Beginner questions (RS125)

[Mozzer]

I've read dozens of RS125 topics on here to collect as much knowledge as I can ready for when I go to buy mine later this month.

In my first post I asked which colour to go for, and also realized that I was looking at the 2005 model on an 06 plate, not the new 2006 shape. I called the dealership today to confirm this and I was right. I'm not too bothered, it's still a nice new bike either way.

From what I've read, I need to be making sure that it's in tip top condition if I want it to last me, so...

Running in - .... What's the difference between running it in and riding it as I ever would? Do I need to avoid certain speeds, or do certain things. How many miles do I need to 'run in' for to make sure the engine settles right and how do I do it correctly?

Maintainance - What do I need to keep on top of? I generally have no knowledge of bike maintainance at all so explain it to me in baby terms if possible.

Noise - I hope to god it does not sound like the 50cc mopeds I hear screaming around here all the time (Yet moving at about 30mph whilst doing so )... if it does, what can I modify to lose it - or at least soften it?

Security / Storage - What do I need? I will be keeping it in a private carpark (Not secure though... but tucked away behind the row of houses I live in)... Will a big thick chain suffice? Also should I get one of those big plastic rain covers?

What to expect - I don't plan to drive ride like a farse, but I would enjoy nothing more than to destroy Novas and Corsas full of chavs pumping music out for half the nation to hear... What kind of cars will I be able to leave for dust, and which should I not even bother with?

That's pretty much it... Anything else I should need to know would be appreciated.


Thanks

[stinkwheel]

Running in - You will hear differing oppinions on this subject, this is my way. You want to take it easy for certainly the first 500 miles, that doesn't mean riding it like a granny but you don't want to be thrashing it. Aim to take the engine up and down the revs so it isn't labouring or sitting at a single speed for long periods. After the first service, start to build it up so by 1,000 miles you are making full use of it.

The most important thing is to warm it up properly. The first 1,000 miles is probably the most important with reference to how well your bike will run for the future.

Maintainance - MOST IMPORTANT. Use good 2-stroke oil and never, ever run out.

Check your chain tension and tyre pressures regularly, keep the chain well lubed. The RS125 has a peaky engine so keep up to date with the servicing (they should do most of the more in depth stuff for you at the servicing).

There is a lot of salt on the roads at this time of year which rots bikes. Since you have a new one, it is worth keeping it clean, cleaning it will let you see all the parts too, so check for wear and bits coming loose. It may be worth using some sort of corrosion inhibitor like scotoil FS365. Also lubricate any moving parts regularly (especially after washing), it should list these and what to use on them in the owners manual.

Noise - It is a screamer of a bike, no getting away from it. You wil learn to love it.

Security / Storage - That bike is a chav magnet, you need to be anal about security. If you can get it locked up inside somewhere, so much the better. If they see it, they will want to steal it. A big hefty chain and a good lock round something solid is probably the best deterrent to the casual thief. A cover can help.

Alarms are a mixed blessing, they make a noise but they also flatten your battery. People tend to ignore them so if you wouldn't be able to hear it from your house, it is probably a waste of time. I personally don't like them, spend the money on a top notch chain (or two) and an immobaliser instead

You can get a passive immobaliser (ask about getting one fitted by the dealer, if you are buying a new bike they should give you a good price on it. Thes make the bike very difficult to hotwire (but not impossable).


What to expect - It is a learner legal bike. It will be restricted in horsepower to the legal limits. This means it will top-out at maybe 70-75mph. It is possible to derestrict them, just remember, the more highly tuned an engine is, the less reliable. If you are going to derestrict it, please get someone who knows what they are doing in on the job.

As I said, it is a peaky engine which is made to fine tolerances and I am fed up to the back teeth reading threads in the workshop section from people who have done a cack-handed job or done something that "Their mate" (being a random 17 year old with all the mechanical know-how of a chimpanzee) told them to do and knackering a perfectly good bike.

In standard form it will beat any car off the lights. Not so fast out of town but it is for you to learn on, it handles and stops as well as any bike out there, herein lies your advantage.

Others will now proceed to argue various points about a) Running in. b) Derestriction. and c) Alarms. I can only give my oppinions

I should add, I have never owned one of these bikes, but I have owned many others.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Running in - I would say take it easy. Stick to under half the red line for the first 500km and build up to full revs over the following 500km. While doing this don't labour the engine up hills and the like.

Maintainance - Keep the 2 stroke oil topped up. Keep the chain adjusted and lubed. Keep an eye on the brake pads (the RS eats brake pads). Keep is clean. Work on the basis of replacing the piston rings and piston at a reasonable interval (I change the rings at 6000km on my RS125).

Noise - Nicely tuned 2 stroke is the best noise.

What to expect Standard they should be under the learner limit of 15hp (just under that really). Should be enough for around a true 80 (although the speedo will read more than that). They are very easy to derestrict with just bolt bits (basically the power valve solonoid, cable, power valve blade and housing).

All the best

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

[bish777]

Just to reinforce whats been said:

WARM IT UP PROPERLY!

a number of pals have had RS125s, they didnt give them time to warm up or ran them in carefully and they all exploded dramatically. Look after it and it will serve you well, treat it badly and it will be HORRIFYINGLY expensive.
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GSXR1100J

[Steve - RS125]

I bought my Aprilia RS125 last summer, prior to this I had a Suzuki VL Intruder 125. Not a bad difference to say the least.

Running In
When I first picked my bike up I had a slight play with it on a few A/B roads on the way home floating aroung the 6-8000 rpm, After that I ran it in properly for about 300 miles (After that got bored of waiting!!) and to this day nearly a year on it has had no problems what so ever!!!

I would strongly advise scrubbing your tires in properly, on anybike but especially this one, as when you ride it you (If your like me) try and crank it over as much as physically possible every time your out, wind rain and shine!! (Road conditions pending of course)

Maintainance

What ever you do dont make the same mistake as me and just buy any 2 stroke oil you can get your hands on!! I was using some stuff from a local garage for about a month, and the following few weeks my bike was as good as knackard! However 2 days in at the local bike shop, 2 dyno tests later and it was performing better than before!! BUY THE MOST EXPENSIVE 2 STROKE OIL YOU CAN FIND!! I pay £10.50 for it and that is the type the garage reccoments!!

As for all else pretty standard, keep an eye on your break fluid, i have topped mine up for the 1st time in a year today, check chain movement (usually no more than 25mm)and keep it lubed, keep an eye on the clutch cable as mine has a tendancy to want to pull off sometimes when in gear and the clutch is dipped.

in a year i have spent about £150 on my bike, and that is pretty much all 2 stroke oil, chain lube.

Noise

Mine is standard, the only solution I have found it to ride with big noisy bikes as they deaf out the sound of your bike! sounds like a bee in a tin can but by gawd for a 125 it rips!!
I have been told to stick an arrow exhaust system on the bike but i see no point as im 21 in June and will be selling it anyway. I dont really know what else to say on this matter!

Security / Storage
I keep mine covered with a bike cover and a big ass thick chain locking it to the floor in my back garden. Many a night though has it sat in full open view out the front unlocked and nothing has happend to it. suppose it depends on your area.

There are no doubt endless types of alarms out their, they should all be sufficiant.

What to expect

With regards to blowing things at the lights, most standard cars are easily do-able after you know how to hit the bite from the off.
You will find they pull off slow if you treat them nice at the lights and give them an easy 3/4000 rpm to pull off, hit 7/8000 rpm with your clutch half a mil from the bite then release the clutch quickly you can have the front end skipping and before you know it you have everything as dots in your mirror.

You can take most 125's at the lights aswell, toughest i have come up against is the Mito - forget your big bikes they will make you look silly!! However, get good on the bike and you can easily play with the big bikes on the 40-60 mph twisty country lanes as the handling of this bike is great and you can throw it round like nobodys business but be warned get on any type of stretch and they will do you for accelleration, top end etc easily!!

Contary to popular belief you can get the front end off the floor!! I have had my front end up about 1ft off the floor, this is not easy to do though!! Sit as far back on the seat as possible, pull off and roll the bike at about 5-10mph dip clutch, nail the revs and slip the clutch back in to action - as you do this pull the handle bars up as hard as possible as soon as you feel the bite engage!! not easy to do and potentially dangerous as you sitting on it going very slow and throwing it about so if your inexperienced on this bike i would not advise!!

You will enjoy the RS as I have and so many before me!!! Top bike and great fun!!

[Dazbo666]

[Steve - RS125]

[Stevie GooGs]

If you don't know that much about 2s which i don't i would recommend you look at a 4 stroke 125. They are slower but don't need engine rebuilds as often as 2s.
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