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2003 RSV1000R review by a new owner

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billd View Drop Down
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    Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 19:44
I've owned my 2003 RSVR1000 for about four weeks now so thought I would share my impressions of it after having put about 500 miles on it in that time.

As with all innate things like motorbikes and people there must be a context to our views of the object in question. In my case my terms of reference are other sport bikes I've owned in the past, The ones that come to mind are a Honda 2004 SP2 (RC51 in Canada), 1997 Ducati 916 Biposta, and a 2005 Ducati 999 Biposta.

In the same general time I've also owned and operated ZX12R, ZX7R, BMW R1150GSA, and a 2009, Moto Guzzi Stelvio but these bikes are not relatable to the RSVR thus offer no insight to it.

The first bike that connects to the RSVR is the SP2 but it's mostly perception, they kind of feel the same when not moving and sound kind of the same at an idle. Once underway they start to stray from each other. Recollection is not precise but I would say the SP2 felt a tad quicker when it came to acceleration but only marginally. At the time I felt the SP2 had the best front brakes of any bike I had ever owned. The RSVR's front radial brakes are not quite as powerful but do offer more feel and predictability.The Sp2 was a carver but didn't like to pick up a new line in a corner if it had been committed to one already, felt a bit like a heavy pig but a likeable one. The RSVR feels to me a much friendlier and adaptable bike in the twistiness.

In comparison to a standard Ducati 916 its a bit like beauty and the beast. I have often pitted the 916 against an SP2 on tight twisty roads with a rider I considered as capable as me (I sold him the SP2 and we rode a lot together). The 916 always came out in front. Not a scientific road test but a seat of the pants, who arrived first test. Suspect if that was repeated it would be much closer and perhaps the RSVR would be in the lead but they are very different bikes. Beauty and the beast...........each with their own appeal.

In comparison to the 2005 Ducati 999. At the time I can remembering looking down thinking I was going quite quickly and being shocked that I was doing about 30% faster than I thought I was, no small problem. I think the 999 was quicker, had as good of brakes as the RSVR. I didn't adjust the steering head angle on the 999 to quicken it as it was a road bike and the Aprilia feels a bit more nimble on directional changes. Suspect the RSVR would out manoeuvre the 999 on B roads that had tight sub 50 mph corners.............it would get there quicker. Not so sure on B roads with a little more open corners or 60+ stuff.

The RSVR, what is the attraction? For me, as many have said before me , these bikes have great character and road presents, their reliable, they are GREAT VALUE.......show me a bike for less as capable. It's not Ducati. The only thing that lets them down to some is the lack of local dealer support and that's a shame in one way and a blessing in another.............no need for me to explain that to you lot.
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Diablo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Diablo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 21:49
Some good and interesting comparisons to the v-twins that are probably the most relevant to the gen1/early gen2's Thumbs Up
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badapple View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote badapple Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 22:29
Excellent write up there very interesting. I've always wondered how the Ducati would compare as I've never ridden one but I have had a go on a sp2 way before owning apes and it's what made me buy a twin. Personally I thought the rsv was a better bike all round and as you say incredible value especially the Factory model.
I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left
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