Aprilia RSV-R Mille Factory

Far from allaying my missus’ fears that I was constantly on my phone owing to a sordid affair, she seemed even more concerned when I came clean and told her I’d actually been eyeing up a new toy; one of these. I first fell in love with Milles when I was just 16, and typically spending my days terrorising the local neighbourhood on my wasp-sounding Aprilia RS50.

To me, back then, the same brand’s big brother V-twin represented the pinnacle of sportsbikes with its charismatic soundtrack, race-crafted persona and looks that made the hottest girl in my school appear about as comparably attractive as a doughnut that had been peed on. The Mille was my first true love, despite having never even sat on one, revved one or knowing the first thing about them. Young, naive and financially destitute, not much has changed in the 14 years that have come to pass other than