[Jason]

Hey Folks:

I don't post very often, mostly prefer to lurk in the background, but I need some opinions. I currently ride a 929, but recently I've been turned on to the idea of a v-twin bike. I'm looking at both the RC51 and the Mille R. They are both well within my price range, but I'd like some feedback on the pros and cons of both as far as street riding goes. I've read all the magazine articles comparing them, but I'd like some personal opinions. Thanks.

By the way, if anyone has a set of snow tires that will fit a 929, I'd be very grateful. We just got 6 inches of snow last night.

[showmethebombs]

I would go with the RC, but only because I was very happy with mine...and I have never rode an Aprillia. I can imagine that the cost of keeping the Aprillia will be higher....

Bubba might be better at this answer...for I think he has been on both bikes.

If I was going to buy any bike right now...it would be another RC !

[ccwilli3]

I actually like the aprilia. But I only rode the SP1 RC51, not the SP2 (2002+). The SP2 is a bit better I believe, so they may be about even...

But this is all speculation at this point. If choosing between a 2000-2001 RC51 and a mille, I'd take a new mille.

[motojedi]

I had an 01 RC and my main riding companion had an 01 Mille R. We traded bikes occasionally to see how they compare.

The RC is an overall faster bike (on the track) but the Mille's gearing is better suited to street riding.

The Mille fits a larger rider better (my friend is 6'2", I'm 5'11").
If you buy a mille, spend the extra dough for the R or Factory. The Ohlins is well worth it.

In terms of resale (we've sold both bikes recently) I got $6200 for the RC and he just sold the Mille for $8600. (Mille R new was $17,000)

Here in Indiana there's only one Aprillia dealer in the state and he's 2 1/2 hours away. There's a Honda dealer on every corner.

Maintenance was pretty similar.

[Pete]

Having owned an '02 RC51, and recently ridden a Mille R...

I might just choose the Aprilia if I wasn't thrilled by the idea of upgrading the RC's suspension with Ohlins. Put Ohlins on the RC, and the choice would become more difficult. I do prefer the characteristics of the Honda's 90 degree motor over the Aprilia's 60 degree, but I still have a problem with the RC's side-mounted radiators that lend to hot running temps; the Aprilia runs much cooler especially if you're hung up in traffic.

One thing that would be a serious factor in my choosing would be dealer support. There is now only one Aprilia dealership in Houston, and they suck donkey dicks. So, check to make sure you have a dealership with a reputable service department (if you're buying new).

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by Pete

One thing that would be a serious factor in my choosing would be dealer support. There is now only one Aprilia dealership in Houston, and they suck donkey dicks. So, check to make sure you have a dealership with a reputable service department (if you're buying new).

So very true. When Aprilia first hit the states there was a shop in NH that was/is fantastic. The guy who owned it is a really cool guy and races what he sells. I wish I had the money then to buy a Mille. When I moved here I went to the local shop and the guy came off as a complete dick. So if I was to get one I'd probably take it up to Phx, or a private shop for work. Nothing worse then buying from a dealer that you in no way want to deal with service wise and have to go elsewhere.


Dano

[phobiaphobe]

I think the fit/finish and general level of quality on the Honda is higher. The Aprilia definitely has sex appeal, but how much is that worth to you? For the price of even the "base" Mille R, you could buy a new RC, add some slip-ons, a power commander, braided steel lines and Ohlins suspension and still have a bit of change for some new gear.

[ccwilli3]

last thought from me:

I haven't met a mille yet that could run with my 600RR.

Better riders, yes, but because of the bike, no...

[SLODUCK]

I like I talian bikes.

You can get a good deal on a new 2004 Factory right now.

We've done this comparison before, and it cracks me up that people say stuff about bikes they really don't have much knowledge of personally. The stock Mille is restricted at 100 HP, and has tall gearing. After de-restriction, it's supposed to put out about 120 HP. That along with a little gearing change, Pipe, chip, and air box mod, and you are looking at a whole different animal. I got my '01 Mille R brand new in '03 for $13k OTD. A new RC was going to cost me $10.5k OTD. For $2.5K more I got more than $6k worth of goodies, not to mention drop dead gorgeous looks, and handling out of this world!

Most of the people I have talked to, or read about, have said the Rotax motor is super reliable. My own experience is only 8k miles, but I can say I didn't have any problems at all with my bike. The point about dealers being far away is definately something to consider.

I'm definately not a know it all about the RC-51, but I think it's also fair to say it has, or at least has had faults of it's own..... Gauges burning up from the sun, tanks leaking Etc.

[showmethebombs]

Originally Posted by SPEED

tanks leaking

Never had the tank leak...but the rad upper hose clamps needed to be cranked a little harder.

[abtech]

I should point out that even on the R or Factory models, the Ohlins bits are OEM and not "real" Ohlins R&Ts or even close. They use different internals and cannot be supported by anyone other than the Aprilia dealer for parts etc. (Same with the Ducati).

Having said that, I should also point out that my RC (which isn't all that special) has literally buried every Mille R and Factory I have seen on the track. This is in a straight line, in the corners or whatever and this includes a couple of Factory models that everyone claims are pretty fast.

I can't speak about comfort or street capability, as mine has neither in spades . . .

[Hamburgler]

Go with whatever one fits you better or you get the better deal on.

[The Sook]

Beat me again Abtech. I laugh at people that laugh at pthers for not knowing what they're on about, when they then talk crap about "Ohlins this" and Chip that" like it's supposed ti mean something. I rekon a re-valve and spring change by Dan Kyle for you guys would work way better than any Ohlins set up on the mille's. And that's just saved you even more $'s. I had the 2000 Mille, and let me say, it was the biggest piece of **** I have ever ridden. Good for sweepers and that was IT. Crashed thehell out of it riding my arse off to keep up with guys I had NO problem keeping up with before on my Gixxer750 (96) and now leave behind (600RR). The new ones are supposed to be better, but like someone said, the RC has more h.p, and money you save you can spend on things that actually work well, and not have "bling" written on them to justify the price.

RC
Sato's
PC mapped
Suspension valving etc/or changed and you have a twin that will bury MOST other twins without a problem, one of them being the Mille.

As for the rotax motor, it is reliable up until 45K apparently (km's not miles) and then you're in trouble.

[Zeeman]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

I think the fit/finish and general level of quality on the Honda is higher. The Aprilia definitely has sex appeal, but how much is that worth to you? For the price of even the "base" Mille R, you could buy a new RC, add some slip-ons, a power commander, braided steel lines and Ohlins suspension and still have a bit of change for some new gear.

Damn, RC51's must be damn cheap in your neck of the woods

Z...

[Jason]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm still on the fence, mainly because I haven't ridden the Aprilia yet. As far as cost, an 05 RC51 and an 05 Mille R are within about 3000.00 of each other(RC-16500. Mille R-19000.ish)*, so the price isn't really that much of a factor. I wasn't really looking too hard at the Factory model, because it's 10K more, and although the suspension looks great, I don't really need the forged wheels and all that carbon fiber on the street. That's what my wife tells me anyway. (Note; never take her bike shopping again) As far as all out performance difference between the two bikes: I don't ride on the track at the moment, and the stock performance of either machine would probably be more than enough for my level of skill at the moment.

The dealership support thing may be a factor. There's half a dozen Honda dealerships here, and one dealer that just started selling Aprilia. There's better dealer support for Italian bikes in Calgary, which is a 2 1/2hr drive.

For me, it's all going to hinge on the test ride. I have to wait until the snow goes away for that, though.

*All prices in Canadian Crunchy Bucks.

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by Zeeman

Damn, RC51's must be damn cheap in your neck of the woods

Z...

RC's list for 15999 Canadian (I think) but you can easily get the dealer down to 14500 or less. Last time I looked at a Mille R it was 22000, and there's only one dealer here that offers it and they aren't likely to discount more than about a grand. So I'm going on at least a $5k difference.

[SLODUCK]

Originally Posted by Jason

Hey Folks:

I don't post very often, mostly prefer to lurk in the background, but I need some opinions. I currently ride a 929, but recently I've been turned on to the idea of a v-twin bike. I'm looking at both the RC51 and the Mille R. They are both well within my price range, but I'd like some feedback on the pros and cons of both as far as street riding goes. I've read all the magazine articles comparing them, but I'd like some personal opinions. Thanks.

By the way, if anyone has a set of snow tires that will fit a 929, I'd be very grateful. We just got 6 inches of snow last night.

You're really asking the wrong question on the wrong forum. If you ask the same question on any Aprilia forum, you will get the same answer or result except is vice versa. Just my opinion.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by SLODUCK

You're really asking the wrong question on the wrong forum. If you ask the same question on any Aprilia forum, you will get the same answer or result except is vice versa. Just my opinion.

Unfortunately, the bullshit stops when the flag drops. Not a lot of Milles (R Factory or otherwise) around in the top 10 when the checker waves . . .

[SLODUCK]

Originally Posted by abtech

Unfortunately, the bullshit stops when the flag drops. Not a lot of Milles (R Factory or otherwise) around in the top 10 when the checkered waves . . .

Ooooppsss!!!
Sorry, I did not know that he was going to race the bike. I thought I read it somewhere on his thread that he was just going to ride it on the street...

My bad abtech

[abtech]

Originally Posted by SLODUCK

Ooooppsss!!!
Sorry, I did not know that he was going to race the bike. I thought I read it somewhere on his thread that he was just going to ride it on the street...

My bad abtech

No he made it clear that he wasn't going to race. I was just making a point regarding performance . . .

My bad.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by abtech

My bad.

As usual.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by Pete

As usual.

bite me Dave and quit your damn whining

flopper . . .

[Pete]

Originally Posted by abtech

bite me Dave and quit your damn whining

flopper . . .