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The Aprilia RS125 b da mutts. Sharpest, best handling
bike of any type. Shit loads of power to weight ratio, fantastic
brakes. Some of the most worn out knee sliders we see here
are from guys who know how to ride their RS125 properly. Aggressive,
decisive, and with plenty of character to express its dynamic,
lightweight nature in a personal, unique style that typifies
Italian passion for motorbike racing.
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Aprilia RS125 2005 Red
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In full power trim, avoid straight roads and
nobody will get near you. The Aprilia RS125 is truely great
fun; there's hardly any need to brake in the twisties. But
115mph and only 125cc, means we're not talking about the longest
lived engines in the world. The rs125 does go bang if you're
silly enough to hold the throttle open for long enough.
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Aprilia RS125 Poggiali 2004
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If you're sensible and treat it as an 80mph bike
and occasionally play, it'll last you for ages. After a few miles
of fun roll the throttle off and let it cool down for a bit: then
play again. Another thing RS125 owners get caught out by is cold
seizure; allow the bike to warm up properly. The temperature gauge
may show the engine warming up, but as it warms to the point that
the thermostat opens, cold water is pumped from the radiator around
the engine shrinking it onto the pistons. This is particularly a
problem on cold, frosty days. Start your bike up before you put
on your gear, and then pull away at half throttle for the first
couple of miles. Be realistic about the running costs of this true
racer, it's advisable to budget for top end rebuilds every 10,000
miles costing around £750, including new barrels, and using genuine
Aprilia parts.
Be cautious about buying second-hand. Typical scenario:
Seller buys a restricted RS125 rides it around for a while, passes
his test, derestricts it and rides for a further two years until
he's allowed to buy a rsvr mille and come and play with the big
boys. It's now three years old, and he takes it to his Aprilia dealer
as part exchange. The dealer points out that it now needs £1,000
spent on an engine rebuild and other work to bring it up to the
standard required for an Aprilia dealer to put on his forecourt.
Sellers says, OK, cash price on the RSV Mille and I'll sell it privately
through the paper. Private buyer comes along and two months further
down the line, surprise surprise, it goes bang. Look for an Aprilia
full service history and evidence that the seller has been using
the best quality oil.
With the Aprilia RS125 you get 2 bikes in one. First
the learner legal 125, power restricted. That's how we recommend
you ride it on your L-plates. If you want to go faster, do your
f*cking test. The Police aren't stupid, they know when you've derestricted,
it's really easy to tell. At the first service after you've passed
your test, ask your Aprilia dealer about your options for derestriction.
The cost is between £50 and £350, depending on what bits are already
on your bike and what you want.
Then, for years the rs125 has been unbeaten on the
125 Sport Production racing circuit. The rs125 comes in two versions,
GP-One Replica and SBK Replica, both destined to reinforce the market
leadership of the rs125, Europe's best selling road sports bike.
The Aprilia rs125 brings the under 18 rider the
best the European motorbike market has to offer in terms of equipment
and technology. The sporty lines of this bike are the result of
painstaking design and advanced aerodynamic research. Fruit of extensive
wind tunnel testing, the aerodynamic form ensures total protection
and minimum air resistance, giving a whole series of advantages
including reduced fuel consumption and optimised performance under
all conditions. The aerodynamic fairing and windshield, with integrated
hand guards to eliminate all turbulence, allow the rider to really
make the most of the incredible speed and performance of this bike.
The styling of the front mudguard matches the rest of the bodywork.
The rs125 is proof that perfect aerodynamics mean stability and
safety at high speed. The headlight cluster features a multi-focal
double lamp unit and gives the bike an original, eye-catching appearance.
Naturally, as well as looking good, the headlight cluster also adds
to active safety during nighttime riding and guarantees instant
visibility in the day. The tail not only improves aerodynamic penetration
but also incorporates a spacious lockable storage compartment to
house items like locks and rain proofs The passenger seat is integrated
in the tail to avoid spoiling the clean, streamlined lines of the
bike. The tail is mounted on an extremely lightweight rear frame.
The fuel tank has a capacity of 14 litres, and gives exceptional
autonomy. Not only, but its perfect shape allows the rider to hug
the bike like a leech.
The five spoke wheels look sporty but are also lightweight,
reliable and safe. The competition standard braking system features
a 320 mm front disk with a four piston caliper, and a 220 mm diameter
rear disk. The suspensions play a fundamental role in ensuring top
level performance, safety and comfort. The Aprilia rs125 is equipped
with a 40 mm Ø upside down hydraulic action telescopic fork, with
adjustable spring preload and wheel travel of 120 mm. The front
fork is one of the winning cards taken from the Aprilia 125 Challenge
Trophy. The rear suspension's hydraulic monoshock has also been
developed on the basis of racing experience and features adjustable
preload too. The aluminium alloy swing-arm gives the rs125 the best
torsional rigidity of all production 125 cc bikes. Differential
member design permits the swing-arm to pass close to the bike's
body. This permits bends to be tackled at greater angles without
the risk of dangerous grounding. The aluminium alloy perimeter beam
frame gives exceptional torsional rigidity and light weight.
Its design is the reference point for all our competitors.
Here again, the transfer of knowledge and technology from the track
to the road is typical of Aprilia's approach to quality, technology
and safety. Extensive wind tunnel testing has led to a globally
improved CX for this already aerodynamic motorbike, and has optimised
even further the performance of its 125 cc two stroke engine. This
advanced power unit features water cooling, balancing countershaft,
exhaust control valve and reed intake for riding pleasure and constant
power. The aluminium silencer complements the bike's styling and
is highly efficient in maximising engine power and minimising noise.
rs125 is equipped with a catalytic exhaust in compliance with EURO
1 specifications.
This sporting Aprilia is available in two versions:
the rs125 for newly licensed riders with power limited to 11 kW
and the rs125 kat Euro 1 full power. A conversion kit can be fitted
to the 11 kW version to convert it to full power at a later stage.
The side stand safety system is another extremely
important feature. A safety switch prevents the bike being started
up and ridden off with the stand down.
The racing style instruments not only look good
but are also easy to read. The dashboard includes speedometer, rev
counter and coolant temperature gauge to allow the rider to keep
all important parameters under control. The speedometer can be removed
quickly and easily for track use.
Parts
Exploded
diagrams of RS125 (1999-2003)
Exploded
diagrams of RS125 (96-98 ENG.122)
Tuning
Basic Component list
(Look for "Tuning" section)
Personal
Owner's tuning hints
Active Forums
ApriliaForum
Busy forum for all Aprilia models. Very active RS125 section.
Insurance
RS125 Subsidised Special. TPO
from £332.12, TPFT from £797.55
Online Shop
Aprilia Casual Clothing 2005/6
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