Suspension is a little on the stiff side but the initial part of the stroke is supple enough to absorb all but the biggest of hits. Stability is quite good but I feel that, like Honda's SP1, the Aprilia may benefit from a some minor suspension mods to the valving. I have found this in all the V-Twin sportsbikes I have ridden so the Mille is definitely not alone in this department.
The engine is extremely well engineered with little of the trademark shudders and shakes that are normally associated with V-Twin motorcycles. If Aprilia can do this why can't the rest? Bottom end pull is excellent and builds into a very strong mid-range. It does suffer a little at the top end compared to the 4-cylinder opposition but so do all V-Twins.
On a run through some of the mountain roads Southern New South Wales has to offer, fellow riders following me commented that large black lines were peeling out from behind the rear tyre on the Aprilia when exiting the corners, can't complain about that much drive!
Braking is typical Brembo, a bit more effort through the lever than most but plenty of power when pulling the lever hard. Feel seems to be a little wooden at first but I had no trouble performing some excellent rolling stoppies for the camera so it can't be all that bad!
Practicality is excellent with my Aprilia experience being completely fuss free, fire her up in the morning and off you go with no complaints. The headlight is excellent. I rode the RSV around 200 kilometres during the night and found the headlight to be unequalled in my experience, the high beam is wide and penetrating.
Fuel range is ample, with the 20 litre tank giving a touring range of well over 300 kilometres at legal touring speeds.
The dash layout is complex enough to confuse a 747 pilot. A large digital speedo sits to the left of the conventional round tachometer which features a flashing shift light.
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