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Unusual bike for Enduros and HS
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Posted by: larosche---------------------

Hey guys,
I have been looking off the regular path at some interesting bikes. Has anyone ridden a Aprilia RXV (V twin dirt bike)?
I would like to know if it would actually work for riding Enduros and Hare Scrambles. I don't want to get a bike that will fall apart from racing. My KTM 200XC-W is a great bike but all I see is Orange at every race. My blood may be ready for something exotic.

Also I have looked at a Kawasaki KLX250S as a fun bike to ride around town and possible at our riding property (woods). I would like to know capable the suspension is set up on the bike. Is it very soft? Will it be acceptable for woods riding?

Thanks for opinions,
RAD DAD

Posted by: prk03---------------------

Yep it's time for a new bike but what flavor. The sea of orange is hard to miss at our or any enduro/hs. But I will have to lower the bike as much as I can. I have been researching the 07 gasgas 250. Lowering links are available for gasgas. You would stand out pulling up to 00 with the Aprilia. See you at PerryMountain.

Posted by: COLEMANAPP---------------------

Since you mentioned off the regular path, what about a husky? I bought an '07 TE 450. Comes with full dual sport stuff (blinkers, mirrors, horn, speedo) so getting a plate had a lot to do with my decision. E start, easy to check valves. Its really a race bike though. Short stroke motor and close ratio 6 speed tranny. And a lot more aftermarket parts than you'd think. A small scooter dealer here has the Aprilia and it does look extremely exotic and nice. Just a little concerned about parts and stuff. He doesn't stock any parts for it.

Posted by: rohleder149---------------------

exotic=$$$$$

Posted by: BonChance13---------------------

exotics can sometimes be a real PITA,if you go this route make sure you have a good dealer and/or model specific knowledge source.Good luck.

Posted by: SpeedyManiac---------------------

Want something different? Get a GasGas. I always get strange looks about my bike and pretty much every time I go riding someone asks me what a GasGas is and who makes it.

They're also really reliable and are great KTM killers.

Posted by: D Lafleur---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyManiac

Want something different? Get a GasGas. I always get strange looks about my bike and pretty much every time I go riding someone asks me what a GasGas is and who makes it.

They're also really reliable and are great KTM killers.

Surely you are kidding, wait you are in Canada, our support in the US has gone. The story is actually worse than that, it is better that I not elaborate.

Posted by: cycle171---------------------

a v-twin aprilia would shure be a cool ride but ama did already make shure they could never compete in moto-x so you may want to check the rule book for off road stuff before taking the plung.

Posted by: cactusreid---------------------

d lafleur- a group called barrett marketing just took over gasgas distribution in the us and canada as far as i know. from what i have heard they have their ducks lined up pretty well! It should be an improvement over past importer methods. so that said,I'm not about to sell my ec 300,and i won't hesitate to buy another one. they are the best, tuffest bush bike I've ever been on.

Posted by: motorhead434---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohleder149

exotic=$$$$$

Not in the long run.

Posted by: wayneg---------------------

Have a look at their web site http://www.aprilia.com

I saw there were a couple riding in the ISDE, however neither of the riders finished the event. This could have been because of injury or one of the millions of possible mechanical failures that can stop any brand of bike. There was a shadow rider riding one around the event, and it looked good and sounded amazing. Its one of those bikes that you just have to rev a bit just to listen to the noises it makes .....

I don't know how competitive they would be compared to the usual single cylinder four strokes or two strokes. Recent magazine reports state that they are in the ball park in regards to weight (about the same as a WRF450), but have a "different" weight distribution. It really depends on whether you are really competitive and want to win, or if you are riding for fun. If you are really serious then I think that going the normal route would be better, and if you are there to have a good time and are after the challenge of competing then it would be great fun and a bit of a head turner.

The bikes are electric start only, and have EFI, so there is a fair bit to go wrong electrically. Maintenance would also be more expensive than a generic two stroke as well - two pistons, 8 valves....etc

If I had the money and wanted a better adventure ride or dual sport bike then I would definitely get one, as a twin would be better for gravel roads and the road sections of our typical adventure rides, but then still not be way to heavy such as a BMW or large KTM twin.

Posted by: wayneg---------------------

My apologies - I was looking in the wrong class results for the ISDE. Alessandro Zanni must have been riding a 550cc Aprilia as he was in the E3 class, and he came in 14th which is pretty damn good considering the amount of rain we had.

I have also just read another local magazine test and they rate it as "extremely sexy but different to ride". Their conclusion was that it felt very narrow overall, and then was a bit wide across the radiators, and that the power was very snappy and jerky from down low with the EFI. They suggested riding a gear higher than normal as they found that they needed better throttle control than on a single. This makes sense as twins usually have a different power delivery to singles anyway. Also they thought that the weight distribution was further towards the rear of the bike than on a normal bike, and coupled with the instant throttle response made the front end very light when cornering. There was lots of power though - the 450 is quoted as having 60bhp, which would be good for the more open terrain that you can get in the US.

So there you have it - magazine tests have to be taken with a grain of salt, as they are usually biased anyway.

I would suggest riding one and see how you go before buying ;-)

Posted by: D Lafleur---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusreid

d lafleur- a group called barrett marketing just took over gasgas distribution in the us and canada as far as i know. from what i have heard they have their ducks lined up pretty well! It should be an improvement over past importer methods. so that said,I'm not about to sell my ec 300,and i won't hesitate to buy another one. they are the best, tuffest bush bike I've ever been on.

Obviously you are easier on bikes up there than we are here. I happen to have a very good friend who just got off of his "Factory Gas Gas" ride. He would disagree with you.

I really enjoy having to carry the entire MAC tool collection in my fanny pack also. Unless something changes at the factory side, this is still a parts bin bike. I have a long list, I am sorry for hijacking the thread.

Enjoy your EC 300, you are in Canada, it should be better for you, as I stated earlier. I know the GG story all too well.

Posted by: motorhead434---------------------

I've owned over 15 race bikes since 1980 and my 05' gas gas is the most reliable of all.
a full season of enduros and the only fault is a broken frt. brake hose guide and i'm sure its because of my watchdog cable routing=or was it the 29 degrees temperature?chain/sprockets=fine,brake pads=fine,everything else=SWEET!My next ride will be gas gas,I'm sold!

Posted by: D Lafleur---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead434

I've owned over 15 race bikes since 1980 and my 05' gas gas is the most reliable of all.
a full season of enduros and the only fault is a broken frt. brake hose guide and i'm sure its because of my watchdog cable routing=or was it the 29 degrees temperature?chain/sprockets=fine,brake pads=fine,everything else=SWEET!My next ride will be gas gas,I'm sold!

FWIW, chains, sprockets and brake pads dont make a full season down here, possibly three races on the chain and rear, the front sprocket and pads make one decent race, possibly practice. It really doesnt matter if the bike is built in Spain, Japan, USA, or the rest of Europe.

Bon Chance!

Posted by: SpeedyManiac---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lafleur

I disagree with you. We have some VERY tough conditions up here and the GasGas bikes are very reliable. I've had one break down in two years of riding and racing with minimal maintenance done.

To compare our riding terrain: guys like Cory Graffunder (4th place Red Bull Last Man Standing) ride and train up here.

Posted by: D Lafleur---------------------

As I stated earlier, I am happy the bikes are working well for you.

I (we) havent had the same experiance, I guess if I knew someone higher up in the GG business, I would feel diff.

Posted by: Mully---------------------

This is from a friend of mine in the cycle business (Off road).

Other news; we’ve a new USA distributor, named “Dixie Sales” (same folks who bring in the Husaberg line); really great people- This is great news for GasgGas in the US !!

I didn't know there was an issue with the imports of Gas Gas parts. I have dealt with Jim Cook at Smackover for the last three years without an issue. Now that Jim has moved on to better endeavors I am going to set up shop with Jack Bondus of Road, Track & Trail. My Gas Gas has become my second bike since I bought the new KTM, but none the less, if I hadn't found the great deal on the KTM I was looking at another Gas Gas.

Mully

Posted by: Lukekelly---------------------

The rxv is easily capble of racing even dominating as I saw a few of them a the world enduro 450 placing 12th if i remember correctly.
If you have the money to get one get it but check you're local rules for races if you're gonna try and race it.
Man those things sound so cool, and they looked great roosting 30 ft in the air.

Posted by: Motoracer13---------------------

dont forget that twice the cylinders equals twice the mantaince. Also I remember reading somewhere that the valve adjusment interval on the aprilla wasnt very long at all. A freind had the grean light to buy one and got a drz400 instead. yes i know what your thinking but he got the supermoto as a dualsport and was looking at the supermoto version on the aprilla.

Posted by: BadMotoWeazal---------------------

Husqvarna is a fine motorcycle. I am happy that they ( Husky ) decided to bring back the WR 250 in 2006. Easy to maintain and fairly easy to get parts for. Aftermarket parts are a little tricky sometimes but FMF makes pipes & silencers for it, IMS has large tanks, Fast by Feraccii has some race parts still available & any bark buster will fit up. Can't quite figure out why Husky doesn't do more in the USA as far as marketing & dealerships goes. I've owned 2 WR 250, Motarded one, woods raced the other and I just bought an 2006 SM 610 street legal Super Moto

Posted by: BadMotoWeazal---------------------

I think I would wait a couple of years to see how the Aprillia holds up & what kind of support you get from a dealership. They are cool to look at....

Posted by: osubuckeye---------------------

dude.......I just bought a berg last year. it was in 3 boxes, put it together last summer and was ridding it by fall. came from a jap bike, and always prefered them. Do yourself a favor and at least look at the bergs, if you like to do your own maintence, it'll reward you several times over. I looked at atk, aprilla, gasgas and vor and tm. I had no problem getting parts when i found out i needed them. I live in ohio which has no husaberg dealers anywhere in the state. usually only took 3 days. from what I have heard, Barrett has moved all husaberg operations to dixie, so we will see if dixie can improve how barrett organized things. Like i said earlier.......and this probably pertains to any exotic brand.......you need to keep up with the maintenance schedule....and your working on a race motor.........

Posted by: beargun---------------------

Who said that GAS GAS were KTM killers ? If they were KTM killers then you would be seeing a sea of GASGAS at the races. You are already on the best bike you can be on, maybe think about moving up to a 250 or 300. Or the 450 if you like having your arms ripped out of socket like I do. Also think about this , can you run out to the dealership and buy parts for the exotic bikes? Like on Saturday afternoon when you want to pull up to the riding area and notice that you have a missing part or something? If you want an exotic go with a Husaberg. I look at my bud's shop every day and see KTM's and a GASGAS , the KTM's ride two or three times a week and the GAS GAS sits there usually waiting on parts to come in from out of state. Just my two cents worth but I have Hare Scrambled Honda, Maico, Husky, Kawasaki. I stick to Orange

Posted by: SpeedyManiac---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by beargun

Oh man, you are so naive. GasGas is at the same point KTM was at about 8 years ago or so. Small company, great bikes, but lack the marketing machine to become a force in the offroad world. I pretty much never have to wait for parts as: 1) GasGas borrows designs from other bikes (KX250 carb, Honda CR brakes, KX subframe, rear fender, Yamaha brake pedal, etc) and 2) It's well built in the first place and is meant to stand up to a lot of abuse. I'm not saying that KTM makes bad bikes; they don't. But for someone that's sick of being just another KTM rider, GasGas makes a very, very good bike that he would be extremely happy riding. FYI, gettings parts is not an issue. I call up a dealer (Okanagan M/C, River City Cycle, Rocky Mountain Motorsports or GasGas Pacific in Canada or GoFasters in the USA) and have my parts in 3 days, or I can get them overnighted to me if I'm in a rush. Also, GasGas dealers are all very well stocked compared to most other dealers. KTM has a very good dealer network, but they aren't the only player in town.

Just curious, have you ever actually ridden a GasGas? Most guys who ride one immediately want to sell their KTM. Something about the suspension and handling being a lot better. Just my observation though.

Finally, GasGas is very strong at the ISDE, with very few problems as far as mechanical breakdowns. I know KTM is good, but GasGas is right their with them.

So, if you're tired of being another racer dude on a pumpkin, take a GasGas for a spin. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyManiac

Oh man, you are so naive. GasGas is at the same point KTM was at about 8 years ago or so.

Not in terms of sales, race results or completeness of the model line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyManiac

But for someone that's sick of being just another KTM rider, GasGas makes a very, very good bike that he would be extremely happy riding.

I agree with that part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyManiac

Just curious, have you ever actually ridden a GasGas? Most guys who ride one immediately want to sell their KTM. Something about the suspension and handling being a lot better.

If that were true, there would be alot fewer KTMs and a lot more Gas Gas out there. BTW, I've ridden two of them. Both fine bikes.

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Unusual bike for Enduros and HS

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