[le skid]

As you may or may not know, I've felt the need for something different. Since spring, I've been fixated on one particular little sumo and have been searching online.

It's been a serious pain, as these bikes are owned predominantly by... young hooligans or racers. Each one I've seen and tested has been beat to shit, as these are actual Aprilia race bikes (dominant race bikes), many of which still sport their number plates. Worse than that, EVERY seller has been 100% full-on lowlife piece of shit in their stories, claims and descriptions. I had given up.

But.... the beat-up piece of shit I test rode last weekend was at least quick AF. Made me understand why these tiny little Vtwin 550s are so dominant.

Anyway, one guy 1200kms away actually managed to convince me enough to commit my weekend and do a little road trip. We'll see. I'm leaving tomorrow at 7:00 to drive Montreal to Halifax on the hopes that this bike is as sound / tight as it is clean.


Oh... this is a 2007 Aprilia SXV 550 with a claimed 7000kms. Quite a drive but nothing ventured, nothing gained, as my old man used to say.

 

[MadViking]

Enlighten me...what is it? Looks kick-ass and a v-twin 550 would be sweet in that package!

 

[spike52]

Pics look clean, I can't zoom in but all the body work looks good too.
That's a good sign.
Good luck, safe travels.:cheers

 

[8you4t]

Nice looking bike mate ...

Though I hope hes more fussy with his bike then with the car in the background, that number plate is giving me anxiety

 

[Carnage]

Bike looks sick for sure. I wouldn't mind having a Sumo myself but given the fact that I haven't completely outgrown my own hooliganism, it's probably not a good idea. :lol

 

[le skid]

Ugh. Montreal-Halifax-Amherst.... 1500 kms in a van is a bit much for a day but I did not leave empty handed.

I got there and it was already dark. After a cursory inspection, tire-kicking and test rip, this bike was actually cared-for. It rides tight and runs smooth / 'quiet'* once warmed-up. And quick AF. Hard to describe but it's literally hard to keep the front wheel down.

Anyway, I grabbed a hotel and tomorrow, will head-up to PEI where my riding / TD buddy brings his family every summer and spend a day there before driving home. Hopefully, we'll find a place to unload and see if two retarded 50-somethings can manage to not crash this thing :biggrin

* no noises but a little too loud for my taste. It has an arrow / tune but I, of course, will put the stock exhaust back on.

 

[8you4t]

Good to finally have a win , posts some pics when you get the chance

 

[Meeps]

Ugh. Montreal-Halifax-Amherst.... 1500 kms in a van is a bit much for a day but I did not leave empty handed.

I got there and it was already dark. After a cursory inspection, tire-kicking and test rip, this bike was actually cared-for. It rides tight and runs smooth / 'quiet'* once warmed-up. And quick AF. Hard to describe but it's literally hard to keep the front wheel down.

Anyway, I grabbed a hotel and tomorrow, will head-up to PEI where my riding / TD buddy brings his family every summer and spend a day there before driving home. Hopefully, we'll find a place to unload and see if two retarded 50-somethings can manage to not crash this thing :biggrin

* no noises but a little too loud for my taste. It has an arrow / tune but I, of course, will put the stock exhaust back on.

AWESOME!!!! Glad ya found your new ride! I would like to ride one, however I feel I have no where to properly ride one around Orlando, I would have to go out to my moms in Sebring, Fl, which means renting a truck or truck n trailer since I would put dirt tires on it.

 

[le skid]

Thanks for the kind wishes. It is a complete hoot. I will be learning to ride all over again. Lucky for me one of our favorite tracks to hit is a little sumo track only 1.5 hrs away.

here are a couple of inexplicably blurry laps on my K4 track whore (check out the save at the end). Big bikes don't stand a chance against the little sumos on this track, which has no straights. Your engine gets the day-off while you exhaust yourself tossing the bike around constant turns, some of which are off-camber, just to make it interesting. I cannot wait to slide around this track

Posted a pic of the bike over in the ride pics thread.

 

[Meeps]

:surprise:

 

[MadViking]

Here are a couple of inexplicably blurry laps on my K4 track whore (check out the save at the end). Big bikes don't stand a chance against the little sumos on this track, which has no straights. Your engine gets the day-off while you exhaust yourself tossing the bike around constant turns, some of which are off-camber, just to make it interesting.

Wow, that track made me nervous watching it...rough, dirty, tight...that Aprilia will rip there! I have a KX250 motard and it is a blast. A 550 would rock.

 

[le skid]

I'm going through the shop manual pdf and damn, these engines are designed different to squeeze 550CCs into such a tiny little package.The engine itself has two cases: right and left? Is this how most twins are made? This is my first-ever V-twin so I'm clueless.

Look at the size of the motor compared to the guy's hand. This 550 looks like it belongs on top of a weed whacker lol.

 

[8you4t]

I thought Broadford was a tight track ... that track is ridiculous haha

 

[Meeps]

Wow, that track made me nervous watching it...rough, dirty, tight...that Aprilia will rip there! I have a KX250 motard and it is a blast. A 550 would rock.

LeSkid, I have to agree about the track. As much as I want to get out and have fun on a track, that is one track I would not want to get on!