Aprilia RS125

[S1417]

Hi, I recently posted about my CB125T project but it looks like that isn't going to be finished any time soon and i've read that even when it is finished it may not be the most practical bike for everyday use. So I've started looking for other bikes to learn on instead.

I've read a lot about the RS125s all being great to ride...whilst they last. So i was wondering how true it is that they all blow up eventually?

I've found one reasonably priced locally, it's a 2010 model and has a full service history, hasn't been modified/de-restricted and has had an older owner from new. I'm reasonably mechanically minded and have always helped my dad service his bikes and have rebuilt my own one. I also understand that two strokes need to be well looked after and warmed up properly and would be willing to do this.

So basically, if I'm willing and able to put the effort in to maintain it, would an RS125 be an okay choice or is it still better to stay clear?

[clancy]

an RS125 is a perfectly reliable bike provided it is maintained!

if you are fulling willing and able to stick to the maintenance schedule religiously it will not give you any issues

i would also advise rebuilding the top end as soon as you buy the bike, at least then you know it been done and you know for definite the internals are ok, and you know when it will next need doing

they all start blowing up because teenagers buy them, rag the nuts off them and never maintain them, not because they are bad bikes.

buying a newer one, off an older owner is the best bet. its more likely to have been looked after
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KLX 300r

[S1417]

Okay thanks that's good to know. I'm starting to see why they've got a reputation for being neglected. I spoke to one seller last night who informed me the maintenance schedule is wrong and the top end doesn't need doing

Should i be put off at all if an after market exhaust has been fitted or will this not effect the bikes reliability?

Also, how easy are they to work on as I'd likely do all the work myself. The engines i've worked on before have both been small capacity honda 4 strokes so would the aprilia be any more difficult to work?

[mikesaa309]

being a 2 stroke they wouldn't be too hard to work on, one good advantage of 2 strokes is they have less parts like no valves for example.

Probably the most annoying job would be to remove the fairings to get at the engine. Also bare in mind things like riding position when choosing what bike to learn on. With a sports bike riding position, although I've never ridden one myself, I've heard from sports bike riders that counter steering and slow speed manoeuvres are more difficult.

I would also stay away from RS125's with after market exhausts. More than likely the owner likes to thrash every last ounce of power out of it and most teens don't properly maintain them to be doing that on a daily basis. And also don't by a cheap one. My mate brought one for 450 quid, it was the biggest heap of shit I've ever seen. He spent 6 hours trying to figure out why the electrics won't work and when I looked at it found the fuse had blown He ended up selling it, too much work needed to be done, not enough time or money to fix it.

[S1417]

Yeah thats a good point, although with the mileage i'm looking to do it'd probably only be once every year/year and a half so I'm not to worried about having to do that.

That was my other concern was how it'd cope on mod 1, especially the u turn. I've ridden one of my dads bikes (cb175) on private land quite a bit and am confident doing u turns and figure of 8s on that but not sure how much more difficult it'd be to do on the RS125?

I think i'm just going to keep looking for one as low mileage and standard as possible and then maybe look at doing the top end soon after just for peace of mind.

[clancy]

If you have worked one 4 strokes before it will be very easy for you to work on, very simple engines

As far as mod 1 goes, I would suggest if you want an Rs 125 then get one. When you come round to doing your test use the training schools cg as it will be much much easier to do the maneuvers on

But don't let the thought of the 10 minute mod 1 test put you off what bike you want
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KLX 300r

[Kickstart]

[S1417]

Okay thanks guys, good to know that the maintenance shouldn't be anything too difficult.

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[S1417]

[andy_uk]

[S1417]

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