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Wednesday, 08 September 1999 |
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Page 2 of 3
| Brembo Gold Series brakes are featured front and rear. The front brakes are 320 mm double floating stainless steel rotor and the calipers feature varied piston diameters of 30 mm to 34 mm and are complemented by new sintered brake pads for outstanding stopping power. |
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The Aprilia RSV Mille R engine incorporates a number of the new features and technical solutions for all year 2000 model RSVs. The standard sixty-degree V-twin motor has been significantly modified to improve efficiency and range of use. The injection mapping has been modified for better start-up and output at low revs, and to reduce jerkiness during deceleration. Aprilia claims that these modifications also reduce noise levels. The clutch assembly has been improved with a braided line, and clutch plates are made from a different friction material. Spring pressure has also been reduced for less lever resistance.
What I really liked was the patented Pneumatic Power Clutch (PPC), which is a vacuum-actuated slipper clutch. What this means is that, when you get off the gas for a corner, the clutch slips, and when you get back on it, it grabs again. This process is activated by carburetion vacuum and cuts down on rear wheel hopping, which we all hate so much on big twins. The transmission has also been reworked. I have never ridden a bike with smoother shifting.
When it comes to the chassis, the R model uses the same polished aluminum frame and swingarm as the standard Mille except the steering tube has been beefed up to the SP specs for more rigidity. The subframe is also aluminum for weight reduction. An Ohlins adjustable steering damper is standard on the R, but the bike worked so well with it in the light position that I never even used it. Acerbis made the lightweight, scratch-resistant gas tank using special resins in a rotary nylon configuration. This was less expensive yet stronger than aluminum and, not to mention, a whole lot tricker. Aprilia knows that riders are going to total a tank or two, so they wanted to make sure that the privateer could afford a new one. Carbon fiber front and rear fenders and dash cover also make the R model special.
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For our first session, an intermediate rear was mounted because it was cold and the track was still a little wet in spots. The bike moved around a lot mid-corner and felt soft in the rear. I came in to tighten up the rear spring, but since there was only a little time left in the session, I went back out quickly to get more familiar with the track. For my next session, I asked Dario to add a turn and a half of preload to the rear and two clicks of compression and rebound to the front. The Pirelli and Aprilia guys told me that the intermediate tire on the rear might account for why the bike was moving around and felt soft. Dario changed the rear tire and they told me that I might not want to change the suspension. I thought, "What are they, high?" |
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I overruled their decision and Dario made the changes I requested. As Dario worked on my bike, I noticed the word lap on the left handlebar blinker switch so I asked him, "What does that do?" He said that it is a switch you can press on every lap to see your times and that it will count laps, record your times, and play them back. On the dash, there are four letters, A B C D, and if you push them in the right sequence, it will bring up the times. This is standard. Wow! That's great, unless you're slow as shit and don't want anyone to know.
Back on it the second time, the bike felt great right away. The track was dry for this session and, once I scrubbed in the new rear, I started to really get into it and the bike responded accordingly. The power delivery is smooth and precise, and changing direction was no problem. The R doesn't get out of shape no matter how hard you brake or gas it, and in mid-corner it holds its line very well. Only later in the day did the bike tend to stand up a bit on the exit.
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