Well - I guess the secret's all but complately blown. Mostly 'cause I'm a blabbermouth...
Anyway - I bought (with help - thanks buddy) a 2001 Aprilia Mille RSV-R. It's a track bike, but comes with a clean title (no street bodywork or lights though). 6700 miles, full Akro 2-2 exhaust, PC3 w/custom map, sharkskinz, rearsets... really the full 9 yards. Most people know what I got it for, but I won't publish anything. Let's just say it was a good deal.
Bought it from a friend of Jigs and Tojo - so the history is pretty well known. Great documentation as well.
Took 'er to Grattan this weekend for a shakedown. A few points to follow...
1 - this is the fastest fucking aprilia I've ever ridden. Maybe the same as my '03 on the top end (the '03 had the Cossy heads from the SPR), but has an extremely punchy midrange! Just, WOW.
2 - Mike (the owner before me) was a bigger guy. The suspension was sprung for him... too stiff for me. Will need to sort out over the winter. One thing I always loved about my 03 is that I could get away running it VERY soft, and taht made for lots of grip. I want that back.
3 - Bike is VERY solid handleler (I coppied geometry settings from my 03). Everyone was commenting on how rapidly I was tossing the ole battleax around. It's a GREAT chassis - very trustworthy!.
4 - STILL NOT AS FAST (top end) AS MATT'S 600RR!!!
5 - brakes were kinda poo. Pad change to the good ole SBS Dual Carbon helped a lot - but still need to make the system stiffer (for better feel) over the winter.
6 - Needs clipons (which I actually have as spares from the '03). The bars are wide for an OEM, but not quite wide enough for my liking.
7 - The tires on her were garbage. Spooned on a niceset of Pirellis, which sorted this.
8 - Had trouble with rear traction. The rear didn't hook up as well as I remember. Could be because the spring is too stiff. Will have to reevaluate this after the suspension is sorted.
9 - I need some more seat padding. The superbike tail is like a plank. My ass is still sore (the cheek part, not the hole. Thank you).
All-in-all it's not yet where I want it... but then again what the hell is? I have pretty high standards! The bike is a GREAT ride - seriously bad ass! It's great to be back on a big twin! A great start to what will turn out to be a stomping track bike!
THe RSV-R is a GREAT trackbike. In 2001 or today. Seriously underrated for it's potential!
To answer a few common questions:
-The '01 Aprilia is 'another' track bike. I also look forward to racing it in supertwins next year.
-It is NOT intended to be a replacement for the 600RR
-Yes, the 600RR is for sale. First $10k takes it.
-I had to sell the SV to make the Aprilia deal work.. no hard feelings.
-The superbike rep paintjob came on it...
-I doubt I'll go silly with another decal kit... but they do make them.
Guess that's about it. It's an AWESOME bike. Too bad I have to make choices from here on out, as I feel I have 2 excellent track bikes!
A few pics:
The '01 Aprilia - worst kept secret in Wisconsin biking...
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