Aprilia RSV-R or Honda SP-1?

Absolutely no contest mate. I've ridden the SP1, SP2 and own a 2000 model RSVR. The Mille is the superior ride, no question. It lives and breathes and you can really enjoy it. Which is what it's all about for me. I've had mine for nearly 2 years, bled the brakes once, not cos of any performance deficit, but to get some fresh fluid in. Bled the clutch twice, again not cos there was anything wrong with it, but because the fluid does become discoloured quickly. Mine has done 9,300 miles, has never let me down in any way and still looks fantastic. After 30 years of riding this is the best and best handling bike I've owned. It makes me smile every time I ride it, is comfortable (ish - I am the wrong side of fifty!)unlike the Hondas, it feels absolutely planted when at the edge of the tyres whereas both the SP1 and 2 felt a little vague, the engine is an absolute peach and the bike turns and handles like a bike which feels this tall has no right to. I can't praise it highly enough. Buy with your heart mate - no one rides a sports bike cos it's a sensible practical thing to do, so it must be cos of the way it makes you feel - you'd be bored with the Honda in six months. I came to the Mille after 20 years of Jap fours, the last being a '98 ZX9R C1. The Mille was a revelation to me, as it will be to you. Sadly, mine has to go - it's the single seat version and my missus, after hip problems culminating in a hip replacement, has decided she is fit enough to ride pillion again. Even with a dualseat conversion the pegs would be way too high for her now. Ironically I'm probably gonna replace it with a Honda (VFR), not thru choice, but out of pillion comfort consideration. I could've bought any of the V twins, but ,if I am in a position to buy another in the future, I'll go for another RSVR, without hesitation. I will truly miss it. What we do in life echoes in eternity.....

Is what a fair price mate ? for the service around £300 to £350 is generally considered about right, but depends on whether the valves need shimming. A mechanic at Rockets in Blackburn told me he had only ever had 2 RSVs that needed the clearances adjusting and they were race bikes ! So you should get away with that. There is a perception that RSVs are expensive to service, but it ain't really so - have a look at some Honda and Kawasaki service prices and I think you'll agree. £150 for a rear tyre?You planning on using MotoGP tyres on it? [:D]. I run mine on Conti Sport Attacks which are MUCH cheaper than that, suit the bike well and are as grippy as anything else I've tried. I have seen some criticism of them for being hard to warm up ( and therefore not as grippy) in cold and wet conditions, but I've never experienced this. As a price guide for the bike, mine is up for £3200. It also requires the 'big' service, but needs absolutely nothing else, being an immaculate 2000 model (on an X plate) with 9800 miles on it and virtually new tyres. It's standard, but with a Datatool Evo alarm. I have a hi level Ixil can and some integrated LED rear light/indicators to go with the bike if I get £3200 for it. ( The integrated LED rear light/indicators are essential with the can as there is nowhere to put traditional indicators as the can is such a good close fit to the bike). It has a set of mini indicators on the back now. I reckon you'd be looking at around £3700 to £3900 for an immaculate FSH low mileage 2001 model (only my guess, judging by what I've looked at in the past) depending on whether you buy private or trade of course. I hope this helps and good luck with your new favourite bike !!! What we do in life echoes in eternity.....

Message for RSVRNew Boy...VFR800...dont do it mate, I've just sold a VTEC ABS model I owned for less than a year, it was absolutely dire, sowing machine quiet, totally gutless, and to top it off the abs brakes failed on one occasion up near Ripon on some twisties, I'd rather have my old bandit 12 any day as a pilion friendly bike.

Looked at ur pics of ur Haga rep moto-moto, and with the severe lack of respect it has been given by the previous owners I'd still jump in with both feet and buy it. Good luck, happy and safe riding fella..........

LOL! Who on earth here is going to say SP1 is the better of the two? Maybe you need some more neutral ground to be asking your question on. [:)]

Hi Mate, some of the members on here arn't gonna like what I'm going to say, but I would take the sp1 over the early millie's. I Had mine for about 18 months before It got F*uked in a head on collision. Infact I bought it after testing a stock mille. As back then millie i tested, was I'm afraid to gutless  in   comparison and no where near the quality of the SP1. However the chassis on the millie is superior but not by as much as you'd be led to believe and there are no real issues with them.  I would say dead even on the brakes with regard to feel/power and fade, both suffer juddering at extreme braking as I found on the track. The SP1 has a habit of cooking the rider and its fueling is sh*t unless your above 8000rpm which is where I spent all my time.
You'll if your lucky get 100-110 miles to a tank riding like a grannie and I mean grannie and less then 90m ragging it and it onlys comes alive when your ragging it.
The only problem with SP1 now is even though its still a relevent bike it dose feel old.

Opinions are timeless and always worth sharing.  

it comes down to personal oppion your on an aprilia forum so a varst majority of people are going to say the mille the only way you'll find out is to take both bikes out for a test ride i've ridden sevral sp's in my time but could never get on with them me and the mille jelled first time but you need to ride the bikes to find the one that suits you.

I do think he has probably made his choice by now........ ;)

I had a girls SP-1, then a real SP-1 and now an RSV. The SP-1 was okay but it took a lot of money and time to get the suspension setup I was happy with. Would I buy another one hell yeah would love an SP-1 to sit alongside the RSV

Who dredged this thread up? Big Un, you bored mate? Must have taken some trawling to go back to 2010! I 'spect the next one will be about should we send a task force to the Falklands!

so what did he buy

If it were me, I would have them both! I already have the 848EVO that keeps the rsvr company and would love to add the SP1( RC51) to join them. As I write this there are a few more that I would like to get as well.

Jesus how old is this thread pmsl

NickyBoy

m00c0w wrote: LOL! Who on earth here is going to say SP1 is the better of the two? Maybe you need some more neutral ground to be asking your question on.

Well..... My SP1 was a brilliant bike. Looked great, had the Joey Dunlop heritage, will appreciate in price, ultra reliable. But.. It was too short for me, the suspension needed replacing. After that, its whatever gets your sap rising. I love my 2004 Factory for track days...
Miff