Aprilia Unveils 2009 RS 125 Track Bike

Monday, October 20, 2008

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The 2009 Aprilia RS 125 has plenty of premium components starting with its single-cylinder two-stroke engine based on race-proven technology.

Lap for lap, dollar for dollar, this GP-bred track bike outclasses larger displacement alternatives.

With the debut of Aprilia's track-only RS 125 two-stroke single, outsmarting the big bore boys has just become a sport in itself. The Italian manufacturer's major-thrills track bike with the amazingly low price point is an all-new option for enthusiasts who want the speed, agility and superior handling that only a super-light-weight motorcycle can deliver. Add an Aprilia Racing-inspired, world-championship-bred 125cc engine, superb brakes, spot-on gearing, sizzling Italian styling and the low MSRP of just $5499 and the Aprilia RS 125 becomes the stealth track bike of choice.

As the leading manufacturer in 125cc and 250cc MotoGP competition, Aprilia has perfected the art of engineering championship-winning smaller-displacement race bikes. That expertise, along with Aprilia's characteristically high level of premium components, makes the new RS 125 the best possible value for enthusiasts who take their track time serious - but who don't want to sacrifice fun.

As increasing numbers of motorcycle enthusiasts discover the challenge and thrill of honing riding skills on a closed circuit during a group track day or weekend, today's 600 to 1000cc sportbikes with their huge horsepower and top speed numbers aren't always the best choice. A smaller displacement machine actually helps to create a better, more confident rider because it requires more input and concentration to score good lap times. At the same time, it allows the rider to really push it to the limit while big displacement bikes often don't inspire the same level of confidence.

Engineered for the Ultimate On-Tack Experience

At the heart of the RS 125 is a sophisticated single-cylinder two-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, based on the same race-proven technology that has resulted in a continuous string of competition victories for Aprilia Racing. Able to reach triple digit speeds, the powerplant is packed with technical advancements including a crankcase reed valve intake, anti-vibration balancer shaft and an automatic fuel-oil mixing system. A robust 6-speed transmission delivers the power to the rear wheel with ratios designed to suit a variety of race track configurations.

The RS 125 is fitted with high-performance, race-style, upside-down front forks and a hydraulic rear monoshock mounted in a rising rate linkage, designed to work in concert to deliver the highest degree of race track compliance.

Torsional rigidity is excellent, again thanks to the bike's development on the world's toughest race tracks. The RS 125's lightweight polished cast aluminium twin spar frame is reinforced with cross ribbing for additional strength while the advanced chassis is mated to a box section, aluminium alloy swingarm.

Styled after its championship-winning GP racing siblings, the RS 125 features a distinctive fairing and tail section that has been wind tunnel tested to deliver minimum drag. Riders benefit from improved top speed when tucked in behind the windscreen on long straights. The sleekly aerodynamic bodywork signals that the RS 125 would rather be in motion than standing still.

Fully Loaded for Action

The 2009 Aprilia RS 125 will be available in Replica Spain's No.1 livery that won the 2006 and 2007 MotoGP 250 championship.

Like all Aprilias, the RS 125 is chock-full of premium components, selected for their quality and competition integrity. Standard equipment includes distinctive, aluminium alloy wheels, radial mount brake caliper, and rear-set style racing footpegs. The track-only bike is available with racing livery looks of the 2006 and 2007 world championship 250 Moto GP bike, the exclusive Replica Spain's No.1.

A Winner for Beginners and a Thriller for Experts

The Aprilia RS 125 is an ideal learning platform for new and beginning riders, as well as a solid base for experienced enthusiasts. Whether an aspiring GP star, club racer or weekend warrior, the RS 125 delivers a thoroughly rewarding experience lap after lap, simply because it allows riders to focus on improving their riding skills. Best of all, maximum grins on the track have never been so cost-efficient.

The RS 125 can now be ordered at select U.S. Aprilia dealerships.

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Comments

kydric -hay August 4, 2010 01:30 PM
how much do they cost

Daniel Harrison -Amigo February 7, 2010 08:30 AM
I dont get what all the fuss is about. I had a kmx 125cc on an x reg a few year back. All I did to it was take the exhaust off and take a large drill bit to the pipe close to where it enters the head and messed about with the carb a bit. It then did exactly 100mph on the flat with no problem other than the engine being pretty close to the red line. Surely these bikes should be doing that out of the box?

Ejan -RS 250 November 7, 2009 09:04 AM
Just waiting for latest RS250 model

tom -rs125 September 5, 2009 08:51 AM
just ordered a new rs 125 not restricting what speed can they hit

sicko -de-restriction July 15, 2009 10:57 AM
hi all you rs nuts,just had my 09 125 de-restricted as much as my budget would allow,ive had the exhaust changed to a full aprilia race spec version,also had the jet changed to,before the mods it got upto 81 mph down hill now its upto 95mph on the straights over taking other vehicles is not an issue anymore,all in including the 1st service it cost me £280.

Rob -completely legal in Japan May 20, 2009 10:45 PM
The guy who wrote about Japan is right there are tons here that come street legal and unrestricted I own a 2007 and got it for about 5000 dollars u.s. If I can this bike will be going back to Canada with me for sure

Rob -completely legal in Japan May 20, 2009 10:44 PM
The guy who wrote about Japan is right there are tons here that come street legal and unrestricted I own a 2007 and got it for about 5000 dollars u.s. If I can this bike will be going back to Canada with me for sure

Keo -08 same as 09 ? April 28, 2009 03:55 PM
Are the signals, plate bracket, brake light actuators (front/rear),WIRING HARNESS and mirrors the same identical parts? 200? through 2009? THANKS

bib -restricted version February 27, 2009 07:19 AM
In which ways the RS125 restricted ?

totor -nardine January 23, 2009 12:15 PM
sisi jvé lavoir a 16ans tkt gro

kingdin -Street Legal January 23, 2009 10:55 AM
it's conf as a street legal in Malaysia which have strict law on performance bike.surprise this is made legal here.but the price is quite high for an average malaysian.I'm soo into buying this.hopefully by this year.

Paul Anthony -Aprilia RS250 January 3, 2009 04:16 PM
Hi Guys, I'm from the UK, why don't you buy an Aprilia RS250 2 stroke if you want a great cheap track bike. It weighs slightly more than the 125cc but with 55hp as standard (Easy to Tune), 138mph and handling that would run rings around ANY Big Bike. They are also quite cheap, and there were lots of them in the secondhand markets.

J -The full information on US Spec bikes December 17, 2008 08:37 AM
They come fully derestricted from Italy, with the factory race exhaust, no CDI restriction etc. They do not come with mirrors, turn signals, plate holder or the wiring with which to connect these items. They are fitted with street tires though. The MSOs state FOR OFFROAD USE ONLY. I know, as I have bought one, and have converted it to full road spec myself. For the best US info, visit www.apriliaforum.com - I am not affiliated, but do post there.

jimmy -weight December 1, 2008 10:20 PM
what is the weight of a 2007 aprilia rs 125

Rob (UK) -Street Legal or Track November 25, 2008 06:57 AM
UK fella here. i know quite a bit about the bike so feel free to ask any Q's if the bike is street legal it will be heavily restricted, meaning it will only do around 60mph - 11KW/12-15bhp which costs around 3500.00GBP if it is the track only version then congrats to you guys as they cost a fortune over here! comes full power (33bhp) comes stripped of all lights, indi's, mirrors etc.. not too sure as to what they cost fresh for the track - a lot of companies tend to supply them for racers only if your in the superteens division. some people have been known to buy the bike from new and turn it into a track bike straight away! tuning these bikes are easy as anything - ok the new CDI is a pain, but once its on 33bhp its easy as anything to tune - a lot of mods people buy are Jolly Moto exhaust systems and 34mm carbs and vforce reeds... these are possibly the best upgrades to buy as they improve the performance by a long shot! late 2006 model this shape and has been going strong since, and because of the restrictions on it, its ever so slightly slower compared to the older shapes - hardly notice the difference though. as for the paint job they are the new 2008-2009 colours, im guessing you havent seen the black version yet! Spains scheme has been out since '07 ('08 version has silver rims instead of blue) and also theres a Talmaschi (sp?) rep in green too. for those of you who have the money and want this to be a road bike then i suggest buying the parts for it! easily found on Ebay UK! hope the info helps

uk rs125 tuner -rs125 in us November 16, 2008 02:17 AM
just been reading all your comments on the rs125 so i will try to answer some of your questions on these bikes,they are very popular here in the uk,they come in different body styles,the latest shape being the one pictured 06-,the shape here has full euro 3 emission complaince (strangled)cat in the exhaust,carb and piagio cdi to meet european emissions so it might be possible for it to pass us emissions in some states,power is 12bhp in restricted form or 33bhp de-restricted,de-restricting simply involves fitting the power valve equipment and a re-map on the cdi on this shape,earlier shapes using the ducati cdi are loads easier to tune,type rs125 on you tube and you can see & hear what these little pocket rockets are like

CutKilla -125 Street legal November 10, 2008 10:37 PM
Here's the lo-down as I know it. It comes with lights signals and the whole 9 yards; however, because it does not meet emission standards it is sold as a track only bike. Kind of a lose lose for street and track application.

Morgan -noise November 10, 2008 03:16 PM
It sounds like nice buy, but since it's a 2 stroke it makes me wonder how noisy it can get.

Beave -Suhweet! November 10, 2008 09:17 AM
$5500 for a track-bike of this caliber really isn't that bad. I've been thinking of getting a track only moutn for a while and don't think I could piece a better one together for less. I'm of the opinion that high hp is a bad thing until you get up in the expert levels anyhow ... so I've been thinking SV650, but I'd need to rebob the suspension front and back and add rearsets at the very least. Still might go that route if I can get a good running SV for cheap, but this would be WAY easier and result in a much more fun bike.

Gads -idk... November 10, 2008 08:05 AM
I seem to remember that ban in the US limiting 2 stroke engines over 150cc's. But I could be wrong. I guess the only real way to find out is the head over to a dealership and see what they have to say about it. I dont think John is lying. I'm gonna head over this weekend and find out for myself.

Vince -Not Street Legal! November 9, 2008 10:59 PM
The bike pictured here is the standard version of the RS125 available around the world since 2007. The paint scheme pictured here are for 2008 outside the US. I see this bike frequently as I live in Tokyo. It is most popular in the European and Japanese markets where 2-strokes are widely available and there are strict limitations on displacement with regards a riders age and license class. It is highly unlikely that this bike will be street legal as most states have banded the use of stroke-engines for motorcycles. There is no way this little monster of a bike is passing smog in California!! That's why this article is most likely entitled TRACK BIKE. It's unlike that Aprilia would provide a stripped down version without mirrors, signals and license plate cover..etc etc for the US only. It much easier to just build the bike to standard spec like it would for the Euro market and then let the owner strip it down.

Gads -Really? November 8, 2008 03:33 PM
Hey John, thanks for the info, where in NY is that dealership? Upstate or close to NYC? Thanks

John -Street legal version in NY November 7, 2008 10:53 PM
I actually went by a Ducati dealership, and they had the same 125 pictured above. I asked if it would be possible to get it street legal and they said definitely, quoted me 5800 on the bike. Gold Coast Ducati in New Hyde Park, NY is the dealer.

Gads -Street Legal? Apparently not November 7, 2008 11:01 AM
Just got an email reply from a licensed Aprilia dealer in NJ. When i asked about the street version he said it doesn't exist. I can only assume he means in the US. Such a pity this would've been very fun on a backroad as well as a track. After some searching i found a dealer in Maryland who converted they're track bikes to street bikes and were able to get them titled, but they're going for 8 grand. Not worth it i think.

x2468 -will they have a 250? November 6, 2008 12:47 PM
that's what i'd like to see.

Drunkula -Nice 125 November 6, 2008 09:50 AM
It really does look equipped for street use. Never seen a track-only bike come with headlights, turn signals, mirrors, license plate mount, tag light, etc. Might have to start saving up!

James -Paint Job suggests new November 5, 2008 08:32 PM
^^^ see title. I haven't seen this paint-job before so I'm thinking its street legal, which would be epic! Its only a pity I don't have the money for one atm.

Gads -Street Legal? November 4, 2008 05:55 AM
Is this a completely track only version? Or is the US going to have the opportunity for a street legal one with lights and indicators like in the picture?