2025+ vs Leftover 2024
Been thinking about the Aprilia lineup overall, was originally looking at RS 660 vs RSV4. My background has been on a 2004 Yamaha R6, riding a friends pre cross plane R1 and Ninja 636 and 650r. I would mainly be riding street, with an interest in track, but reality is, I wouldn't frequent the track enough to consider it a main use factor. I have a short 29/30" inseam as well, 5'7 which makes moving bikes a challenge, so ergos really matter since I'm mostly on the street.
Sat on the RS 660 and I could get the balls of my feet down, but the tank felt really wide, especially at the top when resting my arms (assuming a tucked position). The RSV4 had me really on the big toe of either foot for point of contact at best, so I felt the least comfortable, which worries me from emergency stopping or cross wind/navigating short radius turns/backing up at a stop and dropping the bike. I randomly sat on a Yamaha R7 which felt even more comfortable and narrower width when compared to the 660 and the Ninja ZX4rr which is the smallest and most comfy. (just for comparison sake)
They also had a leftover 2024 Tuono V4 base for $5k off at $12k, I know there were changes to the 25/26 models, but would the savings make up for the price?
- How would you compare traditional inline 4s of the Japanese variety to the parallel twin engine?
- I'm 99% sure the RS 660 would be more than enough bike for me and my needs, but the V4 engine just sounds so amazing. I can't help but feel I would regret not having it; but are liter bikes truly overkill/unusable on the street? I see so many nowadays compared to 600's so what gives or are they mostly stop light to stop light owners who never expose the chicken strips?
- If I were to go the RSV4 route, are suspension changes truly ruining the bikes riding ability if I just wanted to lower maybe another inch to at least get more surface area of my foot to touch down for low speed maneuvers?
- I know the handle bars are more upright, but is the overall character of the Tuono still a sport bike? I am confused with the more upright positioning vs the race sport bike with low clip ons and full fairings; does this mean more ppl who ride street should be on naked bikes that can perform well and provide additional comfort vs the amount of ppl who ride full fairing sport bikes who should be doing more track to fully exploit their race heritage bikes?