APRILIA SX125 (2018 - on) Review

The Aprilia SX 125 immediately found itself in a gap in the market, which used to be packed with learner-legal enduro or supermoto 125s (Suzuki DR125SM, Yamaha XT125R and Yamaha XT125X), but nowadays none of the ‘recognised’ brands build one and instead have focused their attention on race reps and naked bikes. A move that has left the door open for Aprilia…

• Related: Aprilia SX125 and RX125 updated for 2021
  
• Related: Best 125cc motorbikes 
• Related: Best supermotos

New in 2018, the supermoto Aprilia SX 125 and enduro RX 125 share a similar platform. Both bikes use the RS 125’s (or RS4 as it used to be called) fuel-injected, four-stroke, single cylinder engine that is housed in a steel double cradle frame. Boasting inverted forks, ABS, and smatterings of real-fake carbon fibre, not to mention typically-Aprilia aggressive styling, they look far more premium products than their impressively budget £3399 price tags suggest. Are Aprilia onto a winner by spotting this hole in the 125cc market?

The SX 125 has a ‘big bike’ feel about it and while the seat height is quoted at 880mm, it’s such a narrow machine with soft suspension that in reality it’s far lower. The riding position is relaxed with tall bars, which is good, but the seat is pretty firm. While the engine’s weedy exhaust note is a disappointment, it’s as fast as any four-stroke 125 with solid road holding meaning you can happily top 60mph, which is all you need. My only real criticism was the cheap dash, which lacks a fuel gauge and looks like it came out of a cracker.

You always expect an Aprilia model to cost a premium, but launched at £3399 the SX was impressive value for money and backed up by some tempting finance deals, which you don’t always get with far eastern brands. However, fast-forward to 2021 and the price has risen to £3895. 

The aggressive look and relaxed riding position that a supermoto style of bike delivers is good and the fact the SX comes with ABS is a bonus.

Ok, it’s made in China and not Italy, but it’s the name on the tank that counts and the Aprilia brand still carries some weight behind it.

The SX looks fantastic in the flesh and fits all shapes and sizes of rider, even those who have been through a recent growth spurt/McDonalds binge. The little single engine is reliable and sips fuel with 80mpg easily achievable, making the SX cheap to run on a shoestring. It sounds a bit puny, but that’s nothing a loud exhaust can’t rectify.

The Aprilia has a ‘big bike’ feel about it and while the seat height is quoted at 880mm, it’s such a narrow machine with soft suspension that in reality it’s far lower. The riding position is relaxed with tall bars, which is good, but the seat is pretty firm. There are better handling 125s on the market (KTM 125 Duke) but overall the SX doesn’t disappoint and it’s a good little 125 and ideal for commuting or shorter runs. The ABS system works well, giving newer riders a greater feeling of security than combined brakes deliver. And the rear brake has no ABS, so you can still do skids to impress people…

The SX use the same four-stroke single cylinder 125 as the RS 125, which is a pretty advanced engine. It has four valves, double overhead cams and a fuel-injection system, so meets Euro4 regulations. Despite sounding pretty weedy, it makes the legal limit for a 125 and is impressively frugal to run with 80mpg easily achievable.

By their very nature 125s get hammered to within an inch of their life, but as new you get a two-year warranty and the RS4 (which is now called the RS 125) has a proven reliability record. The lower level of finish tends to show up after a few years, but mechanically it should be sound.

Our Aprilia SX 125 owners' reviews show a few issues with build quality that we think you should consider before buying one. 

If you are comparing the SX to far eastern brands the Aprilia is more expensive, and the likes of the Keeway TX 125 Enduro or SM and Lexmoto Adrenaline and Lexmoto Tekken all cost £1999. The air-cooled Rieju MRT 125 Pro is £2999 while a water-cooled version £4099, which is more than the also water-cooled SX. The Japanese ‘big four’ seem to have abandoned the supermoto/enduro 125 market in favour of the naked/race rep, so if you want a recognised brand, it’s the Aprilia or nothing and at £3399 it’s good value. Although it is actually also Chinese-built, unlike the Aprilia RS 125…

Unlike some cheap 125s, which have a combined braking system to pass Euro4 regulations, the SX has a Bosch ABS system on its front brake, which automatically reduces pressure to keep the bike level when braking hard, cutting out stoppies. It’s a neat system and works well, giving newer riders a greater feeling of security than combined brakes deliver. The rear brake has no ABS, so you can still do skids outside the youth club…The SX’s overall look is premium and it has inverted forks, however the LCD dash is cheap and nasty and a radial brake caliper would have been nice on the supermoto.