Okay, so I finally got my hands on a 2001 Aprilia Mille R. It’s been a dream bike of mine for a while, and I couldn’t resist when I saw a decent one pop up for sale. This thing is a beast, let me tell you!
Getting Started
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. Checked the fluids, tire pressure, and just made sure everything looked reasonably okay. It had been sitting for a bit, so I expected a few things to need attention. It started right up, but that engine sounded so good.
The Deep Dive
- Oil Change: First up, basic maintenance. Drained the old oil, which was pretty dark, and swapped out the filter. I have used good quality synthetic oil, it is a must for these bikes.
- Coolant Flush: The coolant looked a little questionable, so I flushed the system and refilled it with some fresh Engine Ice. I always use that stuff, seems to keep things running cooler.
- Brake Check: The brakes felt okay, but I bled the lines anyway. Good thing I did, found some air bubbles in there. Now they’re nice and firm.
- Chain Maintenance: The chain was a little grimy, so I cleaned it up and lubed it properly. Makes a big difference in how smoothly it rides.
- Suspension:I adjusted its front and rear to check its status.
The Test Ride
After all that, I finally took it out for a proper ride. Holy cow, this thing is powerful! The handling is amazing, it just leans into corners like it’s on rails. The sound of that V-twin is addictive, I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time.
Final Thoughts
Getting this Mille R running perfectly was a satisfying project. It’s not just a bike; it’s a piece of Italian engineering art. I am happy and * is a super fun toy.