This rare Aprilia RSV Mille SP is going under the hammer

It was the motorcycle Aprilia used to formally launch itself into the WorldSBK Championship at the turn of the millennium and now a mint version of one of the few roadgoing Aprilia RSV Mille SP models is up for auction.

Back in 1999, Aprilia made its move into WorldSBK with a sporting version of its RSV Mille but would do so with a homologation special, essentially a honed sporting version of the bike it could then adapt for the track.

As part of WorldSBK rules, 150 models of the motorcycle had to be produced making this special Aprilia RSC Mille SP (Sport Production) – which has gone up for auction - a particularly rare beast.

What makes this model particularly special is its short-stroke version of the 60-degree V-twin engine, which was developed in collaboration with Cosworth, a 20% stiffer base, carbon fairings and a dedicated exhaust. It is listed #12 of the 150 models made.

Its first owner was Aprilia spA, before being purchased by Arrow exhausts as a museum piece. The  model has just 9,000 miles on the clock and is still fully functional.

If you’re interested in putting a bid in, unfortunately the auction may be over by the time you read this, but even then you’d need to find upwards of 48,000euros – at the time of writing – for this low mileage, pristine beast to make its way into your garage.

Either way, it’s a nice chance to gaze upon a classic Aprilia sportsbike and have a little dream…