Aprilia RS50
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The Aprilia RS50 is a fantastic bike. The best 50cc sports bike on the market. Related link: Aprilia RS 50 marketing and specification stuff The RS50 has a very fast (up to 60mph) engine in a genuinely proper motorbike, developed from Aprilia's long success in GP racing. But that's the problem. It has had an awful lot of undeserved flack over its engine reliability. It's impossible to ride an Aprilia RSV1000 anything like flat-out all the time; road conditions (and the law) just don't allow it. However it IS possible on an RS50 as its maximum performance envelope is that much lower. Any engine running at its limit all the time will have a shortened life. Also, the phenomenal performance (for 50cc) comes at a price and that's increased fragility. Tips on Ownership It's a real bike, and with ownership of an Aprilia RS50 comes the responsibility of a real bike.Treat it as a 45 mph motorbike that can occasionally do 60 mph and you won't break it (or the bank). We look after plenty of RS50s with trouble-free low-maintenance lives, whose only major work is a routine piston and ring change every 18 months or so. Thoroughly warm the bike up. At least, start it up before you put on your jacket, gloves and helmet, then pull off using half of maximum revs until it gets to full operating temperature. When you stop for a few minutes (such as at petrol stations), ride slowly for the first half a mile until the temp comes back up. This is especially true in cold temperatures, as the radiator water will have cooled much quicker than the water in the engine's cooling jacket. When you pull away, that cooler water will then start to circulate around the engine, which will have the effect of shrinking the size of your cylinder liner. Meanwhile, your temperature gauge will be take a while to react, and it'll be reading warmer than it actually is. After a while, you should get the feeling whether your bike is responding properly, you should be able to feel when it's at it correct operating temperature. If you're unsure, wait a little longer before opening the throttle. Magically the seizure problems will go away. Use quality fuel, for example Shell Optimax or BP Ultimate. Always use the recommended lubricants. We recommend Putoline TTX, but there are plenty of quality products out there. If you're on a tight budget, be aware that this is a real motorcycle rather than a moped. It has higher running costs, more expensive tyres, etc. and you must budget for this before commiting to ownership. If you're thinking of buying one, be realistic with yourself. Do you have the discipline to always set off at half throttle with a cold engine, especially while your mates are around? If the honest answer is no, don't buy one. Get a regular scooter (for now). Buying Second-hand Simple: don't do it! Buy a new one and take the depreciation hit on the chin. It'll be cheaper than rebuilding some else's worn out engine. If you really must, beware of an excessively noisy engine and an erratic tick over. Preferably look for one that has been rebuilt by a reputable Aprilia dealer, and you'll want proof that it's had a new genuine Aprilia replacement cylinder and piston and crankshaft rebuild. Check for crash damage. It'll have ridden by another inexperienced sixteen year old and will have been crashed a lot. Look for bent suspension components and bent rims. The handle bar mounting bolt is designed to break rather than transfer damage into the steering system. The handle bar and bolt aren't expensive and must always be replaced in accident. If they're a genuine seller, get them to ride it to your local Aprilia dealer who will give it the once over for a reasonable fee. Consider getting the wheels laser aligned to check for frame damage. more on LaserTrack De-restriction. In the UK, a new Aprilia RS50 will be restricted to 30 mph, and it must stay that way for all sixteen year olds. That's the law. It doesn't mater whether you, we or anyone else thinks it a daft law. It is the law and the police enforce it. There's no grey area. At all. If you de-restrict your RS50 you will be riding a bike for which you are no longer licensed, which means you are no longer insured. If you are caught, you could lose your licence, get a large fine and be uninsurable for up to FIVE years. If you have an accident and some else gets hurt, things get even worse. Look at it this way, if you de-restrict your RS50, do have the self-discipline to never, ever speed in a 30 or 40 mph speed limit or show off on the road in front of your mates, and therefore minimise your chances of getting caught? Do you have years of on-road riding experience and have passed an advanced rider test to minimise your chance of having an accident? These bikes don't run well restricted; so we don't recommend them in this state either. If it's still what you want, you must, must talk this aspect through with your parents. Conclusion We sell the Aprilia RS50, so why are we being so negative? It's simple, we love the bike, but we don't want you to have a bad two-wheel experience as a sixteen year old, whether it's through mechanical problems, running out of money or being effectively banned for five years. We want you to come back to us year after year. Our advise is to be realistic, save your money and get a regular scooter at sixteen (such as the excellent Aprilia SR 50 Ditech Factory), then come back at 17 and put that saved money on an Aprilia RS125, take (and pass) your test immediately and then legally de-restrict it. You'll then have all the sports bike you'll need for some time to come. But you're sixteen, so of course you'll have other ideas! Related Links: Aprilia RS50 Insurance | Aprilia RS 50 Specifications | RS50 Brochure (pdf) Have you got something that you'd like to share on this topic? If so, visit MaxMoto's Message Board on the Aprilia RS50 (129 comments). Parts Tuning Active Forums Online Shop Would you like to receive regular news items related to the Aprilia RS50 and our other bikes and scooters? And be entered into our regular prize draws? Then, Join our Newsletter Page last updated: 31/07/07 |
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