By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
Aprilia RXV 550 (MY2006) vs RXV 450 (MY2011)
Aprilia RXV 550 vs RXV 450: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll feel the Aprilia RXV 550's V-twin wake up near the top of the revs and rush you across open ground. Over that ground, the Aprilia RXV 450's chassis doesn't lose its balance as the surface keeps changing. It'll flick from line to line without a fight.
So which one do you buy?
The RXV 450 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
A touch ahead: RXV 450
Off-road ability leans slightly toward the RXV 450. Thank a tougher build and lighter steering for that. It's a narrow gap, so don't plan a trip around it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: RXV 450
In the twisties, the RXV 450 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Most of that is a sportier chassis. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
RXV 550
Up top, the RXV 550's engine pulls harder the higher the tach needle climbs. It doesn't creep in. The engine's top end arrives like a kick.
RXV 450
A bump doesn't upset the steering, since the fork and shock soak it up. There's pull everywhere on the dial. The front tire goes exactly where the bar points.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The RXV 550 has the lower seat: 37.0 in (940 mm) vs 38.2 in (970 mm).
- The RXV 450 has the lower wet weight: 256 lb (116 kg) vs 315 lb (143 kg).
- The RXV 550 makes more peak power: 71 hp (52 kW) vs 61 hp (45 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Don't look for a gap on running costs: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
RXV 550
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive top-end power from the V-twin
Trade-offs
- Notorious reliability issues, especially 2006-2007
RXV 450
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile handling and balanced chassis
Known problems to check before you buy
RXV 550
- Engine case sealant failure causing oil/water mix The factory-applied sealant on the engine cases (especially on 2006-2007 models) deteriorates, leading to coolant mixing with oil and potential engine damage.
- Electrical wiring and component failures Chronic electrical issues including wires burning, breaking, and EFI glitches, causing sudden stops.
- Starter motor failures The starter motor is prone to failure, often after minimal use, requiring replacement.
RXV 450
- Engine gasket failures and oil/coolant mixing Poor-quality gaskets, particularly head gaskets and case seals, can fail early, leading to intermixing of oil and coolant. This issue is most notorious on earlier models but has been reported across model years.
- Electrical gremlins (fuse blowing, starting issues) Various electrical faults, including blown main fuses, speedometer cable shorts, and tip-over sensor resets, can cause sudden stalling or failure to restart.
What they share
- Engine
- 77° V-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 140/80-18
- Ground clearance
- 15.6 in (396 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| RXV 550 | RXV 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 37.0 in (940 mm) | 38.2 in (970 mm) |
| Wet weight | 315 lb (143 kg) | 256 lb (116 kg) |
| RXV 550 | RXV 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 549 cc | 450 cc |
| Power | 71 hp (52 kW) | 61 hp (45 kW) |
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (66 Nm) | 40 lb-ft (54 Nm) |
| RXV 550 | RXV 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 US gal (7.8 L) | 2.0 US gal (7.5 L) |
| RXV 550 | RXV 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front travel | 11.8 in (300 mm) | 11.8 in (298 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| RXV 550 | RXV 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
