Used Review: Aprilia RSV Mille & Mille R

Three and-a-half years after announcing its V-twin superbike and Aprilia's Mille still hadn't arrived.

People said the 60 degree layout, with it's power-sapping twin balancer shafts, was the problem. They said the shafts were proving to be too heavy and they were draining too much power. Or that Rotax and Aprilia engineers working on the project found the crankcases kept blowing. Or that the fuel injection system was making power delivery lumpier than school-dinner custard. And so the rumours went on. In retrospect, all of this is immaterial, as what finally arrived in 1999 was so spot-bollock on, it was amazing. Here was a 60¡ V-twin (it's much more compact than a 90¡ V - or 'L'- twin in the frame, don't you know), with an aggressive and characterful (not lumpy) power delivery. It piled out 128 claimed bhp, which equated to around 112-115 in rear-wheel terms. With Aprilia already umpteen titles through their 125 and 250cc GP haul at the time, you had a beautifully polished and organically curving ally beam frame - just like the chassis seen on the factory 250s. It worked, too, helped by the competent Showa forks and Boge shock on the launch RSVs, although the early standard machines were later bettered by the all-singing Ohlins suspended RSV-R.

The brakes worked too, albeit not stunningly well but, in short, it was a brilliant first effort for a big capacity sports bike. Offering more oomph and comfort than a Ducati 916, even if the package wasn't as good looking, Aprilia said it was being restrained with the first Mille. It had a weird three headlight face, a huge dustbin silencer and sometimes bizarre colour schemes. It grew on us, sure, and the later SP and RSV-R models built upon the look and added to the spec list, but it never had the visual pizzazz of the 916. But then what has? Instead the Mille has matured into a practical alternative to a Ducati. An everyman's exotica, if you will. And with buyer confidence in Aprilia currently at a low, thanks to last year's lack of confidence and subsequent Piaggio takeover, as well as a generous 0% finance deal on the newer model, prices for these second-hand models are currently lower than they have been for some time. Our advice? Get in while you can, especially with the 'R' version.

CLOCKS

The one part of the bike that looks a bit naff. There's five buttons in there and you need to thoroughly read the manual to even reset the trip meter or adjust the clock, let alone the shift light, which - when set at 5-6000 revs during running-in - is annoying as buggery. Electrically the units are fine but you're asking for trouble if you let the old jetwash in there. You have been warned

ENGINE

That 60 degree V-twin is a monster. Power comes in from 5000 revs, before peaking at around 9500rpm. The twin balancer shafts smooth out any vibrations, and hardly sap power.
Reliability? Generally pretty good, although you should stick rigidly to the service intervals. Some motors have popped oil pressure sensors so check in the fairing on the right-hand side for any sign of oil. Some over-stressed motors (like ex-MRO Aprilia RSV Challenge bikes) have gone pop

FORKS

Fine on the standard bikes, but RSV-R …hlins front forks have known to pop fork seals prematurely or start to weep when grit gets into the seals. Check by pushing up and down on the suspension with the aid of the front brakes and then check each leg for oily residue with a tissue or a finger

FRONT BRAKES

They're pretty good on the early base-level machine, rising to very good on the Brembo Goldline-equipped Mille Rs. Later radial equipped machines (Mille Rs, '02-'03) are just a smidge better still. No real problems reported

FUEL TANKS

Mille-owners in the States have talked of 'R' models suffering fuel leakage from the plastic tank. The area around the fuel pump sometimes won't stay sealed. Original Milles had steel tanks, while the R has plastic. From 2001 the tank altered slightly, to keep the fuel lower down in the frame. All tanks from 2001-2003 are identical and interchangeable.
Tip: if you can smell fuel, check the tank, and not with a naked flame...

FINISH

Scratched tail units are the norm, as the bike is so tall. The satin finishes on the 2001-on models can suffer a little from scratching but apart from that the bikes are very well finished, with the first 1999 machines still looking good

REAR BRAKES

Always seemed to lack feel and bite after a while. The trick is to clean them properly and often, fit braided hoses and try different pads. Carbone Lorraine SBK3s and Bendix SSs are popular. Some people try the SP-1's front master cylinder for even more oomph at the lever

TYRES

Most owners stick with the original Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas. These and Metzeler MEZ3/4s are adored in the Mille community, as are Bridgestone's earlier BT56s and later 010s and 020s. The Japanese firm's later 014s are better still

REAR SHOCKS

Check rear suspension/shock linkages for adequate greasing from new. Many owners claim that Luigi seems to forget...

CLUTCHES

Clutches can be on the weak side so a Barnett clutch upgrade is highly recommended. Oh, and the clutch fluid always goes black. It's called 'character', you know

HOW MUCH, MISTER?

Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille SP (1998 only)

Price new: £23,000

Pay now: between £8000 and £12,000 depending on age, mileage and condition. It's a collector's item

Colours: black/red/white

World Superbike homologation special had a limited run of 150 only

Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille (1999-2000)

Price new: £9400

Pay now: from £2500 to £2800

Colours: red/purple/silver or black

Easily spotted by classic triangular headlight construction

Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille R (2001-2003)

Price new: £8800

Pay now: from £3200 to £5400

Colours: yellow or black

New look bodywork. RSV-R has Ohlins gear for a grand more secondhand. Yum...

Three and-a-half years after announcing its V-twin superbike and Aprilia's Mille still hadn't arrived.

People said the 60° layout, with it's power-sapping twin balancer shafts, was the problem. They said the shafts were proving to be too heavy and they were draining too much power. Or that Rotax and Aprilia engineers working on the project found the crankcases kept blowing. Or that the fuel injection system was making power delivery lumpier than school-dinner custard. And so the rumours went on.

In retrospect, all of this is immaterial, as what finally arrived in 1999 was so spot-bollock on, it was amazing. Here was a 60° V-twin (it's much more compact than a 90° V - or 'L'- twin in the frame, don't you know), with an aggressive and characterful (not lumpy) power delivery. It piled out 128 claimed bhp, which equated to around 112-115 in rear-wheel terms.

With Aprilia already umpteen titles through their 125 and 250cc GP haul at the time, you had a beautifully polished and organically curving ally beam frame - just like the chassis seen on the factory 250s. It worked, too, helped by the competent Showa forks and Boge shock on the launch RSVs, although the early standard machines were later bettered by the all-singing Öhlins suspended RSV-R.

The brakes worked too, albeit not stunningly well but, in short, it was a brilliant first effort for a big capacity sports bike. Offering more oomph and comfort than a Ducati 916, even if the package wasn't as good looking, Aprilia said it was being restrained with the first Mille.

It had a weird three headlight face, a huge dustbin silencer and sometimes bizarre colour schemes. It grew on us, sure, and the later SP and RSV-R models built upon the look and added to the spec list, but it never had the visual pizzazz of the 916. But then what has? Instead the Mille has matured into a practical alternative to a Ducati. An everyman's exotica, if you will.

And with buyer confidence in Aprilia currently at a low, thanks to last year's lack of confidence and subsequent Piaggio takeover, as well as a generous 0% finance deal on the newer model, prices for these second-hand models are currently lower than they have been for some time. Our advice? Get in while you can, especially with the 'R' version.