Aprilia Rs250 Help - Good or Bad First Bike? [Archive]

Aprilia

10th January 2006, 17:46

froggyfrenchman

10th January 2006, 17:53

Definatly more than you can handle as a complete green horn mate! Also, you dont really want a fairing on a learner bike, coz you will drop it as you learn, and the plastic costs HEAPS to fix or replace. Im sure you will get tons of advice as what a good 1st bike is, my 2c is a suzuki gn250, just for 6mnths while you master the basics. One of the easiest bikes to ride, no plastic and parts are cheap as chips and everywhere.

Welcome to the site anyway.
Frogman

marty

10th January 2006, 18:29

if you've never ridden before, i can see why you'd be attracted to it - it's one sexy beast. probably a bit of a handful though - they are a race replica bike, and need a reasonably deep mechanical knowledge (or deep pockets) to keep them running 100%. they are fast, italian, 2 stroke. for similar (or less) money, get a late model VTR250.

see my write up on the aprilia here>> http://www.motobke.co.uk/

deathstar

10th January 2006, 18:48

my 2c is a suzuki gn250, just for 6mnths while you master the basics. One of the easiest bikes to ride, no plastic and parts are cheap as chips and everywhere.
Frogman

exactly what i am doing and then just can pass it on to the next newb without really losing much money on it. would look at buying new if you have the cash and only lose $500 over a whole year of running

hXc

10th January 2006, 19:03

My 2c worth...

Bad newbie bike

marty

10th January 2006, 19:10

bargain

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/trader.php?do=showad&postid=466457

Aprilia

10th January 2006, 19:23

Thanks for your input guys. That’s a good read Marty, it made me want one even more. I don’t see myself as a big cc rider in the long run so if possible I’d like to get a good bike with the looks and a little go so I don’t get bored with it. It would be used to get to work and short runs and the odd getaway from the city to have a little time out, well that’s my thought at the moment anyway. So I guess my next question is would I be right to say it’s a bad bike to learn on unsupervised but with help through club training or a certified skill course, providing enough time is put in, could it then be a possible first bike? The last thing I want to do is drop it big time in the first week or end up dead, it would be something I’d put the time into learning to ride. If it's still not, then I will have to consider another, I’m definitely not looking to become a statistic and I’m very aware bikes deserve a lot of respect and discipline. Thanks

marty

10th January 2006, 19:31

it's an expensive bike to drop. my advice is, get something cheaper, like this>> http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=1435865&TabID=3553&Alias=motorcycletradernz at least for a year, then look to upgrade to the rs. it's like having a WRX as your first car, but it can fall over, and is only one wheel drive. i think you'll find it difficult/expensive to insure too. running an RS250 as your first bike will end up in tears.

froggyfrenchman

10th January 2006, 19:44

honestly dude, get a cheap bike, a brand new gn is like $3000. Not real quick, and a bit ugly but easy and cheap to fix. Everybody drops bikes when learning! By the way, bikes arnt like cars, for the 1st few months, 80kmh will feel like 200kmh, a gn or fxr will be boring after 6mnths, thats when you sell it and buy a sports 250.

Its not the speed that normally makes learners fall off, its learning bout traction and how the bike reacts in diferent suituations

Aprilia

10th January 2006, 19:51

Thanks Marty, That’s not quite what I had in mind as a first bike but it's not bad either, a change of colour and it could well do. After all, my life vs a year? It’s a no brainer really. Thanks for sharing your experience.:niceone: Although one sitting in the shed for when the time comes couldn’t hurt.:msn-wink:

Timber020

10th January 2006, 21:26

Get the aprillia, and put me in your will. At least I will get a colourful wreck!

N4CR

10th January 2006, 23:00

The 2004 aprillia rs250 had the highest power output in bhp per CC of any production bike... lets just say that I wouldn't want to ride that thing as a first bike, let alone a second bike. If you want something quick go for a Inline 4 4 stroke like a CBR/ZXR/FZR/GSXR Across etc. Plenty fast and when you get good enough ya can piss off all the bigger bikes in the twisties. Still has plenty of plastic to break so you might want to look at a nakid inline4 like a bandit. Up to you mate...

SPORK

10th January 2006, 23:58

You're fucken joking, right?

On that note, do u guyz thnk i shud by a 2005 ZX10R for my frst biek?

N4CR

11th January 2006, 00:07

You're fucken joking, right?

On that note, do u guyz thnk i shud by a 2005 ZX10R for my frst biek?

Would you want to ride a hard tuned 2 stroke 250 GP styled bike after riding a 'soft' by comparison 250 where it don't matter what rpms you do in a corner or how you treat the throttle (to an extent).

Sure i'd love to take it for a blat but thats about it. I don't like riding other peoples bikes anyway.

Actually - here I got some goats over in the corner you can blow.. - the zx10r is a great learners bike, gets loosers like yourself out of the gene pool. *Brunz*

Mooch

11th January 2006, 01:09

Just thought I'd throw another opinion in.
Went through a similar debate with my first bike years ago. We sat down and made a list of possible bikes of the time and sorted them by practicality.
The GN250 came out as the winner to learn on but I really wanted a sporty style bike. I ended up buying a second hand Kawasaki Kr1 250 two stroke.
The positives of getting sporty bikes is excellent brakes and handling and plenty of "highway" performance for safe overtaking / up hills etc.
The down side is that while you’re first learning you tend to wobble around a bit so dropping a fully faired bike can run into $1000's to repair.
Bike wise I kept it for 13 odd years. It toured all corners of NZ on it. Had lots of fun on it. I only used it for commuting for a couple of months during that time. I was fortunate that when I was learning I was surrounded by bikers that rode well that could offer opinions on progress. My wife was also helping out on bike handling skills courses so had plenty of free training. So if you do get one, do every course you can afford and hook up with good riders.

As for the RS250, you definitely wouldn't need a larger bike for some time. Would seem a bit of a waste to commute on and performance two stroke 250's aren't ideal for short runs maintenance wise.
Parking could be an issue for you. Commuter bikes run a reasonable chance of being knocked over by car drivers / drunk public / other bikes falling over (Wind in Wellington).A cheaper bike without fairing would be better for this.

Korea

11th January 2006, 04:18

2 stroke 250's for commuting on? Piss off!
Did it myself for a while, wore the poor thing out and scared myself shitless in traffic, alone, in the corners, everywhere... because I was a learner and I had to get the sexiest, fastest, most difficult to learn on bike available.

But I'm not saying your first bike has to be an ugly munter (I'm sorry, nobody gets into riding because it's "practical" so you can throw your crusty GN's back on the trash-heap thank you very much)

Go a 4-stroke like the FXR150 or a 250 twin or something. Then you will never maintain it, or lube the chain, or change the oil and it will still be running happily by the time you flick it off for that 250 2 stroke, if you're good enough.

Reminds of something some wise man told me:
The 250 2-stroke is the bike you get when you've mastered all the other bikes. In the right hands, they're a weapon!

Sniper

11th January 2006, 07:23

Been said before but not a bad thing to reitterate. Bad first bike.

curious george

11th January 2006, 07:48

Bunch of whimps.
Go for it.
All of the above is true however, especially the bit about expensive to crash and maintain.
Do a search here for 'RGV' and 'Aprillia 250' and 'NSR'.
Buy it for life though, because you must love fiddling with bikes and the extra headache that 2 strokes require.
I suggest you rethink your purchase if you have any desire to get a bigger bike with your full licence.
These are fantastic bikes that love to be raced, nothing else.
Decide what skill level you have, and buy accordingly.

Motig

11th January 2006, 08:34

Yep, definitely not a bike for learning on.

emaN

11th January 2006, 08:49

rs250....hubba hubba...dribble dribble...me want...me need...come to papa!

um,getting back to 'thread matter'; a gpz250 was a great 1st bike.

Eurodave

11th January 2006, 09:00

About 8 years ago one of my mates bought a brand new Chesterfield colours Aprillia RS 250 for his first bike, god it was a beauty!!,. About a week or so later he dumped it big time when he hit the power band going round a fast corner, fuck, what a mess that made!!:wacko: It was insured & he eventually got it fixed up after a lot of drama getting parts. I would say that this is a bike for experienced riders & DEFINATELY NOT any good as a learners first bike. You need something that has smooth predictable power ie a four stroke single NOT a racetrack refugee 2 stroke with its brutal powerband at your early stage, maybe later once you have the needed skills

imdying

11th January 2006, 10:20

As with all the gp replica strokers, it'll be a prick round town, need 10x the tlc. Having said that, plenty of my mates started on RGVs and the like, and they didn't die. Most likely you'll drop it (even if just at the lights) and that's expensive.

You'll probably survive the first 6 months, and love it to bits after that. If you've plenty of coin though, I'd buy the FXR150 first, and get the rs as well later on. 2 strokes don't like running around town, the engines like to be free. Plus, the engines aren't good for much over 25000kms, so you don't want to be adding unnecessary kms on it if you can avoid it. Keep the FXR for ripping around on, and the rs for doing laps of your favourite roads.

For all their quirks, 2 strokes are great great fun. If someone offered to swap my 97 ZX6R for an RZ500, RG500, or late250 2 stroke, I'd probably consider it.

In a nutshell, buy it, but don't waste it. And by that I mean, learning to ride, or commuting on it. They're not good for either. The guy who taught me to ride said 'Bikes are great, but don't rely on them for your only transport', and it's true. They're not like a car, you can't ride/drive them when they're half fucked or injured (not if you're smart). Of course two bikes fixes that :D

Man, now I'll be thinking sweet smelling blue smoke all day :2thumbsup

Aprilia

11th January 2006, 18:56

Sniper

11th January 2006, 18:59

Good choice mate

Lord Pac

11th January 2006, 20:03

ahem.. so who's selling the rs250? ;) :niceone:

froggyfrenchman

11th January 2006, 20:20

good choice!

k14

11th January 2006, 20:38

Thanks to all who have posted, :bye: I will sadly have to put the Aprilia off based on my skill. At this stage the FXR150 will be my choice so I will get out and have a look at a few in the weekend. Its good to see as a noob there is the support there to warn you about the hidden risks etc you don’t think of until its to late. I must admit to me when I thought to get a bike it was right, I can get up to a 250cc so lets see what’s out there. I then see an Aprilia 250, :gob: my jaw hits the ground and I think wow that’s the bike I want. It meets the learner restrictions so it must be all good, how wrong was I and how many who don’t ask come off second best on that reason alone, I’d hate to think. So thanks again and safe riding.:scooter:
Good choice mate, I for one thought "here's another one, all this info will go straight in one ear and out the other", but you proved me (and I'm sure many others wrong). You have made the right decision. There's always plenty of time in the future to get the RS250, first thing first, learn how to ride, then go for the flash/fast bikes.

Good luck.

_intense_

11th January 2006, 21:25

The question here is: should a beast like the RS250 even be a learner legal bike.... if you do get one BE CAREFULL ffs, they are an extremely powerful bike for a newbie rider, with a powerspot thatll make you shit youself and is more than capalbe of 230kmph+++ in a good state of tune, require careful maintainence, but 2smokes are sweet if you keep on top of that. but yeah you wont find a sexier 250 bike ever. aprillia 250 is the shit god luck man.

just read ur reps man, FXR was my first bike to, its fantastic to kearn the basics on. work up to the rs, maybee you can look foward to it as ur 2nd bike, you'd be much safer imho doing it this way. oh yeah -WATCH OUT FOR CAGES

marty

11th January 2006, 21:29

this looks almost brand new >>> http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=22872

$2k has to be a bargain

pritch

11th January 2006, 21:40

Mate of mine has had cause to work on Ferraris off and on. Major problems with erratic running etc.

The importers rep explained that this is normal. If there is a Ferarri in the family the wife will want to use it for shopping.

Ferarris don't do shopping. Spitting, farting, coughing, choking though, they do real well. If you try to use them for shopping that is...

RS250 is the same, brilliant bike, my current dream bike, and I'm nearly 62. Fragile and temperamental as Hell though.
About the most unsuitable bike possible for a learner, except maybe the RS125.

Get real!

Pathos

11th January 2006, 21:48

fxr is a bloody good learners bike. you'll love it.

cheapest motorised wheels on the planet.

RoadRocket

12th January 2006, 12:18

Coyote

12th January 2006, 13:09

I started off on a fxr150 before moving on to the aprilia. They are not the easiest to learn on but heaps of fun. It might be for sale soon if anyone is interested in a 2003 aprilia rs250 it looks like im getting a new 636.
How much?

In reality you can learn on any bike, it depends how sensible the rider is whether they'll get hurt or not. A sensible 15 year old who has just got his licence and a RS250 might have trouble free riding for years, whilst a gun-ho 30-40 year old who's just got their licence and a GN250 might find themselves flying off the rimutakas.

I first learnt on a CRF150 then got a KX80 a month or so after. Some of the older 80cc motocrosser are probably even nastier to learn on than the RS as they're lighter and the front wheel has a tendancy to jump over the rear :p

flash

13th January 2006, 22:33

this is all stupid. ive riden a rgv out in the country and around town and they are pussy cats, theres next to no power until around 9k which you dont do in traffic, also about this whole "hitting the powerband' while going around a corner and falling is stupid too, i actually tried to hit the powerband round corners purposly to see what everyone was talking about and at the very most it did a little wriggle, nothing to be scared about.

out in the country though the 2smokes are beauts, they glide round corners and have intence acceleration, but only if you stay in extreme revs (for my standards)

marty

13th January 2006, 22:52

must have been a pos rgv then. hitting the powerband on the RS from 7000rpm 1/2 way round a corner was something you didn't really want to do, and riding it on the pipe all the time was not something you did without concentrating. i reckon the busa is more predictable than my RS was

flash

14th January 2006, 21:55

nah it was a restricted rgv, so it would be nothing like a 62+hp apirila, i know this i was just n a bad mood and felt like pissing some people off).

they twosmokes are fun, but its quite hard to actdently get up to 8k without trying so i say just get one (just dont blame me if you die, but that goes for anyone on any bike)

DirtMad

26th January 2006, 15:08

I dont mean to hi-jack the thread, but since theres all this great info about the RS250`s difficult power etc. I was just wondering: I own a KDX200 with fmf pipe and regularily go dirt riding, would this put me in the exact same boat as a total newB road bike rider ? ie. the RS250 is still a rediculous first road bike ?

imdying

26th January 2006, 15:41

Nope, you'd be fine.

flash

26th January 2006, 15:53

ive got a kdx too, and after riding a rgv250 i felt the kdx had more acceleration at low revs. yould deffinatly be fine

DirtMad

26th January 2006, 15:55

cool, thats a little comforting, thanks alot guys ;-)

Postie

26th January 2006, 16:05

2 stroke 250's are awesome but far from suitable for 99% or learners. Ive seen a 2 stroke 250s out drag a ZXR750 at the back of Puke, only just but it did it.
My CBR400 has about 60hp, an RS250 is quite a few kilos lighter and has about 70hp.
Great bike, sexy as hell, but not for green horns

phoenixgtr

26th January 2006, 16:10

Oh god I'd love an RS250. Dream bike, sexy as hell. I constantly check trademe for them, but I know I'm not ready for one. Not yet. I'm working my way up to that. One day I will have my baby

phoenixgtr

26th January 2006, 16:13

Oh yeah, FXR is an excellent learners bike. So easy to ride. Needs hardly any maintenance and will run forever. Plus, they only have a half fairing so theres less plastic to stuff. Just a bit slow, but when your at the point where you have outgrown it, then upgrade.

200 Yeah baby!

EZAS

28th January 2006, 17:45

I'd say get a Suzuki RGV 250.

The RS250 is made from the suzuki block, but rebuilt to be faster (i think... right?).

For a few g's cheaper you'd probably like the CBR250RR's , they're light and handle just as well.

bigbadwolf

28th January 2006, 19:17

so what bike did you end up gettin Aprilia?

by the way rs250s are faaarkin sexy bikes, full credit to you for having awesome taste dude

Pathos

28th January 2006, 21:33

... so theres less plastic to stuff...

heh, still coupla grand of it tho.

I did $3000 damage on my fxr at 50kmph.

TygerTung

29th January 2006, 16:18

I'd recomend somthing like a CG110 or a CG125.

The 110 is a bit slow and the 125 is a bit faster, just went to the west coast and back on mine, they're pretty good around down, but their acceleration at highway speeds is pretty poor.

Good around the hills though, handle really well if you hang off the side, took out some bigger bikes going down hill....

Mine was originally a 110, but I got a 125 barallel, and an XL125S piston, and also converted it to 5 speed with an XL125 gearbox, as the 4 speed was rude as.

Aparently you can do a bit of work to them and get them pushing 150-160!

ducatilover

29th January 2006, 21:52

Aprilia

2nd February 2006, 18:17

Hi guys, well I still haven't a bike. I have seen an aprilia RS125 on trade me http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=46881997 what’s your view on this puppy. I know I’d still run the risk of damage if I drop it but is this any good as a first for a greenhorn. Also what about the price, is $5500 quite high for a 99? I'm still looking for a fxr150 when I get the chance, I just happened to come across the aprilia. Thanks.

flash

2nd February 2006, 18:38

why not get a cheaper 4stroke so you can have an electric start?. but those aprillias kick ass ive been told :love:, top speeds surposed to be like 160-180kph

pritch

6th February 2006, 14:33

Hi guys, well I still haven't a bike. I have seen an aprilia RS125 on trade me http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=46881997 what?s your view on this puppy.

Like I said in my first post on this thread it's possibly an even sillier choice than the 250.
Make haste slowly Grasshopper.

Coyote

6th February 2006, 14:48

The RS125 is nice, but be prepared for the maintenance that comes with it. A 250 sports bike is a better choice for the money I think. Smooth power and reliable

Although RS125s might be better than I thought. Ask K14 about his

Aprilia

22nd February 2006, 16:46

DirtMad

22nd February 2006, 16:51

I was going to get an rs250 but decided against getting something that expensive for a first bike... Got me a gutless, but tidy gsx250 instead for much less to learn on. :corn:

Lazy7

22nd February 2006, 17:21

the main reason i wouldn't buy one is this.

they go for about 8k... and 8k is a big investment in a bike you will be looking to upgrade in 12months.

if you are buying it with mind to keep it, i would say go for it. but once the bike bug has bit you, you'll probably be like the rest of us and start looking for something else.

if you do buy it however - it will probably spoil you in terms of performance for anything smaller than a 600. Bikers who have ridden for years still buy RS250's and still have an absolute ball on them.

they are quite easily the fastest 250 out there.

imdying

22nd February 2006, 17:46

I still haven’t a bike to ride but I may have found a possible? What are your thoughts on this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=48637276.Also what sort of price would be a fair price to pay or work too if its suitable. ThanksLooks like a great choice if you're buying a stroker, even the price seems fair. Might go have a look at it myself.

avrflr

22nd February 2006, 18:03

My first street bike was an ex-racer NSR250 that had more power than most and I commuted on it rain hail or shine. I know lots of guys who have learned to ride on 2-strokes including RS250s. I think all this talk about vicious powerbands chucking you off is pure crap - there's a handy control on the right handlebar that adjusts the amount of power that goes to the rear wheel, works at any revs, honest. When you are learning you can ride them without even getting in to the powerband. As for falling off and damaging valuable fairings, just don't - I never did. You are safest on a bike that is built with the least amount of compromise to go, stop and turn - you are safest on a proper race rep sports bike.

Sutage

23rd February 2006, 21:28

dude it will only go fast if u make it ! :D
but like, it will probably fall over when u park it wrong and then bang there goes 8grand or whatever of fairings
get yaself a naked bike
a bandit would be cool still pretty quick
i had an SR250 first, was in a sorry state when i finished with it tho, but am pleased i got it
dont get a brand new GN250
just get something like 86 for a grand off trademe
sucks when ur bike gets wasted when u not even on it :P

ducatilover

26th February 2006, 20:17

please dont say gn250! its no good for long distance open road riding and they arent even that economical. they handle and stop like crap... maybe an nz250 would be better, atleast something that can pull up hills or pass slower than you traffic:slap: ....

an rs250 would be alright unless you get happy handed then it will turn to poo very quick. [similar to why inexperienced riders should not buy bros650's]

flash

26th February 2006, 20:20

[similar to why inexperienced riders should not buy bros650's]

Zing!:killingme :killingme

ducatilover

26th February 2006, 20:24

Zing!:killingme :killingme
bounce:rofl:

avrflr

26th February 2006, 22:02

There's a bloke at work who has done the absolute minimum amount of riding required to get a full licence and he is determined to buy a hayabusa. Now how's that for an inappropriate first bike? I have tried gently counselling him, but he will not be swayed. I'll post pics of the crash:)

ducatilover

27th February 2006, 09:57

i have a mate who is doing a similar thing, he jas an fzr250 and thinks it is extremely powerfull as he hasnt had time to get used to it, now he has his full and he is about to buy a hayabusa. :bye:

Aprilia

1st March 2006, 19:33

Well I may have finally found my first bike. Its an 99 Aprilia RS, and you guessed it im sure, it's the mighty 50cc machine we all know:headbang: . It’s a little of what I wanted while also taking into account some of the advice given by members. I'm thinking it will do for at least the next 6 mths and I'm sure it will teach me alot. It's set me back $1500 has 5200k on the clock, mechanically good but could do with a little attention/cosmetic tidy up due to a low speed drop, overall it’s in pretty good condition. Next step is the right gear/helmet. Thanks to all those who gave their opinion, finally looks like I’m on my way in working up towards the 250.

pritch

1st March 2006, 19:40

Ride it in good health :-)

SwanTiger

1st March 2006, 20:04

I'm really intrested in the Aprilia Rs250 and I'm looking to buy one. The catch is I've never been on a bike before. I read as a learner I can ride up to 250cc, thus the reason for my choice. It seems to be a great bike and has everything I want but I also have a feeling it might be a little more than I can handle as a learner. What do you think? Many thanks.

You'll just become another road death statistic. Waste of a nice bike. Spend $1,500 on a decent 250cc bike, loose a couple of hundred then sink your teeth in something bigger like an RS250.

Its just plain common sense, if you want to be one of those gay poser boys then I think you deserve whatever mistakes you make.

imdying

1st March 2006, 20:50

You'll just become another road death statistic. Waste of a nice bike. Spend $1,500 on a decent 250cc bike, loose a couple of hundred then sink your teeth in something bigger like an RS250.

Its just plain common sense, if you want to be one of those gay poser boys then I think you deserve whatever mistakes you make.I can only assume that you haven't read the whole thread, not least of which is the first, and the post three above this one. He asked for advice, got it, took it, and brought an RS50. Did you really have to flame him? All you've done it show yourself as someone who either can't read, or comprehend. Or have I missed something?

Krusti

1st March 2006, 21:07

Want ta buy one?....They are not as leathal as a lot of you guys make out!...On the safety side...not a better handling bike out there.

Must do if you own one.....only the best 2 stroke oil...never the servo sold crap....not cheap. Change air filter regular....Service often. If ya keep top oil in and don't abuse them they do last.

What a joy to ride tho.....

Son has had his for over a year and never dropped it....210 highest speed locked on computer so far and had more to go. I'm considering buying it off him as a second bike.

Makes a difference that he spent 4 years moto x I think....

kickingzebra

5th March 2006, 21:06

Soo many bikes to choose from... Strokers are cool, but Bugger it, when you open them up, they can drink the gas back, On a MC16 NSR I managed to empty the (18 Litre, I believe) tank in 56 KM once (a very quick 56 KM) Problem is, strokers are like hand grenades, go really well for ages, then one day BAM, (poor rothmans MC16 melted front piston down into crank in the middle of no where... I still miss that bike!!