RSV550? Yes please

[EvilSteve]

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/11/aprilia-rsv525-prototype-confi.html

[IdZer0]

Someone already built it (out of an sxv 550):



http://www.motorradonline.de/de/motorraeder/tests/einzeltests/fahrbericht-aprilia-rsx-550/102093
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156143

[Cotton]

I want.   

[M900]

I wonder if it will be expensive like the streetable RS250...  i wanted one, but they sell for more $$ than a similarly used full liter aprilia and that's just hard to justify...

[fasterblkduc]

They got the prototype idea because several people have already done it. I know of at least 3 in the 250 chassis, and 1 in the 125 chassis.
The photo of the sxv conversion has been done a few times too. You can actually buy that one from Roland Sands. He's producing them now.

[fasterblkduc]

http://aprilianews.blogspot.com/2007/03/interview-with-creator-of-rsvr.html

Here is an interview with the first guy that did it. There have been several since.

[EvilSteve]

Minor distinction here, we're talking an actual bike from Aprilia, not a mashup from random person #5. I thought that warranted extra interest, apparently not?

[pennyrobber]

Looks great. I like the idea of an actual production version.

[fasterblkduc]

Minor distinction here, we're talking an actual bike from Aprilia, not a mashup from random person #5. I thought that warranted extra interest, apparently not?

Not sure where you get that idea. I'm definitely interested in a production version. I'm showing where Aprilia got the idea. The ones that I've seen have been great as race bikes so I think the concept is solid. I know of one that was for sale recently...very tempting.
Only downside is that Aprilia will charge a ton of $ to buy one, like the guy building the clone version of the Ducati Supermono...incredible but way too much $.

[fasterblkduc]

I had to search for my bookmark but I just found it...this is by far the best example yet. I really can't imagine anyone doing a better version than this guy did. Check it out.
http://rs-xv550.blogspot.com/

[mikeb]

I was talking with an Aprilia guy at the Laguna GP back in 2005 about putting that motor in the RS chassis.  He said quite a few people had mentioned the same thing.  So they've been aware of that marriage since the 550 engine came out.

My only question is if they've addressed any of the issues the early engines had.  Primarily an issue with leaking coolant into the engine.  We've had a few 550 owners down here and every single one of them said it was a nightmare to keep running.

[IdZer0]

Minor distinction here, we're talking an actual bike from Aprilia, not a mashup from random person #5. I thought that warranted extra interest, apparently not?

Didn't mean to downplay the OP. I was actually reading the article about the rsx minutes before your post, wondering if something like that would be a good track bike for me. Then I read it "only" had 71 bhp; same as my bike. If the price of the bike would be 'low', then I guess it would be great track bike, but as others have indicated it would probably be a 'premium' bike.

[fasterblkduc]

, wondering if something like that would be a good track bike for me. Then I read it "only" had 71 bhp; same as my bike.

71 hp in a gp chassis that weighs over 100lbs. less than your monster with 71 hp is a no brainer. It would destroy your bike on the track. 

[mikeb]

71 hp in a gp chassis that weighs over 100lbs. less than your monster with 71 hp is a no brainer. It would destroy your bike on the track. 

Exactly. 

Horsepower isn't everything.....

[il d00d]

Love the idea, but would this be the same engine that requires a rebuild every 70 hours or so?