Yamaha or Aprilia

[moon patrol87]

I cant seem to make up my mind. I have read every damn thing there is on the 03 R1, R6 and Mille R. I really want the v-twin power and sound. Yet I can get almost the same performance for 10grand less with the R6. I am definitely perfomance oriented and not so concerned with hooliganism. So I am here to get convinced by all of you loyal owners why I should go ahead and buy the 03 mille R. What kind of costs are associated with the maintenance of this bike?

[red01kyrsvrider]

Guy, Here is the deal. I just came off a 00 R6 with 20k. I had it set up with all the good stuff. It was bad for what it was. I got tired of ragging it out to get the money. The Mille is in the money from 4k-redline, plus nothing imo sounds better, except for the Mille with a dual system. Go with the Mille now, or you'll be taking a loss when you do it later on. Trust me. You will not regret it. The Mille is SO SMOOTH! Maintenance is nothing but a thing. If you do the regular maintenance you should not have any unwelcome issues. Use Motul 5100 15W-50 semi-syn. oil and a good filter and you'll be good to go. GO FOR IT!

Darrin

[r100gs]

If you are concerned about money get the R6. If not, browse the board and I think you will come to the obvious decision: Mille. By the way, the R1 is a nice bike, but V-twin power,not.

[shanuff]

I agree with the two riders that responded before me. And I would like to add that riding for the sheer enjoyment of it can be done on all three of the bikes you mentioned. However when you're through for the day and you're about to turn off the lights in your garage and let your chosen steed rest. Will you look at either of the UJM's and get goose pimples up and down you spine. Night after night, weekend after weekend?

I think not!!! Next question?

[y2kmille]

I say mille. It is that simple. You say why? Because most others don't understand what it is like to ride a Mille. You might very well like the Yamaha, but you will always go back out to the garage for one more look before you go to bed with a smile so big it hurts!!!

[angrybobr1]

Coming off an R1 prior to the Mille, I have to say there is a difference. The R1 had much more straight line Hp no doubt as well as top end pull. However, the Mille R is much easier to ride fast on the track or the twisties.

(Disclaimer: No experience with the R6 whatsoever...my guess the R6 is the best for exclusive track use).

If you are concerned about the $$$ as I was, consider one that is a year or two old. The 01/02 R's I have seen for around $10-$12k.

Between the R1 and the Mille there is no comparison to the details. I have owned Japanese bikes my whole life (about 20 of them), but that said they are plain. The adjustability that comes on the Mille cannot be matched - hand levers, foot levers, and the Ohlins since you are considering the R model.

I had a ton of chassis work and aftermarket parts on my R1 (<a href="http://members.cox.net/angrybob/99r1.htm" target="top">R1 Mods / Photos</a>) and in did not handle as well as my previous standard Mille.

There is also an excellent feeling about NOT seeing the guy next to you at a light with the same bike.

Good luck.

[ducatiwv]

I have both....wouldn't trade my Mille R for 2 R1's.....

[rsvmiller1]

What a coincidence... I have both an R1 and Mille R too :rollin:

[MilleR R1 R6]

Talking about coincidences.... i have a 2001 MilleR, a 2002 R1 and a 2000 R6 just for the track :D :evil:

As for the question... a don't know... i mean the MilleR is the ONE i like best, it's a visceral twin and have that looks, but if you are only going to use the bike on the street i would go for the R1.
Don't flame me guys.

[AlphaAuriga]

I've had an R6 an now have an RSVR.

I've always said for the street, nothing beats a Big V-Twin. Thats why even before I bought my RSVR I had (still have a Ducati Monster) and really enjoyed my TLR. Lots of mid-range grunt for tooling around town and playing in the canyons.

However, If I were to buy one today for the track, hands down it'd be the R6. IMO, the best trackbike around. Yamaha somehow managed to find the perfect balance between weight, hp, and exceptional handling. The R6 is so easy to go fast on.

[RVZoo]

As an Engineer I always try to stay within measurable, quantifiable parameters. But there are some things that are just not so.
Why drooling over an '84 Ferrari Testarossa when there are some Japanese new cars that can outperform it in almost any area? Why spending thousands of dollars on a classic car when new cars offer so much more reliability and performance for a lot less money? Why would anybody buy a new, more expensive, BMW over a new, more equipment loaded, Japanese car?
There are some "feelings", some "tastes" that cannot be captured by numbers or spec sheets. If you only jump on the thing and go without much of an involvement, get one of the Yamahas.
If you are interested and able in going a little bit further, in experience that mythical symbiosis with the machine, go for the Mille. That very thing (I'm talking about the symbiosis) could very well make you a much better, safer and faster rider.

Greetings.

[Smoke Eater 41]

I too have had Yamahas and now Aprilias. The Yamaha is a good motorcycle. The Aprilia has a soul.

[BigBellyBoy]

I to had this dilemma,get the Mille you will be very happy I bought mine on the 19th and I've only put 500 miles on it and it's been the best 500 miles I've ever ridden.:rollin:

[King Atlas]

I have a Tuono & an R6 (wifey's) in the garage and have owned R1's in the past. After my first 1100 miles on the Tuono, I know what these guys are saying about the intangible qualities ("soul") of the Aprilia v-twin.

If you plan to go the economical route, I'd recommend the R6 over the R1. Less vibration/smoother ride. Fast enough and you can throw it around through the twisties 10 times easier than the R1.

[RVZoo]

I forgot to mention: I own a (somehow old) Yamaha myself: '93 YZF750SP. I do love my Yam! :D
Its just another kind of biking experience. Good luck. :smokin:

[moon patrol87]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and experiences. I simply have to wait and see what kind of deal the financer is going to offer. If its a good one "Hello Mille R"! :