Was granted access to this yesterday :)

[Firehawk068]

I couldn't say no of course! 







There were a couple things I didn't like about it, but Holy Cow this thing is fast!
It's a 2014 with 170hp, and 407 lb dry weight.
It accelerates like a rocket! And OMG that sound! I love that V4 growl that these things have.
I wish my FJ sounded this good.
It handles amazing as you would expect, and the brakes are impressive.
I only rode it in "Track" mode, so the ride was a bit harsh.
First gear is way way too tall. It was like starting out in 2nd gear on my FJ. The rest of the gears were nicely spaced. The torque of that V4 engine made up for that a little, but not completely.
The low rpm fuel/throttle mapping was horrible I thought. But I couldn't say if it would be any better in the other modes. I suspect it might.
The engine isn't that good below 4500-5000 rpm. Once you are in that range or above the engine is nice and smooth.............and did I mention the sound?!!!!!!
Having ridden Donna's Ninja 1000 at the Colorado Rally this year, I can compare the two.
The riding position is slightly better on the Ninja. Much better suited for longer rides.
The brakes are slightly better on the Aprilia, and the front end doesn't dive as much as the Ninja. The Ninja still has awesome brakes though.
The gearing on the Ninja is a little better. They are both a 6-speed. However I did find that the gears on the Ninja were too closely spaced. The gears on the Aprilia are spaced perfectly, but stuck up on the taller end of the scale with first being way too tall. If they moved the whole scale down a half a gear it would be perfect.
The engine on the Ninja is way more rideable. It didnt care what gear you were in. You just give it throttle, and it pulls. The engine in the Aprilia, although much stronger, was unhappy below 5000 rpms, especially in the taller gears.
Handling, I found about equal between the two bikes. I'm sure thay are both far more capable than me.
The suspension was nicer on the Ninja, but again that could have been the Track mode tuned too harsh for the street.
The seat itself was uncomfortable on both bikes. The pad was too thin and too stiff on the Ninja. It is no better on the Aprilia. You'd think they could put a little more thought into a more comfortable seat pad.

It's not really my kind of bike, with the Ninja being a much nicer bike overall for the type of riding that I like to do.
It was awesome to get to try it out though.
Maybe if it had a better riding position, and a more comfortable seat, and wasn't $15,000 I might consider owning one. ...............just maybe 

[FJ_Hooligan]

A friend has that same bike and I agree with just about everything you said. 

I also thought it had way too much gear.  I think my friend dropped 2 teeth on the counter sprocket. 

The motor is a total monster and revs easily and quickly.  I didn't notice bad low RPM fueling, but I didn't spend a lot of time with it.  3rd gear and 6 kRPM were a blast on a local twisty road.

Did you get to play with the quickshifter?  Butter smooth.

[Firehawk068]

Oh, yeah.................Holy Crap, I totally forgot!
The quick-Shifter!

Butter-Smooth full-throttle upshifts without needing to use the clutch! It is awesome! 

[giantkiller]

There was one at the dealer in Chicago. Where my friend picked up his speed cripple. Don't remember what year it was. Only had 1800 miles on it. And it was only $9200. Made me wonder why. Had carbon exhaust. Looked mint. Kinda gave me stupid thoughts. Like trying to find some money somehow. And see if I could get it for $8600.
But luckily sanity returned.

[Derek Young]

Was that a test ride from a dealer Alan? Looks like a pretty crazy ride! How was the wind protection on the highway? It looks like there wouldn't be much. Riding a newer bike makes you question many things about the FJ... until you get back on it. The FJ just feels right!

[Firehawk068]

Wind protection? Nope, none. I would consider it a naked-bike.
It's owned by a guy at work. He let me take it the other day.
He simply walked into my office and tossed me the key.
I spent my whole lunch break on it
Super impressive bike, and if all I did was ride canyons all day this would be the bike to own.
You are right about the FJ. No reservations ever about throwing a leg over, and spending the whole day out on her.

[andyoutandabout]

I'm always relieved to jump back on the Fj after trying another bike. Must be that mysterious rideability factor. I remember being on board a mad Ducati that Marsh was looking after for one of the Australian peeps. It was a super uncomfortable machine and felt way to urgent on the throttle. Probably would have got used to it, so maybe I've become set in my ways. I figure if my ways have been set as an Fj set of ways, then I'm ways happy enough.