Aprilia futura opinions

[DesmoTull]

And your weird. And clearly a "bottom."

You can be my top bun anytime, Scottie.

[scottieducati]

I don't need your permission, that's why I'm the top.

You can be my top bun anytime, Scottie.

[DesmoTull]

I don't need your permission, that's why I'm the top.

[Kurlon]

Oh yeah, and the ST3s is supposed to *rock*

I love mine, good torque, good top end, smooth running and damn reliable so far. Comfy, good handling, wife loves it too.

[Qfactor]

what's this starting issues on the Aprilias?

and more importantly, what is the fix?

thanks

Q

[Half Squid]

I know of a Futura that may be going on the market fairly cheap! Itsnoy mine, but the sale will benifit me as I can sell that person my RC51, then I can buy something I just found that's up for grabs, which I really want!!!!! We all win! PM me & lets make a group deal!

[KawiSmurf]

I like Futuras, mostly because of the styling. The "dashboard" gauge setup is pretty interesting, looks like they were going for the fighter jet cockpit look. Too bad they stopped making them, it probably could've evolved nicely. Maybe Aprilia can expand the RSV4 line in the future.

In the meantime, I think I'd put the Triumph Sprint ST firmly at the top of my list for a sport tourer. Not that I'm shopping right now, but that has to be my favorite in the category.

[scottieducati]

Poor charging system means voltage tends to drop.

And you need to follow the same start procedure, every time.

If cold: "Choke" on, thumb starter once till it starts (starter keeps going after one flick).

If warmish: "choke" half-on, thumb starter once.

If hot: No "choke" req'd.

what's this starting issues on the Aprilias?

and more importantly, what is the fix?

thanks

Q

[Half Squid]

If not I might be riding the Futura myself soon. Its in excellent condition with a staytune exhaust. I believe the owner is a member here also?

[scottieducati]

Futuras can likely be had much, much less than the 1050 Sprint ST I'd imagine (no real idea tho).

[Half Squid]

Matt is on this site. Maybe he will chime in. Bike is nicely modded and These issues have been addressed as he mentioned in his email. We might meet up over the weekend to dicuss the details.care to join us? One bonus is it comes with the hard saddle bags!

[DucDave]

I put 72k on my ST2 before trading it for my Multi...

...btw, comparing the looks of the Multi to the Futura was supposed to be a joke! Imagine surprise to find people, (OK one person), who likes the way it looks!

Every once in a great while someone will come up to me and say, "That's a beautiful motorcycle." I'm pleased until I see the white tipped cane and seeing eye dog...!

(I'm a function over form kind of guy...)

[scottieducati]

But Dave, anything looks beautiful with you standing next to it....

Luv ya big guy!

[TomBrady]

1.) Had an ST2. Sweet bike.
2.) Rode a Futura - really nice package w/ the Rotax/Mille Engine
3.) Had an ST4S. Really cool bike, my issue with them is the 996 has the flaking rockers, etc. Otherwise, hey ...
4.) ST3 owners are still commanding crazy money for them, but if you find a good one they're QUITE nice from what I hear

[benVFR]

I always loved the Futuras design...

Basically these machines were in this class:

Futura
VFR (when it was 800cc)
ST3
Sprint ST

They are all great for tours by yourself but I would look more to the C14, ST1300, FJR1300, etc.. side of things if you think you are going to go anywhere with your wife other then a day trip.

The thing is unless you beefed up the suspension or something they don't handle any better then the bigger bike when you load them up with 2 people + gear + luggage.. and unless your wife is a very rare woman you're going to be stretched with the luggage capacity. Some of them also have an issue where the hard bags kind of conflict with the location of the passenger pegs.

The new VFR seems to be kind of stuck in between this class of "SPORT-Tourers" and the bigger "Sport-TOURERS".

But if you take off by yourself all of these are awesome.. good weather protection, longer tank range then a pure sportbike, plenty comfy, etc..

[Falko]

what's this starting issues on the Aprilias?

and more importantly, what is the fix?

thanks

Q

I don't know about the Futuras but the falcos had a 50A starter solenoid. After a couple of years cranking against the high torque of the big v, the contacts get pretty bad and create more resistance, which lowers available voltage to the starter. There is a direct replacement, a yamaha part, which is 100A rated. Works the wonders.

[Danz19899]

. . . VFR800 would be my personal choice, but al arnt bad options

[Tricklidz]

Ducati ST2- Maintance not a problem. Belts cheap. ST4- flaking rockers, no cheap belts (yet). ST3 still a lot of $$$.
The best deal--- a used ST2 with the piston kit!!
Here's mine-

NO!!! It's not for sale.

[DesmoTull]

ST4- flaking rockers, no cheap belts (yet).

Yes there are!

CA-Cycleworks Belts

[Tricklidz]

You're right. Sorry, was thinking about my Testa!!

[Ryno]

The yamaha relay and making sure the connetions are good from the stator to the rectifier, is key on the ape. If you crank it over too many times with low voltage, you can damage the sprag clutch. Not too tough to fix, but parts are pricey. I bought a Falco with 7k miles and the connections were cooked and it was barely charging. After a new relay and some rewiring it was good.
If you're buying a well sorted bike with some miles, chances are this has already been done

[DesmoTull]

You're right. Sorry, was thinking about my Testa!!

They have those too.

[Ken C]

The latest issue of Cycle World has a small write up on the Futura. I skimmed it. They said good things and also said that they can be found cheaply.

[KawiSmurf]

Thought they were pretty rare, honestly didn't think you'd be able to find one on CL, but whaddya know:

2003 Aprilia RST 1000 Futura (sport tourer) - $4900 (Needham, MA)

Seems like a pretty good price, too.

[jeantarrou]

Just posted mine for sale here on NESR. The original owner sorted all the voltage issues. And, no choke on it, cold starts are modulated by the ECU.