Haven't watched all the video (about half of it), but it looks like the difference between the two (new and mine) is fairly marginal. Whilst mine doesn't have a petrol gauge for example (that is a bit of a pain in the arse ... story there * .... !!) and things like the indicators are still quite 'blocky', headlight is still a bulb, I am more than happy living with the slightly dated design. As Lamb-chops says at the beginning, 'If it aint broke ...'.
The motor is just sublime. It reminds me of our work cars - my team before I left had three or four very nice cars, notably a focus ST and a BM 330 x-drive. The ST was fun to drive, very noisy, a bit anti social behaviour if you wanted to light up the front wheels on a roundabout, and of course if you put in a nice down change on a blipped throttle it sounded great. But ... the serene, quiet, under the radar, super smooth X-drive would actually leave the ST for dead. The way that car put down power and its low down torque was just amazing. Much, much quicker than the ST, but didn't actually feel it.
The Aprillia feels the same to me. Its so smooth that speed on it is deceptive. Like the X-drive it doesn't feel that fast (great suspension probably has a lot to do with that - wonderful float down the road), and you look down at the speedo thinking you're doing 90 and its actually 110! I really like that!
Ive mapped it (upMap) and it now makes a tad over 180bhp, but more importantly the low rev roll on is like pouring melted chocolate! Not a hint of a glitch or a snatch anywhere. Ive played with the different engine modes and 'Track' seems to suit me best. (Track is the middle mode out of three). Race still has a bit of a glitch at low revs and I prefer the engine braking of track.
You sit very much on this bike. You're quite perched on the top of it which whilst not an odd feeling, is certainly very different to what I'm used to on say GSXR's and of course very different from the Multi's and the XR1000's of the world. Steering lock is woeful !
For me, the biggest asset this bike has and the thing that I just adore, is (going back to that X-drive thing again) its wolf in sheep's clothing theme. Its not a 'Blade, its not a 1000RR, it doesn't shout 'I'M FAST' at everyone on the road. Its not the average power ranger bike. Its the assassins bike! Fly under the radar, go un-noticed, (relative with the amazing V4 sound!), slide down the road very smoothly but blisteringly quickly. It'll pootle! If you want to chug along (especially now its been mapped) it loves it. The work Focus ST couldn't do that. The X-drive could. Same thing ... turn it on? Chill out? Enjoy the scenery? Rip up the tarmac at incredible pace? It'll do it all. That for me is what I just love.
Petrol gauge!!! *
Not having a gauge means you need to reset the trip every time you fill and i sometimes forget! I was out in the cotswolds recently (coaching course) and the fuel light came on. I now know that you have 20 miles at BEST! and not a mile more! I ran out about 1/2 a mile from the garage!!
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