Mille vs Rc51

[b00001]

I have been looking at the RC51 for months trying to find the "right" one and came across a '01 Mille. I took it down the street and was pretty impressed. So I am now looking at Aprilia models. My question is a little two-fold.

1. Anyone owned or spent significant time on the RC and Mille ?? Impressions/differences, one stand out in any way from the other?

2. Aprilia Models? Mille and Mille Factory I know, what about the Falco and the Tuono? What are these? Same Motors? De-tuned?

I am looking for a fun bike, some track days, weekend country road riding, maybe a little commuting. Would like to stay below $7k USA

Thanks for any input!

[Aprilia_RSV_Dan]

1. No experience on the RC51 myself, but others seem to say that the power is higher up in the RPM's and not as comfy, for most they'd take a Mille over a RC51.

2.Easy to find the earlier modles for under 7k even as an R (factory for the 04+) the newer models are a bit more compact have totally different styling slightly better performance (power is also a bit more up in the RPM's but still quite strong down low). US models 01 has updated chassis but didn't get larger valves until 02 (a bit more power) then radial brakes in 03 (R model), Tuono is pretty much the same bike as the Mille but more comfy upright sitting possition but less wind protection, Falso is a bit more comfy slighty higher bars similar geometry and slighty detuned motor more of a sport tour bike that performance like a sportbike.

Try to get an R/factory the upgrades are worth the small amount more you'll pay, any of the bikes will fit your bill but if a little communting becomes a lot the Tuono would be the best choice (unless you put riser bars on the others).

[b00001]

Thank you for the info! I have been reading and reading the posts here and the comparisons with different brands/models. One thing I guess I need to look at is replacement/crash costs. Say a TL, Superhawk or even Buell vs the Mille? I would think the Mille would be more but how much more? When I ride the country roads, I ride pretty aggressive and fast. I am not afraid to throw the bike down if need be. How bad will that hit me? Now thinking about it, would it be better to get an old TL or Superhawk, in terms of cost of ownership with the fun factor thrown in?

[farva03R]

RC51-its a pig but has a strong motor. once the suspension is set up on the RC's they are pretty good. i raced against several RC's this past race season. my SS bike would almost keep up with em on the straights but i killed em in the turns and corner speed. some of the RC's had problems with over heating during those high 90 degree plus days.

Mille 03: slightly underpowered to the RC but with the right parts she'll stay right with it. the mille handles great. parts are readily available via this forum and the hosts of this site: AF1. our slipper clutch is awesome and the RC could really use it at times without a doubt. our resin fuel tanks rock and can take a hit and continue functioning. our bikes crash pretty well as well.

now i don't want you to go away from this post thinking the mille engine sucks, its far, far, far from that. these engines require little to no serious maintenance. i've raced two different mille engines in the past two years and never had a problem. i know the RC's can pull because even a duc 998 even has trouble making a pass on the straight....and i know for a fact that the duc was strong....the bike and rider beat me all season.

this is all race/track talk i'm speaking about. i'm sure i'm missing some info here but i'm sure the rest of the guys will fill the holes in.

did i mention i have two race milles for sale
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=95883

[fast4d]

the RC51's ergo is not very commute/city friendly if that matters. the radiators on either side heats up when you riding in the city or spliting lanes in heavy traffic. I had a VFR with the same setup and it gets over 220 on very warm days. my knees also baked.

I believe it's also a bit heavier than the mille. the mille is not as light as the recent crop of literbikes from japan but the weight on the mille is distributed better (lower and more centered).

[loopedout]

i just sold my 51 and got an 02 mille, i really like my 51, motor was good, had more hp on the dyno than the mille but the mille has netted me better times at the track, i thought the 51 was very confidence inspiring for cornering but i do like my mille better overall. 51 is quite a bit heavier and much much wider feeling, it came on strong up top, the mille is a stump pullin mofo all the way. i had the 51 raised about 3" in the rear for ground clearance etc with a dan kyle link and ohlins rear shock. had kyle build the forks too. you sit on top of the 51 and more in the mille. both are very neat bikes but believe it or not the mille is cheaper and the aftermarket is cheaper on the mille as well. i about went broke buying things from thorsten for my 51, say the airbox for example, 51 was 600 bucks, got one for the mille for 100. 51's brakes are outstanding stock, better with hrc pads and lines. the mille has bad boy brembos and stainless lines stock and a SLIPPER CLUTCH stock, the one for my rc51 cost me about 800 bucks and i dont think i worked as well as the stock mille unit. mille has a nicer exhaust note than the 51 but the gear driven cams of the 51 give it a thumbs up from me on how the engine itself sounded. the mille is an ever advancing bike, the 51 is 2002 technology with a new color every year and they expect every year to be the last but honda keeps it around. dont get me wrong i love twins but the aprilia has won me over in two months after owning 3 rc's over 2 1/2 yrs. hope that helps, i know quite a bit about 51's if you have specific questions but i am still learing the mille.

[poohsrsvr]

do i have it?or is it only on 02 and up?mines is a 01 r

[Exdukenut]

Originally Posted by poohsrsvr

do i have it?or is it only on 02 and up?mines is a 01 r

All 1000cc Aprilias from 99 on, have the slipper clutch.

[Aprilian Bandit]

Had a quick go on an SP-1, hated it instantly. It was about as comfortable as sticking an obese pineapple coated in chilli seeds up my arse, and the fuel delivery was appalling at low speeds - anything below 30mph and the throttle is an on/off switch.

Loved my mille from the second I saw/sat on it... comfier than it deserves to be, usable mirrors, decent underseat storage, and the most beautiful bike to ride I've ever come across.

Unlike the SP1, the mille doesn't come with the worlds largest indicators / orange speed deflectors as standard either!

[Exdukenut]

Originally Posted by Aprilian Bandit

Had a quick go on an SP-1, hated it instantly. It was about as comfortable as sticking an obese pineapple coated in chilli seeds up my arse, and the fuel delivery was appalling at low speeds - anything below 30mph and the throttle is an on/off switch!

Yep I rode a friends twice, and it was twice too many. It is an appalling bike, handles like crap, fuel injection is atrocious! I thought the suspension was down right dangerous, it was like riding a brick, and it wouldn't turn at all. I hopped back on my Ohlinsed Falco, and my bike said, all was forgiven!!

Get an Aprillia, they are that good, and you'll be that happy!!!

PS A sorted Falco can go around a track just as well as a Mille. Well my 132rwhp Ohlinsed Falco can, anyways!!

[HAVOC]

My buddy has a fully upped Rc51 w/Ohlins suspention front and back,wheels etc,and was'nt impressed.....Nice power and nice sound of the exhaust,But I still love the Mille.

[Prilliant03]

Downsides to the RC51 (SP1/2 in the UK)...

Terrible fueling.
Uncomfortable.
Apalling fuel consumption/tank range.
Poor standard suspension.
Weight.
Poor midrange for a 1000cc V twin.
It's a Honda.

Upsides to the RC51...

It's a Honda.
Beautifully made.
Looks good.
Strong top end power.

Downsides to the Aprilia RSV/R

Pricey parts.
Some spares hard to get hold of (getting better all the time).

Upsides to the Aprilia RSV/R

It's Italian.
It's beautiful.
It has real charisma.
Hulking midrange power.
Good standard suspension (awesome on the R model).
Stunning frame and swingarm.
Excellent reliability.
Rarity value.
Great comfort for a sportsbike.
Fantastic fuel mileage.
Beautifully made.
AF1 and this forum.
Great riders community.


Of course the opinions you'll find on here will be a bit biased, but I can honestly say I would not even consider swapping my RSV for an RC51. The only bike that could ever replace it is another RSV.

[fallzboater]

I would definitely consider a Falco for all-around use. Cheaper than an RSV, and with a few mods, you won't give up anything for track days. Found mine with pipes, chip, airbox, RSV cams, Penske shock, GP Suspension forks, OZ forged wheels, and many other mods, for $6500. Easy to find a real nice one around $5k. The shock is the most important mod. Not quite as sexy as an RSV, but a better street bike, IMO. For a track and sport-only bike, I'd love to have an RSV.

[hank]

I compared the 1999 (US 2000) Mille to the 2000 RC a long time ago and as mentioned, the RC had terrible ergos, terrible range, was heavy and only got exciting at high rpm's (very un-twin like engine).

Being a Honda, the fit/finish were nice and the price was better.

I went for the Mille and never looked back...

[TBSstunta]

To be fair Honda updated the RC in 2002 (I think) and the later ones have much better fueling and more trick parts like a HRCish swingarm. Those are called the SP2 everywhere else.

If you buy a new RC its still 2003 technology, but if you buy a used Mille you are buying old technology as well. That being said there aint a damn thing wrong with old technology because the Aprilia's are that good.

I still consider the RC one of the best looking sportbikes Honda produced in recent years.