Quandry...

Let's assume 'a friend' may be in a position to buy another bike. Let's also
assume he has set his eye on a mint 2003 Aprillia RSV1000 Tuono. Would this
person regret this possible acquisition in a month or two?

http://images.wheeler.nl/s1171044192/809125-1-2-2.jpg

He may be interested in other bikes as well:

1. http://images.wheeler.nl/s1114099713/191546-1-2-2.jpg (2002 Honda
VFR800FI)
2. http://images.wheeler.nl/s1139925042/352130-1-2-2.jpg (Muz MZ1000)


All bikes are at the same price (7.500 euros/5.140 pounds)

For the moment, the bike has to live outside....

 

Spete says...

Tell 'your friend' to come back to the UK and buy a bike here, they're a
damn sight cheaper than those prices. IF it were my money it'd be the
Aprilia every day of the week. The VFR is a boring piece of shit
suitable only for supermarket managers, which is costly to service and
the MuZ is a bit of an unknown quantity - too obscure.

 

If you haven't already seen it, look ^ up there at the thread "Forza
Italia, Silverstone (dealers)" for my experience.

 

True, but this 'friend' would have to pay luxury tax and a flight over
there, boat back, which would make the price difference nearly zero. Plus
the benefit of a local garage for warranty.

 

Spete says...

Fair point. I'd still buy the Aprilia though, more fun and servicing
costs are likely to be lower long term. Those VFR V-Tecs cost a fortune
to do valve clearances on, whereas a conventional V-Twin has fewer to do
and doesn't require special time-wasting processes. I wouldn't consider
the MuZ for reasons of obscurity.

 

Yeah, checking the valves on a Tuono wasn't too bad when I did mine.
I've not had to replace a shim yet, though.

 

Sure about the MZ? It's got a TDM engine, suzuki frontend IIRC. Only snag
would be plastics. I'd better do a testride I think

 

Spete says...

It's not a Yamaha engine, it's an all new unit developed with the
Malaysian financier's money. Suspension is Marzocchi amd brakes are by
Nissin. The gearbox might be from a TDM, because all the tests I read
criticised it.

My concern would be finding spares within a reasonable distance from
home and a decent dealer who was familiar with them, there weren't many
sold.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE (Black with added black bits)
Suzuki Bandit 600S (Green with added shit bits)
Yamaha SR250 Delusion (It's "Special")
Homefucking is killing prostitution.

 

Ok, Loz, thanks for the emlightenment.

<scratches MZ off the list>