Hello all

[R Pandya]

Hi there.

Robert Pandya here. Almost six years and still plugging away at Aprilia USA, now as the Product Manager for the Off-Road series. I've been visiting for awhile, and thought I would let you all know I am checking-in in every now and then.

When timing is appropriate I will let you know when there is news on the off-road series. I do have some ground rules:


1) Just because I'm here does not make me your new best friend
2) Just because I'm here does not make me you mortal enemy
3) Yes I have been as frustrated as anybody else about the bad stuff
4) Yes I am encouraged by where we are going as a company
5) No I will not respond to every inquiry and post
6) Yes I do care about your opinion IF AND ONLY IF - you do not cuss people out, you are an Aprilia owner, and you wish to criticize for positive growth, not just vent. If not all three of those things, well, I do have lots of work to do.
7) I am one of the biggest Aprilia fans on the Continent. And I do not have blinders on. That is why I am still with the company, and why will continue to work towards success
8) Yes I know that no matter how good we get, or how happy 99% of owners may become, one guy might just ruin it all and I'll go back to lurking. You should know that too!
9) I will not comment on any aspect outside the off-road arena.
10) know that there are still people working for this brand that love it as much as you or I. Yep it hurts us when things are not right, and no we do not get the kudos when things do go well. But we are working hard, and Piaggio IS slowly giving us the leash we need to succeed - starting with new management willing to listen (see point 6).

Y'all ride safe and smart.

I'll see you down the (dirt) road.

Rp

[Jony2Stones]

Welcome Rp!!!!

Like many here, I'm excited about these new off-road units!!!!

(Can't wait for my SXV):D

Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

chris.

[Jiggla]

Welcome Robert. It's nice to see someone from Aprilia USA on the forum.

- Pete

[AV8OR]

so does the SXV fall into the off road category? Race only would be considered off road correct?

i just want to know what the bikes are like to ride.

[R Pandya]

Yep, It's a dirtbike. Product planning ususally divides along lines of an engine type - in this case the 45.2 series. Regardless of street or race versions.
Rp

[RZRob]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for posting. I think you'll find most of the forum members are loyalists - like yourself. I was an Aprila fan long before I met you, but when you unveiled the RSV at Pro Italia, I was swayed over to the 4-stroke side. The bike was/is everything I've ever wanted. Now, I can't wait for the next big thing - The SXV.

Nice to see you're watching over us.

RZ Rob

[Rlhay2]

Welcome Robert. It's nice to see someone from Aprilia USA on the forum.


Robert's not the only Aprilia USA person on the forum. I'm not calling anybody out but this forum does garner attention from the powers that be.

That said, as soon as the 550 street versions are DOT legal here in states. I shall have one!!
--
Ronnie

P.S. Thanks for the assist at TWS this past year. Sorry things did not go according to plan.

[Jony2Stones]

Robert-

Sorry for the question but......what plans for aftermarket accessories are there for these off-road scoots???

Carbon-fibre, Bodywork, Gear, exhaust, slipper-clutch, airbox, etc.....is there anything you can speak about in the works???

Thanks and cheers, Chris.

[prillernut]

Hi Robert -

I've seen you several times with the demos, met you at VIR over AMA SBK weekend, right before you went to Texas - I am the guy on the Magnet Grey Tuono that got a shirt from you right at "closing time" on Sunday. Glad to see you're still here.

Anyway, it's heartening to see you guys pay attention to this forum - it seems to be the largest on-going meeting of active Aprilia owners in the world, thanks to the guys at AF1 :cheers:

Welcome to the forum, hopefully your stay here will be enjoyable, and all will benefit.

Tony

[wicho]

you location shows Georgetown, is there an aprilia usa office or something like that around here? just wondering.

[R Pandya]

Nope - Just lucky to be able to live out of Texas - I actually live out of a suitcase anyway - Texas is where I exchange clothes and gear. Again, thanks to the powers that be, technology, and the fact that I can and do like traveling, where I am is not as important as what I do. Besides, 362.5 days of riding here - not that I'm ever home.

RP

[R Pandya]

Regarding accessories, we are of course planning to build bike-specific hardware for the two missions of the race bikes. The full list is not completed, and availability is of course important. Logical stuff - no turbo kits (sorry Micah). Italy knows that accessories for these bikes are important, we are all working on bigger picture issues now. Lots of political work to do in the US. Take heart that the guys in Italy who have theor hands in the dirt so to speak, are bigtie off-road and SM fans.

One step at a time.

Rp

[R Pandya]

P.S. Thanks for the assist at TWS this past year. Sorry things did not go according to plan.


When do things ever go as planned when racing - right AC?

Rp

[zedx9]

Robert's not the only Aprilia USA person on the forum. I'm not calling anybody out but this forum does garner attention from the powers that be.

That said, as soon as the 550 street versions are DOT legal here in states. I shall have one!!


:plus: My thoughts also.....And thanks for the post Robert!!

[Beau1K]

Are there any plans to get the motard to market sooner in order to better compete with Ducati? Their machine is just around the corner and it seems that they will take the market share if Aprilia takes too long. Just the feeling I get talking to people that are in the market for one.

[kwoody51]

Are there any plans to do a 990 V-twin powered dirtbike to compete with the BMW H2 and the new KTM?

[clarkie49]

When do things ever go as planned when racing - right AC?

Rp

Hey Boss, If it was easy it wouldnt be a challenge ;)

[hank]

Robert,

Thanks for publicly announcing yourself to this forum - it means a lot to us....:cheers:

Will you (or appropriate Piaggio execs) be at the NYC cycle show Jan. 20-22?

[priller tiller]

Will you (or appropriate Piaggio execs) be at the NYC cycle show Jan. 20-22?

There's always at least one corporate monkey at all the shows for all the manufacturers...just go up and ask for him or her.

[RSV450]

Have you heard of plans for a 6 speed for these motors?

Oh and Hi, I'm one of the prillia lovers who never had one yet.

Luther

[JoeKher]

Detroit loves you Robert:lover: ! I saw you and Jeff (from Detroit Eurocycles) at the Novi show but never got a chance to say hi. Please make sure the Italians bring sliders (axle, foot peg, handlebar) for the sxv as our local tracks require them!

Good luck with the series!

[R Pandya]

Howdy - Sorry to be gone - but been working - I'm In NY now.

As far as a Ducati Supermoto threat goes - the "Hypermoto" is not in any way a direct threat to the SXV. Our bike is a competition racer, and the Ducat1 is a sister to the Multi Strada - more in the class of a naked Buell I think. Unless they saw their GP engine in half, I suspect we will be Ok for the time being.

The technical future of the bike (6-speed tranny etc) is not yet set or public. Sorry.

We have appointed a new Marketing Manager, one who is quite in favor of our racing etc. Unfortunately it has been a tough battle with the AMA to get the SXV 450 legal in the championship class (keep those letters rolling in to the AMA AND AMA Pro racing), and also allow the 550 to race in the unlimited class. It's unfortunate that rules don't allow some parity despite the weight difference here - yet in Superbike, Flattrack and Supercross there are multiple engine choices for each class with partity rules enforced. Tisk tisk.

As far a a V990 against the H2 - not now. BMW has done some fantastic work "owning" the adventure touring segment - unfortunately a small segment in the US. Why not dig up a Capo and build your own - might make for a cool test in Cycle World. I'll say that our future for volume US product is along the lines of sport products such as the Tuono and RSV type machines. Though there are soe tasty thing in our future.

And the answer is no before you even ask.

Ciao for now - and good night.

Rp

[Jony2Stones]

Thanks again Robert.

[rlmoon61]

Hi Robert and welcome to the forum. I have been a loyal Aprilia owner since 2001 when I purchased a 2000 Mille, last six digits of the vin were 000013 good thing I'm not superstitous!:) I'm now on my second Tuono and have had zero mechanical or maintenance issues with any of these bikes. Hopefully my local dealer will begin to stock Aprilia product in the near future:mad:
I am very interested in the rxv/sxv product line and was curious about a firm ship date for inventory for U.S. dealers in the 450 and 550 configurations. Also if you plan to have any of the new product on display in Daytona for bikeweek('06 Tuono or off-road variety)

[clarkie49]

Robert shall now and forever be refered to as 'Primetime Pandya' after his spot on the Today Show :worship:

[Beau1K]

Robert shall now and forever be refered to as 'Primetime Pandya' after his spot on the Today Show :worship:

Huh? Obscure reference...no comprendo.

[clarkie49]

he Did a spot promotoing the NY Cycleworld show on the Today Show, you know with Matt and Katey :worship:

[Beau1K]

OH, ahhhhhh, I C :worship:

[JoeKher]

he Did a spot promotoing the NY Cycleworld show on the Today Show, you know with Matt and Katey :worship:MMmmmm Katey:lover: !!

[R Pandya]

I am very interested in the rxv/sxv product line and was curious about a firm ship date for inventory for U.S. dealers in the 450 and 550 configurations. Also if you plan to have any of the new product on display in Daytona for bikeweek('06 Tuono or off-road variety)


"Firm ship date" and "Italian Motorcycle" do not usually go together.

Thanks to those of you laughing, and I'm terribly sorry I offended those who are not.

Truthfully, it is always a bit slower to launch a 100% new product as the 45.2engine series is. New is new, so delays happen. Any of you who this production goes straight from a computer to a production line are sorely mistaken.

At this time we are expecting production of bikes in March/April. Delivery would be plus 45 days to ship from Italy. Yes that is awhile from now, but as a multi-Aprilia owner, you know that we take considerable pride in the initial quality of the machine. There will always be production hickups - that's the way it goes. The same happens to all manufacturrs, but the radar setting are different when you produce 100,000 units, to when you product like a bazillion. That's a number - right?

I do hope you all recognize that the SXV and RXV were developed in the public eye. That is to say once the motor was running, it was revealed, and a very rough prototype proof of concept vehicle was revealed almost two years ago. Every bike you have seen racing in the past 2 years is a prototype, testing changes to design every step of the way. Every bike was different. We are NOW at the point that we have 100% production pieces, and as the production supply is fulfilled, we build bikes.

Europe will get them first. That is the fact. We will get a fairly limited supply for SXV and RXV 450 at first, followed by volume of 450 and 550 units mid-later summer. They will all be 2007 year models. making the the FIRST 2007's available. And the only fuel injected trellis frame v-twin dry sump full pimp hardcore off-road bikes available.

Daytona plan being fixed now. No off-road demos @ Daytona.

I can't wait to race an HP2.

Rp

[R Pandya]

Regarding Today show - it was awesome. And quick. And I made Katie laugh. Sweet. Also made Mom and Dad proud. THAT was the highlite.

Now if I could only fit my head into my helmet....

Rp

[duc slayer]

" .....full pimp hardcore......" I like your style, they are definitely pimpalicious or pimptastic if you will :cheers:

[hybrid-RS50]

Hey Robert, good to see you here. I'm sure you remember me from our many conversations about my RS-50 with the YZ-426 motor conversion. Anyways, what are the plans for Daytona bike week? Will you be there?

[JoeKher]

Now if I could only fit my head into my helmet....
:funnypost :D :banana:

[rlmoon61]

Thanks for responding to my post.Having been in the automobile industry for 19 years I fully understand the problems associated with new product distribution.
I was hoping for an opportunity to see touch and feel Aprilia's offroad products at Daytona as a display only, having an offroad demo venue would be beyond my wildest dreams and from a liablity standpoint a nightmare for Aprilia.
Hope to see you,and representation from Aprilia this year at bikeweek.:)

[ffkevinking]

robert were you the guy i talked to at the cleveland show. I had an aprilia racing shirt on and had some tech questions about the 06 tuono (like will my power commander fit from my 04 rsvr and the like) I would just like to put a face to the words.



Kev


PS 06 tuono here i come

[Ergo]

Thanks Robert! :worship:

Really appreciate everything. Great to see you took the time to communicate here. :plus:

[MarcV]

Robert, so when can we start pre-ordering the shirts with your avatar on it? I know that there are a lot of Aprilia supporters who would like to help spread the good gospel at the AMA Supermoto events.

I'll be the first, and will be glad to help with production and distribution...

[clarkie49]

I know the designer that did his Avatar...... ;)

It was actually designed to be on a shirt as well....

[duc slayer]

would that be the mrs. clarkie

[orangerider2]

Hello R. Pandya,

I'm interested in the MXV-450. When will these be available here in the USA and what will be the differences between the MXV and RXV? Thank you, orangerider2

[008man]

Robert, I have one very important question. Considering the nature of these beasts, (maintenance wise), will Aprilia step up to the plate and deliver the necessary parts (for this intense maintenance schedule) when the bikes are shiped? It would seem a no brainer that the necessary spare parts should be shiped at the same time the bikes are shiped, but after having to wait over a year for a replacement fuel tank for my Racing (damaged from day 1 when I picked the bike up), I have reservations. I have put a deposit down on an SXV550, and would like some reassurance that the parts necessary to keep this baby running, will be available. Thanks for your attention.

[clarkie49]

Robert, I have one very important question. Considering the nature of these beasts, (maintenance wise), will Aprilia step up to the plate and deliver the necessary parts (for this intense maintenance schedule) when the bikes are shiped?


what exactly are you comparing the maintenance schedule to?

[Beau1K]

I think we all expect this bike to perform as a street bike and have similar maintanence schedules. Maybe unrealistic...but as this new motard sport emerges and is 1/2 street by nature they need to realize that buyers expect these machines to run like street bikes.

[clarkie49]

well see that is the problem right there, Aprilia built a 'Race bike' and everyone wanted it on the street, so now you have a 'Race bike on the street' ;)

you have to compare apples to apples, you need to look at the CRF450 or EXC525 to a proper comparison. if you want a 10,000 mile between servicing Motard you are looking in the wrong place. you also have to look at the engine design, the Aprilia 450/550 is a very powerful, short stroke, high revving engine, and with that comes high maintenence but...

high maintenance is relative, the CRF450 requires a new piston ever 15 hours and yet owners usually dont do them until well over 100-150 hours. take the same idea with the aprilia and you get around 600 hours.

if you want a high milage, low maintenance Aprilia buy the Pegaso ;)

[Beau1K]

But the Pegaso looks fucking LAME!:lame:

I suppose you could just get the motard and run it into the ground and hope for the best :)

[clarkie49]

race bikes look cool, street bikes dont, It is what it is ;)

[Beau1K]

This streetbike looks pretty cool:rolleyes:

http://www.studiomoto.com/design/brochure4.jpg

[clarkie49]

Race bikes are still cooler :burnout:

[Beau1K]

All those stickers make the bikes look too busy a lot of times...a couple tasteful ones here and there are nice. But, a lot of "race bikes" have so many goddam stickers that they begin to look more like billboards rather than bikes.

[Jony2Stones]

But, a lot of "race bikes" have so many goddam stickers that they begin to look more like billboards rather than bikes.


That's part of what a race-bike is.

[clarkie49]

yeah it's a novel thought a race bike being a rolling billboard.....oh yeah that's right they are :D

Stickers and exposure is one of those pesky things sponsors want when they give you money and free product :burnout:

[008man]

Clarkie, and to all, the question I was asking, was not one of how reliable a street bike the SXV will be. I realize it will be a "Racebike" for the street, and accept that the maintence will be much greater than that of a true "Streetbike". What I was asking of Mr. Pandya, was - How well will these bikes be supported with the parts needed to maintain them. Irregardless of wether it is a "Competition Only" or a "Street Legal" machine, it will still need to be supported with the parts necessary to keep them running or competitve. It won't do much for Aprilia's reputation or customer loyalty if the bikes are shiped to the USA, and are not accompanied with the necessary parts to support the maintenance required ( I am assuming pistons, rings, cylinder sleves, valves & springs, clutch parts). When Aprilia brought the Tuono Racing into the states, they did so with out the spare parts to support the bike. It was unbeliveable that I had to wait just slightly over a year for a replacement fuel tank for my bike. From monitoring this forum, other owners of the Racing ran into the same problem with getting parts. It hasn't swayed me from owning an Aprilia, nor from purchasing another one, but it is a problem I hope Piaggio will address. BRING THE BIKES STATESIDE, BUT BRING THE SPARE PARTS ALONG WITH THE BIKES!!! is the point I am trying to make! I think the street legal Super Motard class is just waiting to explode in this country (much the same way the Super Naked class has taken off - thanks to Aprilia upping the ante with the TUONO!). Aprilia could position itself to take the "Lion's" share of this market!

[R Pandya]

Parts are a critical part of the off-road business. After the meeting in Sicily a couple weeks ago it was clear that parts and accessory considerations are critical to the whole business. There is staff concentrating on this issue, there is a parts list being defined (being defined dealers - don't jump down your AM's throat now please) that will be an order needed to maintain customer bikes.

Regarding the street versions - these 2007 models are not street bikes. They are competition grade machines that due to different regulations in Europe are allowed to run on the street. They are not street legal out of the crate in the US.

They are not street legal out of the crate in the US.

Think RS 250.

Regarding service. The bike is a competition bike. That said - one big reason that bike is a twin is to reduce thermodynamic wear. Yes there are more parts above the base gaskets, but the require 4X less attention. Just change the oil and break in the motor per the book.

There is an MXV version coming - to will be lighter and faster than the RXV, and have some different technical features. Will it be legal to race in the AMA? That is a catalyst for further hair loss that I do not yet wish to entertain.

2006 plans? We will race - now there is a Supermoto schedule out there. We will announce teams. We will also be racing at Pikes Peak Hill Climb (July1) and in another AMA venue.

Good stuff coming. Me going back to work.

Rp

[008man]

Thank you for your reply Robert. It is great to know someone is listening. It is also good to know that it is a vital item that is being adressed! :burnout:

[181]

Regarding the street versions - these 2007 models are not street bikes. They are competition grade machines that due to different regulations in Europe are allowed to run on the street. They are not street legal out of the crate in the US.

They are not street legal out of the crate in the US.

Regarding service. The bike is a competition bike. That said - one big reason that bike is a twin is to reduce thermodynamic wear. Yes there are more parts above the base gaskets, but the require 4X less attention. Just change the oil and break in the motor per the book.
Rp


I will be using my bike as a street bike, and I think the motor will last me a full year between major services...I would just like to know if the bike will ship w/ the lights & speedometer shown in all the photos, or at least will have the wiring for lights and such. I'm not really concerned about getting it plated because as you know being in Texas you can plate just about anything. Thanks for any info you might be able to pass along

[MarcV]

I would just like to know if the bike will ship w/ the lights & speedometer shown in all the photos

My guess? Probably not, for DOT reason's.


or at least will have the wiring for lights and such.

If we're lucky, but again I think it depends on the DOT and/or NHTSA.

Just my .02c

[R Pandya]

Light kit included?

No comment right now. Sorry.

Frustrating I know. Sorry.

Rp

[181]

Light kit included?

No comment right now. Sorry.

Frustrating I know. Sorry.

Rp


That's alright, guess I'll just wait and see. Thanks

[duc slayer]

I know clarkie I shouldn't assume so please don't slap me in the peepee but it sounds to me like thats a no go on the lights or it's an "extra"

[MarcV]

I know clarkie I shouldn't assume so please don't slap me in the peepee but it sounds to me like thats a no go on the lights or it's an "extra"

I think it would be cool if Aprilia offered up a 'kit' that just so happened to have all the goodies to have the components necessary for the street.

Please, Robert, please oh please oh pretty please?

:cathat:

[Alice Racing]

I will have 2 bikes UK road legal very shortly which will be turned into racebikes, so if anyone wants to borrow the lighting gear etc, i can send them to a friend in Temecula for you to inspect/copy ???

[008man]

I assume (yes I know - that makes an "ass" out of "u" & "me" - so go ahead and slap me!) that the bikes , if they come without the road legal stuff (lights, blinkers switches and plate holder), will come with the necessary electrics (alternator, reglator/rectifier), so that any officiial add ons, will be simply plug and play?

[181]

I assume (yes I know - that makes an "ass" out of "u" & "me" - so go ahead and slap me!) that the bikes , if they come without the road legal stuff (lights, blinkers switches and plate holder), will come with the necessary electrics (alternator, reglator/rectifier), so that any officiial add ons, will be simply plug and play?


Well the bike has to have all the electronics to power the battery to power the computer to control the EFI system. My guess is that the bike will come wired for all the lights but that the lighting will be extra.

[2pist]

Robert! I know this is a bit off topic but I hope your still reading this thread as I was wondering what it would take to get the Aprilia demo truck to come to miller motorsports AMA race in june? We still have the support of Salt lake motorsports... Don't we?

[R Pandya]

Robert! I know this is a bit off topic but I hope your still reading this thread as I was wondering what it would take to get the Aprilia demo truck to come to miller motorsports AMA race in june? We still have the support of Salt lake motorsports... Don't we?

We can't make it there because that event conflicts with an important flattrack race. We have a second truck - but the cost of operation is quite high. We are not doing as many (if any) open houses this year - concentrating on the racing season - I do wish we could do it all, but the budget is a reality! I will invite you to come out to the supermoto race and help te team by answering consumer questions on the bike etc.

Rp