The RS250

[Rych]

Hey all, well I am looking into these Aprilla RS250's. I would like something with a bita power but because of learners can only get a 250.

Would just like to know how these bikes run and how reliable they are? Are they a decent bike for the street or are they more of a racing bike? I don't really know anything about them except for the fact they are double the HP of mose other 250's.. :eek5:

Cheers.

[Jantar]

Good on you for looking before buying. :niceone:

The Aprilla is not suitable as a learner's bike for a number of reasons. It is race bread, and being a two stroke it requires a lot more maintenance than a 4 stroke. While the handling is magnificent for someone experienced, a learner may find that things happen too quickly and will soon find himself in trouble.

It is fully faired, and that means $$$$$$ when it falls over. Believe me, that at some stage you will drop this bike even if it just while manouvering it out of your garage.

I would strongly suggest a naked bike (GN or Scorpio) while on your learners, and then progress to something a bit faster about 3 - 6 months after you get your restricted.

[Rych]

The maintenance was the only reason which was putting me off a 2-stroke. I have done quite a bit of riding before but mostly off road.

My other options were a CBR, GSXR or ZXR something along those lines.. They just don't look so nice and the new 250's don't go so quickly.. :P

[fatzx10r]

get your self a zx10r, that will solve your power problem's

[wbks]

Been looking at two strokes like the RS myself, I'm on my R licence. Just adding on to what Jantar said, they are a little hardcore for a learner. Riding one myself it seems to take a lot more effort to actually make go fast even though they are more powerfull. Regular rebuilds every 10-11, 000 km's which from what I've heard on here can cost anything between 400-700 bucks. I wan't an aprillia or one of the other two strokes myself but they're too expensive aye. I guess they are more of a race bike but if you like a thrash on the street (don't admit it here) then it could be cool assuming you've done a bit of mx racing or some other form of motorcycle competition as experience. But maybe you should look at zxr/cbr/fzr/gsxr 250's. Reliable, cost not much to run and are quite fast if you want. I think the stock new zxr250 gets 0-100 in about 5 seconds which will smoke most cars haha. Ofcourse they aren't naked like Jantar suggested, but just take off the fairings for a couple weeks if you are scared of wrecking the plastics.

[nodrog]

if you are one of these complete learners that thinks "a motorcycle will be neat" and you are keen on one, i suggest you get insurance, both motorcycle and life.

if you have experience with 250 2-stroke motorcross machines, or similar (and not just "i rode my mates one up his driveway once") you should be fine.

and dont worry about the whole "get a naked bike, it will be cheaper to fix", and "you will drop it". get whatever turns you on.

[wbks]

The maintenance was the only reason which was putting me off a 2-stroke. I have done quite a bit of riding before but mostly off road.

My other options were a CBR, GSXR or ZXR something along those lines.. They just don't look so nice and the new 250's don't go so quickly.. :PActually, if you haven't done anything short of the 125gp thing I would say zxr250/cbr250's would seem pretty fast to you if you know how to ride one.

[wbks]

if you are one of these complete learners that thinks "a motorcycle will be neat" and you are keen on one, i suggest you get insurance, both motorcycle and life.

if you have experience with 250 2-stroke motorcross machines, or similar (and not just "i rode my mates one up his driveway once") you should be fine.

and dont worry about the whole "get a naked bike, it will be cheaper to fix", and "you will drop it". get whatever turns you on.
I don't really agree with the 250 motocross thing. For a start the powerbands are nothing alike being a different engine config aprt from the fact that they both peak right up the tacho. Second-two stroke mx bikes are actually the most reliable mx bikes you can get (complete oposite for roadbikes lol). New piston and rings every 40 hour riding, and never break down or sieze like the road bike two strokes where as mx fourstrokes are always dropping valves and shiet like that. I think the difference in reliability between road and dirt two strokes is that dirt bikes always get the snot revved out of them (on the limit) all the time. No oil or carbon build up. And someone once told me the long stroke of the road bike v twin is why they always suffer from seizures

[imdying]

The maintenance needs to be regular yes, but it's also very very simple. The motors themselves are incredibly simple, and a lot easier to work on than the four cylinder four strokes... for the amount of room to work on if nothing else!

Changing plugs, gearbox oil, and cleaning powervalves... they're all easy to do, and require little more than a 3/8" drive socket set.

It's the frequency that matters the most.... every 4000kms odd you want to clean and adjust the power valves... take you about an hour by the time you've done it twice already.

[wbks]

Hey Imdying, tell me if I was anywhere near the mark when I said the long stroke of the two stroke v-twins is partly responsible for poor reliability compared to dirt bike 125's/250's

[nodrog]

I don't really agree with the 250 motocross thing. For a start the powerbands are nothing alike being a different engine config aprt from the fact that they both peak right up the tacho. Second-two stroke mx bikes are actually the most reliable mx bikes you can get (complete oposite for roadbikes lol). New piston and rings every 40 hour riding, and never break down or sieze like the road bike two strokes where as mx fourstrokes are always dropping valves and shiet like that. I think the difference in reliability between road and dirt two strokes is that dirt bikes always get the snot revved out of them (on the limit) all the time. No oil or carbon build up. And someone once told me the long stroke of the road bike v twin is why they always suffer from seizures

im not talking about reliabilty, im talking about the experience of being able to manage the sometime unexpected kick of a powerband, wether it be on a 2-stroke MXer, or a 2-stroke road bike. for a complete learner having the powerband kick in mid corner (or anywhere for that matter) unexpectedly can be a pants shitting experience.

[imdying]

Hey Imdying, tell me if I was anywhere near the mark when I said the long stroke of the two stroke v-twins is partly responsible for poor reliability compared to dirt bike 125's/250'sThey don't have poor reliability, so no, you're off the mark.

[firefighter]

It is fully faired, and that means $$$$$$ when it falls over. Believe me, that at some stage you will drop this bike even if it just while manouvering it out of your garage.

I think the whole dropping it thing is bullshit and reserved only for muppits, i'm yet to meet someone on their learners/ restricted who dropped their bike just moving it around.........

[wbks]

They don't have poor reliability, so no, you're off the mark.What are you comparing them to, papermashe gp bikes?:laugh:

[imdying]

What are you comparing them to, papermashe gp bikes?:laugh:Experience... what are you comparing them to? Stuff others have told you and what you've read on the all knowing internet?

[wbks]

im not talking about reliabilty, im talking about the experience of being able to manage the sometime unexpected kick of a powerband, wether it be on a 2-stroke MXer, or a 2-stroke road bike. for a complete learner having the powerband kick in mid corner (or anywhere for that matter) unexpectedly can be a pants shitting experience.I guess so. The trick is to ride the bike IN the powerband all the time, that way you avoid the sudden kick...Its there all the time:eek:

[Squiggles]

What are you comparing them to, papermashe gp bikes?:laugh:

40hrs on a roadbike would be sfa.

[wbks]

Comparing them to fourstroke inline 4's like the zxr. I've only needed to ever change the cam tensioner on my zxer. Can't argue with all the bikes on trademe(rgvs/nsrs) with collapsed skirts and shit like that

[imdying]

Comparing them to fourstroke inline 4's like the zxr. I've only needed to ever change the cam tensioner on my zxer. Can't argue with all the bikes on trademe(rgvs/nsrs) with collapsed skirts and shit like thatBadly maintained and/or screwed to death != poor reliability

A ZXR250 is slow as a wet week, so of course it'll take a lot more neglect.

Speed costs.

[wbks]

40hrs on a roadbike would be sfa.If you're talking about how I said two stroke mx bikes are reliable and only need rebuilding every 40 ours and you think its wrong then have you ridden mx bikes much? Reved to the limiter from semi cold for hours on end constantly over revving in the air takes the life out of a bike faster then it sounds at 40 hours. Thats about 14 weekend rides of hard riding at the mx track

[wbks]

Badly maintained and/or screwed to death != poor reliability

A ZXR250 is slow as a wet week, so of course it'll take a lot more neglect.

Speed costs.Slow compared to a gp replica. Yes, speed does cost. But most rs/nsr/rgv/tzr 250s have been badly maintained and screwed to death! From memory only about two ive seen have been imported from japan without big drop marks or suspiciously new looking left or right side fairings. And if you ask most of them the last time they replaced the crank or even top end, some times even what psi they are running in their tires and they will not have a clue and just say " runs fine mate"

[imdying]

None of which points to poor reliablity, only poor maintenance.

[wbks]

You said poor maintanance and thrashed to death equal poor reliability----Most of them would equal poor reliability...But hey, I'm just jelous I can't afford one, cause I'd jump at the chance to own a nice nsr! :)

[nosebleed]

To the OP: you're in Akl so pop into Mt Eden Motorcycles and have a look. they'd be keen to get you on one, but I'm pretty sure after talking with you in person they'd establish wether or not 'its the bike for you'.
Since they deal in Kwaka as well you could back-to-back the test ride with one of those.
The other option if the RS250 is too 'mean'...would be to try the RS125, they'd still be a great peppy bike
Your own background/experience would be the best decider.

Go see them (and they're open Sunday too now)

How was that Selby, did I say that right?, was that everything you wanted to say?... :msn-wink::msn-wink:

[Rych]

To the OP: you're in Akl so pop into Mt Eden Motorcycles and have a look. they'd be keen to get you on one, but I'm pretty sure after talking with you in person they'd establish wether or not 'its the bike for you'.
Since they deal in Kwaka as well you could back-to-back the test ride with one of those.
The other option if the RS250 is too 'mean'...would be to try the RS125, they'd still be a great peppy bike
Your own background/experience would be the best decider.

Go see them (and they're open Sunday too now)

How was that Selby, did I say that right?, was that everything you wanted to say?... :msn-wink::msn-wink:
Hey cheers that might be a good idea! I just want something that is faster than my car if its going to weigh a 10th of the weight lol... :P

[imdying]

You said poor maintanance and thrashed to death equal poor reliability!= means 'not equal to'

[wbks]

Never heard that before!

[imdying]

Try learning some C :laugh:

[wbks]

Once again, you've lost me. Whats C?

[imdying]

Doesn't matter, it's not relevant.

Speed costs.

Big bikes with a lot of power eat the driveline, little bikes with a lot of power need more frequent rebuilds.

[unrealone]

I'll share a little experience from owning one..

They're an awesome bike... but simply I don't think you'll enjoy it on the road (atleast not for a decent period of time). It's just not what they were really meant for :)

I rode my on the road for a good 10months before I ended up putting on the race track.

Just hang tight for your Full and grab a nice 600 4 stroke. The RS is a demanding bike to ride on the road.

[Rych]

Yea I think I will go for a 4 stroke from what I have heard. Just gota decide between new or old.. Speed or looks & reliability :mellow:

[jrandom]

Buy a Yamaha Scorpio 225. $4,000 brand new.

If I was getting a learner bike now, I'd get one a them.

Learn to ride it properly and you'll give all the would-be squids on 20-year-old 250 four strokes the learn, no problems.

[Rych]

Why everyone say to get one of them or a GN lol.. I can ride a bike, I have done quite a lot of riding. I'm definately looking at a sports bike, I've test ridden a few, just can't decide whether to go new or old.

[wbks]

A scorpio? Eww yuk. They will NOT give a zxr250 or the cbr the learn in any way! lol Parts availability would be better with the scorpio though. But eww look at it. If you can find a low km zxr/cbr you won't have any reliability probs, parts aren't too hard to trace and they are faster/better looking and sounding then a SCORPIOOOOO btw what do you mean new or old? There are only old sports bikes unless you look at a Hyosung. I've heard plenty of bad, but also plenty of good about them.

[Rych]

I mean by new/old, zxr/cbr or a 08 Ninja... I've ridden a few GSXR's CBR's and they awesome fun, sounds a whole lot better and go a whole lot faster. I've ridden the 08 Ninja too, the Ninja's look a lot nicer and got the new ride feel and going to be more reliable being new and having 2 year warranty etc. If I can hold out for my full to upgrade to a 600-1000 then I'll go new. Just trying to weigh up the pro's and con's of each. I think the old zxr's look a lot nicer than the CBR's though.

[imdying]

A scorpio? Eww yuk. They will NOT give a zxr250 or the cbr the learn in any way!He was implying that buying something that forces you to concentrate on improving your riding will yeild results. There are plenty of guys that would happily run rings around you on your ZXR250 (or me on my RGV) on an FXR150 :yes:

[wbks]

Sure, I saw them doing just that the other weekend at taupo untill they get to a strait. Still though, I guess focusing on riding is best. Gotta make sure you have personal pride in your ride, though! :) You're still selling that rgv? And what do ya say Rych...Why not just get that nice 'busa in your avatar and avoid the police untill you get ya full!

[Rych]

Sure, I saw them doing just that the other weekend at taupo untill they get to a strait. Still though, I guess focusing on riding is best. Gotta make sure you have personal pride in your ride, though! :) You're still selling that rgv? And what do ya say Rych...Why not just get that nice 'busa in your avatar and avoid the police untill you get ya full!

That did pass my mind.. Would like a R6. :)

[Maki]

Don't buy a 2 stroke, unless you enjoy working on your bike, or enjoy having your bike sit in the garage while you pay someone else to work on it...

I would get the white one:

http://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/modeldetail.php?intBikeID=269

[imdying]

Yes, be satisfied with going slow instead :yes:

[xr-rider]

The maintenance was the only reason which was putting me off a 2-stroke. I have done quite a bit of riding before but mostly off road.

My other options were a CBR, GSXR or ZXR something along those lines.. They just don't look so nice and the new 250's don't go so quickly.. :P


get an rg150. easy to maintain, light and fast