In a message dated 12/9/2002 1:05:19 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Nice one Bob...so your general impressions of the Aprilia?
>
The Futura is a very nice bike with comfort equal to the GTS for the rider
and passenger on a 56.5in wheelbase. It has the best stock seat I have ever
been on but I have to figure out a way to rig up a backrest for Jan since it
doesnt need a Corbin seat.
The power is decieving as it feels a little flat until you look down
and see what the speedometer reads. I am having a little trouble adjusting
to the handeling as it doesnt feel as planted in the corners as the GTS.
Some of that is because of the crap shock that is on the rear so as with most
stock bikes it needs a rear shock. Suspension will the first fix on my list.
The motor pulls pretty hard with the stock motor reading about 100rwhp
according to some of the dyno reports and more to be had with a exhaust
system and fuelinjection remapping and a wet weight with bags of about 535.
The motor pulls very well with a nice jump at about 6 to 7Krpm. At this
point I dont feel as confident on it as I did on the GTS but was on a GTS for
almost 9 years. It is amazing how far ahead of the times the GTS still is in
suspension. Boy did Yamaha blow it when they dropped that ball.
Anyway , once I get the Aprilia suspension dialed in and get more used
to the forked front end I will like it even more. One thing I do like it the
light weight for a sport tourer which is what I wanted.
Bob Johnson
