Newbie

[quendi]

Hi

I'm a new and delighted Futura owner from Buckinghamshire in the UK. My Ash Black 02 UK model Futura complete with cases, heated grips and inter-com was delivered last Friday evening - 17/01/03.
Over the week-end I managed to clock-up 200 miles in the rainy, cold, British winter weather, but the bike just made the rain and gloom disappear!

Although I'm limited to running in revs, the grunty performance and sharp handling are superb. I bought the bike without a prior road test (couldn't get road test!), but am now sure I made the right decision.

Took my wife out on it on Sunday and she raved about the seat comfort!

Now looking forward to some sunny days and dry roads to really try the bike out.

Does anyone know if an aftermarket hugger is being made for this bike yet?

Jon
:D :D :D :D

[buck000]

quendi,

Welcome to the Aprilia Addiction. :)

Just curious, can you provide details on which heated grips and intercom you got with the bike?

Re: hugger, I've still not heard of anything coming available.

All the best,

Paul
'01 Flame Red

[bossbob]

Hi, and welcome aboard :D
No huggers around, and no sign of one in the pipeline.

Keep it shiney side up

Rab

[Bikeaholic]

Nice to have you on board.

Did you have the gripps fitted and if so were any mods. to the twist inners required. I'm asking because I fitted some Oxford gripps on my last Futura but had to cut away all the ribbing before they would fit.

[podpeeze]

Nice to know there's another Brit on the Forum. Welcome
! (we must almost be in double figures by now!!) :p
Jon

[somersetjohnv]

Hi, another Brit on line here, signposted by Big Boss from the Honda VFR site. I'm doing a bit of research on behalf of my wife who is wanting to change her Suzuki SV650S for a bigger sports/tourer. She test rode the Futura at our local dealer and liked it, with some reservation about seat height ( she's 5' 6"). The VFR is still an option, did you consider this too? My other concern is thirstyness/tank range and residuals - mind you with the deals around at the moment you can't have it both ways. So after 2 weeks and two good biking days at the weekend are you still enamoured?

[podpeeze]

Go get one Mrs somersetjohnv! :D
You wont regret it!!

[somersetjohnv]

One more question to all you cognesenti, I gather that Aprilia don't do their own heated grips for the Futura - which ones are best - heat, reliability, vfm ?

[Bikeaholic]

I used to have Oxford heated grips on my 01 Futura and they worked well enough. Bought them at a knock-down price from some outfit at a bike show. One of them went faulty after about three months and as I couldn't remember who I bought them from, contacted Oxford, explained the situation and to their credit they sent me a replacement by return post. All they wanted was the old one back.

Fitting them is a bit of a pain as you'll have to glue them in place and cut away all the ribbing on the rotating gripp before they'll fit. The second set worked well and they were very comfy but if you don't neede them all the time you may want to consider the type that can be fastend with vellcro.

[BossBob2]

Well... Its been a busy old board this week :D
Fistly, I don't intend to fit heated grips to the Futura as going on reviews a heated vest or jacket does a better job by heating the core body temp so I figure its worth a try. Grips are OK till the going gets tough and then my fingers still suffer along with all the other extremeties.
Secondly, Welcome aboard John.... hope you find the site of help. I Don't think the fuel consumption is all that much worse than the VFR tho the MPG returned by the group seem to vary a lot.
<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>The VFR is still an option, did you consider this too?[/quote] Yes, that and the ST. in fact it was the review on the VFR site that put me onto the Futura and from there its personal preference as all 3 are on a par.
The comfort, the weather protection and the panniers sealed it for me ..... value for money it was a clear winner.

Rab

[quendi]

Hi

My dealer fitted Oxford heated grips and supplied an Oxford Mike 3 intercom. I've sold the intercom on, preferring to fit an Autocom system which I already have. The heated grips, intercom and panniers were all part of the deal offered to me by the dealer when I bought the bike.

Jon

[hp]

Just got my heated grips installed. The sixty miles back home on a cold day was a nice test. Oh yeah, toasty! Got a few February rides in the works. I'll be lovin' those grips.:D :D :D

[Bikeaholic]

quendi & hp

Any chance of finding out what model of Oxford grips you've got and whether any mods were required.

Thanks

[quendi]

Hi

The grips are Oxford Hotgrips, these involve changing the grips to the Oxford supplied ones, rather than the Velcro clip on model. The grips are slightly less wide than the Aprilia originals, but still look OK. As the dealer fitted them can't really say if any mods required. They've been great in the recent cold weather, but lack any temperature adjustment.

I've just purchased a Scottoiler Touring Kit, does anyone have any fitting tips for installing this on the Futura?

Thanks.

Jon

[buck000]

I don't have one installed, but it's on my To-Get list...

There are some pics at www.rst1000.org/wrenching...oiler.html (http://www.rst1000.org/wrenching/scottoiler.html) that might help.

The same person that took the pics sent me email saying "Make sure you specify that the kit is for a Futura as there is a special vacuum fitting required that doesn't come with the kit. The distributor will include this at no charge."

I could've sworn he said the touring version wouldn't fit on a Futura, but I can't find any supporting text for that....<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o">

HTH.

Paul
'01 Flame Red

[somersetjohnv]

Haven't forgotten the requests for which type of grips we are getting. Will chase up dealer and post when I have discussed.

[somersetjohnv]

Er... not sure what happened there.

[somersetjohnv]

Right, third time lucky- every time I reach for a smiley my message posts itself. What I was going on to say was...

sold the SV650 ( see previous posts), advertised in MCN, first caller bought it, as obviously a bargain, he'd come all the way from...the next village! Doh!

John

[BossBob2]

There is no reason I know of that a touring kit won't fit on a futura. I'll look for pics, but the only difference is a numberplate shaped bottle that the dispenser clips onto, tubes long enough are supplied with it and I believe are routed with the tail light wiring.
If your handy at all you should be able to fit it yourself.
I'll post pics if I can find them

Rab

[hp]

Mine are made by Hotgrips: www.hotgrips.com (http://www.hotgrips.com) This was the brand that my dealer carries. They did the install as these days I don't have any time (I own my own business. Nuf said?) No complaints on the looks, though I probably have lower standards than others. They are thicker than stock. However, I have pretty large hands, so the additional size is welcomed. The high setting is very warm indeed. Felt very toasty through my insulated riding gloves.

Threw on a set of BT 010's front and rear as well. Can't wait to test their grip!

[quendi]

Hi

Rab if you post pictures of your fitment of the Scottoiler Touring kit to the Futura that would be great.
I spoke to Scottoiler's Customer Service Department today and they said if I spent them pic's of the Futura's rear end they would make a special mounting plate for the kit. They also said a special T piece is required for the vacum take-off on the Futura which is not supplied as standard and they'd also supply that. Further they will also supply a double sided oiler attachment (new enhancement).
Excellent customer service from Scottoiler. When I've all the kit and its fitted I'll post some pictures.

Jon:D

[BossBob2]

Sorry, ....... misunderstanding :rolleyes:
I do not have a Scottoiler. I was going to have one fitted but changed my mind as I want to use the bike in Germany.
I do know their service is world class..... they are SCOTTISH!! and anyone that uses one will tell you how good they are.
I was going to search the WEB for pics ... not my garage! :D
HTH

Rab