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Buying an RSV tips

pompey-pimp

pompey-pimp

Joined Jul 2009
612 Posts | 0+
Gosport-Hampshire
Hello all,
This is my first post and the question I am asking has probably been asked a million times but thought I'd ask anyway. I'm selling my RGV on ebay and it ends on Saturday and i'm using the funds towards an RSV mille:doug .
I've wanted one for ages as they look and sound gorgeous. Was after some advice from enthusiasts and experts (AKA members of this site) as to what to look out for and what questions to ask when buying a bike.:dunno I've seen a 2002 mille for £2695 but I'm a little sceptical as it has no service history. There is another one that has been a total loss (bloke said it needed a new fairing) for £2100 again with no history. Also they are both reading in KPH, is this a problem as someone said to watch out if the battery has gone flat?
Any help would be much appreciated as I don't want to buy a dog and end up hating the Mille.:angry

Thanks in advance
Keith
 
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Hi Keith,

For £2700 for an 02 you should be able to get an excellent model - I would expect fsh for this price - be aware that at 7 yrs old the owner might have started doing their own servicing - if so grill them about what and when they check things!!

One thing to watch out in addition to the rsv specific tips you will receive is that the bike is covered in stickers. This holds 2 benefits - you can replace the lot making the bike look brand new for around £80,

but beware that these could hide some low speed scuffs and scrapes - if in doubt the majority of panels can be off in 30 seconds so have a look underneath.
 
Don't worry too much about service history, it's a nice to have rather than an essential. (Mine came with a V5 and feck all else and it's a beaut mate!)

Be more concerned by heavy knocking, oil leaks, poor starting, dodgy wiring that's been bodged by the previous owners etc....

Make sure that when you go to see the bike it's not already been warmed up, start it from cold and listen for noisy starting etc...

In fact best thing to do is contact one of the local guys and ask them to tag along.
 
Firstly Welcome!

The clocks read in kph as default but can be set to MPH at the touch of a button. As you rightly said they reset when either the battery is disconnected or used to try and start the bike below a certain charge. It doesn't have to be flat to do it but if it does it when starting its a sign the battery is done.

Engine wise the bikes are very solid with the main major issues being the starter/ one way clutch/ sprag clutch. If you do a search on 'sprag' on here you'll see its common.

It is a crap owner issue than a crap part issue, it only arises from trying repeatedly (not talking 5/6 times here, more over weeks or months) to start the bike with a flat or low charged battery, its a pretty expensive fix 350ish at a dealer i think so what you need to do is start the bike and listen for any unusual grinding or rattling noise whilst turning over. It situated at the front of the bike behind the rads. Anything odd forget it. Maybe worth hearing a healthy bike staring just so you know.

The other main problems with these bikes are various electrical niggles but some bikes are fine with never a problem and others worse for it. Whilst annoying they are rarely expensive or difficult to fix but can be a process of elimination to find. This is a great forum with aprilia mechanic standard advice from some members and don't forget as you look through that its all the problems that get posted on forums like this.

All the rest is the usual stuff but try and find out as much info as possible about any mods, ie airbox or eprom chip. oh and lastly don't worry if the back brake is crap, they are all like that!
 
Welcome to the zone.
All I would say in addition to what's already been posted is, don't rush out and get the first one you see just for the sake of getting one. Take your time, be patient and you will find the right one. You won't be disapointed.:thumbup
 
got a mechanic friend to check mine out also has full service history and lots of receipts, :thumbup
 
i'm same bought with no history but so far so good just take your time n have a good scout about n good luck with the searching
 
Thanks for all the tips and advice guys. I understand the bit about not rushing into it but I'm so excited as I've always wanted one but never had enough money. Ideally I'd like it before Donnington so I can get up there, missed last 2 years due to work. Unfortunately can obly go for practice and qualifying as my daughter wants to go and meet Fifi (kids cartoon charachter) on the Sunday and I'd never be able to look her in the eye if I made her miss that.
Thanks again and I'll keep you posted
 
Fifi and the flower pots,what a classic:devious,

Right pimp so far all the above are good pointers to check but getting back to the sprag problems when you go and see it and the guy fires it up watch the way he does it,If he goes near the throttle when he's cranking it walk away !!!!,(I didnt and am now paying the price,quite literally after about a month and a half of ownership:bawling),if he doesnt then fine but listen to the noise it makes when it cranks,it should be a nice smooth whoop whoop whoop whoop then she's away,if it sounds like its snatching the motor around with a whoop crack whoop crack sound then walk away or knock about £350 of the price,trust me,it means the sprags death is iminent !!!!!,also check the voltage reg under the right hand side of the tail unit,take a look at the white and brown connection plugs and check for any melted/burnt wires or plugs,if they are its another good haggling point,the starter solenoid is also worth a look,under the seat next to the battery,same again check for melted/burnt terminal boots (shagged solenoid)
 
what signs are there to indicate a dodgy stator?:dunno
Hopefully going to get one this weekend:doug
 
Is it a problem if the bike has been standing for 2 years?
I've found one just down the road and it has 1 previous owner and 11000 miles and was last serviced at 9780 although it was not listed what was done as I asked about the valve service. What mileage is the valve service due on?
He has put a new battery on as well.
All the advice I'm getting is much appreciated and I'm making a checklist to take with me.
:thumbup
Also what are the bridgestone 104's like on these bikes as I have read alot of people like Michelin Pilots???
 
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Welcome to the forum!
I'm in Gosport also. I definatly know my way round an RSV so send me a PM an if I'm free I'll come and take a look at the bike with you no worries.
 
Thanks for the advice guys came in handy. Picked up my first V-Twin Mille this morning and I can't stop grinning. Felt like I was on something on the way home I was so happy.:inlove
Got a 52 plate with 10400 miles, fsh, leo vince can plus original and immaculate for £2600:doug

Will put pics on here when I find out how:dunno
Thanks once again and hopefully get out and meet up with some of you sometime
 
dont wish to burst your happy feeling but i picked mine up after it had stood for 8 months and after its first good ride the fork seals started to leak £140 fitted may not happen but keep your eyes on them
 
Turns out it was the previous owner who had let it sit for 2 years but will still keep an eye on it, cheers mate
 
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