View Full Version : RSV Mille for my SV - yay or nay?
Decisions decisions. Basically, Ive been offered a straight swap - an Aprillia RSV Mille for my SV650.
SV is on a 53 plate and has K&N, Gfroce 3/4 system, snorkle mod, full fairings, set hump and FSH from new. Got newish Avon Storms on at moment too.
Mille is a standard one on an 03 plate. One owner from new same as mine and comes with seat hump too. Not too sure yet on service history but knowing the lad I would imagine its all there from new. Is in very clean standard nick.
Now, I know its easy to say go for the extra power but I just feel bad letting go of my SV. Im going to arrange to borrow the Mille for a weekend or week to give it a good test ride and see if I like it. If I do and the insurance costs arent too much more than my SV I could be tempeted but would appreciate your comments.
JamesMio
22-08-09, 04:31 PM
Do it!
fizzwheel
22-08-09, 04:34 PM
Check out the service history and borrow it for a weekend, then ride your SV again to compare them back to back.
Then make your own mind up, Only way you'll know, if the Millie is tidy and been well looked after I see no reason not to.
My brother had that shape Milile and had some issues with low oil pressure, Also on a lot of the ones I looked at the sun had got at the Stickers and they had cracked and looked like crazy paving. Also IIRC they have a habit of warping the front disc's as well so make sure you check that out to.
Oh and I moved this into bike talk as its a bit more relevant in here than IB
rusty76
22-08-09, 04:35 PM
Do it man, you only live once
Check out the insurance prices, I found that the RSV seems one of those odditys that are pretty cheap for what you get
Bluefish
22-08-09, 04:53 PM
sounds like a no brainer, if it's in ok condition.
Why does he want to swap? Has he been given a bad trade in value? Or is it that he just wants something a little tamer and cheaper to run?
These are the thing's I'd be asking... if all checks out - why not - nice bit of kit.
The guy who owned it (Tim) got a new Mille after a getting a cash windfall. He gave the 03 one to his brother in law (Russ) who has a bike workshop as a thank you for all the help over the years and because he needed a new bike. However, Russ isnt getting on with it really after falling in love and doing up his Gixxer 1000. Plus Russ wants something to potter to and from work on in the winter - my SV!
Ive not had a good proper look over it yet, but from what Ive seen and heard about it so far, its been pretty well looked after. Im definitely going to get it for a test ride. Thats already been agreed. I just need to sort out insurance and give it a proper looking over.
fastdruid
22-08-09, 05:24 PM
Personally I wouldn't own any Aprilia as an 'only' bike, fantastic bikes, very pretty but Aprilia's spares can be shocking, both in price and how long they take to get even some common parts.
You might be lucky but my experience and that of a couple of other Ex-Aprilia owners I know has been their parts setup is awful.
If you're prepared to run the risk of being without a bike for months while waiting for parts then go for it.
Druid
ThEGr33k
22-08-09, 05:28 PM
Wouldnt worry about service history too much tbh. These engines are bullet proof, change the oil and filter every 4-5K miles and it wont let you down. Just make sure its not got any major issues, which would be apparent after a good ride, same as any bike realy. I say if you can live with the seating position then it should be great and you'll probably love it :)
Oh a note. If the engine feels snatchy at low rev's it needs the throttle bodies setting up. Other than that enjoy!
Parts arnt so bad as people make out either. Between Ebay and www.yorkshireaprilia.com you'll do fine and should never gone wrong for spares. Just dont damage the fairing, those can cost a bit... but then thats just like any other bike.
The guy who owned it (Tim) got a new Mille after a getting a cash windfall. He gave the 03 one to his brother in law (Russ) who has a bike workshop as a thank you for all the help over the years and because he needed a new bike. However, Russ isnt getting on with it really after falling in love and doing up his Gixxer 1000. Plus Russ wants something to potter to and from work on in the winter - my SV!
Ive not had a good proper look over it yet, but from what Ive seen and heard about it so far, its been pretty well looked after. Im definitely going to get it for a test ride. Thats already been agreed. I just need to sort out insurance and give it a proper looking over.
Sounds pretty good to me. If you like it when you ride it. Then go for it.
Wouldnt worry about service history too much tbh. These engines are bullet proof, change the oil and filter every 4-5K miles and it wont let you down. Just make sure its not got any major issues, which would be apparent after a good ride, same as any bike realy. I say if you can live with the seating position then it should be great and you'll probably love it :)
Oh a note. If the engine feels snatchy at low rev's it needs the throttle bodies setting up. Other than that enjoy!
Parts arnt so bad as people make out either. Between Ebay and www.yorkshireaprilia.com (http://www.yorkshireaprilia.com) you'll do fine and should never gone wrong for spares. Just dont damage the fairing, those can cost a bit... but then thats just like any other bike.
The nearest Aprillia main dealer to me is Rocket Centre in Blackburn so hopefully parts should be OK to get from them, should I need them. I'll bear the link you sent in mind though too.
check it's had the reg rec mod done and clutch mod done.
go and have a look HERE (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12) for more details.
if all ok, then yes DEFO do it Mark.
Is that the Jet 40 mod for the clutch?
fastdruid
22-08-09, 08:25 PM
Parts arnt so bad as people make out either.
Not my experience and not those from the Aprilia forum either, one of a selection:
Yep the same here, doesn't matter which dealer, they do not have any stock.
Radiator = 2,5 months waiting.
Front discs = 4 weeks
oil gasket ring = still not delivered, waiting already 2 weeks.
right clutch cover = 4 weeks
ignition key = 2 months
Delivery times when i had an RSV Mille.
Parts for fairing after a crash = 4 months
Decall set = 6 months
Gorgeous bikes, fantastic handling but the spares situation and my experience puts me off owning another. If as I said you are prepared that your bike *might* (some people have obviously never had a problem) be off the road for what might be months then go for it.
Druid
timwilky
22-08-09, 10:26 PM
My brother had an 03 mille.
whilst low mileage we did find one problem
https://www.apriliayorkshire.co.uk/pictures/52275206.gif
The bolts (20) were loose, therefore the cush drive carrier (4) moved back and forward as the bike accelerated/decelerated. This enlarged the hole the dowel pin (18) sat in. Torquing them correctly did help, but you knew the damage was done.
petevtwin650
22-08-09, 11:05 PM
My brother had an 03 mille.
The bolts (20) were loose, therefore the cush drive carrier (4) moved back and forward as the bike accelerated/decelerated. This enlarged the hole the dowel pin (18) sat in. Torquing them correctly did help, but you knew the damage was done.
To be fair Tim, a previous owner could have fiddled with them. Or not.
I'd go for it providing it's in as good a condition as you think it is.
timwilky
22-08-09, 11:11 PM
Pete
I agree, he got the bike with about 3500 miles on it. One previous owner who from his garage did not appear to be a fiddler. full of clutter, but few tools.
we struggled to find the cause of the jerking, at first suspecting a seized chain link. being able to move the sprocket back/forth I then thought the cush bushes. when I pulled off the sprocket/carrier it was obvious all bolts were loose
Is that the Jet 40 mod for the clutch?
don't know whats is called, Google says what I think it is, but it's not essential.
Lol, I did the opposite. I swapped my 03 RSV-Mille for an 05 SV! It was the best biking decision I've made in a long time. For me the Mille was just too big, and I don't really mean the engine size. The bike is a big machine, with a high centre of gravity and very heavy. Also parts are both extremely expensive and difficult to get hold of. I had a small crash with only costmetic damage to the lower fairing, cracked the front nose cone and snapped the cluth lever. The repair bill was £3650!
When did you cause the cosmetic damage? Only reason I ask is that I was looking on Ebay last night at parts and there was bodywork galore on there. Maybe its just as they are getting older now, theres more parts availabel from breakers etc.
ThEGr33k
23-08-09, 11:29 AM
The RSV is certainly a sports bike. It not really something you want if your doing a lot of commuting... Though the one I tried did have a few more issues :(
Dangerous Dave
23-08-09, 04:24 PM
www.yorkshireaprilia.com
Not everything from here is what they say it is, a part in an Aprilia labelled back doesn't mean it is a genuine part.
The RSV's are great bikes, by far the best bikes in their range and the original shape/chassis RSV's are still the best ones to get in my opinion.
Despite what people say parts are easily available, assuming you are after a consumable part. Anything else is a bugger to get hold of, ranging from brake pedals to clutch levers and especially if it has to be ordered in. This is something Aprilia have been working on since '99, so far they have yet to improve.
I think I need to organise a couple of days insurance on the Mille and take it for a ride to find out if I like it or not. Thats going to be the acid test. Its the last of the original shaped ones on an 03 plate and I much prefer the looks at least of the newer ones, but looks aside, Id like to see how it handles, power etc etc.
Dangerous Dave
23-08-09, 04:55 PM
Old ones feel a little top heavy at first, the rider is sat high and over the bike rather than lower and in the bike on the newer shape. Older ones also have more reliable engines, Gr33k should agree as the Falco's share the earlier engine.
You will get used to it, as you know only a thorough test ride can determine if the bike suits your riding style and riding needs. Who cares what we say, it is your choice to make...
I agree with you Dave but its always good to get other peoples opinions and experiences too.
ThEGr33k
23-08-09, 08:58 PM
indeed danger dave. The earlier engines were the hand made ones so are good. I can't agree that the RSV is the best bike in the range though he he. But tbh my bike is so similar its practically the same... Just the sl is perhaps the more comfortable one.
DarrenChay
24-08-09, 11:03 AM
I was close to changing the SV to an RSV recently too.
I thought the insurance would be high, but even with 9 points and only riding just over a year, it was surprisingly good.
The point about the stickers getting sun/wind damaged is a good point, as this is the only thing that put me off the 01 bike I was looking at, but I suppose replacement decals wouldnt be too expensive.
Because the RSV is physically a bigger bike than the SV it suited me well as i'm more, shall we say 'well fed'!
I'd be interested what you thought after borrowing it for a weekend, so post up.
cheers
Daz
Geoffrey
24-08-09, 11:24 AM
The point about the stickers getting sun/wind damaged is a good point, as this is the only thing that put me off the 01 bike I was looking at, but I suppose replacement decals wouldnt be too expensive.
you could simply remove them altogether, this is what my son did with his rs125
Daz, as soon as Ive ridden it I'll let you know what I think. Im more on the "well fed" side too!
DarrenChay
25-08-09, 08:06 PM
Daz, as soon as Ive ridden it I'll let you know what I think. Im more on the "well fed" side too!
lol :p
Good man.
I'm wondering if fate is talking to me, seeing your thread right at the time i'm thinking of it, then opening my copy of this months Bike magazine and there being a spread about RSVs!!!!
Coincidence? I wonder!:shock:
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