ VIR last week...




photo courtesy of Paul Murphy

Awesome pic of a cool bike

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[thumpism]

Originally Posted by strommin

I had a little fun with my Aprilia on track @ VIR last week...




photo courtesy of Paul Murphy

Is that Paul from Richmond with the new copper-colored DL650? He's my neighbor.

[strommin]

Originally Posted by thumpism

Is that Paul from Richmond with the new copper-colored DL650? He's my neighbor.

Yes it is. I talked with him early on Monday morning, the 13th, before the track went hot. Being a Strom owner myself I tend to gravitate to other like minded souls. Paul sent me a SmugMug link to his pix from that day. Good photographer.

Ask him about the red bag on the side of the road in NC.

[bk brkr baker]

I took my first real ride on my new to me '04 ST3 to the Indy Moto GP.Things were great going up the, the clutch started slipping badly.The bike has 42,000 miles on it and when I pulled the clutch out I could see that the edges of the basket have been beat to hell.
Barrnet's to the rescue , soon.

There were several ST models at the Island , but, this was the only ST Naked.







Maybe a little too "Theme Bike' for me , but, I like to see something different.

My plan for mine is lose the fairing, car tire on the rear , leading link front end and a off pavement sidecar.

[Vagabond_Explorer]

After many decades of riding conventional forks, I thought it'd be interesting to try Hub Centre Steering. Very interesting, transitioning to HCS and Italian design philosophies.

[DelHess]

^ I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that doesn't handle very well. It is interesting to say the least!

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