So basically, about a week ago, I decided to get a bike that would fill the void that was left from selling my '00 RC51. I loved that bike, but as time went on, I was feeling the heft of the bike and I started to wander if there was something out there that suited my purposes more.
I had decided on a Honda CBR 954rr - and even posted here: looking for one.
My requirements were as follows:
"I want a liter class bike that has enough ponies for me to pass some cars w/o downshifting.
Then after my 1000-mile ride day, I can run up 9 and carve with the best of them. On the following weekend, i'll go to the track and I won't have issues with ground clearence or hard parts touching, when I drag my knee.
After the track, I can go to the local starbucks and pose for a bit.
I wanna do this for about 6k, and under 500lbs wet."
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It was suggested by both Ratters and Drizz that I take a serious look at the Aprilia Mille. Having only owned Japanese bikes in the past, I was very reluctant... I love the Milles, but they were just not my cup of tea. I prefer the more non-exotic everyday kinda bike.. Milles and Ducatis are nice -- but only when your friend rides them, and have to deal with the break down problems. 
So today, I set forth to find my 'dream' do-it-all bike.. I took a look at a 954rr that was on craigslist.. The guy was the first owner, and he seemed very upfront in our short email conversation.
When I looked at the bike, I knew immediately something was wrong.. He had dumped it harder than he stated (swingarm was scratched by the welds) and it had been dumped on both sides -- he didn't state this in our email exchanges! I decided to pass, and he seemed a bit miffed by me pointing out the obvious accident trailmarks.
The second bike on my list to look at today, was indeed a Aprilia Mille (as so suggested by fellow board members Ratters, and Drizz) I love twins (see avatar) and I never thought I would ride anything but them, but I never really liked the old Mille look. I thought they were too round and overstyled when looking at pics on the web. The price seemed good and the ad was descriptive enough...
2000 Mille R / $6800
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When I met up with Joe (the seller) I can tell instantly, this is the kinda guy I wanted to deal with. Something about fellow gearheads sniffing each other out. He lived in a luxury apt. in downtown San Jose, and when I met him outside, he was very friendly and cordial. As we proceeded to walk down to the garage, and see the bike--I can tell he had somewhat an uncomfortable look.. He asked me what my riding experience was, and I answered; "i've had my license for a few years, have owned a liter twin, and have ridden on the track." - after I said those magic words, his face brightened up and it was almost like a secret handshake to gain entrance to an exclusive club.
The reason being was, that the first person interested in the bike was a 22 y/o kid that didn't even have his M1, and wanted to buy the bike! Joe, being the gentlemen, gave him the whole speech about learning on a beginner bike first, get good gear, etc... Joe, even offered to hold the bike for him, deduct the selling price of the bike so the kid can use the money to take his MSF!
Talk about a nice guy!!!
When I asked Joe about the Mille, he told me he had taken it to Superbike school a few years back, and he's just not riding it much anymore due to his new toy (more about that later)
This was definitely my kind of seller! He not only appreciated the bike for what it is, he actually rode it for it's intentions.
By the time we reached the bike in his underground parking garage, it glowed like no other bike i've seen...
IT WAS MINT!!! Not a single mark or scratch I can identify anywhere! Carbon fiber everywhere, and the OZ wheels were shiny like new. While I was carefully going through the bike, he whipped out a rag and started polishing the wheels and kept mumbling how 'dirty' the bike was... I could not find a speck of dirt anywhere, and I consider myself a pretty meticulous person.
The parts speak for themselves, Ohlins forks, damper and shock - forged aluminum wheels, Brembos... Alll stock and completely tricked-out.
And when I hoped on it, I noticed how much lighter it felt than my RC and how solid the construction was. The clip-ons were higher, and had a more natural riding position than any other superbike i've sat on.
I was sold!
I asked him if he was negotiable on the price, and he said, since I fit the mold of the buyer he was looking for, he'd be willing to drop a few hundy off his asking price.
I actually felt bad for lowballing him, until he showed me his new toy:
a 2006 Porsche 911 with GT kit.
Woah, I turned from feeling *somewhat* bad, to complete and utter jealosy..
I mentioned to him, that i'll take the bike now, but i'll need a ride from a friend, back to grab my car. He said that was nonsense and he kindly offered to follow me home on the Porsche and he'll take me out on his 3-month old baby back to my car.
How can I resist!?
When we went up to his luxury apartment to do the paperwork, he showered me with more bike-related stuff than I know what to do with.
Complete service records from new, including a recent (1-month old) service at Moto-Italiano for $700! - Freshly mounted 208 rubber, instruction manual, sales brochure, 2 x helmets (Arai and Shoei) gloves, battery tender, and a bike cover.
Basically, he was getting out of the riding game, and decided to give me all his used stuff, which I did not hesitate to take!
When, we finally got the paperwork done, we went back downstairs. I fired up the bike and listened to the V-twin symphony between my legs.. Gave it a few quick revs, and the stock (race modified?) exhaust roared like a beast about to unleash itself on the city streets. When moving the bars side to side, I can feel the damper working ever so gently, and you can hear the sweet sound of hydraulic oil move from piston to resevior. As I was giving the bike my final once over, admiring the beauty and craftsmanship of the forks, I noted how the oil on the forks need to be changed, and how much it will cost on these Ohlins unit.. Then I recalled on the paperwork that Joe had handed me, and this particular sevice was just done 2-weeks ago!
Can this really be, a used bike that *truly* needs nothing?!
I took it easy on the 10-mile ride home, as it was a new bike and we were just started to get aquainted with each other. The bike pulls hard, and any little bump was easily absorbed into good road feel by the Ohlins forks. Damn, all these years of riding, and I never got a tastes of the good stuff till now.
Joe followed me home, and I can tell he wanted to 'rev' up on each other, as he would pull next to me and play the 'see how can light it up first' game.. lol -- here we are, two grown adults riding/driving down hwy 280 on exotic machines fued by pure testosterone.
When I dropped of the bike at my place, I hopped into his new car, and he tells me; "I hope you don't get scared easily"
I laugh and say, "do your best!"
He pulls onto the freeway ramp, like he was going straight! There was no body roll at all! All I could hear was the roar of his engine coming from behind my ears. I mean, the car feels like its laughing back and says, "is that all you got?!"
He drives the car, like he would ride the bike.. Treating every stop light like a drag strip. Every corner, like a bus stop, every brake point like, a braking test on Gran Turismo 4. This guy was nuts...
By the time we got back to my car, he laughingly mentions how he probably burned about $300 in tires on the 10-mile trip back, but it was all a part of "used buying experience" from him.
I shake his hand and thank him for the wonderful bike shopping experience, and them i'm off to go home and enjoy my new toy.
here's a quick pic of some goodies on the bike:
