By Bonerp on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 04:54 am:

Whats with the black frame? Looks crap! Don't think this bike can pull off the R7 type look really. Its not about that!

Also I quite liked the old rear tail / light cover

Oh well, the Falcos the way forward then! 

By Hansie on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 07:01 am:

Agree!
The 2002 Mille looks far better than the 2003 model.

Hansie  

By Sab on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 12:42 pm:

things are going backwards, even more tacky stickers,black frame looks heavy and cheap, rear end looks a mess, just not a quality looking look anymore. Lacks the clean purity of line and finish of the original 99 bike which was class at the time,(apart from red calipers) but styling not even keeping pace with latest jap bikes. concerned Aprilia owner and nut, i've got two. I would not buy another until things are done with the flare italian styling should be.

sb  

By Crmc33 on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:37 pm:

they should spray everything Falco red and then it would look stunning, In fact its almost worth buying a secondhand one and respraying that instead.  

By Richandall on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 04:32 am:

Has the 2003 model had anything done 'cept the wrong kind of paint etc. I mean, is it a noticeably better bike if you ride it blindfold?

- Richard 

By Crmc33 on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 05:32 am:

both of them are no good when ridden blindfolded unless the blindfolds are special low-blind see thru ones

apparently

 

By Mental_Trev on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 04:22 am:

Rich

The only technical change that I'm aware of is radial front brake calipers but whether you'd notice that riding blindfolded, I seriously doubt - I mean, what we're talking about here is 100ths (or, at best, 10ths) of a second per lap.  

By Prilliant on Tuesday, November 05, 2002 - 12:55 pm:

There's also a new close ratio box. First is a bit longer and the gaps between the rest of the gears are smaller.  

By Rca on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 02:30 am:

I wonder if we are going to see different size brake discs to go with those radial calipers (after all the only benefit of a radial caliper is the ability to fit different diameter discs with a simple spacer on the caliper to suit). We could have the small warped disc, the medium warped disc, and the large warped disc. They could be marketed in order as the buzzy disc, rumble disc and jack hammer disc.  

By Crmc33 on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 03:04 am:

built-in ABS is also another reason then.
The other reason for radial calipers is the reduction or elimination of torsional loads on the caliper mounts, meanin ghtat the pads might cover 20 miles more before they wear out. I myself cant really see the advantage on a road bike. I'd expect the fork lowers to weigh more for a radial setup (unless you have magnesium lowers), and the more conventional axial mounting was hardly poor in braking perfomance.
IMHO they should concentrate their efforts on getting smaller discs to work well! 

By Richandall on Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 06:15 am:

But Superbike tartmag really likes the 2003 RSVR 'cos it's got new dangly bits!! Tho even they say why bother when you can get massive discounts on the 2002 model - like over 2 grand off.

- Rich  

By Bonerp on Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 06:38 am:

Lets face it, no one will notice the difference riding with or without (and before you say anything - has normal capliers!) radial caplipers.

I'd rather they concentrated on sorting problems, like the shite rear brake, and even provide a race can as part of the deal etc.

The back end has been improved for pillions! Tell 'em to buy their own bike I say!  

By Dave on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 12:52 pm:

so change for the sake of change, and the latest fad.

tail light bug eyes Ugly! wtf are they UP to???