2003 Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille

Make Model	Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Year	2003
Engine	Four stroke, longitudinal 60°V twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity	997.6 cc / 60.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	97 x 67.5mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.4:1
Induction	Fuel injection
Ignition	Digital electronic with two spark plugs per cylinder
Starting	Electric
Max Power	93.3 kW / 128 hp @ 9500 rpm
Max Power Rear Wheel	83.5 kW / 112 hp @ 9250 rpm
Max Torque	103 Nm / 10.5 kgf-m / 76.0 ft.lbs @ 7250 rpm
Clutch	Multiple disk in oil bath with patented PPC Claimed Horsepower: -assisted hydraulic control.
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Rake	25°
Front Suspension	Upside-down Öhlins fork, Ø43 mm titanium nitride treated sleeves.
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Swing arm in Aluminium alloy, progressive linkage with APS system. Öhlins Racing hydraulic shock absorber
Rear Wheel Travel	135 mm / 5.3 in
Front Brakes	2 x Ø320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single Ø220 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre	190/50 ZR17
Dimensions	Length: 2035 mm / 80.1 in Width: 730 mm / 28.7 in Height: 1145 mm / 45.1 in
Wheelbase	1418 mm / 55.8 in
Seat Height	825 mm / 32.5 in
Dry Weight	187 kg / 412 lbs
Wet Weight	215 kg / 474 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal
Reserve	4 L / 1.1 US gal
Consumption Average	6.5 L/100 km / 15.3 km/l / 36 mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	10.9 sec / 198 km/h / 123 mph
Top Speed	272 km/h / 167 mph

When it first appeared in 1998, Aprilia's RSV Mille surprised many with its futuristic styling and design. The firm was known to have been working on a V-twin sportsbike for several years, but the refinement of the design impressed many observers.

The engine is a narrow-angle 60° V-twin, with four valves per cylinder. A pair of balance shafts reduce vibration from the motor, and a combination of gears and chains drive the double overhead camshafts in each cylinder head. Twin spark plugs give fast, efficient combustion, and an advanced fuel-injection system uses large 51mm (2in) throttle bodies to help produce the 97kW (130bhp) peak power.

The narrow angle of the engine allows the aluminium twin-spar frame to be compact and stiff, for dynamic handling. It also made for a shorter engine design than a 90° V-twin, allowing a sporty, short wheelbase. High-set footpegs and the slim profile of the bike give excellent Ground Clearance, allowing the extreme cornering angles necessary for race success. The track-spec, fully adjustable suspension at both ends, gives smooth wheel response, while the steering geometry combines quick steering with good straight line stability. Early designs wore red-painted Brembo four-piston brake calipers, but later models reverted to standard gold-finished calipers. Whatever colour they were, these calipers supplied class-leading performance.

The RSV Mille was immediately compared with Ducati's 916, another distinctive Italian 1000cc V-twin sportsbike. While the RSV does not have the classic beauty of the red Ducati, its handling is equal to the older bike, and the RSV engine is more modern and stronger everywhere. Indeed, Ducati soon replaced the 916 with the 996, complete with a much more powerful 996cc engine.

The importance of the RSV to Aprilia cannot be overstated. Its engine has proven to be a strong, reliable unit, and the firm has been able to build a whole range of large-capacity bikes around it, well repaying the care and time taken during its development.

It's amazing how having a good product can establish a manufacturer in the market place. Prior to 1998 Aprilia was virtually unknown in the world motorcycle market

When it finally unleashed its range it comprised the now legendary RS250 and RS125 race replicas, the Pegaso 650 single cylinder adventure tourer and the RSV Mille 1000.

All four models have established themselves as high-end, high performance motorcycles and have firmly cemented the name Aprilia in the highly desirable category.

Having some big names like Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga and Colin Edwards achieving spectacular results on the racetrack didn't hurt either! In the five short years since launching, the range has grown with the now well established 997cc 60-degree V-twin forming the platform for a range of sports, adventure sports, sports touring and sports fighter models. Notice a trend here? In this hindsight we're going to have a look at the one that started the ball rolling in the big bore class, the RSV Mille 1000.

What are we looking at?
This is a modern sports road bike with a heart of solid gold. As we've said the real heart of the matter is the dry sump 997cc liquid cooled, four valves per cylinder, fuel injected engine.

The choice of a 60-degree layout that sticks two fingers up to the long venerated 90-degree layout is the result of needing a shorter engine to suit the chassis geometry. However, the 60-degree option is not without inherent problems of vibration and size. Aprilia's solution is both effective and innovative. A balance shaft is located next to, and geared to, the crankshaft in order to smooth the out of balance primary forces. This also has its problems in that it results in a torque reaction. The company sited a second balance weight in the rear cylinder head geared to one camshaft and turning at the same rate as the crankshaft. Sounds complicated? Maybe it is, but Aprilia patented the design and it works.

The six-speed gearbox is relatively conventional, but features a mechanism to reduce the possibility of the rear wheel locking on the over-run. When the throttle gets snapped shut, the pressure in the inlet tracts drops and the resultant low pressure gets fed to an air powered servo, which in turn takes some of the pressure off the clutch plates allowing a fraction of slip.

An engine management system that measures everything from throttle position to manifold pressure controls the 51mm throttle bodies, which are fed by cool air taken from the front of the bike and crammed into a large capacity air box.

As far as the chassis goes, we're talking real eye candy here. There's an achingly beautiful twin spar aluminium confection mated to a just as gorgeous swinging arm. Suspension is by 43mm Showa forks up front adjustable for preload, compression and rebound. At the rear there's a ride height adjustable Sachs monoshock that also features preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment.

In terms of progress over the last five years, 2001 saw a major revision of some 200 changes, mostly cosmetic but enough tech ones to make a difference. The engine position was moved to improve handling, while airbox volume was increased and the fuel injection system updated. In addition the head stock angle was opened up half a degree to 25, which increased stability so that the steering damper could be dispensed with.

A new rear shock found its way in to improve ride quality on the road and track, and the brakes scored braided lines and the new 'pad per piston' gold series Brembos.

On the road
Despite being quite tall with a seat height of 825mm, unlike a lot of other sports bikes the riding position isn't too bad, although a long ride at our brain draining speed limits will have the back and wrists screaming and the rider glad to get off. The fact is that, just like all sports bikes, the RSV is not built for dragging its sorry self around and needs to get up into its performance envelope to start to work well.

Once there it all comes together superbly. A combination of light-weight wheels and fairly wide bars makes dropping into bends or tightening line mid corner simplicity itself. Once over at whatever angle you feel like, it feels stuck to the bitumen. The chassis and suspension have a nice integrated and harmonious feel about them that communicates well and makes the rider feel confident in what the bike is capable of.

Honda has realised the importance of chassis communication and engineered flex into the latest CBR600RR. In the same spirit, the RSV talks like a raceday commentator letting you know exactly what's happening at all points of contact.

Although from factory fresh the suspension hardens up very quickly over back road bumps, a fiddle with the adjusters makes a difference and easing off the compression allows the suspension to use the wheel travel to ride the humps and bumps without pitching the rider into a genital retrieval unit.

Viewed on paper, the engine isn't making huge numbers by the standards of the latest tackle from Japan. The truth is that 130PS is more than enough for some serious hi-jinks and probably more than enough for most people if they're really honest with themselves.

Where the RSV really shines is in its ability to drive hard out of corners and the power delivery is smooth. Despite being fuel injected, it doesn't translate as being sudden and snatchy like some others, and feels willing to rev out without giving any indication of stress. This is a good thing as it allows the rider to work the chassis and tyres, with the net result being you can jump on the gas with impunity before jumping on the brakes to lay it over yet again.

Talking of brakes, the Mille comes fitted with a pair of 320mm discs gripped by four piston differential bore calipers up front, and a 220mm unit with twin piston caliper at the back. This combination does a fine job of arresting the bike and has excellent feel and power.

In the workshop
In terms of warranty work performed on new models, Aprilia has a smaller dollar per unit spend than the big Japanese manufacturers. Surprised? I was too, but Aprilia claims that it's true and that when it comes to build quality and reliability an Aprilia warranty claim form seldom sees the light of day.

Certainly in the research carried out for this Hindsight, there were no supportable instances of any problems with the Mille associated with mechanics or finish. This being the case, when buying a used Aprilia V twin the usual advice applies.

Make sure it hasn't been crashed. The nature of the beast means that it will probably have done a track day or two, so check the bike over for any signs of damage. Note down any parts that show witness marks or damage, as like all high end products, parts can be expensive and replacing even small parts will quickly add to the cost.

Make sure that the bike has a service history. Once again from the research it would appear that just about all Aprilia owners pay to have the servicing done. That's not to say that basic changes of oils and filters can't be done by the average owner/rider but it bodes well for future buyers of second-hand machines.

Servicing periods are every 7500km. Every second being a major that takes about four hours. Average costs are about $350 for minor and $450 for a major, including parts.

Check the front end for play in the steering head and wheel bearings. Also check that the front wheel runs true and doesn't have any signs of damage. The wheels on the RSV are very, very light and, given the bike's propensity to stand up on its back wheel, it might have a had a hard landing or two in its life. If it was me, I'd be having a careful look at the type of rider selling the bike and getting a feel for whether or not he or she would be the sort to abuse it.

Check the wheel alignment and make sure you have a good test ride to get a feel for whether the bike turns easily in both directions. If it steers one way easier than the other, it may be bent.

Lastly, before putting your hard earned wedge into the hand of someone else, make sure you get any standard parts that may have been changed over at some point.

Modifications
Despite the RSV having plenty of power as standard, most owners will look to improve the performance by adding aftermarket exhausts and a new remapped chip. Aprilia does its own kit, which is supposedly for track use only. Fitting will allegedly see an increase of up to 10PS. Because the initial purchase price is quite high, the kinds of buyers are often the sort to spend up on higher spec suspension components like Ohlins forks or steering damper. This can be great news for second-hand buyers but can mean that values jump around a bit. Frankly I'd be looking for a standard RSV as, disregarding tyres, in all truth I can't think of anything I'd do to improve it.

Summary
The Aprilia RSV Mille is a brilliant sports motorcycle with enough exclusivity to make it special. It is arguably a more practical buy than a Ducati but still costs a lot to buy whether new or second-hand. However, if you have to have an exotic Italian thoroughbred and you just can't stand red, you need an Aprilia.

Source bikepoint.ninemsn.com