The Other Italian Twin: 2007 Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory for Sale

If someone says “twin cylinder Italian sportbike,” the first thing that springs to mind is probably “Ducati,” even though they’re heavily invested in the V4 configuration these days. But Aprilia has been making fast, sweet handling, and reliable v-twins since 1998, and they sell for relative peanuts, compared to Ducatis of the same vintage. Today’s Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory isn’t the cheapest example you’ll find, but could represent a real performance bargain, if you’re into that kind of thing.

For much of World Superbike’s early history Kawasaki and Suzuki ran inline fours, and Honda ran their famous V4. But with four cylinders apiece, they were limited to 750cc of displacement. Twin cylinder machines like those from Ducati and later Aprilia were allowed some additional capacity: up to 1000cc until 2003, when the displacement limit for all machines was changed to 1000cc. The rules were intended to equalize engine performance, as a twin or triple will make less outright power than a four of the same displacement.

But twins had some inherent advantages, as the spaced-out power pulses improved rear-end grip and tire life, and the narrower engines meant better aerodynamics. Some felt that Ducati’s success in the class had less to do with engineering brilliance and more to do with a stacked deck. In 2000, Honda decided that, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, and made their own 1000cc v-twin and was almost immediately competitive, basically proving that point.

Into this mix came Aprilia with their RSV Mille. Powered by a Rotax-developed, v-twin, the bike was packed with technology: the engine was a 998cc, liquid cooled four-valve v-twin, but used a more compact 60° v-twin than Ducati, with a pair of balance shafts to overcome the inherent vibrations of the design. It featured a dry-sump oiling system and magnesium valve covers and was mated to a close-ratio six-speed gearbox, with Aprilia’s PPC or “pneumatic power clutch” to mimic the function of a slipper clutch. That was all suspended from a lightweight aluminum beam frame.

The Factory version of the bike distinguished itself with adjustable Öhlins suspension components at both ends, an Öhlins steering dampener, forged aluminum wheels, and a bunch of carbon fiber bodywork to save a bit of weight and look cool.

From the original eBay listing: 2007 Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory for Sale

PLEASE NOTE! VEHICLE SHIPS OUT OF LAS VEGAS, NV. SHIPPING DIRECT TO PURCHASER’S DOORSTEP AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL AND EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF A RARE WSB HOMOLOGATION MODEL. INCREDIBLE CONDITION, BETTER THAN NEW.

“FACTORY” IS A MAGIC WORD THAT IMMEDIATELY CONJURES UP THE WORLD OF RACING AND SPECIAL BIKES FOR SPECIAL RIDERS WHO FULLY APPRECIATE THE THRILL OF SPORTS RIDING. THE RSV 1000 R FACTORY IS THE TOP OF THE RSV 1000 R RANGE, AND A REFINED SUPERSPORT THAT IS AWESOMELY SUCCESSFUL ON THE TRACK.

The RSV 1000 R Factory is an enhanced RSV 1000 R, already the world’s top twin-cylinder supersport. The V60 Magnesium engine and the new RSV 1000 R chassis combine with special ultra-light materials and the world’s best production components to bring the RSV 1000 R Factory up to a previously unknown level of excellence on the track.

The Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory is the utmost expression of Aprilia’s technological and sporting heritage.

Here is a bike designed for those who demand maximum performance on the track. Yet, like all previous RSV 1000 R models, the new Factory still sells at a surprisingly low price. Just like its predecessors, the new Factory brings you the best motorcycle technology in the world at a rock bottom price. Nowhere else will you find this level of equipment for such a low outlay.

The Factory is an RSV 1000 R that has been pushed beyond the excellence barrier, cleverly modified and equipped with only superlative components.

There’s more, but it mostly sounds like it’s been copied from Aprilia’s promotional material from when the bike was new. Suffice to say, these are very fast, handle well, and are generally considered to be far more reliable than a comparable Ducati. Styling is subjective, but I think these look great, and the riding position is definitely more comfortable than the aforementioned Ducati. Is it worth the almost $10,000 asking price? Well it is an homologation special and, with asking prices for decent Ducati 996s in the $15,000 to $20,000 range, it represents your chance to pick up a very trick bike for much less than that.

-tad