Aprilia is knackered (again)

[Stu_666]

Here's the situation. I picked up a new RS125 at around the beginning of October and it worked fine. There was about 10 kms delivery mileage on the bike and I rode it around the block a few times which put another 10ish kms on the bike. Although it stalled a few times in neutral and seemed to lose power on hills, I was'nt too bothered as it was a new engine being run in.

The bike was then left in the garage for about a couple of weeks as the weather was crap and also I still had to complete my CBT. When I tried to start the bike after that it would'nt. (starter motor worked but no life in the engine). I recharged the battery thinking this was the problem but it still did'nt start.

Anyway (promise I'll stop boring on with the technical crap in a minute ) I phoned up the place where I bought it from and the guy there was very helpful and suggested it might be the spark plug, as these can go on new 2 strokes. I changed the spark plug last Thursday and sure enough the bike started and I let it get up to running temperature. There was still the problem of it stalling in neutral but apart from that it was ok.

I've tried starting the bike this morning as I fancied going out to get some practice whilst it was early and the poxy thing won't start again. Same problem as before where the starter motor goes over but the engine won't.

Although I can of course arrange for the place where I bought the bike to repair it under warranty, I'm not overly happy with keeping the bike now as its been such a pain in the arse. The main reason why I bought it new was so that I did'nt have any worries with it breaking down and it would be good for reliability etc.

I will pop an e-mail over to the place this evening but I was wondering what you guys on here thought about it. Anyone had problems with a new bike being trouble from the start? I'm also worried after the one year warranty running out of there being more problems (and we all know what a bargain Aprilia are for spares )

Cheers

Stu

[Kickstart]

Hi

My RS can be a pain to start if left for a while. Trouble is that you have been starting it and not giving it a good run (always a problem when running in). Just starting it and letting it warm up then turning it off again will make this problem worse. Basically start it again (maybe take the plug up and heat the plug up first) then take it for a run immediatly.

In other words stop teasing the bike then diappointing it. Take it for a spin .

All the best

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

[AcIdBuRnZ]

Sorry to laugh - but you bought an RS for reliablility?

Should've got an NSR..........
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[cagiva gezzer]

My bike used to that when i had it before doing my cbt. Starting it up and never clearing it out just bunged the engine/exhaust up with oil.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[Dom_]

[Villers]

come on guys dont let this turn into another NSRvRS125 thread!

[Stu_666]

[The Dude]

Is it restricted stu? If you are losing power on hills then maybe the cdi box is still restricted. That causes a flat spot in the revs around 4 to 5 thousand if i remember correctly. Try slipping the clutch untill the revs get high enough to give it some power. Not really a nice thing to do when running it in though. Get the beast totally de-restricted and have some fun. That cdi box restriction is a real pain in the ass dude

[Robby]

Its a 2 stroke. It needs a good thrashing now and then, or it'll oil the plug.

Of course, you can't thrash it until its run in, but you can ride it a bit.

[Stu_666]

Well, just popped out again and it starts on the button now, so as you guys say probably just needs a nice long journey to clean it out n all that.

Unfortunately it is restricted which is pretty pants, but I suppose on the bright side its legal (and we all know that people on l plates ride restricted bikes now don't we... ).

Anyway, ta v. much for your help

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[Dom]

Probably a really stupid question but have you tried putting the choke on a bit when it's being awkward? These days mine won't start in the morning without a minute or so with the choke on.

[atom]

I had exactly the same problem myself, new RS etc, wouldnt start.

1. There is a knack to starting the bike, I found this difficult and got flustered, ended up flooding the engine a few times.

2. Also the short runs, low revs wasn't brilliant for it, made starting difficult, fouled up the plug.

3. Even now it can be difficult to start if left for a day or two.

Apart from that, the RS has run like a dream, (touch wood) 8000km so far....

The advice from the dealer was,"take it out for a blast."
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The Internet: Ceefax for the 21st Century

[Dom_]

[Yeti]

I thought about getting an RS and then gave myself a slap and realised what was i thinking! NSR all the way lovely bike! reliable quick and handles like a dream! on that thought im gonna go out for a blast i think!!!!!
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Lifes a Beach!

[instigator]

[Dom_]

First off, Rotax make the engine for Aprilia which is austrian. If maintained correctly, serviced as advised in the manual then the aprilia is very reliable.

125's are mostly owned by learners, ages 17-18, they arnt that well looked after and not serviced. That is why they have been given the label of 'un-reliable'
Just because is has a Honda badge it doesnt make it any more reliable than the next 2t. My mate has an nsr and so far has had two top end rebuilds.

if you dont know anything about the bikes, then dont just guess as to what they are like.
www.125ccsportsbikes.com is a good friendly forum which helps a lot of learners and tells them how to correctly maintain there bike. Ask for info on there as to which 125 they think is the most reliable.

[Finglonga]

[Robby]

Hondas break too.

[Villers]

[kasandrich]

But no one can argue with the fact that small very high revving 2 strokes are not near the top of any reliability league. They wear out very quickly.

BTW, don't skimp on the 2T oil, buy fully synthetic
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Richard

CBR1000FM

[ace2004k]

both the NSR and RS are high revving 2 strokes so there is probly bugger all difference in reliability terms! all 2 strokes will kick u back if u dont look after them!

to the originator of the hijacked thread dont go over 7k rpm until u have a fair few miles on the clock or this thread wont be your last about the prilias reliability!

[mrchips]

Blah blah blah who cares I wouldn't have said no to either of them.

[Stu_666]

[Robby]

If I was buying a 125 sportsbike replica, I'd go for the RS125.

It looks better than the NSR and makes more power. It does get worn out more often, but you don't buy a revvy 2 stroke to be worried by rebuilds.