Just a garage (incl motorbike content)

how does the SRAD compare against something more modern like your lovely Aprilia?

Although both sports bikes they're extremely different, which is convenient for a 2 bike garage. There's only 3 years between them but the SRAD feels a lot older... It's a 1999 which was Suzuki's last (SRAD 750) model year and the RSV was made in late 2003, for the 2004 release. To add to that the SRAD was originally launched in 1996 so there's a bit more to it than looking at the specs on paper. I guess the SRAD was the first generation of fuel injection and the RSV was the 2nd. There's also the engines, level of finish and size but we'll come to that.

Being an inline 4 the SRAD is boring below 5,000 rpm, but at 7,000 and beyond all hell breaks loose and you have to just hold on. It's well documented the geometry was based on Kevin Schwantz's RGV500 so the bike feels nimble, light and is compact. When it came out in 96 it was a ground up redesign from the previous oil-cooled beam-framed GSX-R that was long overdue a revamp. I've wanted an SRAD 750 for a few years because I like what they represented. Before the now 600 and 1,000cc homologation classes, 750 was the top tier with Honda spending a lot of money developing the RVF750 and Yamaha's R7 which neither I could afford with prices going sky-high long ago. Whilst most manufacturers did the same, developing exotic projects Suzuki said "Let's just use the SRAD 750, we've been making them for ages and they're pretty good" whist claiming 4 world titles. All(?) manufacturers have long stopped making 750 super bikes but Suzuki still sells the GSX-R750, which to me makes a lot of sense on the road and track. It's an underdog that was lighter than the 600s of the day and arguably faster than the 1,000cc Honda Fireblade whilst doing it for a lower asking price.

The RSV on the other hand feels extremely special to look at and ride. The v-twin motor has bags of torque and is a big grizzly bear of a motorcycle. It's faster than the SRAD but feels effortless (& maybe slower) with instant torque, acceleration and the gravelly soundtrack to match. I think of the SRAD as turbo charged and the RSV as supercharged. Despite the stereotypes of Italian build quality it's exceptionally well made, the components look like jewellery compared and was manufactured just before Piaggio took over and the accountants got involved. Ironically though a lot of gen 2 owners admit build quality was better with the earlier (gen 2) bikes but they can be plagued with gremlins, that admittedly can be sorted, so swings and roundabouts. Both are physically crippling after more than 3hrs but the RSV is bigger and allows you to stretch your torso a bit more.

Riding the SRAD you feel a bit of an oik but your heart is racing from the powerband whereas the RSV makes you feel like a sophisticated oik provoking more waves and smiles. In terms of cornering too the strategy with the Aprilia is to keep it in a higher gear with the torque pushing you around, with the primitive slipper clutch you don't want to lock-up the back wheel as that's one way to fill your pants with Sheppard's pie.