When it first appeared in 1998, Aprilia's RSV Mille surprised many with its futuristic styling and design. The firm was known to have been working on a V-twin sportsbike for several years, but the refinement of the design impressed many observers.

The engine is a narrow-angle 60° V-twin, with four valves per cylinder. A pair of balance shafts reduce vibration from the motor, and a combination of gears and chains drive the double overhead camshafts in each cylinder head. Twin spark plugs give fast, efficient combustion, and an advanced fuel-injection system uses large 51mm (2in) throttle bodies to help produce the 97kW (130bhp) peak power.

The narrow angle of the engine allows the aluminium twin-spar frame to be compact and stiff, for dynamic handling. It also made for a shorter engine design than a 90° V-twin, allowing a sporty, short wheelbase. High-set footpegs and the slim profile of the bike give excellent ground clearance, allowing the extreme cornering angles necessary for race success. The track-spec, fully adjustable suspension at both ends, gives smooth wheel response, while the steering geometry combines quick steering with good straight line stability. Early designs wore red-painted Brembo four-piston brake calipers, but later models reverted to standard gold-finished calipers. Whatever colour they were, these calipers supplied class-leading performance.

The RSV Mille was immediately compared with Ducati's 916, another distinctive

Italian 1000cc V-twin sportsbike. While the RSV does not have the classic beauty of the red Ducati, its handling is equal to the older bike, and the RSV engine is more modern and stronger everywhere. Indeed, Ducati soon replaced the 916 with the 996, complete with a much more powerful 996cc engine.