Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille

The originality of the technical solutions, the systematic use of features borrowed from the racing department and, above all, the passion and commitment invested in making each detail exclusive, have all made the Aprilia RSV 1000 a sporting, commercial and image success, a tribute to Aprilia's most significant heritage and a reward for its courage.

A motorcycle with an exceptionally high-tech content, characterised by high constructional quality and a unique and unmistakable design.

The RSV 1000 represents a major change on the high capacity supersports motorcycle scene.

In just two years, Aprilia has reached a level of sales well above expectations, with around 14,000 bikes sold world-wide.

The RSV 1000 has more than once proved that it is worthy of the title of the "best mass produced motorcycle for track use".

For 2002, the Aprilia RSV 1000 retains the same technical and performance characteristics, the result of the major revision implemented last year, but has new attractive colors and graphics.

The RSV 1000 boasts 130 HP to the shaft and a top speed of over 280 km per hour, a real reference point for production twins.

Thanks to the perfect weight and mass distribution, the handling of the RSV 1000 enables all riders to improve their performance in absolute safety.

Aesthetically, the motorcycle has an aggressive, modern and extreme personality. The bike's design is perfectly in harmony with technical developments and trends in the segment, with the constructional philosophy adopted centring around the concept of a bike designed around the rider.

Aerodynamics remain the point of reference (as confirmed by wind tunnel tests: raising performance, protecting the rider and eliminating all annoying turbulence which, as well as being tiring, disturbs handling), and the design is defined by aggressive and marked lines, with the rider perfectly integrated with the machine.

The new color combinations and new graphics also help make the restyling of this new version even more evident.

The 60 degree V twin engine remains a precise point of reference in terms of performance, reliability, compactness and lightness, with a full 130 HP to the shaft, smooth and progressive delivery and extremely low noise and vibration levels.

The choice of the 60° V twin guarantees a light and compact engine and allows the development of mechanical components of the highest level, with optimum weight distribution.

As a result, the motorcycle incorporates all the technical characteristics of the Aprilia twin that have helped the RSV 1000 to achieve a series of important sporting and commercial objectives:

longitudinal 60° V twin engine, timing with 4 valves per cylinder and double cam shaft in cylinder head controlled by mixed gear/chain system;

electronic fuel injection (modified and updated)

CDI type ignition with a TSI (Twin Spark Ignition) system, using 2 spark plugs per cylinder. Ignition is controlled by the engine"s integrated control system, which also controls injection.

dry crankcase lubrication, using a second recovery trochoidal pump and an external oil reservoir (as well as a radiator located in front of the engine). As a result, the engine block is more rigid and compact than with a "wet crankcase" system, totally eliminating the risk of poor engine lubrication during sudden acceleration/declaration or wheelies;

mixed gear/chain timing. The pair of gears (one for each timing chain) in the engine block enables the size of the cylinder heads to be reduced;

The sophisticated twin is completed by a number of exclusive Aprilia patents:

the AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft) double balancing countershaft

power-assisted hydraulic controlled clutch covered by the patented PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch), to control rear wheel bounce during sudden deceleration.

The clutch has a new spring drive (with an activation curve progressive according to the engine torque applied), with the aim of guaranteeing smooth operation and noise levels above all at low engine revs. Thanks also to the shape of the support surfaces of the disks and the lubrication of the entire clutch assembly the grip, life-span, and force needed to operate the lever are exceptional.

The frame of the Aprilia RSV 1000 is defined as a "masterpiece of motorcycle engineering". Made from a double aluminium and silicon alloy beam, the frame has been confirmed as having the highest degree of torsional strength for a production motorcycle.

The Aprilia RSV 1000 features Showa upside-down front suspension with 43 mm diameter sleeves, hydraulically adjustable in preload, compression and rebound; wheel travel 120 mm.

The rear suspension features an effective Sachs integrated aluminium shock absorber with "piggy back", hydraulically adjustable in preload, compression, rebound and length.

The rear suspension linkages are also efficient and functional (both single and double conrods), the result of Superbike racing experience, with the aim of improving the progressiveness and effectiveness of the shock absorber, both on the road and on the track.

The availability of a multi-adjustable suspension allows all riders to make their own ideal settings, and to quickly and easily adjust the riding characteristics of the motorcycle to their tastes, the type of road or track, and the type of use, without requiring the costly replacement of components for track use.

The front brakes are Brembo "Gold Series" and without doubt the most prestigious and technologically advanced production-approved system currently available on the market. Featuring 320 mm diameter stainless steel double floating disk, reduced braking band (to reduce weight and inertia) and exclusive Aprilia designed six-spoke centring.

The four-pot callipers, 34 mm in diameter with 4 separate pads (a solution used for racing) are made from sintered material and extremely rigid (thanks to the central connection above the pads).

An effective and highly reliable system, meaning significantly reduced stopping distance, great feel and gradual action, and resistance to wear.

The rear brakes are also Brembo "Gold Series", with 220 mm diameter stainless steel disk and two-pot calliper, 32 mm in diameter.

Brake pads made from sintered material and metal braid brake lines, based on aeronautical technology, are used for both the front and rear brakes.

• the fuel tank is made from special resins. This has allowed a significant reduction of the weight of the tank, through the use of a material which is ideal for the track, being more resistant than sheet metal to small bumps, scratches, etc. The fuel tank filler cap has a flat chrome-finish machined ring nut
• aluminium rider and passenger footrests
• digital-analogue multi-function dashboard incorporating injection auto-diagnosis and 40-memory chronometer, operated by the passing signal (flash of the headlight), with amber lighting (easier to read in different light, and a decidedly sporting look)
• the headlight is made from plastic to ensure lightness and optimum weight balance in a critical zone for ridability, The functional characteristics remain the depth and width of the light beam, together with the excellent intensity and homogeneity of the illumination.

In terms of product quality, the RSV 1000 is a further improvement on the internal standards which already identify Aprilia as a market leader. Quality means not just product quality, but also and above all design quality, as demonstrated by the ISO 9001 certification of all production phases.