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Model (Badging) Differences

M

macdeezul

Joined Nov 2012
9 Posts | 0+
Hello. I am currently in negotiations with a dealership on an advertised 2003 Aprilia RSV1000R. It have been on their floor for a good year or so now and so I am seriously contemplating a long-term relationship with it. I have been doing my research about different models, mods, etc however I have noticed while doing so, that a lot of sites who claim to be "picturing" a 2003 RSV10000R are not always displaying said model. I usually don't have a issue identifying a 2004 model because the front cowl / head-light assembly is completely different from the previous 2003 and prior years. However I have also seen pictures of the 2003 model where some have dual-exhaust as opposed to single exhaust; on the front cowl above the head-lights on the right (clutch side) I have seen the words "RSV Mille" and I have seen ones with just "RSV". So I guess what I am asking you is if there is a sure fire way to know what model I am dealing with without having to look up it's stock number? Here are some examples:

http://psndealer.com/dealersite/images/clintoncycles/vp2706212_2_large.jpg (listed as a 2003 Aprilia RSV 1000 R)
http://image.superstreetbike.com/f/...kp_07_z+2003_aprilia_rsv_mille+front_view.jpg (listed as a 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille)

http://www.motorcyclesupermarket.com/images/bikes/images/10578.1346673698.IMG_4139.jpg (listed as a 2003 Aprilia RSV1000 R Mille)
http://www.motorcyclesupermarket.com/images/bikes/images/10578.1346674054.IMG_4140.jpg

I would appreciate any insight / help you can offer me. Thanks.
 
New to these bikes and the various variants myself.....
Essentially, there seems to be quite a lot of confusion! Bikes which claim to be "R"s - the good ones have Ohlins suspension all round and are fitted with the Oz, lightweight racing wheels....( this is the third bike you listed I believe)
I wouldnt be interested in buying an "R" , or a "Factory", that doesnt boast this spec...
There were two "Editions" bikes that appeared before the gen2 bikes. Haga was one. These had dual sided exhaust systems, Ohlins gear, oz gear and radial brembos. These were the flagship models that were to become the higher spec , later models !There were other small changes, ( like gear ratios, timing and cam tuning ) that happened before the gen 2 also I believe...!
Gen 2 has bigger throttle bodies, larger valves, revised fueling, twin sided exhaust yada yada....
Bikes may claim to be whatever year the index plate is dated...remember, this is the date of registration, and not manufacture....so as you rightly point out, knowing the frame/VIN/chassis and engine numbers will help greatly in your quest to ascertain what you are dealing with....!
If you want an "R", insist on Ohlins and Oz gear or politely decline IMO ! The Ohlins are manufactured under license ( from Ohlins ) and isnt quite as good as the real thing but still the best OE equipment you will get .
The radial mount brembos that came in later, are better still, and the Oz wheels are a work of art frankly......
HTH !

This is a useful webpage....scroll down and you can get the various models, their years and why they are different from their predecessors....!

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/bikes/Aprilia.htm
 
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The 2003 models have a black frame
2002 and earlier have silver frame

Photo 1 is not a R as it doesnt have the gold ohlins forks
Photo 2 looks like it is possibly from a different country
Photo 3 and 4 are Rs but are not 2003 models but probably late registered 2002 as no black frame..
 
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Photo 1 is a Rsv1000r which was on sale in 2003 only.
These are not equipped with ohlins,oz etc but standard showa,brembo stuff but on the log book will be listed as rsv1000r.
Best way to check is to look at the seat unit,a lot slimmer design.they also had a few other small differences like bigger valves,a slightly closer ratio gear box and a change in the exhaust.
Still had the silver frame as well.
 
Thank you all for your replies. It seems like the 2003 year of production was one of transition for the Mille/RSV. I have read other postings concerning purchasing older model RSVs and the consensus seems to be that unless it has the ohlins shocks and Oz (what is that?) that there really isn't any value in the purchase other than "admiring it as a piece of art". Would you go that far? I mean would do you still consider it a "iconic" model? You can get a ford mustang, but some believe that if its not the boss 302 or the shelby then it really isn't a mustang - for example.

Another difference I have noticed between it and other models is the rear-light assembly. I have seen models whose rear lights look like they have a little-cowl over the assembly - almost like eye-brows I guess. This one doesn't have those. I mean there is no doubt that its an Aprilia... but exactly which Aprilia is the question I am having a hard time determining. I know there are somethings that I plan to purchase aftermarket if I do enter into matrimony with the bike-to-be so really knowing what I would have could possibly ensure I don't purchase the wrong item(s). (IE: aftermarket exhaust - which by the way seems like delkevic is one of the better types for this bike, any one have any experience with these?).

On another less technical note of admiration. Every time I look the headlight assembly I kinda chuckle to myself because to me it looks like a a Japanese styled-anime-smiley face... The mouth is shaped like it is screaming whaaaaaaaaaa.... lol.


Here is the other pictures of it:
vp2706212_1_large.jpg

vp2706212_3_large.jpg

vp2706212_4_large.jpg

vp2706212_2_large.jpg
 
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Yep that is indeed a 2003 model,which will be a Rsv1000r on the log book.you can see what i mean by the seat unit being slimmer in those pictures.
They really are cracking bikes,i have that model and love it.
It has Showa forks and Sachs rear shick and Brembo wheels as opposed to Ohlins forks and shock and Oz wheels are fitted to the RsvR model(sounds confusing).
My personal opinion is that if the bike is a good price with sevice history and has been well looked after then go for whichever you fancy,the Ohlins stuff is nice and blingy but i have yet to find the limits of my bike and find the suspension just fine.
I do want a set of the Oz wheels though to lighten and speed up the steering and because they look good as well.
 
The bike pictured above is definitely a 2003 RSV mille...not an 'R' I've owned that exact same model and now have the earlier 2002 version.
The ohlins suspension is a tad over rated and not really robust enough for the roads as it requires far more tlc
 
It certainly is a 2003 Mille. It's the same as mine apart from it's in 'piomba grey' and mine is 'hot red'.
There were 3 different gen1 (non R) milles, these being 98-00, 01-02 and 03. 03 bikes were only made in grey, red and black.
The decals were different from previous years with the grey 'IP' logo being a giveaway. Also different tail shape and bellypan graphics. The last non R milles were listed as 'R' on the logbook but that's all it was. The proper 'R' model has OZ lightweight wheels and Ohlins suspension and can easily be differentiated from normal Milles.
I think that by the time the normal Mille was listed as 'R' on the logbook the real 'R' model was listed as 'factory'.
I live part time in Italy and knowing the Italians well my biggest shock is that they only changed the name a couple of times and not a few times each year! Confusion reigns supreme.......................
 
I wouldnt agree with the statement unless its an R its just a piece of art.

Its the same bike! Same engine, frame, etc the R has a weight advantage but could you ride it any faster??

Lighter wheels, ohlins, and a few carbon bits.... Come as standard on the R ok it might handle a little differently, but you would alter setttings to your own preference anyway

I could understand your concerns if it was standard vs sp but if you like the look of the bike take it for a test ride dont let an R or not an R be a deciding factor. Lets face it your gonna mod it anyway!

For the record i understood a 2003 had a black frame if i gave false info there i apologise i need to question my source !!
 
I must admit to being slightly amazed that a small amount of carbon commands a much higher price when for all the difference it makes to us mere 'normal' riders you might as well skip the breakfast pie, take a dump and if all else fails cut your finger nails.
Weight saved at the highest point on the bike........perfect! :devious
 
Again guys (and ***** if applicable), this is really helping me out a lot. Knowing exactly what RSV or Mille this is will help me negotiating the bike with dealer. They have literally hundreds (maybe as many as a thousand) used bikes so its really hard for them to know everything about every bike that they are selling. They are advertising it as a RSV1000r as I stated before which affects their price because they are stating that kelley blue book list a 2003 RSV 1000 r for $5280 (their reduced asking price, down from $6400). However Kelley Blue book only list four models:
RSV Mille $4950
RSV Mille R $5280
RSV Mille R Haga $8380
RSV Mille R Edwards $7720

So if I can prove to them that this is not an RSV1000r (no ohlins, no Oz) then I might be able to not only educate them about the bike they really have, but also be able to drop the price down by a couple hundred. They said they got the bike from an auction down in Georgia (USA) and do not really know the history of the bike so they could have just stuck with what the auction had it listed as. Again once I get the VIN number I might be able to confirm even more that this is an RSV Mille as opposed to an RSV1000r (or RSV Mille R). I am considering trading in my 2006 Triumph Sprint St in on it and the Triumph really doesn't have all that great of a resale in this area so the lower I can get their asking price the easier it might be for me to get a straight up trade and possibly some additional stuff (like a new set of tyres) on top of it.
 
Peter319 said:
I must admit to being slightly amazed that a small amount of carbon commands a much higher price when for all the difference it makes to us mere 'normal' riders you might as well skip the breakfast pie, take a dump and if all else fails cut your finger nails.
Weight saved at the highest point on the bike........perfect! :devious
Click to expand...

Agreed. Carbon-fiber is not that big a deal to me and if I really wanted it I could fake it with some carbon paper ...
 
Paul Ali said:
I wouldnt agree with the statement unless its an R its just a piece of art.

Its the same bike! Same engine, frame, etc the R has a weight advantage but could you ride it any faster??

Lighter wheels, ohlins, and a few carbon bits.... Come as standard on the R ok it might handle a little differently, but you would alter setttings to your own preference anyway

I could understand your concerns if it was standard vs sp but if you like the look of the bike take it for a test ride dont let an R or not an R be a deciding factor. Lets face it your gonna mod it anyway!

For the record i understood a 2003 had a black frame if i gave false info there i apologise i need to question my source !!
Click to expand...

Totally agree that the bike will be more than enough for me and my riding skills (or lack thereof, lol). Understanding exactly what I am purchasing though helps me in negotiating a final price. So if they say this is a RSV 1000 r then I can reply with: "Well, RSV1000R's have ohlin shocks, Oz wheels, etc. What you really have here is a RSV Mille". That conversation could change things a couple hundred dollars, which admittedly is not that big a deal in the long run because if I really want it, I'm going to get it; but its the principality of not letting a dealership sell you a vehicle that they say is a BMW when its really a VW.
 
TimR V2 said:
New to these bikes and the various variants myself.....
Essentially, there seems to be quite a lot of confusion! Bikes which claim to be "R"s - the good ones have Ohlins suspension all round and are fitted with the Oz, lightweight racing wheels....( this is the third bike you listed I believe)
...
...
...
This is a useful webpage....scroll down and you can get the various models, their years and why they are different from their predecessors....!

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/bikes/Aprilia.htm
Click to expand...

According to this web page Aprilia says that the 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille (pictured below and looks very similar, notice no gold front forks) is as follows:
Year: 2002, 2003 (notice no IP sticker)
Front Suspension: Upside-down Öhlins fork. 43mm diameter titanium nitride treated sleeves. 120mm wheel travel.
Rear Suspension: Swing arm in Aluminium alloy. progressive linkage with APS system. Öhlins Racing hydraulic shock absorber

Aprilia%20RSV1000%2003%20%202.jpg


Whereas they have three separate productions of the Aprillia RSV Mille R: 1999 - 2000, and 2001 - 2002, and 2003
Year: 1999-2000
Shocks: Ohlins
Aprilia%20RSV1000R%2099%20%205.jpg


Year: 2001-2002 (looks exactly the same as the previous bike to me)
Shocks: Ohlins
Aprilia%20RSV1000R%2099%20%205.jpg


Year: 2003 (notice this one has the black frame)
Also notice they way the Aprilia sticker on the belly-pan area is placed.... identical to the one that the dealership is listing, nothing like they other two prior year models..... exception being the frame color and the one they are selling is grey versus yella and the front fork color
Shocks: Ohlins
Aprilia%20RSV1000R%2003.jpg
 
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If Kelly's only has those 4x listings then it's 100% the Mille listing at $4950.
If it's coming from a dealer it shouldn't need tyres etc as it should all be done and ready to go.
Negotiate hard Buddy.
Good Luck!
 
The top picture is a 2002 Mille.
The rest are MilleR.
The bike you're thinking of buying is a 2003 Mille period.
 
This may help you.... To correct myself earlier 2003 R models have black frames...

These are the US specs

1999 - RSV & RSVSP Milles introduced (SP is low production bike much different than the base Mille)

2000 - Mille imported to US, 00's get braided lines.

2000.5 - RSVR introduced, gets OZ wheels, Ohlins Suspension, Lighter sub frame and looses passenger seat.

2001 - Big upgrades in body and components. US models do not get all the upgrades as the engine remains the same as earlier models.

2002 - US gets fully updated model with bigger valve engine, air intake and computer. UK RSVR is has passenger sub frame, US sill a mono.

2003 - New graphics and tail section on all, RSVR gets passenger pillion and radial braking up front, base RSV remains the same as the '02.
'03 std and R got a close ratio gearbox as well, '03 R has black frame and the ohlins forks are higher spec than '02 model



2004 - Totally new design, the "R" takes over the role of the base RSV and the Factory carries over the Ohlins suspension, OZ wheels and radial braking found on the 2003 "R".
 
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