Aprilia SX 50 (2006-2018) review and used buying guide

Words by Chris Newbigging

The Aprilia SX 50 supermoto model is just as fun as its Aprilia RS50 sportsbike sibling, but is easier to use and much more comfortable - especially for taller riders.

The SX 50 is an ideal first partner if you want to pass your full UK motorbike test and like riding off the beaten track. You can ride it on a provisional driving licence, providing  , meaning it's among the cheapest ways into two-wheeled fun.

This version of the Aprilia SX 50 went off sale in 2018 and was replaced by a new Euro4-compliant version. It remained a two-stroke, however.

There is a thriving online community for Aprilia owners at the Aprilia Forum.

The chassis can handle way more than the 50cc engine will ever be able to throw at it, and as such it's great fun keeping the momentum up in corners. The suspension may be non-adjustable but it copes fine with hard cornering and braking.

This single cylinder two stroke engine isn’t the world’s most powerful.

No amount of throttle or clutch slip will ever get the Aprilia off the line quickly, from then on up, however, it's a gas. Gather a bit of momentum and things get much better.

Despite the single figure power output, the light, well-spaced gearbox helps keep the tacho needle firmly in the top half of the rev counter. Expect to see 60mph in top gear with the right conditions.

If you buy a second-hand SX 50 then chances are it's spent most of its life being ridden hard by a 16-year-old who only put cheap oil in it. Check for signs it's not been looked after.

Our Aprilia SX 50 owners' review shows an owner who loves their two-stroke off-roader, although they do report some problems with the bike's top end.

At £2399 the SX was cheaper than the RS 50 but offers the same performance. If you really want to look after it you'll have to use top quality two-stroke oil, which isn't cheap.

In 2019 you could still buy the Euro4 SX 50, priced at £3499. It was available in red and green colour schemes. We've yet to review this model.

Two strokes have been all but phased out by ever-tightening emissions regulations now and as the number of 16-year-olds catching the two-wheel bug has declined, so have 50cc models. These days, the learner bike market is dominated by 125s.

As you'd expect on a supermoto, equipment is basic, with only the bare essential clock functions and non-adjustable suspension. But you don't really need anything else.

There was also another version called the Aprilia SX50 Factory, which added styling and handling parts to up the performance of the bike.