How reliable and how expensive to repair?

[rdlviper]

I am in the market to buy a new off-road bike, but I am concerned about the reliability of a Euro bike like the Aprilia.... is it hard to get parts? how reliable is the bike itself???
And... will it cost me an arm and a leg in repairs???

Let me know your experiences.

[crash4143]

let me know if you find something before me , i am in the same process as you

thanks!

[Apeman]

The 550s are far more prone to engine failure than the 450. I have yet to hear of any 450 SXV/RXV that have failed after being properly set up by the dealer. If your concerned about the reliabilty of these amazing machines, I would suggest getting the 450.

[MBevans]

I just bought a RXV550, and love it! Yes we have all read about the brown head-gaskets on the 2006-2007's and stuff does happen with the first batches.
I you want a RXV and you are a experianced rider go for the 550, if you want max HP, this thing rocks.
I have a CRF450X in my garage that I've dumped at least $3500.00 into, and I do all mt work myself, and it is fast, faster than most CRF450r's. the Honda is a great bike, but pale in the respect of fast fireroad riding the RXV550, the Aprilia is much more composed, fast high speed stability. The RXV550 is also the king of the steep up hill duties also, super torque machine, and very good suspension out of the box.

The real thing you need to find is a dealer that really knows these bikes, as out of the box they need special setup to "derestrict" them, and warranty it after being derestricting it.

I've owned pretty much every off-road brand over the years, and this is a hot-rod that I like!

Jap stuff is a little cheaper, easier to get parts for, they just lask soo much, especailly power!

Cheers,
Mark

[xupan]

hello everybody ,enjoy it www.hx31.com

[VetMXR]

I'm surprised that there isn't more data for these bikes on this forum. I just signed up today so I'm not sure of the rules here, and not to be promoting someone else's forums, but I have found much more information on these bikes at the apriliaforums.com and thumpertalk.com forums. Take a look over there, and you will find what you are seeking.

[JoeLee]

Originally Posted by MBevans

I just bought a RXV550, and love it! Yes we have all read about the brown head-gaskets on the 2006-2007's and stuff does happen with the first batches.
I you want a RXV and you are a experianced rider go for the 550, if you want max HP, this thing rocks.
I have a CRF450X in my garage that I've dumped at least $3500.00 into, and I do all mt work myself, and it is fast, faster than most CRF450r's. the Honda is a great bike, but pale in the respect of fast fireroad riding the RXV550, the Aprilia is much more composed, fast high speed stability. The RXV550 is also the king of the steep up hill duties also, super torque machine, and very good suspension out of the box.

The real thing you need to find is a dealer that really knows these bikes, as out of the box they need special setup to "derestrict" them, and warranty it after being derestricting it.

I've owned pretty much every off-road brand over the years, and this is a hot-rod that I like!

Jap stuff is a little cheaper, easier to get parts for, they just lask soo much, especailly power!

Cheers,
Mark

Our rding and ownership history are very similiar. But, I got to say, I dig my rxv550! I've only got 74 miles on it so far and im already running into shit that shouldn't be evident with the Ferrari of dirt bikes. Mark do you have trouble reading your visual crankcase oil level tube? inother words you know exactly how many cc's are in the engine, wether you can visibly see the level in the exterior tube or not. But what about later on into the ride? I feel like a kid on x-mas morning with the new bike and Ijust don't want to park it for hours and hours! Yet i here the responsible hot rodder voices in the back of my helmet say "how many cc's could i have already burned?" or, "what if the idiot oil light doesn't work?" and then i gernade the most expensive dirt motor out there? And all of this is subconsciously rev-limitting my next day on my bike. Joe

[JoeLee]

Originally Posted by crash4143

let me know if you find something before me , i am in the same process as you

thanks!

I say 3 or 4 of us pack up and walk right into the paddock where team Aprilia experts and the bikes are and just start drillin them for some education on these monsters. Has anyone collected a dollar figure on the rebuild if done in our own garage yet ? Of course assuming that one of us has already dropped one large just on the special tools alone! By the way, did you see the section in the manual with all the tools special tools required and how many there are?

[MBevans]

Changing oils is simple, working on them (rarely) takes patience. Riding them is where its at!

[MBevans]

Originally Posted by Apeman

The 550s are far more prone to engine failure than the 450. I have yet to hear of any 450 SXV/RXV that have failed after being properly set up by the dealer. If your concerned about the reliabilty of these amazing machines, I would suggest getting the 450.

Incorrect information. Any size can have issues, the 550 last as long as the 450. If you do not believe me, go to the AF1 Forum...
Cheers,
mark