Aprilia RS250 review

In terms of appearance, the bike is a faithful copy of the Aprilia motorcycles which compete in the world championships. Its sporting and aggressive lines express dynamism and lightness, fruit of long sessions and tests in a wind tunnel. In line with the aerodynamic requirements of racing bikes, the rear tail also has a spacious compartment under the saddle large enough to hold the passenger saddle when removed for track use or in the "solo" configuration. The entire fairing has been wind tunnel tested, enabling the bike`s speed performance to be exploited to the full while guaranteeing protection and comfort. The analogue/digital racing instrumentation includes a genuine on-board computer able to provide all the information fundamental for a machine of this type with easy and immediate reading. The tank allows for perfect integration between rider and motorcycle, with a capacity of a full 19.5 litres for guaranteed riding range. More specs and user manual of Aprilia RS 250 you can see in next overview.

Aprilia RS250 specification

General information
Engine type: two-stroke 90° V twin, liquid cooled, lamellar intake in crankcase.
Pistons: in special high silicon content alloy
Bore and stroke: 56 x 50.6 mm
Total displacement: 249cc
Compression ratio: 13.2:1
Carburettors: two Mikuni TM 34 SS flat valve carburettors, electronically controlled by solenoid valves partially shutting maximum throttle and tick-over circuits
Ignition: digital CDI, with mapping of programmed spark advance according to three parameters
Starter: pedal
Generator: 12V - 180W
Lubrication: separate, with automatic variable mixer (0.9-2%)
Clutch: multiple disk in oil bath
Gear box: completely removable, six ratio, forced lubrication with positive displacement pump
Primary transmission: gear
Secondary transmission: chain
Frame: aluminium magnesium alloy double sloping beam with thin wall shell structure. Stem and plates in cast aluminium magnesium alloy
Front suspension: upside-down fork in high tensile steel, 41 mm dia. adjustable in rebound, compression and preload, wheel travel 120 mm
Rear suspension: cast aluminium magnesium alloy swing arm with differentiated design arms, single hydraulic shock absorber with separate tank, adjustable in rebound, compression, preload and length, wheel travel 130 mm
Brakes: front - floating disk, 298 mm dia., callipers with four differentiated diameter pistons; rear - disk, 220 mm dia., two piston calliper
Rims: five tangential spoke aluminium alloy, front 3.50 x 17", rear 4.50 x 17"
Tires: tubeless radials front 120/60 ZR 17", rear. 150/60 ZR 17"
Dimensions: max length 1,980 mm max. width 710 mm wheelbase 1,365 mm
Dry weight: 140 kg
Tank capacity: 19.5 litres

Road test Aprilia RS 250
A 250c two-stroke screamer that top 130mph, the RS is basically a road legal racer that will frustrate you in city traffic but let you show bigger bikes the way around on track days so that you can ride home with a really stupid grin on your face. The Aprilia RS 250 got its first major update in 1998 with a wider fairing based on the GP racers that lets you tuck down out of the wind. Aprilia claimed increased acceleration and top speed - even if it wasn`t as pretty as the earlier one. Although the front brake calipers were stiffened up for the 1998 model year, the brakes were always excellent. An on-board computer gives lap times, top speed and other info you`d want to clear as soon as you saw a blue light in your mirror. Weighing a featherweight 140kg, the Aprilla can be stuffed late into corners and screamed out - if you keep in the powerband. Get it bogged down and you might as well be on a BSA Bantam. Just like the classic Brit stroker, the Aprilia RS250 leaves a whiff of blue two-stroke oil in its exhaust gas, but it is a lot thirstier. Expect 30mpg on a good day - which is why the Aprilia comes with a sensible five-gallon tank.