RSV Mille buying advice?

[phatwheels]

Got an opportunity to buy an Aprilia RSV Mille (2002) at a good price, but I've heard stories about electrical probs and parts been a pain in the ass.

Anyone got any advice or experience with this bike?

[stuR]

Not personally but do a search on here, people always commenting on bits that arent so great, one guy saying he has to charge the battery overnight every night IIRC?

[Biker Biggles]

Ten year old Italian bike.Eyes wide open,wallet firmly closed and see what you can get.

[phatwheels]

Just searched like you recommended n I think I'd be crazy to swap the SV for the aprilia. I do a lot of commuting n it sounds like itd be a nightmare...

Especially with parts. I can't have the bike sat for months while I wait for those Italians to get off their **** n post out parts. Public transport would destroy me.

Surely there must be some online store for aprilia parts without having to wait months!?

[stuR]

Im not sure but i say better the devil you know. In my opinion its often unwise to buy something such as a bike on a whim, even if it seems a 'deal'. If you really want something, that may outweigh the hassles of ownership and itll be a worthy buy. On the other hand, if you did get the rsv and one or more of the problems youve faced came about youd be less than chuffed!

[maviczap]

Didn't we have an exactly similar thread the other week?

[phatwheels]

Yeah same thread, I searched n found it.... After posting this, d'oh

[chris8886]

speak to NTEC he has an rsv if i remember correctly.

[Bagpuss]

If you want a commuting bike and use it around town this is not a bike you want to buy. Slow speed its awful, open it up and get it on some nice sweeping roads and its fantastic.

[Captain Nemo]

i had a tuono, so basically the same,

for not as unreliable as people make out, and parts werent too bad, nothing went wrong on mine really, but theyre heavy on batteries, if they arent fully charged , they can struggle to start and can knack the sprag clutch up,
again, it was hard work in town, tall, top heavy with a heavy clutch, but awesome on the twisties, carp for putting luggage on too

[Bagpuss]

^ everything he said. Great bike but the size, weight and heavy clutch makes them less than ideal commuter. I had to buy a new battery as it was struggling even though the charger said it was ok.

[NTECUK]

A Gen one is a bit of a beast .
look at its history regards generator wiring .
uprated starter solinoied .
The clutch is heavy.
the weights at the top.
it's never going to match an sv in town.
I'm faster on tight twisties on the zx6.
get it on a fast sweeping A Roads (with no supervised speed limits)or a track day it's at home .
As a second bike or week end fun its a good tool.
Get a factory .

[jetfish]

I had one, nemo is spot on about the battery/clutch situation. You need a trickle charger to keep on top. They have terrible side stand switches which cuts the engine out when you dont want it to. This is easily sorted just go on the rsv forum and i think theres info. Not good round town but fantastic on the twisties, engine is superb made by rotax i believe.

If you can get over the electrics then you will be pleased to bits.

[phatwheels]

I do a **** load of commuting in slow traffic/filtering so wouldnt be ideal then as an only bike. Ah man I wish I could afford to keep the SV for the daily slog n buy the rsv for the weekends, but that ain't gonna happen!