Aprilia made a stab at the boutique superbike segment in 2004 with the magnesium engine and carbon fairing Nera. This wine country example looks excellent and comes at a substantial discount to MSRP.
2004 Aprilia RSV1000R Nera for sale on eBay
It was the first year of the second generation of Aprilia superbikes, and though outwardly similar, the RSV1000R and the Nera had some nice updates. Evolved from Aprilia’s 60-degree dry sump V-twin, titanium fasteners and CNC matching of the throttle bodies to the intakes allowed the Nera to claim 139 hp. Magnesium is used for the clutch cover, and hides the Pneumatic Power Clutch slipper unit. The new chassis and swingarm are fabricated from alloy stampings and finished in a gold tint evoking titanium. Wheels are forged in magnesium, and the radial-mounted Brembo brakes include an early adoption of the radial master cylinder, providing better feel under hard decceleration. Full fairings are executed in glossy carbon fiber, and incorporate a fresh air intake and a sharp integrated taillight design.
Nera’s are rarely offered and the few we’ve seen are barely ridden. This one is in very nice shape and the owner states it’s run just 1,300 miles, though the odometer isn’t correct. The Akrapovic cans came with the Nera but are not the titanium units sometimes shown. Just a bit of storage wear is mentioned but can’t really be seen in the inadequate photos. Not sure what is meant by the black rubber tank mentioned in the eBay auction-
2004 Aprilia Nera, one of only 200 made worldwide. This one is serial number 50. I believe less than 40 came to the United States, but I’m not 100 percent sure.
This bike is all original, including the tires. The bike has the carbon fiber gas tank that was included in the original purchase, but I do not have the black rubber tank that came stock on the bike. It is also missing the stock rear carbon fiber license plate holder and the exhaust that came on the bike from the factory. The full Akrapovik exhaust that came in a box with the original bike purchase is what is installed.
The bike has been sitting in my house for a while. The bike is not mint, but is very close to mint. There is not one knick or scratch on the magnesium wheels. All body work is very very nice. There is a very small crack in the lower bottom fairing, but it is hard to see. Otherwise, the bodywork is close to mint.
In 2004/2005 Aprilia’s, the odometer resets if the battery dies or is replaced, such as the case with this bike. I would just like to let that be known since the odometer has reset. If I had to guess, this bike has less than 1,300 original miles. The tires have plenty of tread and they are the original tires. The bike runs well overall. I do think the battery is discharging when parked. However, I just never got around to investigating to determine if that is true. This bike would need very little work to be considered a 10.
Plunking down thirty-nine large on a Nera put one in touch with a Dream concierge in Italy who coordinated a factory tour, a set of Dainese leathers, Aprilia helmet, and a VIP trip to a MotoGP event. Even as rarely as they have surfaced, the market hasn’t made a winning investment out of a new Nera. But whether this auction ends on a bid or buy-it-now, it might be a very rideable collector for the new owner.
-donn
The ‘rubber’ tank mentioned is a reference to what actually was a nylon tank that the Nera would have been delivered with. Something to do with our USDOT laws that didn’t allow the bike to be delivered with a carbon fiber tank. My understanding is that when you bought a Nera, part of the package was the carbon fiber tank and exhaust, both in boxes.
Correct, although I am not sure if the tank was nylon or just a standard RSV1000 tank. I dont think the brake and clutch levers are OEM though
Still, Beautiful machines, probably the top collectible in the 2nd gen Aprilia lineup
Bike has been listed on the aprilia forums for a while.
Honestly I think the garbage pictures and limited details are holding it back.
For me there are A LOT of little details that scare me off.
-Missing parts of the “package”
-Literally bolts falling off/missing
-Incorrect bits here and there.
-Couple of dings/damage listed, but not great pictures, so what else is there.
Someone that wants to pay up for this as a collector has a fair bit of work in front of them to sort it out. Any anyone looking for a rare/interesting motorcycle to ride has plenty of other options at this price point. Shame as this is an epic bike.
“This is a 2004 Aprilia Nera, one of only 200 made worldwide. This one is serial number 50. I believe less than 40 came to the United States, but I’m not 100 percent sure.”
What? I am not a math whiz but…
Only 200 of the Nera model were produced by the factory. This was #50 off the line. Only 40 of the 200 made it to the USA. Manufacturers don’t ship bikes around the world in numerical sequence.