Words: Jeff Ware Photos: Jeff Ware, Dave Herdman (action)
When it comes to race replicas, the Aprilia RS250 is the King. Sure, two-stroke fans like me love RGVs, NSRs, KR-1Ss, TZRs… but when the RS250 came out straight off the back of Max Biaggi’s 1996 World 250 Grand Prix title on the factory RSW250 and the likes of Loris Capirossi and Tetsuya Harada’s heroics in 1997 and 1998, it was a dream come true for red-blooded two-stroke fans. The RGV suddenly seemed so archaic and the Aprilia so stylish and decked out – Brembo brakes, Sachs suspension, real GP chassis… and looks to kill.
The chassis of the RS250 is a direct copy of the 1996 winning RSW250. Lightweight and with radical geometry the RS250 is razor-sharp and completely track/twisties focussed. The Brembo brakes are incredibly powerful and the Sachs suspension stiff. The huge banana swingarm and wide Brembo wheels make the chassis feel stiff and unforgiving and despite its boy racer size and lack of impressive numbers on paper, the RS250 is no bike for a novice. It’ll lap 1:42 at Eastern Creek in expert hands and on a tighter circuit will out-pace most four-stroke road bikes.
The engine is basically surplus Suzuki RGV250 re-hashed by Rotax with slightly revised heads, pistons, porting and electronics. There’s no go below 8500rpm and it’s hard work to stay in the sweet spot between 9000rpm and 11,500rpm but very rewarding. The gearbox is agricultural and clunky and the gap from first to second is huge on the RS but the rest of the ratios are not bad. Shortening gearing for the street is the go.
Not many bikes will match the RS250 for pure old-fashioned thrills on a twisty road. Many will want for more power on a long track but corner speed is more exciting than acceleration. Braking on the RS250 is also another level up from most modern sportsbikes and overall the grin factor is 10/10.
Tyre choice is limited these days but soft Dunlops and Bridgestones are still available and the bike still looks modern today. It will also become a collector in years to come.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Worn powervalve mechanism. Misaligned pulley adjustment marks are a strong indication. Walk away…
Scored barrels or pistons. Pull the expansion chambers off and shine a torch up the exhaust ports to check condition.
Crank end-float. Take the left cover off the crankcases and feel for main bearing play.
Gearbox misaligned. The cassette gearbox can be put in with the wrong dowels; misaligning the cluster and causing severe wear.
Brake rotors. Check thickness as they have a tendency to wear.
Alignment. Lots of badly crashed RS250s out there with bent frames, swingarms and sub-frames
Matching engine and chassis numbers.
PERFORMANCE DATA
Speeds in gears
1st 80km/h
2nd 120km/h
3rd 158km/h
4th 187km/h
5th 211km/h
6th 219km/h
Acceleration
0 – 80km/h 2.6sec
0 – 110km/h 4.2sec
0 – 160km/h 8.3sec
0 – 220km/h 37.5
Braking Distances
30km/h – 0 1.8m
60km/h – 0 9.8m
100km/h – 0 30m
160km/h – 0 74m
SPECIFICATIONS
COLOURS: Boy Racer
CLAIMED POWER: 62hp(47kW)@11,250rpm
CLAIMED TORQUE: Bugger all!
DRY WEIGHT: 140kg
TOP SPEED: 220km/h
CHASSIS: Alloy perimeter frame,
SUSPENSION: 41mm Showa inverted forks, Sachs rear shock, and banana swingarm
BRAKES: Brembo wheels, calipers and rotors
YEAR: 1998 – 2004
MAKE: APRILIA
MODEL: RS250
COST:
NEW: $12,750 (1998) to $12,850 + ORC (2004)
USED: $7500 - $10,500 (running, good condition)
APRILIA RS250 RESTORATION
Aprilia RS250: Love Triangle Part 1
Aprilia RS250: Love Triangle Part 2
Protect your motorbike. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
