Aprilia SXV 450-550 Problems – Fixing and Maintaining Your Bike

The SXV 450-550 are dual sport supermoto models produced by Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia. It was designed with racing in mind so there's no doubt that it is packing a lot of power and durability in its build. Sadly, it only had a rather short production period spanning only from 2007 to 2010.

Over those years, there have been good and bad stories about the SXV 450 and 550 from owners. The differing opinions of mechanics about the product further add to its mixed reviews.

With that, there have been speculations that problems with the products themselves may have been the reason for their short run in the market while others claim that it may be due to the emission regulations of their time. Whatever side of the story you're on, we are here to uncover and share with you the top problems that have plagued owners of the bike from past to present.

Most Common Issues Related to the Aprilia SXV 450 and 550 Bikes

To better understand the source of most problems found in the SXV series motorcycles, we have scoured forums, user reviews, and reports related to the product. We have also consulted some former and present owners of the bike as well as mechanics who had long experience working with them to pin down the root of the issues and the best solutions to fix them.

1. Blown Fuse

Most horror stories about the SXV 450 and 550 motorcycles almost always include the notorious 30A fuse located on the left side of the units. According to complaints, it is causing plenty of electrical issues with the bikes. The said electrical component tends to short even when the motorcycle is not frequently used or it's just sitting in the garage for a long time.

Going further back, there have been reports that some owners experienced this problem even when they have just bought their SXV 450 and 500 brand-new from the dealership. If this is the case, then the issue may indeed be a flaw in the electrical design of the bikes.

When the fuse blows, it causes various electrical problems with the bike. These can include issues with the ignition, fuel injection, battery, lighting, and more. In most cases, the bike may not start at all.

If your Aprilia SXV 450 or 550 motorcycle has a blown fuse, the best way to remedy the situation is by replacing it with a new one. You can purchase a new 30A fuse from any motorcycle or auto parts store.

Once you have the new fuse, use a screwdriver to remove the cover on the left side of the bike. This will give you access to the fuse box. Then, remove the old fuse and replace it with the new one. Be sure to put the cover back on securely once you're finished. This DIY route will only cost you between $5 to $10 for the fuse replacement alone.

Sadly, there is no permanent way to remedy this situation as it apparently has a lot to do with the design of the SXV motorcycle. That means you will just have to watch out for the symptoms mentioned. You should also do a routine checkup with your bike's fuses, particularly the 30A, and if you see signs of damage in them, have them replaced right away.

If you're unsure how to address this problem or you suspect that the issue goes beyond what has been described here, better consult your mechanic for a more thorough diagnosis and repair. Of course, be prepared to fork out an extra $65 to $100 for the labor, but this should be enough to keep you away from the repercussions of bad fuse installation or misdiagnosis of the problem.

2. Battery Not Charging

This may come as a consequence of the dreaded 30A fuse problem that SXV is known for, so better check that part before proceeding. If that's not the cause of the issue, inspect the battery if it still has some charge left.

To check if the battery still has enough charge, use a voltmeter to measure its voltage. If it is below 12 volts, then the battery needs to be charged. However, if your battery is already worn due to age or it is showing damage from long use, it would be wise to replace it right away, which will only drive you back around $45 to $100 depending on the brand you are using, excluding delivery charges if you are ordering the product somewhere plus no less than $65 for the labor if you are having it installed by a mechanic in the shop.

Another possible reason for this particular problem is the stator of your bike. If the stator is faulty, the battery will not be able to charge and its juice will get depleted quickly. The battery may still run for a while, but it will eventually die if not replaced after some time.

If you are handy with a voltmeter, you can check the stator by measuring the voltage at the terminals while the engine is running at 3,000 rpm. Its reading should not drop below 20 volts or not below the recommended voltage of your model. If it does, then there is a good chance that the stator is faulty and needs to be replaced.

You can easily buy a stator replacement online for around $200, excluding shipping. Once you have acquired one, have it installed by your trusted mechanic, which should cost you over $65 for a few hours of work or it could be more depending on the prevailing rates in your area.

3. Unable to Start or Restart

If you are having rough starts or your bike is not starting at all, it may be due to several problems. If you have ruled out the fuse, battery, and stator as the sources of the issue, then you should proceed by checking the spark plugs, fuel injector, electrical harness, ignition switch, and fuel pump.

A dirty or clogged fuel injector can cause the bike to start slowly or not start at all. To clean the fuel injector, you can use a spray cleaner or compressed air. If the fuel injector is damaged or corroded, it will need to be replaced. The replacement should be somewhere around $350 including labor depending on the brand of parts you are using and labor charges in your location.

Next, if the electrical harness is damaged or corroded, it can cause problems with the bike's electrical system and may prevent the bike from starting. You can visually inspect the harness for damage and corrosion. If it is damaged or corroded, it will need to be replaced. The replacement for this can drive you around $250 or more than $1,000 if the problem has spread somewhere else. If it's just dirty, gently wipe out the terminals to fix the issue, which should save you a lot of cash.

Meanwhile, if the ignition switch is faulty or worn out, it may not allow current to flow through the system properly and may prevent the bike from starting. To test the ignition switch, you can use a multimeter to test for continuity. If there is no continuity, then the switch will need to be replaced for $100 to $480 including labor. This could further balloon if the electrical harness needs to be changed, too.

Furthermore, if the fuel pump is not working correctly, it may not be providing enough fuel to the engine and may prevent the bike from starting. To test the fuel pump, you can use a jumper wire to bypass it and see if the bike starts. If the bike starts with the jumper wire bypassed, then the fuel pump is bad and will need to be replaced.

Take note that if this is not done properly, you may risk starting a fire with your motorcycle, so either proceed with extreme caution or simply leave everything to your mechanic. A fuel pump replacement can go around $350 to more than $1,000 depending on the quality and brand of the replacement parts and costs for the work.

Lastly, if you have checked all of these components and they are all working as intended, then the issue may be with the engine itself. If the engine is seized or has low compression, it will need to be repaired or replaced. The repair cost for the engine depends on the type of damage it has incurred or the parts replacement it needs, but if it's a rebuild, top-notch work should not go lesser than $1,500 while a replacement should be north of $2,500.

As always, remember to have a mechanic perform the necessary diagnosis and repairs for you to save you plenty of time and effort as well as to avoid mistakes while handling these crucial parts of your bike.

Conclusion

Wrapping things up, the main issues shared by the Aprilia SXV 450 and 550 appear to stem from a problematic electrical system. However, that does not mean that they are impossible to solve or prevent. With frequent maintenance, you can dodge such issues and have them fixed right away before they go out of proportion.

Generally, since SXV bikes are built for high-performance uses, expect more frequent maintenance and higher repair costs for them. On the bright side, the rewards and enjoyment can be priceless with a properly working bike.