Hellgate
Wizard
Yes I'm writing this with a new-born in my lap. :nono:
About 18 months ago Ed from AF1 Racing posted on the Aprilia Forum that the then new to the US Tuono V4R APRC's were in the Austin showroom and they had a demo. I don't recall the specific day of the week but I hopped on the FZ1 and zipped downtown.
Ed had been the point person when working with ECUnleashed to develop the flash for my FZ1 back in 2011 or so. We hit it off well.
So I roll up, and he puts me on a 2012 Tuono V4R APRC, with a Ti Arrow slip-on, and the RACE flash. He says, "Go take it for a ride." So I did. Stop and go on I35, 2222 sweepers, cruise down 360, and in MoPac to downtown.
I rode the bike in through the front door of the shop and told Ed, "I want one just like it!" Just like it? Same can and the flash? "Yup."
A couple of days later I picked my new bike and a couple of days later had the can and flash installed.
Since then it's been a "love affair." The bike fits me and my personality perfectly. I love the power, the sporty ergos, the quality suspension and brakes. And with the can and the flash the throttle is perfect, seriously, spot on perfect.
I've only done a few mods of the last 18 months. The factory Aprilia touring wind screen, the "comfort" seat, Euro dual headlights (think FZ6 - WTF???), and a couple of jewels; Brembo RCS M/C, and matching clutch lever with a cool EvoTech reservoir.
There have been few issues, 1) the demand sensor recall (competed in about 90 minutes), and the coolant manifold recall (for select bikes). And a douche bag knocked it over at the apartments we lived in when we first moved to OKC. dick-heads...
Unlike Japanese MFG's Aprilia gives you the flash updates for free. Imagine if Yamaha updated the '06 FZ1 with the '13 flash? Hummm....
Overall I've been very happy with the bike. Because of life, (move from Austin, start new job, get laid off from new job, find new job, start new job number two, have baby) I've not ridden as much as I'd like to, 1,550 miles. That said riding in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area sucks, plain and simple. East from Tulsa is great however, but I've not been to AR, and MO yet.
Now to nut cutting time, (old Army saying), the T vs. the FZ1. Hands down the T is a better value than the FZ1. At $12,999 vs. $10,790, the FZ1 is long on tooth.
To rise up the FZ1 needs:
1) A flash - Personally I'd do the ECUnleashed flash again, I don't like delayed, plug on Power Commander stuff. Just fix the flash.
2) SS brakelines
3) R1 Forks, brakes, and MC
4) A different rearshock - Penske, Ohlins, Wilbers, something other than OEM
5) Rearsets = better shifting, ground clearance, better feel. Rubber mounted footpegs are NOT the way to go.
6) A better saddle - the OEM one is simply terrible. I just love how it climbs up your O after an hour
7) Quality Tires - Bridgestones ain't Pirelli Rosso Corsas
8) A can, the OEM T muffler sounds great! The Arrow is simply icing on the cake.
Not to say the FZ1 is a bad bike, far from it, only that it is a dated bike. If one is considering a new Gen II FZ1 take a close look at the Tuono and see if it meets your needs. The soon to be released 2014 has; ABS (in addition to APRC), larger tank, more compliant suspension, softer/thicker seat, 1st to 3rd gears are lower, even more HP and torque, and I'm sure there are other goodies. :hook2: The total cost of ownership is pretty darn good.
Oh, I've not washed my bike in 18 months either! I just spray it off. :Rockon:
About 18 months ago Ed from AF1 Racing posted on the Aprilia Forum that the then new to the US Tuono V4R APRC's were in the Austin showroom and they had a demo. I don't recall the specific day of the week but I hopped on the FZ1 and zipped downtown.
Ed had been the point person when working with ECUnleashed to develop the flash for my FZ1 back in 2011 or so. We hit it off well.
So I roll up, and he puts me on a 2012 Tuono V4R APRC, with a Ti Arrow slip-on, and the RACE flash. He says, "Go take it for a ride." So I did. Stop and go on I35, 2222 sweepers, cruise down 360, and in MoPac to downtown.
I rode the bike in through the front door of the shop and told Ed, "I want one just like it!" Just like it? Same can and the flash? "Yup."
A couple of days later I picked my new bike and a couple of days later had the can and flash installed.
Since then it's been a "love affair." The bike fits me and my personality perfectly. I love the power, the sporty ergos, the quality suspension and brakes. And with the can and the flash the throttle is perfect, seriously, spot on perfect.
I've only done a few mods of the last 18 months. The factory Aprilia touring wind screen, the "comfort" seat, Euro dual headlights (think FZ6 - WTF???), and a couple of jewels; Brembo RCS M/C, and matching clutch lever with a cool EvoTech reservoir.
There have been few issues, 1) the demand sensor recall (competed in about 90 minutes), and the coolant manifold recall (for select bikes). And a douche bag knocked it over at the apartments we lived in when we first moved to OKC. dick-heads...
Unlike Japanese MFG's Aprilia gives you the flash updates for free. Imagine if Yamaha updated the '06 FZ1 with the '13 flash? Hummm....
Overall I've been very happy with the bike. Because of life, (move from Austin, start new job, get laid off from new job, find new job, start new job number two, have baby) I've not ridden as much as I'd like to, 1,550 miles. That said riding in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area sucks, plain and simple. East from Tulsa is great however, but I've not been to AR, and MO yet.
Now to nut cutting time, (old Army saying), the T vs. the FZ1. Hands down the T is a better value than the FZ1. At $12,999 vs. $10,790, the FZ1 is long on tooth.
To rise up the FZ1 needs:
1) A flash - Personally I'd do the ECUnleashed flash again, I don't like delayed, plug on Power Commander stuff. Just fix the flash.
2) SS brakelines
3) R1 Forks, brakes, and MC
4) A different rearshock - Penske, Ohlins, Wilbers, something other than OEM
5) Rearsets = better shifting, ground clearance, better feel. Rubber mounted footpegs are NOT the way to go.
6) A better saddle - the OEM one is simply terrible. I just love how it climbs up your O after an hour
7) Quality Tires - Bridgestones ain't Pirelli Rosso Corsas
8) A can, the OEM T muffler sounds great! The Arrow is simply icing on the cake.
Not to say the FZ1 is a bad bike, far from it, only that it is a dated bike. If one is considering a new Gen II FZ1 take a close look at the Tuono and see if it meets your needs. The soon to be released 2014 has; ABS (in addition to APRC), larger tank, more compliant suspension, softer/thicker seat, 1st to 3rd gears are lower, even more HP and torque, and I'm sure there are other goodies. :hook2: The total cost of ownership is pretty darn good.
Oh, I've not washed my bike in 18 months either! I just spray it off. :Rockon:
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