Aprilia RSV Mille
Encyclopedia
The Aprilia RSV Mille was a sport motorcycle
manufactured by Aprilia
from 1998 to 2003. It was offered in three versions, RSV Mille, RSV Mille R, and RSV Mille SP.
The first RSV Mille (ME) was made from 1998 to 2000, the updated RSV Mille (RP) from 2001 to 2002 and the last update was made in 2003.
With a 998 cc 60-degree V-twin engine built by the Austrian company Rotax
, the RSV Mille was the first large displacement motorcycle made by Aprilia
that up to then had made up to 250cc engines. This same engine was used unmodified in the Tuono
and in slightly modified form in the SL1000 Falco
.
The Mille featured a type of slipper clutch
, which worked by using a vacuum on a closed throttle from the inlet manifold to give the effect of slipper clutch, but only on a closed throttle.
In 2002, the front brake calipers were changed to Brembo
Monobloc 4 pad calipers - each piston having a separate pad gave an increase in braking performance and feel.
In 2003, the gear ratios were changed to give a slightly closer ratio gearbox, the exhaust system was changed and the tail piece and front mudguard were redesigned.
From 2004, the Mille was replaced by the RSV-R and RSV-R Factory.
. Only 150 motorcycles, the minimum requirement to homologate the model for Superbike World Championship
, were manufactured in 1999. It uses a special short-stroke version of the 60-degree V-twin engine, developed in collaboration with Cosworth
.
at the Superbike World Championship
and came with a circuit kit, which included a full Akrapovic titanium exhaust system and an Eprom injection unit.
In 2003, an RSV Mille R Edwards Replica with a livery inspired by the Aprilia RS3 Cube
MotoGP motorcycle ridden by Colin Edwards
. as with the Haga replica, the motorcycle came with a circuit kit, which included Akrapovic exhausts, a more pressurised airbox, an Eprom injection unit and 57 mm (instead of 51 mm) throttle bodies.
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
manufactured by Aprilia
Aprilia
Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes...
from 1998 to 2003. It was offered in three versions, RSV Mille, RSV Mille R, and RSV Mille SP.
The first RSV Mille (ME) was made from 1998 to 2000, the updated RSV Mille (RP) from 2001 to 2002 and the last update was made in 2003.
With a 998 cc 60-degree V-twin engine built by the Austrian company Rotax
Rotax
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG , commonly known simply as Rotax, is an Austrian engine manufacturer. It develops and produces four-stroke and advanced two-stroke engines for Bombardier Recreational Products products as well as for motorcycles, karts,...
, the RSV Mille was the first large displacement motorcycle made by Aprilia
Aprilia
Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes...
that up to then had made up to 250cc engines. This same engine was used unmodified in the Tuono
Aprilia Tuono
The Aprilia Tuono was a naked bike motorcycle manufactured by Aprilia from 2002 through 2011. It was based heavily upon the Aprilia RSV Mille and its successor, the Aprilia RSV1000R superbike with which is shares its engine, gearbox, frame and, partly, its suspension...
and in slightly modified form in the SL1000 Falco
Aprilia SL1000 Falco
The Aprilia SL1000 Falco , is a sports motorcycle powered by a liquid-cooled 996 cc 60° V-twin engine, manufactured from 1999 to 2003 by Aprilia in Noale, Italy...
.
The Mille featured a type of slipper clutch
Slipper clutch
A slipper clutch is a specialized clutch developed for performance oriented motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders decelerate as they enter corners....
, which worked by using a vacuum on a closed throttle from the inlet manifold to give the effect of slipper clutch, but only on a closed throttle.
Model History
The first changes were made in 2001 when the fairing was restyled, adding wind deflectors to improve airflow. The fuel tank was changed to a plastic item (with a reduction in capacity), and the rear shock on both the standard and the 'R' models was revised.In 2002, the front brake calipers were changed to Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
Monobloc 4 pad calipers - each piston having a separate pad gave an increase in braking performance and feel.
In 2003, the gear ratios were changed to give a slightly closer ratio gearbox, the exhaust system was changed and the tail piece and front mudguard were redesigned.
From 2004, the Mille was replaced by the RSV-R and RSV-R Factory.
RSV Mille R
The RSV Mille R is a lighter, higher spec. version of the standard Mille, introduced in 1999. It features Öhlins suspension, an Öhlins steering damper, forged aluminum wheels, carbon fibre front mudguard and a shorter subframe for one person use only (no passenger seat).RSV Mille SP
The SP stands for Sport Production and this version was made as a homologation special for the Superbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
. Only 150 motorcycles, the minimum requirement to homologate the model for Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
, were manufactured in 1999. It uses a special short-stroke version of the 60-degree V-twin engine, developed in collaboration with Cosworth
Cosworth
Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries...
.
Replicas
In 2002, Aprilia produced 300 limited edition RSV Mille R Haga Replica. The motorcycle has the same livery as the bike used by Noriyuki HagaNoriyuki Haga
, is a Japanese professional motorcycle racer. Haga has been runner-up in the Superbike World Championship three times, and has finished 3rd in the series four times....
at the Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
and came with a circuit kit, which included a full Akrapovic titanium exhaust system and an Eprom injection unit.
In 2003, an RSV Mille R Edwards Replica with a livery inspired by the Aprilia RS3 Cube
Aprilia RS3 Cube
The RS3 Cube is a prototype race motorcycle that was developed by Aprilia to compete in the 2002 until 2004 MotoGP seasons. It was unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2001 by Aprilia's president, Ivano Beggio, and their race boss, Jan Witteveen...
MotoGP motorcycle ridden by Colin Edwards
Colin Edwards
Colin Edwards II nicknamed the Texas Tornado is an American professional motorcycle racer. He is a two time World Superbike champion and has competed in MotoGP since 2003, now riding for the Yamaha Tech 3 team in the 2011 season.-Early years:At the age of three, his Australian father, Colin...
. as with the Haga replica, the motorcycle came with a circuit kit, which included Akrapovic exhausts, a more pressurised airbox, an Eprom injection unit and 57 mm (instead of 51 mm) throttle bodies.
1998-2003 RSV specifications
All specifications are manufacturer claimed.| Engine | 998 cc, 60 degree longitudinal V-twin, two-cylinder, 4 stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bore/Stroke | 97.0 mm x 67.5 mm | ||
| Compression Ratio | 11.4:1 98-00 11.8:1 01-03 | ||
| Max Power | 130 bhp at 9500 rpm | ||
| Max Torque | 74.5 ft·lbf (101 N·m) at 7250 rpm | ||
| Fuel System | Fuel injection | ||
| Lubrication | dry pan with separate oil tank and cooling radiator | ||
| Ignition | Computer Controlled Digital Electronic | ||
| Transmission | 6-speed, mechanical | ||
| Final Drive | 2.625:1 #525 o-ring chain | ||
| Overall Length | 2070 mm | ||
| Overall Width | 725 mm | ||
| Seat Height | 820 mm | ||
| Wheelbase | 1415 mm | ||
| Dry Weight | 187 kg (183 kg R model) | ||
| Suspension Front | upside down telescopic adjustable forks with spring preload, rebound and compression damping (Showa standard, Öhlins R&T forks on R model) | ||
| Suspension Rear | oscillating rear fork in light alloy with differentiated profile arms and hydropneumatic adjustable mono-shock absorber (Sachs standard, Öhlins shock on R model) | ||
| Brakes Front | double floating 320 mm discs with 4-piston Brembo Brembo Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time... gold calipers |
||
| Brakes Rear | Single 220 mm disc with dual pin Brembo Brembo Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time... gold caliper |
||
| Tires Front | 120/70-ZR17 | ||
| Tires Rear | 190/55-ZR17 | ||
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17 l (35.9 US pt) | ||
External links
- Aprilia RSV 1000 R official site
- Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory official site