Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2000 Aprilia RSV Mille R. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
First released in 1999, the RSV Mille marked Aprilia’s first foray into the big-bore superbike market. The model was well-received, touted for being exotic yet still more affordable than Ducati’s 996, while offering reliability more on par with V-Twins like Honda’s RC51 or Suzuki’s TL1000R.
Drawing from experience born out of the Italian firm’s race program — specifically its 250 GP machines — Aprilia bestowed the V-Twin literbike with an array of trick competition-derived features like its box-section aluminum-alloy twin-spar frame and double banana swingarm.
Powering the Mille was a liquid-cooled, 997cc, four-stroke, 60-degree, longitudinal, V-Twin with double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and electronic fuel injection. Produced by Austrian engine outfit, Rotax, the Mille’s mill made a claimed 130 hp at 9,500 rpm and 74 ft-lbs of torque at 5,500 rpm. The motor was also markedly more reliable than that of Aprilia’s Italian competitors. To lessen the 60-degree twin’s proclivity for immense vibration — especially when nearing its 170+ mph top speed — the RSV’s engine utilized an Anti-Vibration Double Countershaft system.
Produced from 1999 through 2003, the RSV Mille was offered in three variants; the base model, the homologation special SP version (or Sport Production); and the R-spec. The R-spec got upgraded forged aluminum rims, a shorter subframe, carbon fiber fenders, and the standard 43mm Showa fork and Sachs mono-shock were replaced by top-shelf Ohlins units. Braking duties went to dual 320mm discs pinched by four-pot calipers.
This particular RSV Mille R (VIN: 2D4MEE117YS000086) is from 2000 and it has approximately 1,400 miles on the odometer.
The bike is currently equipped with the Aprilia Racing SP Titanium shotgun-style exhaust (stock unit included).
The OEM starter relay has been replaced with a Yamaha unit – a popular improvement that replaces the stock part and improves reliability. In addition, a previous owner installed a steel fuel tank as the OEM nylon tank was known to expand over time. The original tank will be included with sale. The steel tank had some marks in it, so we had the small imperfections fixed and the tank repainted – it now shows as new.
In addition, the bike was throwing some codes so we replaced the fuel pump and did a full fuel system flush.
This bike’s California registration is expired, but the seller will pay to bring it current for any California buyer.
Offering the exotic appeal of a turn-of-the-millennium-era Italian V-Twin superbike, at a surprisingly reasonable price — especially for used examples — the RSV Mille R is one of motorcycling’s best-kept secrets. Austrian power, Swedish suspenders, Italian chassis, and style, what more could you possibly ask for?
