RSVR Mille

Morety

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My new beasty:

De-restricted 2001 RSVR Mille with full Ohlins, 132BHP, Titanium Arrow end can, only 6K miles from new!







 
That looks lovely, health to enjoy Sir
 
Not yet. I'll make a bracket up so I can move it further from the exhaust pipe and more into the air flow.

It will have already had the airbox and EPROM derestriction done, as these were done by the importer and I have a peg lowering kit coming as the rearsets are a bit too cramped for me now I'm old and creaky. I'll also fit the uprated starter solenoid (original is under rated and should have been 150A) and Oberon clutch slave cylinder mod. I'll also be fitting a 16T front sprocket as the 17T is way too tall geared.

It's already had a new battery and new boots. Other goodies include Aprilia "Hot Red" custom vinyl decals for belly pan and under the rear seat hump to break up the monotone silver (it was a one off sprayed from brand new like that by the first owner). A double bubble screen will follow along with a headlight protector as those lamps are like rocking horse poo to get hold of now.

Other than that, there's really not much to worry about with these bikes as engines are good for mega miles with generally less trouble than most boxers. Tough as old boots. Many "R"'s found their way onto race tracks so finding a genuine low miles one which has been cherished is a dream come true for me. The only other thing that will need attention are fork seals. The Ohlins might be good suspension but those front forks pop fork seals if you look at them sideways!
 
I know that you've just got it, but do you know what it's like running an older Aprilia re spares/backup ??

Fab' bike. GUESSING just normal controls, no electronic modes/wizardry etc ??
 
It's not my first one, it's my third one :D Normal controls on this one as paint scheme and pipe aside, it's standard spec, the way I like to buy them.

I'm very familiar and fond of Milles, and this one has a peachy motor which runs perfectly. No electronic mods and spares simply aren't a problem (why is this always assumed?). If you're ever tempted, don't be put off as engines are bullet proof and there's loads of aftermarket stuff for them like uprated clutches, electrical improvements (like the starter solenoid) and Griff at Aprilia Performance in Tamworth always does the specialist work on my Milles. (I do the regular servicing). They're a pleasure to work on as well as to ride and everyone should own a Mille once in their biking career...the experience of raw brute grunt and that exhaust note combined with a truly superb chassis will have you giggling like a little girl in minutes!

In fact, the Gen 1 bikes are a good deal more reliable and cheaper to run than Gen2 onwards models.
 
I had a Gen 1 Tuono for 13 years before I became a GSer. Absolutely bullet proof stone reliable bike and great fun til I got that big older and needed a bit more practicality and comfort.
 
It's not my first one, it's my third one :D Normal controls on this one as paint scheme and pipe aside, it's standard spec, the way I like to buy them.

I'm very familiar and fond of Milles, and this one has a peachy motor which runs perfectly. No electronic mods and spares simply aren't a problem (why is this always assumed?). If you're ever tempted, don't be put off as engines are bullet proof and there's loads of aftermarket stuff for them like uprated clutches, electrical improvements (like the starter solenoid) and Griff at Aprilia Performance in Tamworth always does the specialist work on my Milles. (I do the regular servicing). They're a pleasure to work on as well as to ride and everyone should own a Mille once in their biking career...the experience of raw brute grunt and that exhaust note combined with a truly superb chassis will have you giggling like a little girl in minutes!

In fact, the Gen 1 bikes are a good deal more reliable and cheaper to run than Gen2 onwards models.

Great info'......I want one.....:D
 
Great info'......I want one.....:D

It's a decision no biker would ever regret...do it while they're still affordable. Used prices are rocketing now as they're finally being realised as the classics they are...I rode both an RSV and a Duke 998 over the mountain at the IoM and the RSV was appreciably quicker and better handling...oh and that noise!

The models to look for (either the Tuono or RSV Mille) are from 2001 to 2003. The last of the Gen 1 bikes, often called the Gen1 Mk2 to differentiate them from the earlier models.

They made over 200 minor improvements between 2000/2001 to bring out the Mk2 Gen1 but the main things were a slightly lowered and brought forward engine mounting for better weight distribution, larger valves, upping the previous 36mm valve version, a sculpted nylon tank (*doesn't like E10 petrol!), the improved RP58 twin Eprom which was THE best factory fuel map of its day able to account for emissions regs lean spots and an open pipe and filter without any other mods, revised bodywork with the addition of stabilising winglets on the side of the front fairing; revised front headlamp fairing and graphics and power went up from 118BHP to 128BHP at the crank.

The model to look for is a 2001 to 2003 RSVR Mille. These used Ohlins suspension and steering damper and forged, lightweight OZ wheels for less unsprung mass (improved handling), loads of carbon body panels and power was upped on these to 132BHP. They were the first production bike to have radial Brembo callipers, and both the standard bike and more potent RSVR the first production bike equipped with a slipper clutch (even if vacuum operated).

There were two other ltd edition models, the Haga Rep and the Edwards Rep. The rarer and more desirable is the Edwards rep. It is as per the RSVR but adds larger 57mm throttle bodies, larger intake snorkels and airbox, larger valves, a new 4 point injection system, more carbon bits, forged and strengthened/lightened con rods and different pistons (from memory), different (taller) gearing and a twin full factory SBK Titanium 2-2 Akrapovich exhaust system, worth then £1600 on its own. Only 40 were ever imported into the UK and I was lucky enough to own one up until 6 years ago.

However, they lacked the low down grunt and mid range stomp of the standard model, exchanging that for more top end speed and power. If you are lucky enough to find a really good standard one, you'll pay £8 -£10K for one now. They made those in 2004 only but the head off that engine was taken on to the Gen2 bikes hence their extra few horses over the Gen 1 bikes (but less low down stomp). The later Gen 2 bikes were not as reliable or as insanely bonkers fun to ride. Stators prematurely failed on those and they had other electrical niggles. They may look more trick but most who've owned both prefer the ergonomics of sitting in the Gen1 and that gem of a powerplant.

I put up about 12 years on Milles and wish I'd never sold my first one which I preferred to the Edwards rep. The latter sounded better..in fact next in line to the V4 RSV4 lump used in Norton's race bike trialled by McGuiness and others (which I was lucky enough to see on its first TT outing), it was the best sounding bike I've ever heard.

Am I a fan? :D Absolutely.

You'll need to spend about £3.5K to £4.5K for a really good, cherished RSVR, but don't be put off the standard bike with Brembo wheels and Showa forks. It's a cracker. Privately, good ones start at about £3K. The more standard, the better for investment...just beware trackday specials...plenty of those about.

AP in Tamworth reckon if you're lucky enough to find a decent Gen1 RSVR and ride it once, then lock it in the garage 'cause it's not the most comfy town bike, keep it as values are expected to double over the next few years.

I hope to buy another when funds allow, but possibly a Tuono (same bike with a different fairing and upright bars). It was the first production "supernaked" and used a full tune RSV engine for wheelie good fun.
 
I had a Gen 1 Tuono for 13 years before I became a GSer. Absolutely bullet proof stone reliable bike and great fun til I got that big older and needed a bit more practicality and comfort.

Yep...nothing made today is any more reliable nor better handling, at least for us mere mortals. Are you still a member over on RSVR.net?
 
My mate loves his but says no real world comfort, even with bar risers….too track focused but an awesome bike


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You get used to it soon enough and it's more comfortable than something like an R1 or K5. Plenty have toured on them, myself included. Not the ideal touring bike for sure but not at all bad as the seat is roomy and allows for moving about. You can fit peg lowering kits to them and raise the bars, then they're an all day bike. I've ridden hundreds of miles in a day on mine and been fine with it, many times come to think on it!.
 
Mille's , power of a 916 , driveability of a 748.

when Aprillia brought them out , dealers to be , were given 1 to do with what they liked , ( except sell it ) . you had to log every fault or fix you did , after 3 months they took them back. 6 months later ....out came the RSV . warranty claims were almost non-existent , fast ,reliable ,good handling. what more could you want.
 
when Aprillia brought them out , dealers to be , were given 1 to do with what they liked , ( except sell it ) . you had to log every fault or fix you did , after 3 months they took them back. 6 months later ....out came the RSV . warranty claims were almost non-existent.

BMW don't do it like that....:D

Morety - Many thanks for all the info'...:thumb2

Edit - Re the noise from Mc Guinness's TT V4. I was stood right behind that as he paddled it to the top of Bray Hill in 2019. I didn't have a pits pass but a totally random women came up to me and asked me if I wanted the spare one that she had - apparently her mate couldn't make it so she had one going begging ??. Talk about 'right place/right time'.

What a noise !!!!!!.......:cool: :cool: :cool:.....
 
You lucky so-and-so! Yes, that noise curdles blood...utterly awesome sound!

RE power, the RSV and certainly the RSVR has actually more power than the 916/996/998 bikes (the latter had 123BHP crank compared with 128 for the standard Mille; 132 for the "R" model) and is lighter but looks bigger. Having ridden a 998, I found it the most hideously, tortuously uncomfortable bike ever and was glad to get off it after a jaunt from Ramsey to Creg-Ny-Baa. It's a shame that they changed the styling on the later Duke 999 as that was far more comfortable to ride and more comparable to the RSVR. The styling wasn't to everyone's tastes so they can be had cheaper than some 916's. The later 999S and R models are quite powerful beasts too although costlier to service than the RSV/R and with slightly less torque. I think that if you want an investment, buy a mint 916 in standard trim. If you want a Vee twin bike to really enjoy on the road that is bomb-proof and inexpensive to look after, buy a Mille :D
 
Put up about 50 miles so far since taking ownership a few days back. Got to say it's a revelation to be back on an RSVR. Makes my old GSA seem slow, even though it wasn't. Handling is sublime and the grunt from that engine simply amazing. Hard to believe it's a 20 year old bike.
 
I had a falco with oehlins and in the brief ownership, i can say the motor was awesome and the handling was sublime! I am certainly no riding God, but even I could feel the difference with the oehlins set up - remind why I sold it..................
 
Great bikes, I had a red 2001 gen 1 mk2..used to go really well, great booming soundtrack from the Akrapovic after it had blown all the packing out of the can !

Had my biggest bike accident ever on this one when a dumb 4x4 driver turned right in front of me and took me through a dry stone wall , not too much left of the bike ( or me! ) but the seat hump was laying about in the garage so I turned it into a wall clock !

a>


Flippin great bikes, have a shitload of fun on it and get it used loads
 
I've put a fair few miles on mine since getting it last week and cannot wipe the smile from my face after each ride. Swapped yesterday to a mate's Ducati 900SS which seemed anaemic by comparison but it was a shock to fell how light and easy the Duke was to ride in comparison with the rider input needed on the Mille. I guess learning to ride them and getting used to that brutal low and mid power delivery is part of the attraction. Engine braking is phenomenal compared with the GS. There may be more sophisticated and much faster bikes made today but few give you the exhilaration you experience with a Mille. Fantastic bikes...every biker should own one once.
 
I had a falco with oehlins and in the brief ownership, i can say the motor was awesome and the handling was sublime! I am certainly no riding God, but even I could feel the difference with the oehlins set up - remind why I sold it..................

Buy another! They're comparatively cheap....for now. Parts are easily available and without the complex electronics there's really not much to worry about on those bomb proof Rotax lumps.
 


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