Do you think your RSVR is a luxury or necessity?

[RS250 maTTz]

Just an opinion seeking thread... given the present economic turmoil, talks of recession and depression etc, items viewed as a luxury will fall in value as the number of sellers outnumber the buyers. Things of necessity will increase in value as those that need and can afford begin to stock up (canned food etc) to the detriment of those that need and can't afford, who do without

I love my RSVR, but if things turn to shit, I may end up selling it (sooner rather than later). Most of us don't know what it'd be like to live in a depression, but if we do our research, we may find that luxuries such as beautiful 1000cc vtwin sport bikes aren't as popular :(

Any opinions or comments?

The biggest problems for the americans (and to the rest of us to a lesser degree) is the destruction of your dollar through inflation and government debt (government debt is paid for at the printing press). Take a look at zimbabwe, I'm guessing that hyperinflation has made the population reliant on the government and military. Your freedom from oppression was whittled away when you didn't vote for Ron Paul who wants to ressurrect your constitution and republic.

Care for a laugh? The new bill which was passed by the Senate and is presently being voted by the House, includes a section to reduce the excise tax on the wooden shafts of childrens toy arrows. It's good to see the Senators from Oregon are taking this seriously (perhaps it helps them sleep at night knowing they voted with disregard to 90% of their constituents but that at least an arrow making company in Oregon will profit approximately $200kpa from the bill - they must have had some friends in that company)
:WTF:

[RZRob]

That's an interesting topic. I think the RSVR makes sense to keep as it's a compact 2nd vehicle. I do have many other bikes and am looking at the necessity of keeping them all. In the same breath, there's a couple new ones I'd really like to get.

I'm so confused.

RZ Rob

[Exdukenut]

Personally I'll be looking for the bargains that abound during these turmultuous times, be they bikes, or whatever, from people who have to cash themselves up, to ride out the storm! :) Yes the bike maybe seen as a luxury item, but I for one have had it since new 8 years ago, and it's only worth something, to me! :) Too much time and effort to let it go for a song! :eek:

I guess it comes down to how much debt you are in, as to whether to rationalise/downsize, or not.

As to your country's bailout.......who the fook knows, and from a perspective from all the way round the other side of the planet, I pity the poor bugger who wins your election! They can't win either way as far as decisions go! As to Wall Street, bunch of shiesters IMHO, that should be sacked, with no golden parachute, for letting it get to this stage. That's what would happen to the poor empoyee if they did something wrong!

:cool:

[RS250 maTTz]

That's an interesting topic. I think the RSVR makes sense to keep as it's a compact 2nd vehicle. I do have many other bikes and am looking at the necessity of keeping them all. In the same breath, there's a couple new ones I'd really like to get.

I'm so confused.

RZ Rob


Compact 2nd vehicle sounds good. But, if your local dealership goes under, and something bad happens to your bike, can you keep it running?

[Exdukenut]

But, if your local dealership goes under, and something bad happens to your bike, can you keep it running?

Where there is a will, there is a way! :) If you can afford to keep it, then do so, the choice is your's! :)

:cool:

[RS250 maTTz]

Where there is a will, there is a way! :) If you can afford to keep it, then do so, the choice is your's! :)

:cool:

Do you have the Axone system? Not many people do... I only have 1 dealer in my city, the next is a 7 hour drive away.

I believe that Henry Ford designed the Model T so that any regular joe can maintain it in his garage. Not so with Aprilia and Axone's...

[Slinkt]

I commute every day on my factory, take long trips with it, and ride track on it. I still consider it a luxury though because:

a) it's expensive to maintain/repair
b) gets atrocious gas mileage for a bike
c) seating position/luggage capacity is not practical

If things become really bad, I would get a 100mpg royal enfield lean burn thumper and ride around with goggles and saddlebags like che guavara in the motorcycle diaries. however, until that time... the RSV is not only a luxury, but a necessity for my bike-loving soul.

[Exdukenut]

Do you have the Axone system? Not many people do... I only have 1 dealer in my city, the next is a 7 hour drive away.

I believe that Henry Ford designed the Model T so that any regular joe can maintain it in his garage. Not so with Aprilia and Axone's...

Well you could always shop around for a cheap Axone. One from a dealer that may or may not keep selling Aprilia in your area. Are ther other riders in your area that also require, and need an Axone? If so, spread the cost around. Again I reiterate, "where there is a will, there is a way." :)

And no,my Falco doesn't require an Axone to tune. Carb sticks, and a Dynojet is all that's required, for major tunes,if and when req'd!

If you like the bike, and don't need to worry about the current economic situation,then don't sell. You don't need to take a bath on the sale of the bike, if you can afford to keep it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

:cool:

[derrickhackman]

:plus::plus: all modern engines have FI mappings that are software based and thus require some type of tool to manage the software versions and to push updates. the axone works for not only aprilia, but also moto guzzi, lavarda and i believe a handful of other brands. you can get a used one for around $1,800USD and can update it through a common phone line (old-style modem).

these bikes are pretty maintainable without a shop ... in fact i don't think mine has seen a shop for any of the larger maintenance items only for getting MAP2 installed.

as for luxury or necessity ... i don't see developing countries ripping around on aprilia's therefore it must be a luxury. necessity is limited to food, drink, shelter, job, and cheap reliable transportation (which the aprilia rsv is not).

[wingnut537]

Even though these thing suck fuel still riding mine to work everyday has paid for itself in gas savings over driving my truck. on the other hand so whould a honda civic. I guess it is a necessary luxury.

[thorin21]

I will sell my car before my bike and use the bus and train in the winter. I lived without a bike for three years and it was soul destroying.

[Norrin Radd]

Not to sound like a jab at anyone but it seems to me that if the current economic times are forcing the sale of any RSV's then they might have been a stretch purchase to begin with and either no motorcycle purchase or a more affordable option should probably have been selected.

To answer the original question, unless you are using it for something like this I would say most motorcycles are a "luxury item". (I took that pic in Seoul and it was a fairly common moto load, scary!)

I know the market is down, and everyone is talking about the depression, and all of the people that bought a house that was way out of their earning range are being foreclosed on, but if the sky is really falling why are there always crowds of people camping out 48 hrs in advance to buy the latest $700 iPhone or other crappy product? I also hear everyone moaning about the gas prices but every jumbo cage only has one person in it and the buses are running at the usual minimum capacity.

[Tdawg]

went down to one bike earlier this year, the rsv. Was commuting on it however I've changed my commuting (free) option, so in some sense it's a luxury. While it's payed for between the fall/winter, economy, and resale on ape's I don't see it as the right time to sell. If anything, good time to find a deal on another machine. Sure helps being fairly close to a top US dealer.

[....]

You sell your bike, and you'll soon find yourself spending money on other luxuries. In fact, you may dig yourself in a deeper hole than you initially think. The Ape does several things. It gives a great release when you ride her. Keeps the idle hands occupied, and makes you feel like you're king of the road. Don’t sell the bike. Get rid of the wife, the house, and start brewing your own coffee. KEEP the fuckin’ bike man.


I will sell my car before my bike and use the bus and train in the winter. I lived without a bike for three years and it was soul destroying.

+1

[duc slayer]

went from 3 bikes to 1 through out this year................ not really intentionally or b/c of $$$ issue's.

sold the RSVR over the winter as I hadn't but jack for miles on it in 3 years and decided the SXV :eek: would be my daily whore, so I figured I'd pass it on to a fellow forum member, one who would properly abuse it :D

well then the sxv decided to come down with an illness, and do to some uncontrollable forces of nature it go parted out for a friend in need

so now I'm left with an RMZ450, yes it's been pimped, but I have no real place to enjoy it

ohhhhh the dilema's of what's next :D

[SkarTisu]

Your freedom from oppression was whittled away when you didn't vote for Ron Paul who wants to ressurrect your constitution and republic.

Tell me about it. :soap:

If you're worried about dealer support, put open exhaust, MAP2 and a PCIII on the bike. Then you can play with fuel maps if you feel like you need to.

Aprilias are luxury items. End of story. lol