have a bike for my only mode of transportation for 2 years+. Only reason i need a car now is for my dog. If it didn't get her I still wouldn't have a car
Talking to an Aprilia expert (ex race mechanic) and he prefered the rsv1000s over the v4s. The Rotax vtwin is pretty well bullet proof and is less likely to lose your license lol.
My engineering prof was the project leader for that motor at rotax. He sometimes tells stories about designing it. Absolutely one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met, when it comes to engineering. He owns two bikes, an old Ducati and a first gen RSV Mille.
Never heard anyone say anything bad about the Mille's front brakes and the ones on mine are perfectly fine as well, you guys should definitely have a look at them.
Yeah, was wondering as well. Can brake hard with 1-2 Fingers and has nice feedback braking deep into corners. Maybe bad pads (since the 4pads per Calpier are stupidly expensive) and/or worn lever.
Same..... Got an RSVR 2002 exactly the same as the one in the video, colour as well...... Also got a factory 2017 Tuono and to me the braking isn't to far removed. Just being picky me thinks !
Started my 1000cc life on a 2007 RSV Tuono (140hp version of this engine). What an absolute beast it was! Brakes were really good on that, I think the bike in the video might need some servicing :D Never heard complaints about the brakes on the older Mille's either. Peach of a bike. I believe you have a primitive vacuum operated slipper-clutch in the Mille aswell, at least I had it on my gen2. It will prevent lockup at least, but not as sophisticated as modern systems.
Aprillia Mille owner here, brakes stop on a dime, if anything they are a bit overpowered and can quickly get you into trouble if you brake with more than two fingers, tell Nico to get his brake fluid flushed and make sure there is no air in it, replace the brake hose with steel ones and if even then the braking isnt good, get the brake pistons checked, they might be seized its the rear brake that can be pain, it looses power as fluid heats up, get the rear brake fluid moved out of the engine area for better performance.
A rebuild with new seals and fluid should have that Brembo system competing with far more modern equipment. A forged Brembo racing master cylinder helps improve feedback and fine braking control, but power shouldn't really be an issue if the system is in good nick.
Had a ME in yellow and an RP in silver/red. 1. The front brakes are awesome! If not, there's something wrong or you are bit picky. Rear brakes are.... well.... learn to get along without them. 2. The Mille wants you to be dominant, but then she does whatever you want. She is no Brittney Spears, she's more like P!nk: Strong with a good heart that you always need to focus on. AND: She can ROAR!😂 3. One of the flaws I had on both was: The 180 rear tyre was fine, but with a 190 tyre and a not perfectly chain tension, the chain started to rip off little pieces of the tyre's edge. I don't know if anyone had similar problems... Over all she's a beast with character.
I'm pretty sure a 190 was standard tyre fitment. That said, not all 190s are equal, with Dunlop Sportmax 2 being noticeably wider than Metzeler Racetec K3 on my RC8R.
It has a "Slipper" clutch" or anti hopping as we use to call it.... One of the first bikes with that sort of clutch in the world was miles ahead of any Japanese bikes at that time and it was extremely reliable!!!
The Mille had a hydraulic "back torque limiter" the same as the Suzuki TL models, it just worked better. Which pretty much sums up the Aprilias in comparison to the big Suzuki Vs: it turns in, brakes and holds a line better and the Rotax V60 is Japanese reliable if maintained correctly.
Had mine 17 years. Bulletproof. The only electrical issue on Gen 2 (not 1) is the stators burning out due to Aprilia upping the output of the flywheel. This can now be downgraded to a lower output solving the issue. But, the old stators usually last around 20,000 miles.
To make the bike start easier, upgrade the solenoid to 150 Ah, change out the wiring to larger diameter all the way from the starter back to the battery (also the negative/minus wires), replace the clutch cylinder to Oberon or something alike, make sure that all plugs used are high ampere type. Also change the regulator from shunt type (really bad original type) to a Mosfet based version. This will transform the bike, and you'll be able to start it like any other bike... 🙂
Greetings from Germany, I just come from a morning ride from my Rsv mille 2001 ( Right now i have the Mille & Bmw R1200S) The Aprilia its an extremely good road bike for real road performance use (B roads or straight highways.) The power its enough and more just to do everything. Also great for track use as hobby. The rotax V990 its really a beast everywhere, torque everywhere & Delivered smooth and this allows for more control, not a scary rpm area like all the inline fours of the time. In my possession during the years 2007-2009 i was had a Gixxer 750 k6, never again mates , poor performance for road use from the Gixxer (Maybe on the track has some value.) But the ergonomics for a Supersport, the power delivery, the overall feeling dosent come close to the Aprilia rsv mille for road use. What you can expect from an old Aprilia rsv mille ? - Its very reliable but not as a Japanese, its not for every day bad use, avoid the city and the traffic, prefers open & b roads as machine. - Ergonomics are perfect for a Supersport motorcycle V2 , if you have an Extra weight and you are a little taller you can't find a better choice for a v2 Supersport, it's roomy enough. - Fuel economy, forget about it , burns a lot. - Looks , the tail lights are like speceship, the front lights were the first design with three lamps in this row, frame its a piece of art Polish beast , looks very muscle Supersport but if you put out the fairings its small (i would like to say American design with Italian details, Ducatis are definitely Italian design.) - Character full, its something different 100%. Dont get it wrong, it's not better than other bikes , but it's really unique & after all this years its still shocking on eyes and in feeling. Really good machine in very low price.
I thought I was going a bit mad as I use about half a tank on a long ish run,, nothing mad,, and that with a slight airbox mod and chip in the fuel injection, it has a racy yoshima pipe on it,, I took the baffle out and boy it moves now .
I just came here to agree with everyone else. As a rider of a 990 Super Duke, there is defiantly something to be said for that raw analog experience you get from a big twin in these old bikes. Nothing else compares.
I got a Ducati Monster and a 2005 buell xb12r firebolt. I can say i love the big V Twins more then any other configuration. The torque is so good for daily riding
A had two of these bikes (2001 R and a normal 2002). If the rear is to lose, then it maybe needs a service or a propper setting. It is the bike witch gave me the most fun on the road. I changed the mastercilinder of the front brake and that helps allot to improve the braking. Both my Aprilia RSV has been bullet proof. I sold the last one with 60000 KM (37500 miles) and it never mist a beat. After this a had a Suzuki GSXR1000 2005, 2006 and a Honda Fireblade 2007. Now I drive a GSXR 750 hoping to find a little joy back in riding but it`s lacking torque. Now I`m thinking of buying a Ducati Panigale V2 and hope that is a bit the same as a Aprilia RSV Mille. You drove the both, so maybe you can tell me 😊 Keep up the nice videos and greetings from the Netherlands
While getting my A license here in Europe my moto school had a version of the SV 650 with clip-ons and semi-faired (I don't know the name of the version). And I said I gotta test ride that on the street. And so I did. What a gem of a bike, really. Lightweight, fun side to side, tons of torque for the street and not so compromising on the comfort spot as you may think. Sweet gem of a bike, this video reminded me a lot about it 💙
My 2002 has more than 170k kms on it. Still loving it... No major problems, although starting in cold and moist conditions is becoming problematic lately (already three starters, dynamo, batteries replaced). Have had all known problems (no rear brake for years now, clutchplates replaced twice, burnt rectifier, etc) But enginewise really bulletproof. When it starts, it still goes like crazy.
Mine has very good brakes with plenty of stopping power. Actually those brakes saved my life. You have a problem on your gorgeous RSV Mille R. Greetings from Italy :)
Just watching my self and thought exactly the same ,my brakes would throw me over the handlebars at 60 if I pulled a little harder ,great brakes and actually never had one with poor brakes to be honest ,also the front brakes combined with engine braking is superb
I have this exact model, it is my favorite motorcycle. I have owned some nice Ducati's (748 and 1100 Hypermotard) and Ktm (690 Duke). Used as daily transportation and a track bike. I installed low sport touring handlebars. Brakes are excellent. Steering is special, quick enough but never a hint of headshake. This bike will slide predictably like no other bike I have ridden. No problems other than electrical wire/connector issues due to high resistance, and a cracked rubber fuel line inside the tank. Rear brake system can be affected by exhaust heat.
That's classic Italian-American (hyphenated) logic: "My old man and I was talking about how we should get a reliable commuter bike, so we got a 21 year old Italian supersport... cuz dat totally makes sense.
just sold my 2011 tuono last of the v-twins, amazing machine, if you dont mind never having a rear brake, but that motor is rotax based, and pretty much indistructable if kept serviced, also the valves never seem to go out of spec. really good machines.
There is an 01' available nearby for $3100. I may have to pick it up. Highly rated seller too. My only reservation is that it's a large bike (demension wise) and I am only 5'9.
I love the Mille it has to be the most reliable bike i have ever owned.. many people seem to have problems with them and worry about the reliability but honestly I have owned three Aprilias and all of them have never had any issues at all.
HI guys, I have one of these classic bikes, love it. To cure your battery problem which is common get the kit which has larger cable size from the U.K. I try to put a link up later. I never get tired of the sound. Forza Aprilia. Love the Video thanks for sharing.
AP workshops in Tamworth, UK. Griff is the man. I think AF1 will have a lot of stuff for Aprilia in the US, but any good workshop or someone with the right crimping tools can knock up heavier gauge battery cables. You can fit a larger capacity battery than standard, which is supposed to help with cold cranking, but lowering the impedance to the starter with heftier cabling is never a bad idea as it's a chance to make sure the contacts are clean and corrosion free on bikes with a few years on them. Regulator/rectifier is in the tail and doesn't get a lot of airflow, and can be a weak point, frying the wiring.
This was the first bike I ever sat on and fell in love with. I was 15 and my Dad was at the stealership he bought his Ducati from and I saw one of these in Red and black. I sat on it and was like, I WANT!!! Someday.
the chassis is pretty good...... setup is important.... if the front is to high it wont turn in or point nice..... the middle is very strong but you're short shifting it..... it is generally a better bike than a Ducati of the sane era....
I've owned my rsvr for 15 years/ 30k miles and I've done all the services recommended, no issues other than clutch replacement and starter Sprague replacement. Use a battery tender and you're gtg.
What you say about this bike braking is really wrong, it still is amazing by today standards on this very point unless you put some cheap pads, run a disastrous suspension setup as many does, which this bike hate’s, or haven’t rebuild your master for many years Later radial mounted callipers they don’t add any braking power, just give better feeling. I raced this bike for 5 years in a European championship and braking is the last thing we’d touch on it
I very almost got a 2009 tuono factory as my first big bike but owner wanted too much for it so I settled for a 1998 VTR1000F (superhawk/firestorm) with only 22k miles for less than half the price. Absolutely loving it so far!
Ich hatte genau die gleiche Maschine, bin immer noch verliebt. Die Bremsen waren super. Auf diesen Motorrädern mußte man noch fahren können, nicht so wie heute. Heutzutage wird dir viel vom Motorrad abgenommen. Damals mußte man noch präzise fahren, sonst war man langsam.
It does have a slipper clutch, a primitive one but it is there and two ignition maps if the owner has fitted a switch. The front brakes should be good, it's the rear that often doesn't work because it's difficult to bleed correctly.
When the Aprilia RSV came out It was the hottest bike! The V Twins were dominating WSB and AMA. The draw back with Aprilia was their quality and maintenance back then.
The first version (steel fuel tank) had some high impedance wiring and water pump seals can go, but the overall quality of paint and parts is a cut above modern bikes. The plastics fit together as if the engineering team finished the mounting points after a vino heavy Italian Friday afternoon lunch, but they are good quality parts. It was Ducati that really suffered due to financial issues and a lack of knowledge regarding maintenance and servicing. The aprilia V60 has a dry sump which throws some people and leads to overfilling. Other than that, the Mille is solid if looked after correctly.
Love the review I am most probably his dad's age and have six aprilias fantastic bikes brakes should be up to it . Oh the black ones are faster but I expect you have heard that before . My son also has one maybe I had something to do with that 😜
i think just jumping on and riding a bike like this isn’t going to give you the full story of how good it can be.. a lot of older bikes are in dire need of a fork service and other fluid changes because it’s amazing what people get used to when they ride a bike for anoint time.. i try to at least check if rebound front and back is controlled and matched and that you get some static sag in the rear and that compression is not fully open or closed. The Mile has great suspension and it should handle very well when serviced properly and setup accordingly.
Just a question, why do you ride on the right side in your lane? In the Netherlands they teach you to ride 'on the drivers side' because you are more visible for someone driving behind you.
It's a good review! I recognise the feeling you want to cruise on it. I went too the Alpes with it. It's not suited for hairpins. You have to use the clutch mutch and it a heavy clutch. After three dayes my left arm was damaged . I could not make a fist movement anymore i needed a day rest to recover 😂
If it's anything like my Aprilia Falco SL 1000 (which is basically made from the same parts) the front brakes should feel excellent, powerful and smooth. The frontend should give you lots of confidence and you should be able to go through corners very very fast with excellent precision. You can absolutely flick it and get agressive with it. I just put Metzeler Sportec M9 RR on mine. They suprisingly feel a lot better than the M7 RR i was already quite happy with. Well, i never rode one of those new bikes. Maybe you can go even harder on them. But this bike should absolutely be able to go very hard and twisty. Also, check your cooling fluids. It should run 10° to 15° celsius colder unless you've been standing still, idling for 3 minutes.
Hi Matthias, bought an Aprilia Falco in November last year. Will be deliverd 1st Feb.this year. Built in 2001, 37.000 km new tyres and all liquids etc. I bought it more or less because the Rotax engine. This engine was built in total (Rotax homepage) 87.369 times. Looking forward to it. Greetings from Reinbek near Hamburg, Matthias (same name as yours). Wünsche Dir eine wunderbare 24er Saison.
I had the limited edition Nori Haga replica. It burned in California in a wildfire. I hate looking at them now....breaks my heart. Nori signed my print that came with it.
Found a falco with a rough history in the before times, haven’t been able to afford to fix it since then, basically a detuned mille apparently, still excited to hear it run for the first time 😢
Put it on a trickle charger , do not expect even a good battery to hold charge without it being ridden to get charge into it, I guess for Nico the brakes might be overkill as that set up is for the track to..but yes questionable electronics ...and it does have a vacuum slipper clutch,
Those front Brembo brakes should be good enough to stand the bike on its nose all day long. Your guy is needing a rebuild and new pads, possibly new discs. The rear brake isn't all that strong when expertly bled and new pads in, but it soon degrades to near useless due to the master cylinder being located on the side of the engine and overheating. It's also a nightmare to bleed. The solution is either aftermarket rearsets that mount the master cylinder vertically behind the heel guards, or making a heat shield out of some aluminium plate, preferably backed with some fibreglass to provide insulation. You'll need longer bolts as the OEM are quite short and a banjo bolt with a bleed nipple integrated will make bleeding so much easier.
I'm building an '02 mille right now. Can hardly wait to get it finished and ride it for the first time on Blood Mountain. I fully expect to be disappointed after all the hype and being used to throwing my '04 Bandit 1200 around on the mountain... will likely play with it for a few months and trade up for an r1 if it can't hang with the other street squid fast boys.
I’d like to see a video of all of the super twins off back in the day to see how they stack up today. You also forgot about the Suzuki TL1000S/R, SV650’s.
@@brazilgerojim9634 Yeah, the rotary damper would overheat resulting in a rather interesting ride at the worst moment. Though I believe things like the fuelling and over sprung forks didn't help. When sorted these bikes are fantastic.
@@paulred158 have you ever owned a TLR cause even though its a little heavy, but when you build some pace it's actually well manageable and flickable. Got mine after owning a cbr600 so i know what a flickable bike is.
My friend has one, and a have a gsxr 750 from the same year (k1) and I have ridden both bikes.. I can tell you, the flickability is not due to the year it was made, but the Mille is just a long ass bike compared to the gixxer