Lol I know this is a Redstoration but your friend definitely has some anti Aprillia bias. I've owned a V4 Tuono Factory for years and it's as rock solid as the Busa was. Granted, I always do my own work so the different service department hourly rates are moot. The RSV4 fairings are no harder to remove than Busa fairings. The fairings on an ST1300, quite another matter. Valve checks are recommended at 12k intervals, but the other service schedule is identical to a Busa. Read any forum, this one included, and you'll be led to believe that particular type of bike is problematic. Ride one of the V4 RSV4 models and your world will turn upside down. I got to ride one on the track in Austin TX last season and I came away amazed. The combination of torque, top end and absolutely neutral handling is super addictive. On the street, it's probably a bit much but oh, the fun.