Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this Aprilia RSV 1000, the 2001 model. It’s been a bit of a journey, let me tell you. First off, I got this bike because I heard some good things about it, especially that the engine could really last if you take care of it. But like any older bike, it had its quirks.
When I first got it, the darn thing just wouldn’t start reliably. It was frustrating as hell. I did some digging online and found out this is a pretty common issue with these older Aprilias. Some folks were talking about something called a “sprag clutch” failing, and issues with the starter relay and some connector. I’m not a mechanic, but I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, so I started poking around.
I replaced the starter relay first, that was the easiest thing to try. No luck. Then I went after those connectors. Checked them, cleaned them up, still nothing. I was about to throw in the towel and call a shop, but then I read about upgrading the solenoid to a 150 Amp one. Sounded a bit more involved, but what did I have to lose? Ordered one online, spent a Saturday afternoon swapping it out. I also went ahead and bought a new set of battery leads, figured it couldn’t hurt.
Guess what? After replacing the solenoid and those leads, the bike fired right up! It was such a relief. But my victory was short-lived because then I noticed another problem: the rear brake was completely useless. It felt like there was just air in the line.
More online research. Turns out, bleeding the rear brake on these bikes is a bit of a pain. There’s a “special procedure” or something. I found some guides online, followed the steps, and managed to get the brake working again. It wasn’t perfect, but at least it was functional.
The Engine
- It’s a beast: The engine on this thing is a 60-degree v-twin, and it’s powerful. I read somewhere it puts out around 139 horsepower. I’m sure I have never used all that power.
- Built to last: People say these engines can go for a long time if you maintain them properly. That’s good to know because who wants to rebuild an engine all the time?
- Transmission: It’s got a six-speed gearbox. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
I’ve also heard that you can upgrade the rear brake setup with parts from newer RSV models. That’s something I might look into later. For now, I’m just happy to have the bike running and stopping. It’s definitely a fun ride when everything’s working. Just be prepared to do some wrenching if you pick up one of these older Aprilias.
