Aprilia RS 125... Whos got one?/Used to have one?

[GearboxGeezer]

Hello,

Its getting close to my 17th B-day and im pretty sure I want one of these bikes, was considering buying a super moto but after riding an RS I just fell in love with it.

I was just wondering what sort of problems you've had with it...
I heard they break down alot if your not good at looking after it since they are rather highly tuned.

I also heard its a good idea to get it rebuilt after every 10,000 km, this true?

Also does anyone no any facts on them, stuff like how fast they can do 0-60?

[palmer]

afaik 0-60 is around 5 seconds.


There isnt realy any reliability issues, and long as you dont thrash it cold, use good oil, etc etc.

[DynaMight]

Can be a endless money pit, Always buy the very best £10+ bottle of fully synth oil, dont thrash it until it's warmed up and make sure it's serviced at the correct times. you 'should' be ok. Dont quote me on that though.
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My bikes are at https://www.bikepics.com/members/dynamight/

[Lee_367]

If your competent on a bike the RS isn't bad. They don't crash or drop well and will require looking after. Expensive oil is a must, i rebuilt mine at 7000km as the compression had started to drop off.
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?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

[ace2004k]

a well looked after rs125 can go for ages. i had a 1997 old shape bike and that was still original cylinder at 21k kms, just wid a new piston kit at 14,500kms and it was still in good form, as the lads said always use the best oil and dont rag it till its reached temp which is about the 50c mark

when they work they r great fun for a learner bike

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have had mine for 12 years now. But it is an occasional use toy.

Do use decent 2 stroke oil. Do get them properly up to temperature before revving them hard.

Aprilia say to check the barrel / piston at 6000km / 8000km (depends on age I think), and by the time you have got it far enough apart to do that then you may as well change the rings.

Performance wise, depends what you believe. The speedo is a liar! I have had mine round to 115mph indicated, but the reality is that they do about 100mph at best as standard on level ground, and the newer ones are slower (smaller carbs are more restrictive exhaust). 0-60 will be about 7 seconds.

Total problems I have had with mind.
Blocked fuel filter in the carb (when the bike was new, before the first service).
Rear shock went.
Charging system played up. Turned out to be a corroded conenctor from the regulator / rectifier unit.
Ignition system played up (ran fine up to about 9000rpm). Replaced the stator and coil with spares I already had, so not sure which was the problem.
Clutch cable almost snapped.
Rings replaced once, piston replaced once.
Chain and sprockets replaced.
Battery replaced.
Tyres replaced.
On its 3rd set of brake pads (and not for much longer).

Really, not much there. Only major problem was the ignition system.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[GearboxGeezer]

[Wave2k]

i got an RS125 on my 17th birthday had it for 4 months, endless problems, resulting with the gearbox going boom.

nice looking bike and fast for a 125 dont get me wrong, but its too high matinence and its like playing a game of poker with that engine.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[GearboxGeezer]

Be honest, did you let it warm up and use proper oil and all that shit everyone says u have to do?

Also was it brand new or second hand?

[Andy C]

i had one and loved it but was a money pit, mine had a top edn rebuild £600+ bill with 4000miles on the clock

great handling though
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[McJamweasel]

[dainesefreak]

I had one RS that I ran for four years all year round. Bought it from new, serviced it regularly, used decent Motul fully synth, let it warm up and it never missed a beat, not once.

Great bike to learn to corner on, the brakes worked reasonably well and the motor was good enough to embarrass much larger bikes on the twisties (de-restricted of course). It's a good starting point if sports bikes are what you see yourself riding when you grow up! What it lack in power you can make up for in observation and momentum, something that a lot of riders lacks through relying on their engines to do the work for them. The frame is spot on, it will soak up everything you can throw it at and laugh at your feeble attempts at greatness. I would go so far as to say it's the best fun you can have on a 125, if you get a good one.

Be careful with used bikes, the RS is usually the young lads/learner (much like yourself) dream/fodder and get thrashed/dropped and generally not looked after.

Good luck

[GearboxGeezer]

[Kickstart]

[Kickstart]

[Wave2k]

[Kickstart]

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

[GearboxGeezer]

Thanks for the advice keith, Very helpful,

And wave, just to let u no, i wasnt thinking u was an idiot who didnt no how to look after a bike, I was just checking

I think I will get one, They cant be as much trouble as the bike I got now... Its just a question of saving up now since I only got about £500 at the mo... But if I get my bike working properly it should get me at least £1600 so thats ok.

[Kickstart]

Hi

If you need engine spares for an RS125 then use Peter Knight on 0176 141 4106.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[TOM M]

I had a 2001 rs125 for about 18months and i found it to be a great bike with no major problems.
I didnt really find it that costly to run.

It seems very hit and miss with them, you can have one thats been looked after perfectly with no expense / effort spared and it will have problems and othertimes very little cost / effort has been placed whilst using it and very few problems will arise.

I still speak to the chap who bought mine and he still says its running sweet
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[GearboxGeezer]

[RS125_Tecky]

I love my RS, great bike and IMO reliable enough.

Piston/rings need changing at 8,000 kms but what happens is the bike is still running so people think "i dont need to do anything to my bike its perfect" so they leave it and 2,000 kms later or so, it blows up causing damage to the whole engine.

Then they start slagging them off.

BTW my RS 125 is for sale shortly.

[dainesefreak]

[GearboxGeezer]