rsv mille r vs. rc51

[rawdil49]

i was going to buy an rc51. then i saw that the rsv mille r is in the same price range. which one should i buy and what are the differences?

[beansoup]

Their capabilities exceed the riding skills of most riders. So, buy the one that moves you. The fact that you're even asking about the Aprilia says that you're capable of considering something besides the default choice. You know what you want to do; go do it.

[stoneflylama]

I consider the RC 51 about equal to the regular (non R) Mille. The Mille "R" with the Ohlins shock and forks, OZ wheels, etc. is quite a big step up in equipment from the RC or regular Mille. You can likely find a used Mille R for close to a used RC51 or a regular Mille cheaper than an RC. For all the top-end components on a used Mille R they certainly are a steal in the used bike market. It takes alot of $$$ to upgrade a RC to get it close to a Mille R although the RC might be a little stronger in the HP dept.

[Badmojo]

I sold my RC-51 for my '00 Mille R. No comparison. Out of the box, the suspension on the RC is crap. I dumped tons of cash essentially trying to turn my RC into a Mille. Finally, I just sold the darned thing and bought one. I couldn't be happier. It's the first bike I've ever had that I don't feel like I need to change anything on.

[NorCalRSVR]

It's the first bike I've ever had that I don't feel like I need to change anything on.

I'll second that. I don't feel the need to change a thing about the Mille R. It's plenty fast enough for me and handles better than anything I've ever ridden. I'll also second the thoughts about all the top shelf components on the Mille. Far more bang for buck than anything else on the market. That said, the RC-51 is faster on top, in my opinion but where are you going to see that? Truthfully I like both bikes but the Mille R is definitely a step up in both quality and style. That, and you'll hardly ever have the "which one is mine" experience when parked at a motorcycle event.....sean

[Ricky J]

When your average RC51 owner beholds a finely cared for RSV do all those World Superbike wins and championships make up for the hollow feeling in his stomach?

For his sake I hope so.

[rawdil49]

just as expected everyone on the rc51 forum says the rc51 is better and everyone on the aprilia forum says the rsv is better

[Badmojo]

As a former RC51 owner, I used to frequent the RC51 boards. Back in those days, they used to tell you to ride 'em and decide for yourself...

Whatever they tell you, a gajillion dollars into the suspension on an RC-51 will not a Mille R make. I know. I've been there. The steering was way sluggish and heavy next to the Mille.

[GeoR]

Originally posted by rawdil49
just as expected everyone on the rc51 forum says the rc51 is better and everyone on the aprilia forum says the rsv is better

Chassis: The first version of the RC51 (SP1) had suspension problems front and rear. The second version (SP-2) is much better and damn close to my 01 Mille in the chassis dept - the Honda still lacks rear height adjustment, but it's pretty good out of the box. The Prilia is the only one with a slipper clutch (sweet).

Riding position: the Honda is much more compact, your head is over the windscreen and you can't see that silly Corvette styled tach. ergos are better for smaller guys. the seat is crap.

The mille is more stretched out, reach to the bars can be a strech for smaller guys, same goes for seat height. Seat ain't bad.
Weather protection is much better on the prilias.

Gearbox and brakes, both are excellent IMO.

Motors: The RC has a lot more on top, but the gearing is just stupid for the street, You got to go at least +2 at the rear and there's still no right rations for around town. That bike hates to "lugged' around town but there's no choice. The FI is an on/off switch, you better always be throttle ON in the corners. The Honda also runs VERY hot, 30-40 degrees hotter than the Aprilia out of the box, but going richer with a techlusion fi box helps to make that problem (almost) go away.
The prilia ('01) always wins easily in roll ons, the honda rider needs to downshift at least two gears to get going - but when he does the RC goes! The Prilia has a larger tank and gets some 3-6 mpg more so it has a good deal longer range.

The RC are common you see them everywhere, but at least it's (much) easier to get parts for. Dollar wise the prilia cost more initially, but by the time you end up buying all the must have stuff for the Honda it's break even.

Strangely the mille is much closer to the character of what a tricked out Superhawk would be than Honda's own RC51.
The RC51 is the twin that feels closest to a 4 cylinder bike.

[MikeSchinkel]

Originally posted by rawdil49
i was going to buy an rc51. then i saw that the rsv mille r is in the same price range. which one should i buy and what are the differences?

Have you actually sat and/or ridden both of them? After just sitting on an Aprilia, I found it nearly impossible to consider a japanese bike.

To be fair, I was comparing a 2003 Tuono and a 2003 SV1000. You can see from my sig what I purchased.

OTOH, I'd like to have an RC51 some day to see what all the hype is about.

[Ricky J]

Which color would you buy? The silver and red one or the silver and red one? Personally I find the silver and red one sexier than the silver and red one.

[Enemy Zero]

I went through this same thing before buying my Mille R. I was going to buy an RC51 because I was afraid I'd never be able to afford an Aprilia. I got a hold of my Mille cheap so I couldn't pass it up. I have a friend with an RC51 and it is a nice bike. I like the fact that it is going to be pretty much bullet proof as all japanese bikes pretty much are. But I like the smoothness and raw power delivery of my Aprilia. The RC also feels very sluggish turning as compared to my Mille. Where the Aprilia begs to be flung around corner to corner, you have to wrestle the RC into it's place. All in all, it's going to be what you like and what makes you feel more. Go with your gut and buy the one you like best.

[MDRSV]

I had the same decision to make in June. I went with the RSV. For a tall person it just fit. I went back and forth for about an hour....but honestly, the first time I sat on the RSV I was hooked.....I had to have it. I now have 4500 miles on it.... Just last sunday, I had four people come up to me as I was getting gas or some hot tea on my weekend riding loop and comment on how nice it looks. And these were not cycle people.

[Smoke Eater]

I was actually looking at an RC51 yesterday. A left over at a good price but I decided against it. Not because its a bad bike but its too close to my Mille. I was thinking about it as a track bike but there is too much that I would need to do to it. The radiators for example need to be moved in front to keep it from overheating and the HRC kit is expensive.

I think you'll find that the people on this forum are more knowledgable about other makes and models. The people on the RC forum probably have never seen or ridden an Aprilia. One of the nice things about an Aprilia is that everyone wants to ride it so you get to try alot of others. I've swapped out for Ducati, MV Agustas, Hayabusas, and a sweet old Velocette.

Most of us here actually wrench our own bikes too.

You can't go wrong with either choice.

[vito]

but the rc51 will go 205, right?