Aprilia 550 SXV Good? Bad?

[MidnightSpeed]

I'm looking at an 07 Aprilia 550 SXV with the 08 motor (talked to cobongo on here and he said there was engine issues in 07)

Anyway, is this a Good or Bad bike? I'm going to be trading my 2006 Honda CBR600RR for it and would like to know.

Also, what is the Maintenance like? I know that on my CBR, you're supposed to change the oil every 4K miles, and valve adjustments every 16K...

What is it like for the 550 SXV?

[knockout]

If you have to ask.....you probably cant handle it. That is, unless you can afford it.
That said, the SXV's are awesome bikes, but they are literally racebikes. Not in the way your CBR is a racebike, more in the way the Desmosedici RR is a racebike.

[MidnightSpeed]

How about a straight forward answer? Not some, beat around the bush, smartass remark?

[Skully25]

Originally Posted by MidnightSpeed

How about a straight forward answer? Not some, beat around the bush, smartass remark?

believe it or not, there's a lot of truth in his reply

if you want info on reliability, maintenance and everything else related to the priller, might want to check the aprilia subforum where all the info is already posted up by people that own one, that's also where this topic is headed **presses move button**

[knockout]

Originally Posted by MidnightSpeed

How about a straight forward answer? Not some, beat around the bush, smartass remark?

Smartass remark? I was nothing but truthfull and informative.

SXV's are powerful, maintenence intensive, and not for the faint of heart. You're stepping into a whole new world from your sportbike. What I was saying was you will be forced to be your own mechanic or have a hefty pocketbook in which to pay the high costs of maintaining a racebike.

These bikes arent for squids (which I'm beginning to think you're among the ranks of, "MidnightSpeed"), they will kick your arse and laugh at you before you even let go of the clutch lever.

Good luck in the search for your answer, perhaps you will have better luck if you're not such a jackass about it.

[etn550]

Originally Posted by MidnightSpeed

I'm looking at an 07 Aprilia 550 SXV with the 08 motor (talked to cobongo on here and he said there was engine issues in 07)

Anyway, is this a Good or Bad bike? I'm going to be trading my 2006 Honda CBR600RR for it and would like to know.

Also, what is the Maintenance like? I know that on my CBR, you're supposed to change the oil every 4K miles, and valve adjustments every 16K...

What is it like for the 550 SXV?

To answer your question directly.
1. Oil changes 300 - 400 miles is most common. To get all of the oil out there are two drain plugs for the engine oil plus the "FCV" valve plus the filter. The transmission has it's own oil and another drain plug. Two different oils and two fill caps, one for the engine, one for the transmission.

2. Valve adjustments vary but my new '08 was wrong from the factory so I adjusted at 1,200 miles. A valve adjustment requires removing the engine, and removing the cams and resetting the timing. Some special tools are required.

So just using the answers to the questions you asked and given the data you supplied on the Honda it would appear that the maintenance is roughly 4x or more...

I do all of my own work except tuning the ecm maps and I spend about the same time working on it as riding it and it is top notch shape and I enjoy the hobby. With a 30 inch scissor lift it is easy and enjoyable to work on.

There are other things to check over and adjust and fix. Nothing too difficult if you own tools and use them.

You are right about the '07's but there is little, but some difference with the '08. The '07 had some quality issues and assembly issues but is technically pretty much the same bike. An '07 that has been gone through and had all the things fixed is a great machine.

Dealers are generally not good because they do not sell enough volume and the mechanics cannot deal with all the issues to make them right and Aprilia tries to help but it seems like a communication gap sometimes. So best finding one of the 3 or 4 great dealers in the US or learning the fixes yourself. Several great dealers in Europe and Austrailia too.

Parts are pretty reasonably priced and usually ship from a ware house. Tons of hardcore owners that have info and used parts.

Kind of makes it a great 2nd bike if you ride a lot. Waiting for parts or having to maintain instead of riding.

Even though other replys may not have answered you directly their analysis is correct.

BTW 40 years of riding dirt, street, sport, cruiser, quads, etc. This one is the most fun of all!

[mixedup]

i picked one up about 2 months ago (same....07 with the 08 upgraded motor). haven't ridden it enough to do much maintenance, but this bike is incredible...very quick. may be selling it in spring as i had originally intended to use it for track as well, but it's just too nice to chuck around/down a track....so i picked up a used ktm 560smr for that purpose. if i can swing holding onto the aprilia, i will (but don't tell my wife!).

no problems thus far, other than the previous owner overfilled the coolant, so i noticed it dripping out the overflow hose a couple times after riding/getting it hot. fingers crossed!

[MXRider]

Id love to own an SXV, but if I did, there is no way it would be ridden on the street.
it would be strictly a track bike.

[mixedup]

honestly....it rips on the street....but could be trouble...

[GOLDS]

Originally Posted by knockout

Smartass remark? I was nothing but truthfull and informative.

SXV's are powerful, maintenence intensive, and not for the faint of heart. You're stepping into a whole new world from your sportbike. What I was saying was you will be forced to be your own mechanic or have a hefty pocketbook in which to pay the high costs of maintaining a racebike.

These bikes arent for squids (which I'm beginning to think you're among the ranks of, "MidnightSpeed"), they will kick your arse and laugh at you before you even let go of the clutch lever.

Good luck in the search for your answer, perhaps you will have better luck if you're not such a jackass about it.

wow that was funny


Seriously though 3-5 hundred mile oil changes, and 6000 mile full rebuild (assuming street use, track would be MUCH sooner).. don't ask if you can stretch it out longer. You had better enjoy wrenching (and be reasonably competent). You will also enjoy it a LOT more if you have a good dealer to set it up/help with probs.

The biggest problem with these bikes is people buy them not knowing what they got into..... FULL ON RACEBIKE

[GOLDS]

Where are you located? perhaps I can suggest a good dealer

[knockout]

When I was in your position about 2 years ago, I went to a well known dealership (GP Motorcycles, San Diego) to look at some SXV's. When I asked a salesman about the SXV he straight up said, "Those bikes are horrible streetbikes, I dont want to sell any. Come look at these Huskys (a 510)."

This was in 2007, the models have had several issues fixed since, but a salesman saying he didnt want to sell a bike to me says a lot.

I still want an SXV, but it would be RACE ONLY thats for sure.

[MidnightSpeed]

First off, I am not squid, and wasn't trying to come off as a Jackass. I didnt catch your edit until after I posted my reply.

Secondly, squid, not here. I ride everyday that I can (almost everyday). I've got 4 years and 50,000 street miles (26,000 of which was in my first year of riding, LOL) I ride like a complete grandpa, ask Cobongo on here, haha.

Ok, here's the deal. I would be riding this bike, daily. From all of your responses, it looks like the SXV would NOT be a good choice for me, because I would easily put 300 miles on the bike, if not more, weekly. I do ALL of my own maintenance on my CBR currently (for the most part).

The power the bike has wouldnt be an issue at all, I can handle my bikes


Thanks for all the input, I'll continue my search for a fun, reliable, 'easy' to maintain Supermoto.

I am, and have been looking at the 08/09 DRZ400SM's too. I'll just sell my bike and probably get one of those.

[Nex]

There is also WR250X Yamaha, its a 250cc but not too far from DRZ in terms of handling etc. 1st valve check on this bike is at 26000 miles so just add oil and gas.

I love Aprilia (and own one)... I would buy 450 or 550 but... it is a race bike with no class to race it in. Supermoto USA - yes, but I also road race and it would not be competitive in classes I can run it in and since its a V2 it is not legal in open singles.
Cool bike though! If they could make it a bit less race it would be a winner for sure.

[MidnightSpeed]

Originally Posted by Nex

There is also WR250X Yamaha, its a 250cc but not too far from DRZ in terms of handling etc. 1st valve check on this bike is at 26000 miles so just add oil and gas.

I love Aprilia (and own one)... I would buy 450 or 550 but... it is a race bike with no class to race it in. Supermoto USA - yes, but I also road race and it would not be competitive in classes I can run it in and since its a V2 it is not legal in open singles.
Cool bike though! If they could make it a bit less race it would be a winner for sure.

I've never ridden the Yamaha 250, but I've sat on it at the stealership here. I do prefer the DRZ though. If Yamaha would bring out a 400 or 450 SM, I'd be all over it.

[Nex]

Yea 450 would be great

[knockout]

The edit was just for spelling, but fair enough.

I suggest a DRZ SM if you plan ride daily, I do on mine. Maintenence is low, I do 1k mile oil changes and when I checked my valves they were dead center spec. Aftermarket is plentiful so getting more power isnt a problem at all. It wont blow your mind like an SXV but it'll but a smile on your face.

[GOLDS]

DRZ's and WRX's

This thread took a giant turn. Talk about different ends of the supermoto spectrum.

[masterpea]

sxv is a girls bike

way to slow lmao

[Motomaxx]

I had a 07 550, Very powerful and Quick, I used it for around town use, the gearing is too low for highway use and the front sprocket is already maxed out at 16T,,, anything larger will contact the swing arm. I sold it just in time because the new owner BLEW the motor !!!

[S4rmadmanwr]

Let me start w/some history, I am 46 and have riden and owned about everything on the planet.(Currently 6 bikes) I first caught the SM bug in 06 and bought a DRZ, you knoe for the wife to ride, Later bought a 04Yam wr450 then onto an 07WR450. Of course always wanting more i thought i would try one of these Aprilias, so i bouight an 07 w/08 motor upgrade Love the bike, then found an 08 that had some nice upgrades like larger fuel tank and diff gearing ect. If you go to the Aprilia forum you can find out all you want to know, i ride mine as a comuter and play bike, the Aprilia race team from xtremepowersports change there oil every 900 miles, they have raced 3 seasons w/no major issues. Yes these bikes require some maint, so did my Yamahas, make no mistake there is NOT another SM bike on the planet that can touch these things, hince why the AMA makes them race in the open class, that should tell you something. I wont sell mine for any price, it is wicked, different, fun and yes, expensive...

[spnce]

Let me correct you s4r...xtreme is a great shop with a great mechanic (Allen Noland) but they have not been racing the prillers for 3 years....And I would be very shocked if he waits 900 race miles for oil changes....I bet he changes the oil after every race weekend.

[knockout]

Originally Posted by spnce

....And I would be very shocked if he waits 900 race miles for oil changes....I bet he changes the oil after every race weekend.

I agree. I wouldnt be suprised if they change the oil after every time they hit the kill switch.

[S4rmadmanwr]

Ok my dudes keep your pants on, i got a little ahead of myself, I also spoke w/Allen and Chad from xtremepwrspts and both agreed that 900 miles is fine for normal riding, not there race bikes, no shi$. I cant think of any machine that would be raced and not have the oil changed after every race. You know if you wanna change the ooil every 300 miles, its not gonna hurt anything except your wallet.

[XR-MANU]

SXV 550 with + - 7000 km







http://www.supermotard.be/modules.ph...asc&start=1335

[ApTard]

lol

[Chase]

Wow.
Been along time since I seen a motor grenade that bad.

[spnce]

Is there a story sr-manu?

[knockout]

Wow, thats the most depressing thing I've seen in a long time, RIP 550.

That does make me think though, I wonder if anyones bored out a 550 yet? Hmmmm....

[GOLDS]

Originally Posted by knockout

Wow, thats the most depressing thing I've seen in a long time, RIP 550.

That does make me think though, I wonder if anyones bored out a 550 yet? Hmmmm....

Absolutely no room for a bore job on that engine.

[spnce]

As I understand the 550 is a bored out 450.... the 450 was Aprilias first goal as that was the premier class. Not certain thats fact tho, so take with a grain of salt.

[GOLDS]

Bore and stroke are different. 76 mm x 49.5 mm on a 450 vs. 80 mm x 55 mm on a 550.

If you look at pic #2 you can see how thin the wall is between cyl and water jacket, no way you could bore reliably

[Sjorrit]

In belgium there is an Aprilia dealer who managed to get almost 100hp from the 550 engine, with the same 550cc's

[Skully25]

Originally Posted by Sjorrit

In belgium there is an Aprilia dealer who managed to get almost 100hp from the 550 engine, with the same 550cc's

correction, 89 hp. basicly he mounted every piece of hardware that's also on the VDB replica and messed some more with the ignition and fuel injection.

he didn't run it for a long time though, think a couple of dyno runs and 2 races, now it's up for sale.