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APRILIA RS4 125 (2011 - 2016) Review

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Owners' rating 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
11

Highlights

  • One of the best-handling 125s you can buy
  • Race replica liveries evoke motorsport aspirations
  • Good bikes should hold value well

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £140
Power: 15 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm)
Weight: Low (295 lbs / 134 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Aprilia RS4 125 wasn't the cheapest 125cc sports bike on the market, but it was one of the very best.

Despite making only 15bhp it’s great fun to ride - the fact the new four-stroke engine thrives on revs keeps the old RS spirit alive. It handles well, stops well, and most importantly looks the part. What more could a 17-year-old want?

This bike replaced the fabled Aprilia RS 125 in 2011, and was replaced itself by the same bike in 2017. 

There is a busy online community for the RS4 125. Once you've read our review and owners' reviews, you might consider heading to the Aprilia Owners' Club on Facebook.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Due to the light weight the RS4 handles brilliantly. Flicking it from right to left is a doddle and should you need to change your line during a corner, a slight push on either bar will suffice. The launch bikes were shod with super-sticky Pirelli SC1s which really showed off the full handling potential of the RS4. It's surprisingly roomy and, compared to the old RS125, feels slightly less sporty which is a big plus.

Aprilia RS4 125 handles brilliantly

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Pulling away requires a good twist of the wrist to get the new four-valve, four-stroke engine spinning and keep up the momentum. Compared to some 125s the RS4 needs to be revved and ideally kept above 8000rpm. Even som the Aprilia accelerates briskly upto 40mph before starting to level off.

Aprilia RS4 125 engine loves to rev

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The four-stroke 125cc engine should be much more reliable than the highly-strung two-stroke engine of the old RS - which was often neglected by teenagers. The bikes never missed a beat being held at full throttle virtually all day in 30°C plus heat.

Our Aprilia RS4 125 owners' reviews don't speak of very much to worry a potential secondhand buyer. There aren't any common issues reported. People seem to like their bikes a lot. 

The Aprilia RS4 125 should prove a reliable secondhand buy

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

£3999 on the road sounds like a lot for a 15bhp bike, but when you consider the Yamaha YZFR-125, arguably its closest rival, costs £4,249 it doesn't seem so bad. Yes, there are cheaper 125s out there, but none of them are as cool as the Aprilia.

As a used purchase the Aprilia makes even more sense, given its reliability record. 

Aprilia RS4 125 is one of the coolest and best 125cc bikes out there

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Radial brakes, braced swingarm, max speed function and braided hoses are all standard on the RS4 125. One of the accessories which will beavailable is a quickshifter. It only really works weel if changing up right before the rev limiter at 11,000rpm, changing anywhere else results in a very clunky and crude sounding gear change. But a quickshifter will give you major bragging rights over your mates.

Aprilia RS4 125 clocks

In 2012 Aprilia released a replica Max Biaggi livery for the RS4 125.

Specs
Engine size 124cc
Engine type Four stroke liquid cooled single cylinder with electronic injection and 4 valves. DOHC. Bore and stroke 58x47mm.
Frame type Aluminium perimeter frame
Fuel capacity 14.5 litres
Seat height 820mm
Bike weight 134kg
Front suspension 41 mm upside-down forks
Rear suspension Asimmetric swingarm, hydraulic monoshock absorber
Front brake 300mm stainless steel disc with radial 4 piston caliper
Rear brake 218mm stainless steel disc with single 30mm piston
Front tyre size 110/80 - 17
Rear tyre size 130/70-17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 54 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £140
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 15 bhp
Max torque 11.9 ft-lb
Top speed 65 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 174 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

  • 1995: Original Aprilia RS 125 revealed
  • 2011: RS 125 replaced by RS4 125
  • 2017: RS4 125 replaced by RS 125

Other versions

None

Owners' reviews for the APRILIA RS4 125 (2011 - 2016)

6 owners have reviewed their APRILIA RS4 125 (2011 - 2016) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your APRILIA RS4 125 (2011 - 2016)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Equipment: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Annual servicing cost: £140
3 out of 5
13 February 2023 by Laddo

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £150

Front brake superb...vibrations shocking ...nippy but too heavy

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Its nice on smooth tarmac ....but heavy on the wrists ....an hour about enough n am a lightweight

Engine 3 out of 5

Nice acceleration ....would have preffered smoother experience at 50 mph..shame really

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
5 out of 5 Huge fun
13 August 2017 by Mid Life Crisis

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £200

I bought this as a middle aged, very tall, very heavy bloke. Every part of the experience has been huge fun. It's costing buttons to run (I reckon 20 a month total), it's quite a big frame so I don't look like Wallace and Gromit or a Toffee Apple, its very comfortable to ride, it handles like a dream and it stops and starts easily (lots of revs required to get away smoothly!) It's got loads of the superbike experience with very little hassle. It's an experience just for the rider. You aren't going to impress people (in reality does any superbike?) but you'll have loads of really safe fun.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Superb ride and powerful brakes. Remember I'm a very tall fatty, even so the bike copes. It must be a dream with someone smaller and lighter.

Engine 5 out of 5

It's a restricted 125. It isn't fast but it revs freely and makes some really enjoyable noise on the way and is designed to be ridden at between 8k-12k which is fun.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

It's not a Honda and falls short of Yamaha, but the quality is fine and the bike is durable. I don't think it will be around in 20yrs like some CBR125s but the bike will serve at least a good 10yrs. No reliability issues yet, a few rattles but nothing actually broken.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I'll have a full service annually at whatever cost. DIY would be easy for those who can.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Not much by way of fancy gear but everything you'd want except a fuel gauge.

Buying experience: Paid 1700 for a 2011 with 14,000 miles on the clock....long story

5 out of 5 Best 125cc bike on the market....
29 August 2016 by Fais

Version: 4 stroke engine

Year: 2016

After months researching best 125s on the market... I must admit it came down to cheaper 125s until I saw the Aprilia as I never heard from this brand before and going deeper into the companies history and reviews from critics and owners... its not just buying there 125s and than look again on the market for 600cc or higher with other brands it's also about upgrading to the big brother of the same brand. So I decided to buy a new rs4 125 at first the beauty of this bike got my attention and the size of this bike you wouldn't even believe it's a 125 until you see the L stickers. After riding the bike from brand new it felt slow at first or maybe I was novice so After getting used to the bike I must admit this is by far the best bike ever. handling position it's top notch the engine it's powerful enough to be in front of the cars all the time and can really kick thanks to the Eni oil and whatever aprilia done to the engine. I won't be upgrading anytime soon until I have advanced my self to ride the big brother RSV4. I highly recommend this motorcycle believe me you will not regret this bike. Go for a test

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Breaks are absolutely wonderful on this bike and the ride quality it's fun and can ride for hours as the temp of the engine never goes above 4 bars out of 8 thanks to the massive cooler.

Engine 5 out of 5

Believe me after first 100miles you will see the real side of this engine. Accelerating its quick for 125 engine and you will see huge improvements.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

The quality of the bike it's top notch Afterall it's made in Italy and the best engineers. Just don't rev over 7000rmp before the first 100miles it was hard not for me to do that as this bike it's fun to ride and hearing that beautiful engine all day also super eco friendly barely sips the petrol.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Super Eco friendly hardly sips any petrol.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Comes with passenger's seat by defaults as older rs where optional. Love the rear led lights and front lights 2 on the left and 2 on the right and one in the middle that's 5 lights

Buying experience: Brand new from dealer.

5 out of 5 great bike
20 March 2016 by sandip rana

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £75

This bike has full control on bends, pickups over all everything.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: I bought it privately and was for £2500. I loved it look and performance and didn't bargain on price.

5 out of 5 Great first bike (if you can afford it).
22 January 2016 by Pjay

Year: 2012

Superb all over, reliable, handles well and is beautiful to boot.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Ride quality is superb, maybe changing the stock tyres to gain the best from this bike would be a good idea, other than that, it handles knee down cornering very well and leaves you confident of its ability in no time.

Engine 4 out of 5

I would give it 5 out of 5 but the engine can be a little over revving, you do need to keep it in the higher revs just to make it move around, but this is a minor niggle.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Very well put together, nothing like you'd expect from an Italian manufacturer, much more on par with Japanese build quality.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Expensive out of the box, but second hand sales mean you will get a large chunk back, look to lose no more than £500 if owning for 2 years.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Very well equipped, the brakes are great, the cockpit is laden with nice touches and a nice space under the seat for storage (for the class anyhow).

4 out of 5 Not bad
19 May 2012 by iloveme23

I have both the 2 stroke and 4 stroke rs 125's, the 2stroke version is faster and a lot more fun to ride but the new rs4 is still a good bike, handles well, quite nippy {Quick shifter helps a bit} Only rode the bike for 50 miles so not had a chance to give it a good ragging yet but will do after the run in-period

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 3 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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