RIDDEN: APRILIA RS125

Pics: BD & Aprilia

We have a bit of banter, the boys at the Triumph/Aprilia/Vespa Importers and the Blogspot. Good natured rev-up here and there, all good fun, pi$$ taken.

I rocked in un-announced and suggested to Mark Mullins, the Ops Manager, that he should lend me a bike suitable for photographing with my new Arai Phil Read Replica Helmet.

'Sure Big Dave, got just the thing for you.' and proceeded to wheel out a brand new RS125.

'Fantastic - exactly what I need' says 195cm of large David. Meaning it. What an interesting machine!

I was thinking like a RSV1000 factory or a MV Agusta F4 would be the go, but what a blast I had on the wee 125. Looked like a normal size bloke on a Pit Bike and about as much fun. Yet quite capable of freeway riding.

It's good to about 9,000rpm in the run-in mode and will stretch to about 12,000 when ripe.

But what a blast anyway - it has a full-on two-stroke wail and it feels like you are absolutely scorching along, at quite moderate speeds. Then chucking it around is like being on a mountain bike.

With a RRP of $9,995 this could be a whole lot of fun as a city weapon and it's even going to be a bit of a hoot up SH16 too. Lessons in carrying corner speed.

It's not a tiny machine and I rode it for a few hours with only a typical sports bike knee ache.

I called in and showed it to 'The Hippie' who rated it 'Bewdifuuul' too.

If you are into small packages - well worth a look.

Here's the official Aprilia verbiage:
(Sorry it doesn't list power and torque - I'll chase them up)

BD

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APRILIA RS 125

Aprilia has always been the undisputed leader in 125 cc supersports, a market segment in which Aprilia has pioneered new concepts and advanced solutions, and developed technology that others have struggled to follow. Like all Aprilia motorcycles, the RS 125 has benefited from the sophisticated technology that has been developed over years of success in GP racing, and quickly transferred into production. Over the years, the RS 125 has forged a reputation as the standard setter for sports 125’s. Sales success has come naturally too, with the RS 125 topping the sales tables on major European markets. The RS 125 is the inevitable choice of riders entering Sport Production racing. And rightly so, because when the competition gets tough, there is simply no other bike like the Aprilia RS 125. The Aprilia RS 125 offers young riders the best in components and equipment, and a concentration of technical refinements worthy of a flagship supersport.


The following are just some of the main features of the Aprilia RS 125:
• tried and tested yet extremely sophisticated Rotax two stroke engine;
• super-rigid aluminium frame and swingarm derived from Aprilia’s vast GP experience;
• upside down fork;
• front brake with radial caliper and four opposed pistons;
• RSV 1000 R style fairing, windshield and tail;
• RSV Factory style, crossed spoke wheels;
• analog/digital instrument panel with multi-functional computer;
• RSV Factory style, forged steering yoke;
• oval section racing silencer with riveted end plates;

STYLE

The mean, cutting edge look of the new RS 125 tells you that this is a professional racing machine. The styling of the RS, like that of all Aprilia sports bikes, is the result of painstaking aerodynamic research.
The fairing, for example, was perfected by extensive wind tunnel testing, to guarantee great wind protection and minimum drag for maximum racetrack efficiency. The fairing, windshield and tail not only look mean and aggressive, but allow the RS 125 to reach a blistering top speed, eliminating all turbulence around the rider and allowing man and machine to become one.

The latest generation twin halogen headlight also adds to the mean look of the new RS 125, and delivers a high power light beam for enhanced visibility and safety at night.

The sleek tail looks exactly like the tail of a GP racer. Thanks to the effort put into the design of
the RS 125’s tail, not even the passenger seat disturbs the bike’s impeccable lines.
The crossed spoke wheels are not only lighter and more stylish, but safer and more reliable too.


ENGINE

The powerful but reliable, single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine needs no introduction. Over the years it has won a reputation for being unbeatable on the track and dependable on the road.
Still today, this engine boasts technical solutions that are state-of-the-art for two strokes, including a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft, and an automatic mixing system. The RS 125’s engine has been constantly updated over the years to keep in line with the latest emission control legislation without penalising performance. A catalytic converter and precision carburation has won Aprilia’s single cylinder two stroke homologation to Euro 3 standards. And the amazing thing is that this has been achieved without losing out on performance: the Aprilia RS 125 engine remains the reference point for all 125 cc powerplants.

CHASSIS

Without a doubt, the most advanced single component on the RS 125 is its frame. Developed from Aprilia’s vast experience in GP 125 racing, the RS 125 frame is made from cast aluminium alloy with cross-ribbing reinforcement. Despite its extremely light weight, this advanced structure achieves amazing torsional rigidity, setting the standards for Aprilia’s competitors.

The box section, aluminium alloy swingarm has the highest torsional rigidity of all production 125 cc swingarms. Differential side members enable the exhaust to follow a path that maximises engine performance and enables more acute angles of lean to be achieved on bends without risking dangerous contact with the asphalt.

The suspension too plays a fundamental role in ensuring not only the RS 125’s performance, but its safety and comfort too. The RS 125 can rely on an upside-down fork that has been optimised for maximum performance on the racetrack while also delivering a more satisfying ride on public roads.

The rear suspension features rising rate linkages based on Aprilia’s 125 GP racing technology, for excellent traction and superb comfort even over uneven road surfaces. The hydraulic monoshock that provides the damping for the swingarm is also adjustable in spring preload.

BRAKES

Like any self-respecting supersport motorcycle, the RS 125 has to have the best when it comes to components. The braking system is the best available, and designed for maximum efficiency under competitive riding conditions. The front brake is a genuine state-of-the-art, high performance system with a radial caliper and four opposed pistons. In addition to the 320 mm front disc, the system also incorporates a radial master cylinder and aeronautical hoses for maximum precision and unrivalled braking power. The rear disc is 220 mm in diameter and is also equipped with metal braided hoses for perfectly balanced, high performance braking.

EQUIPMENT
The Aprilia RS 125 is packed with prestige components. Compact and impressively light in weight, the instruments include an analog rev counter and a multifunctional digital display with an on-board computer that can be operated from the handlebars. The speedometer, rev counter, coolant temperature gauge and exclusive racing chronometer put you in total control. The on-board computer even has provision for interfacing with the optical finishing systems used on racetracks.

COLOUR SCHEMES

The Aprilia RS 125 comes in a choice of three colour schemes chosen to enhance its aggressive lines: Aprilia Black, Fluo Red and the exclusive Talmacsi Replica.


APRILIA RS 125 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Liquid cooled, single cylinder two stroke. Aluminium cylinder with Nikasil coated liner. Read valve intake. Separate lubrication. Homologated to Euro 3 standards.
Bore by stroke 54 x 54.5 mm.
Displacement 124.8 cc.
Compression ratio 12.5 ± 0.5:1.
Carburettor Dell’Orto VHST 28.
Ignition Electronic CDI ignition.
Starting Electric.
Alternator 12 V – 180 W
Lubrication Separate mixing with variable displacement, volumetric pump.
Gearbox 6 speed.
1st 10/30 (0.33)
2nd 14/29 (0.48)
3rd 17/27 (0.63)
4th 19/25 (0.76)
5th 21/24 (0.87)
6th 22/23 (0.67)
Primary drive Gearbox: 63/19 (3.31).
Final drive Chain: 17/40 (2.35).
Clutch Multi-plate in oil bath.
Frame Sloping twin-spar frame in thin wall box section cast aluminium, with reinforcement cross-ribbing.
Front suspension Upside down hydraulic fork, Ø 40 mm. Wheel travel 120 mm.
Rear suspension Swingarm with asymmetric members in thin wall box section cast aluminium. Hydraulic monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Wheel travel 120 mm.
Brakes Front: Floating Ø 320 mm disc. Radial caliper with four differential diameter pistons, Ø 32 mm – Ø 27 mm.
Rear: Single Ø 220 mm disc. Caliper with two Ø 30 mm pistons.
Wheels Aluminium alloy. Front 3.00 x 17”; rear 4,00 x 17”.
Tyres Tubeless radial. Front 110/70 17”; rear 150/60 17”.
Dimensions Overall length 1,955 mm
Overall width (at handlebars) 720 mm
Overall height (at windshield) 1,100 mm
Seat height 805 mm
Wheelbase 1,345 mm
Tank 14 litres (3.5 litre reserve).
Colours Aprilia Black, Fluo Red, Talmacsi Replica.