Aprillia RS660 vs. KTM RC390

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Homme007 said:
And what I am about to say may get flames.. but I will say this anyway. Starting out on a smaller bike like the KTM RC390 is definitely the right choice as a beginner rider. You will learn the characteristics of how it even feels to be on a bike. On a smaller bike, at least on the RC390, everything feels softer, lighter, and more forgiving. But now coming on to a bigger bike like the RS660, the littliest twist of your wrist will send you to stratosphere, not to mention the accerlation of how quick it gets you up to speed.

Not to mention, a big thing, I think especially applies nowadays on small bikes vs. big bikes is that the rider aids. Now, I know the RS660 is rider aids galore, but generally, a lot of bigger bikes has a lot of rider aids like QuickShifts/Autoblipper. And as a beginner, you may rely on these rider aids and miss the opportunity to learn the magic in shifting the bike and maneuver the bike at slow speeds like U-turns and stuff. Essentially, giving up the opportuunity to learn about good clutch work and stuff. Ultimately, riding is not just going straight, its cornering, U-turns, stop and go traffic as well. Also, learning to shift and good clutch work will allow us to enjoy other bikes. Another plus on starting out on a smaller bike vs, going straight to a big bike.

Coming back to it, if I had gotten THIS bike as my beginner bike, I think the learning curve will be much bigger. I think eventually you will manage, but how many more scraps and scratches will result before you get there. In the end, I think it was the best advice the Internet Gods can give to beginner riders to start on a smaller bike rather than a big bike.
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I like the way you think.

No rider aids are a great way to develop skills, but also doing it in a more extreme, but controlled environment also builds skills fast.

Easiest way is to go to a parking lot and practice U-turns, emergency braking with all your rider aids off. Unfortunately, part of the Euro 5 spec says you can't turn front ABS off, so if it's a really new bike, this may not be possible. Buy a cheap set of cones from Walmart and look up cone drills on the Internet - offset slaloms, cloverleafs, time yourself doing the GP8 gymkhana drill, etc.

An even better way is to take a course like Trail Tours in the dirt, or Fast or Racer5 on the track. Their bikes have zero rider aids and will build skills at an exponential rate, faster than anything you would ever learn on the street or even a parking lot.
 
Lightcycle said:
I like the way you think.

No rider aids are a great way to develop skills, but also doing it in a more extreme, but controlled environment also builds skills fast.

Easiest way is to go to a parking lot and practice U-turns, emergency braking with all your rider aids off. Unfortunately, part of the Euro 5 spec says you can't turn front ABS off, so if it's a really new bike, this may not be possible. Buy a cheap set of cones from Walmart and look up cone drills on the Internet - offset slaloms, cloverleafs, time yourself doing the GP8 gymkhana drill, etc.

An even better way is to take a course like Trail Tours in the dirt, or Fast or Racer5 on the track. Their bikes have zero rider aids and will build skills at an exponential rate, faster than anything you would ever learn on the street or even a parking lot.
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The first few moments I got on the bike... It clued in that it has a QuickShifter.. and how easy it was to not even need any predisposition on HOW to use it.. really makes me think that if a beginner was on it.. and got reliant on the QuickShifter (and AutoBlipper) for that matter... I don't think they will learn to properly shift...

And frankly.. the brake, gears and throttle is just more involved on a bigger bike (I am saying this with limited experience in other bikes..) but from what I can compare now...

Gears:
On the RS660, you have to MEAN your shift.. ie really stepped into it to engage the gears... meanwhile the RC390.. I can sometimes just flick my toes to change gears....

Throttle:
On the RC390, I can twist the throttle pretty much 60-70% and the bike gradually accerelate up to speed, meanwhile on the RS660.. it almost is instantenous... (more torque and HP)

Brakes:
With bigger bikes comes bigger brakes... on the RC if I death squeeze, the bike will jerk.. but not to the point where I will rear wheel up.. but on the RS660... death squeeze will MEAN death squeeze..

But overall... I must say the RS660 is a much better bike.. just not for beginners...
 
Homme007 said:
Brakes:
With bigger bikes comes bigger brakes... on the RC if I death squeeze, the bike will jerk.. but not to the point where I will rear wheel up.. but on the RS660... death squeeze will MEAN death squeeze..
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Mmmmmmm.... big dual discs are tasty.

Once you get used to them, going back to less capable systems make you think you are going to die. You get so used to stopping on a dime.
 
Soulcatcher668 said:
Mmmmmmm.... big dual discs are tasty.

Once you get used to them, going back to less capable systems make you think you are going to die. You get so used to stopping on a dime.
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Lol. Don’t get me wrong. I love the dual discs up front, just getting some getting used to…

And frankly I really think the RC390 single disc is barely enough. I feel my braking distance drags on forever.
 
Homme007 said:
On the RS660, you have to MEAN your shift.. ie really stepped into it to engage the gears... meanwhile the RC390.. I can sometimes just flick my toes to change gears....
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this might change after more miles, my aprilia quickshifter was very slick.
 
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