2002 Aprilia RSV Mille review from New Zealand

It is too early in my ownership to comment on the reliability.

The standard exhaust is a big ugly looking thing, but there are several alternatives on the market that will slip on and not require a new chip.

No issues to date.

Twins are really my thing, previous Ducati ownership, VTR 1000's and now an Aprilia RSV.

The RSV is far and away the most fun bike I have owned.

Cornering is predictable, and requires only steady pressure on the bars to tip in and hold a line. My boot sliders already need to be replaced.

260Km on Sunday and my butt was hardly protesting. This surprised me as the seat looked hard and VERY unforgiving.

To be fair, the thought of a long tour at 100kph has me shuddering at the thought, but fanging it hard through my favourite mountain roads, the seat is just fine.

The riding position is not for the faint hearted. It is in the "head down-ass up" category more common on Japanese superbike in line 4's.

The bike has nice touches, like inbuilt lap timer, adjustable redline and max speed.

The EFI works well with no realflat spots in the power delivery, (which is very linear) The bike will chuff a bit if you try to pull away in the wrong gear, especially below 3500 rpm.

However once you hit 5000 RPM, the power comes on strongly with a nice secondary kick at 7000 rpm.

There is not much point in revving above 10000RPM, as the power drops off after about 9500.

If you like heaps of torque, great top end and a wide power band to play with, check out an Aprilia, you won't be disappointed.

Tech info. 130hp, 102nm, top speed (personally done, 265)