Aprilia RST1000 Futura (2001-2003) - Review & Buying Guide

Honda’s VFR750F set the standard for sports tourers back in 1986, leading the way throughout the 1990s and on into the 2000s as the V4 all-rounder morphed into the bigger, more powerful 800Fi. Rival manufacturers tried to compete, but few came close to matching – never mind bettering – the Honda’s quality or ability to turn its wheels to almost any type of ride.

Then in 2001 upstart Italian manufacturer Aprilia launched the RST1000 Futura, a futuristic looking sports tourer, powered by a reworked version of the RSV Mille’s V-twin mill. The Futura’s aim was obvious from its looks alone – to go head-to-head with Honda’s VFR800. Everything about the RST paid homage to its Japanese rival, from the look of its instrument layout, single-sided swingarm rear end and vee-configuration engine to its sporting DNA and distinctive styling. It also oozed a similar quality and class, but with the added advantage of Italian flair.

On paper the Futura looked to be a winning package. More powerful than the VFR, and ahead of the Honda in terms of certain componentry and tech. But, at the time, the Aprilia cost £400 more than the Honda, Triumph’s Sprint ST was proving popular, and there was already an Italian in the fight in the shape of Ducati’s ST4. The Futura’s looks, while striking, bold and fresh, were perhaps a step too far in a traditionally conservative market. And at that time Aprilia’s big four-strokes were still relatively unknown in terms of reliability. Despite its obvious appeal, the Futura never really caught the buying public’s imagination. Sales were slow, and many bikes had to be heavily discounted just to get them off the showroom floor. The world knew how good the VFR was, so why take the risk on something else?

It's a shame more didn’t because the RST has a lot to offer, from its meaty Rotax-developed V-twin engine and excellent handling to all-day comfort, great practicality and – as it later transpired – decent reliability. Futuras are a rare sight on our roads, but those who run them love them. They’re cheap too; £3000 bags an absolute minter with colour-matched panniers and a life of service history. They really are the Italian VFR, and that’s high praise indeed.

Pros & Cons

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Price

The Futura was part of Aprilia’s range from 2001 to 2003, but sales were modest at best leaving many machines unsold into 2004. These were heavily discounted at the time and/or sold with panniers and extras just to get them off the showroom floor. With the exception of the RS Touring model – a minor update and styling refresh done to help reignite interest in the model at the end of its run – there were no other changes to the RST throughout its model run, so values reflect more on condition, mileage, service history, and useful extras than year of registration.

2001-2003 Aprilia RST1000 Futura values:
Rough £900-£1500; Tidy £1800-£2350; Mint £2500-£2900

Futuristically styled sports tourer with more than a hint of Honda VFR about its design. Powered by a retuned RSV V-twin engine and well specified with Brembo brakes, Showa forks and a Sachs shock. Classy single colours; colour-coded panniers. 113bhp and 210kg dry.
Colours: silver, red

2003 RST1000 Futura RS Touring values:
Rough £900-£1500; Tidy £1800-£2350; Mint £2500-£2900

Lightly tweaked final version of the Futura. Revised ECU mapping, slightly different seat, and two-tone colours.
Colours: grey/graphite

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Engine & Performance

The Futura’s engine is based on the same Rotax-developed, dry-sump, 60° V-twin unit as used to power the firm’s original RSV Mille superbike and Falco sports bike. It’s a strong, reliable, relatively sophisticated unit featuring twin balancer shafts to reduce vibration, a Sagem fuel-injection system, and a slipper clutch to reduce rear wheel lock under rapid deceleration and downshifting.

In RSV form the motor makes a claimed 125bhp. Top end was less of a concern for the sports touring Futura – midrange stomp, and easily accessible performance was the aim. To achieve this Aprilia reconfigured the fuel mapping, altered the ignition timing to give a more predictable throttle response, and fitted a heavier flywheel to smooth out delivery. Claimed power is 113bhp, with a healthy 71lb.ft underpinning of torque. Also unique to the Futura is the exhaust system that exits via a catalytic converter and two large underseat silencers.

Although down on power compared to the RSV, performance is brisk and the torque on tap is strong enough to drive hard even when two-up with luggage. Put side by side with a VFR800 – its main rival – the Aprilia has the edge. Likewise Ducati’s ST4, while Triumph’s slightly lighter and equally powerful Sprint ST is on a par with the Futura.

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Handling & Suspension

Like its engine, the Futura’s aluminium beam frame is based on that of the RSV. But being a sports tourer rather than a full-on sports bike, Aprilia tweaked the frame’s geometry with 1° shallower rake, 5mm more trail and a 20mm longer wheelbase to aid high-speed stability and long distance comfort. The engine’s position in the frame is also different to the RSV, sitting slightly further back to lighten the steering and achieve a 49/51 weight distribution.

At the rear Aprilia opted for a single-sided swingarm in place of the RSV’s banana arm – not needed due to the exhaust exiting under the seat rather than by the rear wheel.

Aprilia put a lot into the Futura, building five test protypes – all with differing steering geometry, fork off-set, wheel rims widths and engine positions – before deciding on the end design. Suspension is fully adjustable at both ends (the rear preload adjuster can even be twiddled while on the move), with 43mm upside-down Showa forks upfront and a Sachs shock at the rear. Brakes are Brembo; 300mm discs and four-pot calipers at the front, and a single 255mm disc and two-pot caliper at the back to aid deceleration when two-up or loaded with luggage.

Ergonomically the Futura is more than a passing nod to Honda’s VFR800, and that’s a good thing considering the V4 set the standard for the class at that time. A deep seat provides all-day comfort for both rider and passenger, and a large fairing and screen do a respectable job of pushing the elements away. Handling is good – again, a decent match for a VFR. There’s the soul of a sportsbike under all that bodywork, but with the added advantage of relaxed positioning to make motorway miles a breeze. The 120/70 ZR17/180/55 ZR17 tyre sizes make the choice of modern rubber about as wide as it can get.

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - What to look for

Clutch slave cylinder:
Failure of this component is common. Check for weeping fluid; other symptoms include a reluctance for the gearbox to change down, as well as a difficulty in finding neutral. Aftermarket replacement is a favoured solution.

Instruments:
All Futuras are now over 20 years old so electrical gremlins are a possible part of ownership. Connections can corrode, solder can break on the back of the instrument panel, leading to failure of parts or all of the dash. Check everything works as it should when inspecting a potential purchase.

Rear wheel:
The rear wheel attaches to the single-sided swingarm by a single large bolt. Tightening it to the correct torque is critical, because some owners have experienced the wheel coming loose. Check it’s tight by popping the bike on the centrestand and inspecting for side to side play. The recommended torque setting for the retaining nut is 170Nm or 125lb.ft.

Starter clutch:
The Futura shares its engine with other big Aprilias – the RSV, Caponord, Falco – and with that a common issue. Said motor runs big pistons, so should never be encouraged to start if the battery is below its best. It takes a lot of cranking amps to fire a 1000cc twin into life; doing so with a low battery can cause the sprag clutch to kick back, ruining the part in the process. Repair is an engine out and strip job – i.e. expensive. So if you don’t use a Futura regularly, keep the battery topped up by a trickle charger.

Engine:
Aprilia’s 60° V-twin motor, originally developed by Rotax, is strong and well-engineered. Issues are few, particularly regards the power producing parts of the unit. Service every 4500 miles (oil, filters etc) and check valve clearances every 9000 miles, although many owners report not having to adjust clearances until well past 20,000 miles.

Switchgear:
The headlight switch on the right hand cluster can fall apart – the operating toggle breaks off; the small spring and ball bearing that hold it in place can ping off, so when it breaks it’s best to replace with a better nick part.

Side stand switch:
The engine cut-out switch for the sidestand gets a hard life, taking the brunt of road grime and filth thrown in its direction. Over time the outer plastic cover can crack, allowing moisture and dirt access to the electrical connections. Failure follows. Regular cleaning of the switch, and generous squirts of contact cleaner and WD-40 is the way forward.

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Rivals

2001 Ducati ST4 - Comfortable and capable sports tourer with fine handling and a gorgeous 916 derived motor. Considerably better than the previous air/oil-cooled ST2. ST4S costs a touch more but benefits from the meatier 996 motor, better brakes and suspension. The benchmark Italian sports tourer of the early 2000s.

2001 Honda VFR800Fi - Linked brakes aside, the 800Fi is a fitting replacement for the legendary VFR750. Grunty V4 motor borrows DNA from the RC45, and distance comfort is a notch above the earlier 750. Dirt cheap for such a competent package. Many owners rate the early 800 more highly than the later V-Tec VFR, which is high praise indeed.

2001 Triumph Sprint ST - Brit all-rounder with lovely three-cylinder motor, decent ergonomics, and respectable handling. Feels a little dated against the more futuristic Aprilia and polished Honda. Updated 1050cc 2004 model is better in every respect – including against the Futura – and worth paying a few hundred quid more for.

Ducati ST4, 2001 | Approx Price: £2500 - £3300

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Power/Torque

105bhp/66lb-ft

Weight

215kg

Honda VFR800Fi, 2001 | Approx Price: £1800 - £2500

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Power/Torque

110bhp/60.4lb-ft

Weight

208kg

Triumph Sprint ST, 2001 | Approx Price: £1700 - £2600

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Power/Torque

118bhp/78lb-ft

Weight

207kg

2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Verdict

The Futura was perhaps too ahead of its time when launched. Aprilia were still new to four-strokes and Honda’s cheaper VFR had a rock-solid reputation, so sales of the RST were slow. But over the last 20 years we’ve come to learn that the Futura is actually a really rather good sport tourer and a worthy rival to the Japanese V4. If you’re after an all-rounder that can handle long-distance two-up rides with ease, add a touch of fun to your weekend blasts, yet not dent your pocket too hard this Aprilia is well worth a look.

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2001 Aprilia RST1000 Futura - Technical Specification