Aprilia RS125 (1995-current)

Got the 96 extrema for my first bike since I've followed racing die to my dads influence as an ex racer, I thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that this iconic bike was the one for me. The handling is second to none and the power is great. Unfortunately all this is questioned by the reliability of the rotax inside. Despite that fact I now have 2. Recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind rebuilding.

A need for speed! This is a fantastic motorbike if you like the feeling of the wind on your visor. However, as has been said before in previous comments, this is a high maintenance motorbike, as most 2-strokes are, so it would be wise to be handy with a wrench if you are considering a purchase. For a fuller review of this motorcycle, check out my website at: www.besttwowheelreviews.com/aprilia/ This website also contains a bunch of other reviews for motorcycles in this category.

Look after it and you'll be mostly ok. I did have a completely unexplained seizure (warmed it up beforehand and took it nice and gentle for the first two miles - and then it seized). I also had the float bowl crack so it spewed petrol everywhere. And then there's the ongoing front brake vibration issue. Apart from this it's fantastic - faster than every other 125 and it looks the dogs wotsits. Get one. Now.

i have a 2001 rs125 withc is current i have owned another 2003rs125 and a 2000 rs50 these bikes are crazy fast for what thay are a simple 125cc engine the bike is ok restricted but come-on who in the right mind wont want to let out all the 33 horses i baught this bike from a dealer witch was stored by the owner for 5 years and only had 4000kms on the clock it was like new and restricted i fully derestricted it with all standard parts it was a good bike i could get 105mph out of it i then soon put carbon reeds on the standard reed manifold i also added a 34ml carb a sports exshaust and a racing cdi and god it made the difrence this bike lifted easy in 1st gear a bit hard to get it up in 2nd but could do it the difrence was well put it this way my freind i derestriced his rs125 2002 modle and we had a little drag well i will just say it was a 3 legged donky compaird to the raceing horse these bikes are the fastest 125s i know of its reliable enough if you can spend money like theirs a hole in your pocket as i would recomend a topend rebuild evry 4000kms and a bottom end rebuild evry 6-7000kms only use the best gear oil and 2storke oil you can get always use a ierdum spark plug these bikes burn spark plugs as if you have tosed them into a fire the ierdum spark plug also help smoother running and last a fair bit longer the handeling is superb their is alot of aftermarket stuff for the rear suspension etc i wouldnt change a thing thay are racing bike set for racing realy and changing things like that could spoinl the bike if you have the money also to upgradeds like i have mentioned exspect the 40mpg to go down to like 35mpg dosnt sound much but over the year if you keep count of how much you spend on 2storke and petrol its alot i would also recomend a bigbore kit i got one from polini i got the crank rebuilt and new main bearins and seal befor puting this on as it is claimed to push out a wopping 37-38bhp i paid 360 for my big bore and it lasted 7 munth only covering 4500kms polini sell new pistons for the big bore but when it tears your cylinder to bits and it needs replateing its not good value for money but is worth it if you change the piston quik enough befor it gose on you these bikes are slim look much bigger than thay aer the only thing that i would gives it away is the small exshaughst if it had a fair big one then you wouldnt know apart from the best sound in the world that 2stoke ping and waaaa waaaa waaaa lol i would recomend these bikes but i have rcently had a go on the new ktm duke 125 and for me its time for a change to that i think but i defently recomend these bikes these are by far the best 125cc sports bikes out their just remember to look after them get work done properly keep all receipts as i carnt stand people go oooh i had it rebuilt a munth ago i did have the recipt but my maother throw it out etc bullshhhh keep evrything you buy a cheap 10p plastic valve cap keep the recipt it make the bike look realy good and is realy good for resale value if your buying one make sure you check evrything works dont be affraid to say can you lift the tank to have a good look at most of the eletrics and engine make sure its cleanish at least and dont have people say well i would need to remove the whole tank no its 1 bolt from the frunt of the tank take of the seat and it lifts up and stands straight up i am saying this as the 1st bike i baught i didnt check and the lad cut the powervalve solnoid wires thinking it derestricted it etc ha and the engine gees i thaught he had pourd oil on it and then smotherd it in mud and grit its was black just make sure you check evrything you can including wheel bearings etc good all round solid fast bike and with the right mods a absalute rocket for the conutry roads with freinds or just a simple cruse to work and remember the bike is made to be a road bike and needs to be treated like a 70mph bike most of the time or if you redline it all the time say good bye piston and rings and helo a bill and a top end rebuild

dont even bother buying this bike. buy a honda cbr or yzf 125. this bike will be nothing but trouble. its tacky and poor quality. you will have countless break downs with this bike. it spits out 2 stroke oil everywhere, it will rattle, the electrics wont work, you will be putting it into a garage every weekend. to sum up this bike id say: a crap bike to go along with the crap 17 year olds who ride them.

bought this piece of crap back in febuary and sold it last week finally. it was a endless mix of breakdowns with electrics, transmission and engine trouble. cost me alot of money in the end. only thing good when it did run was the looks, handling and speed (when it did run) but after all that i would gladly taken back my old aerox 100 which i put 18000m trouble free miles. i would never buy another aprilia again and would never advise my worst enemey to buy one either.

.

Bought an RS125-SP after passing my test (restricted licence) and had it de-restricted & tuned, giving about 35 bhp. For a 125, it was super quick, looked stunning and handled like a dream. Unfortunately reliability was awful. The engine seized (despite using top grade 2-stroke oil), most parts broke & had to be replaced and the electrics were diabolical. I probably spent the cost of the bike again in various repairs. Unfortunately, this bike is aimed at 17 year olds who don't have the money nor desire to keep on top of the maintainence so a reliable 2nd hand model is tough to find.

My one was a new 2001 model back when i was 17 so i cant comment on the newer ones although i've heard nothing apart from the body work has changed. Top marks on handling, will easily out handle most bigger bikes. Quality is unreal for a 125, well built, looks amazing and from a distence could look like a 4 or 600 sitting there. Performance is 17 year old mind blowingly good (when full power) 115 mph top end and gets there well but it comes at a price, thirsty on petrol, expencive oil and £500 - £800 engine re-builds every 2000-5000 miles (know from expierence and friends who also had them) so its a 17 year olds orgasm of a bike if they also have very deep pockets

My son just had to have one. I couldn't convince him to get a CBR and to be honest if I was 17 again I would want the RS. It was a 51 plate mint example with a good history and expensive oil, even after this it destroyed the piston within a fortnight, it had an aftermarket piston fitted! Loads of other issues - shock failed, speedo drives failed twice, electrics are dodgy, powervalve sticks, etc.. When they are going well they are superb but if you buy one make sure you have got good public transport or a push bike for back up. He has an SV 650 now, now problems.