Thinking of getting an RSV R Factory Mille.

[Hetzer]

Lunacy, but there are worse ways to die.

Questions for the RSV R Factory experten:

a) Which is the best model up to say 2004/2005. Think serious issues/reliability here, I'm not interested in power.

b) Which is physically the biggest? I looked like a gonk on my RR7 Blade and I don't want anymore of that malarkey. I know the Milles were big but began to shrink in more recent years.

Thanking yo kindly in advance.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[neatbik]

As far as i'm aware the Millies were all built well and are reliable (italian bike shocker! )

I've worked on quite a few and they are very nice to work on - everything comes apart and goes back together well, and they give off an aura of quality.

Hope that helps, i've never ridden one so i cant help you on that though.

[tatters]

I think wave had a later 2008 model and form memory some of the graphics peeled and moisutre used to build up under the light/indicator len,s, great looking and performing bikes but lacking in build quailty.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Hetzer]

Thanks Beat. Any recollection on the sizes of the various models?

Yeah, I remember that Tatters. He also wasn't impressed with it's handling, though that might have been down to not having the Ohlins set up properly.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[colin1]

he is very light, so most bikes wont be set for his weight

I do remember him saying when he got a bike's suspension set up properly, it made a huge difference.

Not sure what bike that was, but maybe a gsxr 750, if he ever had one, or maybe the ducati, i know he's had quite a few.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[neatbik]

As i recall they arent small bikes, felt (to me anyway, im 6 foot, 15 stone) pretty roomy.

[MarkJ]

There were three V-Twin RSVs - 98-2001ish, 2001-2003 and 2003-2007ish.

The first two were pretty similar, same engine etc, but the second had a face lift and looks a lot better imo. I have an R of this year, exactly like this one pictured:
https://obchod.motografix.cz/catalog/images/RSV%201000%20Mille%20R%20model%202002.jpg

For the first two models the standard bike was the plain old RSV and the top of the range Ohlins, OZ wheels and carbon fiber was the RSV-R. Then the 2003+ one was RSVR for standard and RSVR Factory for the full-fat one.

The earlier models are tall. I'm 6'1 with a 35" inside leg and it's an easy flat foot but a fair old reach, they're excellent for tall people. A nice long reach to the bars too, my only gripe is you have a hell of a lot of weight on your wrists. It's horrible after 20 mins of 30mph (I am used to a Hornet for commuting though).

The engine's a corker too, Rotax powerplant. Only problem is it's dead lumpy low down up until 4k RPM or so. The left switch gear has the horn where the indicator should be and vice versa. Couple this with tall gearing and slipping the clutch round roundabouts means you'll never indicate off a roundabout again, as you'd need a thumb extension

The main 'fault' they have is the sprag clutch. If you try starting the bike with a weak battery the engine kicks back against the sprag and eventually destroys it - £300 to fix from memory.

[Blue_SV650S]

I had an early model RSV-R https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpGmbmRZeQ8

To be honest, I didn't go much on it ... it left me pretty cold

I think if you are going to go for a big twin, then it has to be something proper rude like a Duke 1098/1198???

The RSV is a bit half-way-house ... and who wants that?!?!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Welshd1k]

'proper rude liek a duke 1098' ok ...... im sure bang for buck a sorted millie is better.
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Hetzer]

Just been checking out the specs on the 2004, it has a lower seat-height than my RR7 Blade.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Blue_SV650S]

[Seb]

As mentioned, don't let the battery get low, as well as the starting issues the electrics can get a bit funny once the voltage starts dropping. The motor is a bit agricultural but even my Futura was surprisingly revvy.

Have a go on a sorted SP1/2 before you hand over money on a Millie though.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Welshd1k]

well for v twin value for money id say Rsvr is the best from what i can see for the 'superbike' v twins. altho if money is no issue then go for a duke ofc
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Blue_SV650S]

[Seb]

I saw one reset it's odo to 0 miles mid rideout a few years back, he was all smiles till he realised it was castrating his rev limiter as well

Some of the wiring is really poorly thought out which I guess is where the problems tend to start, the section under the front cylinder on my Futura pretty much filled up with water and rotted away causing some pretty nasty issues to all flare up at once.

Don't get me wrong though, great bikes, whilst I'd lean towards the big Honda over a RSV, I'd happily own another RST.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[tatters]

Most modern bikes are small with little diffrences in size if you want something that is phyiscal large and kinda handels well the only choice is the likes of the ZX12R etc.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[JAMSXR]

I've got a 2003 RSV-R - It's a fantastic bike, never misses a beat.

The 03 RSV-R was the last incarnation of that shape RSV, it also had some nice updates like; radially mounted brake calipers, a close-ratio transmission and a few other nice little touches. The seat height is 825mm, it's not much taller then most sports bikes but does feel more roomy then any of my previous bikes.

Take one for a test ride?

[amnesia]

A friend had a 54 plate Colin Edwards rep. He had a problem with a clutch cyclinder (slave I think) leaking fluid low down inside the fairing. He was told it is a common fault. Unfortunately I can't remember if it was the 'skimmed' or 'full fat' variety. Not much help...sorry.

These people have one for sale now.

https://www.bsbikes.co.uk/usedbikesoffers.htm


2004, 54plate. 2,187 miles, Grey. Full Service History, Datatool Alarm Immobiliser, HPI Clear, Very Low Miles, 1 owner, £5,995
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25/7 I'm a God-damn Rock Star
"Arguing about the best 125 is like arguing which Spice Girl could sing best"

[Devils Advocate]

If the allure of owning a piece of italian exotica is too strong to resist, buy one, but be aware that you will start to hate the bike fairly quickly if you try to use it as daily transport.
I was going to suggest buying a later model because they can be had for more or less the same money as an older one, but with the earlier imperfections all sorted out, but if you're a lanky bugger you might find the newer ones a bit too small.

Think about it carefully hetz, or you'll find yourself in a pleasure-pain scenario within a short space of time.

[JAMSXR]

[Devils Advocate]

[JAMSXR]

Well when you put it like that Devils I would agree. I'm selling mine because it's almost too 'special' to be riding every day, I need a bike to get me to work, weekend blasts and taking a pillion - Street Triple R. Also after a light spill the price of Aprilia parts is something I don't fancy dealing with again....

50-200 miles everyday, you must have a strong clutch hand now!
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0

[MarkJ]

I've got to admit, Devils Advocate is right. They are shocking to commute on at slow speeds. They're not too bad on the motorway because you get enough wind blast to push on your shoulders and take the weight off your wrists. Also stops you having to crane your neck up as much, probably due to the wind pushing it back . I'm either going to go two ways with mine this year - sell it or track it.

I don't really get that much enjoyment out of riding on the road any more, and it's just exacerbated when out on the Mille. I find you're in an awkward position to ride fast on the road, and all you can see in the mirrors is your elbows.

However, what a bike on track! It handles like it's on bloody rails, so fast, and so effortless. Loads of feedback, razor sharp steering. Comparing it between the road and track is night and day. It all makes sense when you get it on a racetrack.

[Devils Advocate]

[chris-red]

My Friend had an '06 RSVR factory, it was the smallest big bhike I ever sat on, in the sence, The seat height was v high, but the pegs where also high, you're not much shorter (if at all then me) I found it very crampt.
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