LEON,
I've posted the following a few times in the past week on various forums, but I will post it again for you m8, you may well have read all this already ( more of a buying guide really, but some good advice in there anyway ) :-
I posted this list a few times on both RSVR.net and Bikers Oracle in response to new guys looking for info, hope it helps:-
Reliable as fook, these Mille's.
In almost 3 years of ownership of a 2000 RSV, I've only had the sidestand and tilt switch go **** up on me.
Battery was shagged at the start of the year, so needed a replacement but then again, it was the original one, so thats not so bad. Get an Optimate and keep it plugged in to solve that particular problem.
Swap the gearing over from standard to 16/44 and I'll guarantee you will have a smile on yer face as wide as the Forth road bridge.
Check its derestricted ( It most probably will be, but worth checking anyway
).
The airbox, ECU wire snip and the exhaust *bung* in the standard silencer are the standard restrictions.
Most RSV's are derestricted very early on in their life, usually either at the PDI or more commonly, after the first service ( the under 1000k one ).
It's very rare indeed to find a Mille that is still in restricted trim, unless the dealer you bought it from new is a lazy git!!
Lift the tank and seat, takes two minutes to check if its been done or not.
Exhaust bung in standard can is easily spotted too. Just remove it and look up the pipe that bolts to the downpipe. You should see nothing.......if you see a cone type item with two bloody great spot-welds holding it on, thats a restrictor and it needs persuading out with a cold chisel and a big hammer.
Here's some pics:-
Green/Blue ECU wire, requires snipping to free up the second map:-
Airbox bung location ( showing mine removed, I've got an Evo airkit nestled in there since this pic was taken );-
Here's a pic of the exhaust bung ( spot welds circled ):-
Full details of the derestriction procedure here:-
http://www.geocities.com/sl_mille/derestrict.html
Here's a quick list off the top of my head on some other *****:-
- Make sure the battery is in tip top condition. Changing to a higher powered YTX14BS 12v-12AH one helps with starting problems.
- Watch for sprag clutch problems. Cost a fortune to fix, although its not ridiculously common.
- Check the swinging arm for dents on both sides, behind the exhaust can and on the other side down by the front of the gearchange lever. If the bike has been over on either side, these come into contact with the swingarm and leave marks/indentations.
- Back brake works for 5 minutes after its bled, then vanishes. Common fault, happens to loads of folk. There are various methods of curing this, most of which have been covered here. Dont be put off the bike if the rear brake isn't feeling too great though.
- Check for leaky radiators. And fit rad guards if you decide to go for a Mille, just in case.
- Brake discs can warp, though again, not too common a prob.
- Speedo can fail due to dodgy speed sensor which takes its pick up from the rear disc bolts.
- Clutch fluid becomes dark coloured and looks well used within a few days of changing. This is normal.
- Sidestand cut out switches can fail causing intermittent cutting out and hesitation. Theres a "workaround" for it or just replace the switch.
- Tilt or Tipover switches can fail. Located under the seat just behind the battery. Uses microswitches to sense when the bike tilts over at a preset angle and cuts the fuel. When these start going on the blink some folk "bodge" them by filling them with sealant to stop the microswitches moving ( I had found spearmint chewing gum in mine :laff: ). Again, replacement is the cure.
- Rear hugger bolts can seize if not greased when replaced ( and even if they are greased they can still seize ). Found that out to my cost in the last few days.
- Starter relays can pack in, replacement with one from a GSXR1000 is an idea, better made and more reliable electrics apparently.
- Oil leaks from cack handed mechanics who have done a valve clearance check and then caught the rubber seal on under the valve covers when refitting everything. Manifests itself as oil smoke coming off the exhausts ( may be from either front or rear cylinder ) and oil accumulating in the bellypan and soaking the sound deadening material within.
- Excess oil is blown out into the airbox and accumulates there if the oil tank is overfilled. Again, you will notice oil smoke and possible a drip from the bike. These engines have seperate oil tanks and no sump, filling is a bit different to other bikes. Start bike, take it up to operating temp until the fans cut in or better still, go for a quick ride on it. Stop bike and check sight tube for oil with the bike upright on level ground, immediately after switch off. There are two marks "Min and "Max". As long as there is oil visible in the sight tube, you are good to go. Does not have to be anywhere over halfway, otherwise you will risk the oil in the airbox thingy. Most folk keep the oil in the bottom 1/3 of the tube and this seems the best level to avoid oil blowback. Mille's can sometimes use a fair bit of oil. Check it more regularly than you would any previous bike you have had.
- Fully synthetic oil can cause clutch slippage. Most people ( and some here will disagree, I know ) stick with a good Semi-synthetic oil. I use Rock Oil Guardian 10/40.
- Engine, especially top-end, can sound a bit noisy/tappity. Very common, the Rotax V990 isn't the quietest of lumps.
I've probably missed a few other things but these are some of the more common things that get asked about on here.
Dont mean to frighten you off with all the faults, just wanted to make you aware of what gets asked about most.
Tyres.....depends on your style of riding. I get about 3000'ish out of a rear Mich Pilot Power, which by the way, is a very good tyre which matches the RSV perfectly, lots of owners swear by 'em.
Fit a Scottoiler and forget about lubing with messy gloop from a can or having to adjust the chain at all between services.
To finish off, here's a link to almost every manual you will ever need for a Mille:-
http://aprilia.vladiks.com/aprilia_docs/
Files are in
.pdf form so you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view them. Have a read through and you will get an idea of some of the ins and outs of the bike.
Oh and lastly, welcome to the forums!!!.
You wont regret buying a Mille, I'll put my mortgage on it m8.
None of the above is "set in stone", but it covers a lot of things that prospective new owners ask about.
You have a Leo vinci can on there so obviously, disregard the bit above about the standard can and its *bungs* that restrict it.
