Carving through an uphill left-hand turn, with the mountains turning shades of misty blue ahead, I felt my knee puck grazing the smooth asphalt. The new Aprilia Factory wasn’t even trying and felt so totally in control I was initially surprised at the lean angle.

Riding the near-deserted Blue Ridge Parkway an hour before sundown, I was completely at one with the stunning silver machine beneath me. Feeling more agile, more powerful and smaller than last years “R,” I was deep in Ohlins’ suspension paradise twisting and turning along the Parkway.

With nothing more than a few Cruisers to pass, I had the road to myself and enjoyed a fast, solo ride till the advancing shadows told me it was time to head home.

I guess the first thing to do is explain a little about the 04-model designation to avoid any confusion. Last year, the “R” was the top of the line Mille, featuring upgraded Ohlins’ suspension and lighter OZ racing wheels.

This year, the Aprilia Mille “R” with Showa forks is going to be the base model, with the “Factory” as the limited edition flag ship Mille. Wearing top-shelf Ohlins suspenders and steering damper, the price differential is $8,000, with the “R” priced at $25,500, and the Factory at $33,500.

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