The Aprilia RSV Mille was a sport motorcycle built by the Italian maker Aprilia from 1998 to 2003, powered by a 998 cc 60-degree V-twin made by Rotax. From 2004 the bike was renamed RSV 1000 R and stayed in production until 2010.
Aprilia RSV Mille and RSV 1000 R at a glance
| Production | RSV Mille 1998–2003; RSV 1000 R 2004–2010 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 998 cc 60-degree V-twin, built by Rotax, liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts per bank |
| Power (1998 bike) | 128 hp at 9,250 rpm (Italian Wikipedia) |
| Ignition and fuel | Twin Spark ignition, one injector per cylinder |
| Frame | aluminium twin-beam frame |
| Versions | RSV Mille, Mille R, Mille SP; RSV 1000 R, R Factory, R Nera |
| Superbike racing | World Superbike from 1999 to 2002; best result third place for Troy Corser in 2000 |
| Replaced by | RSV 1000 R (2004), later the RSV4 |
The Italian page says the RSV 1000 name was used until 2008, while English Wikipedia gives 2010 as the last year of the RSV 1000 R; both ranges are shown above.
History of the Aprilia RSV Mille and RSV 1000 R
The Mille was conceived in 1993 but reached production only five years later, in 1998. Aprilia wanted to enter the segment of large sports motorcycles, then dominated by Japanese makers, with Ducati as the main exception and MV Agusta joining in 1997. It was the first big-displacement bike from a company that had until then built engines of up to 250 cc.
At first the Mille was meant as a compromise between a sports bike and a touring bike, aimed at the Honda VFR; only later did Aprilia turn it into an extreme sports machine. The RSV Mille also began a family: the RST 1000 Futura sport-tourer used its engine, and the SL 1000 Falco, aimed at the Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm, used a slightly modified one. The same engine went unmodified into the Tuono.
Updates, 2001–2003
In 2001 the fairing was restyled with wind deflectors, the fuel tank became plastic (with a smaller capacity) and the rear shock was revised. In 2002 the front brakes changed to Brembo Monobloc four-pad calipers, with a separate pad for each piston. In 2003 the gearbox got closer ratios, the exhaust was changed and the tail piece and front mudguard were redesigned.
RSV 1000 R, 2004–2010
From 2004 the Mille was replaced by the RSV-R and RSV-R Factory, and the name was changed to RSV 1000 R. In the new naming, plain RSV 1000 R is the standard bike and the Factory is the higher-spec version. In 2006 the RSV 1000 R Factory won the Maxisport category of the Masterbike contest and was named overall Masterbike of the year.
Design and features
- Engine: a 997.62 cc 60-degree V-twin built by Rotax, with four valves per cylinder driven by two overhead camshafts per bank, Twin Spark ignition and electronic multipoint injection.
- Vibration control: twin counter-balance shafts (AVDC, an Aprilia patent) to damp the vibrations of the V-twin.
- Clutch: hydraulic control and a mechanical anti-hop device, the PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch), which the Italian page says made the RSV the first production bike with such a device.
- Frame: an inclined aluminium twin-beam frame, light and stiff.
- Lubrication: a double trochoidal oil pump.
Aprilia RSV Mille and RSV 1000 R versions
- RSV Mille (1998): the standard bike; the first RSV Mille (ME) ran until 2000, the updated RP version from 2001 to 2002 and a last update in 2003.
- RSV Mille R (1999): a lighter, higher-spec version with Öhlins suspension and steering damper, forged aluminium wheels, a carbon-fibre front mudguard and a shorter single-seat subframe.
- RSV Mille SP (1999): a homologation special for Superbike racing, 150 built, with a special short-stroke engine developed with Cosworth.
- Haga and Edwards Replicas (2002, 2003): 300 RSV Mille R Haga Replicas in 2002 with a circuit kit; in 2003 an Edwards Replica with a livery inspired by the Aprilia RS Cube MotoGP bike.
- RSV 1000 R Factory (2004): Öhlins rear shock and steering damper, blue anodised forged wheels, black or gold frame and carbon parts.
- RSV 1000 R Nera: a limited edition of 200 with carbon bodywork, magnesium wheels and a titanium exhaust; 175 kg, 139 hp (104 kW) at 10,000 rpm.
More Aprilia motorcycles are in our Aprilia collection, for example the SL1000 Falco, the RST 1000 Futura, the Tuono and the RSV4.
Aprilia RSV Mille and RSV 1000 R questions and answers
When was the Aprilia RSV Mille built?
From 1998 to 2003; from 2004 the bike was sold as the RSV 1000 R.
What engine does it have?
A 998 cc 60-degree V-twin made by Rotax, the same engine as in the Tuono and, slightly modified, in the SL1000 Falco.
How much power does the first RSV Mille make?
The Italian page gives 128 hp at 9,250 rpm for the 1998 bike.
What does SP mean in RSV Mille SP?
Sport Production: a version built in 1999 to homologate the bike for the Superbike World Championship, 150 units.
What is the difference between RSV 1000 R and Factory?
The Factory has fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock and steering damper, blue anodised forged wheels and carbon parts.
Video: APRILIA RSV 1000 R FACTORY SOUND.
Video by recomendaorsv on YouTube.
Sources
- Aprilia RSV Mille, English Wikipedia: versions, history, replicas
- Aprilia RSV 1000 R, English Wikipedia: RSV 1000 R, Factory and Nera
- Aprilia RSV 1000, Italian Wikipedia: background, engine details, racing
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