Aprilia RS250

[scracha]

Stick with the CBR400 mate. 2 strokes are like posh burds. One of your mates will be riding them after they've drained all your money.

[imdying]

Im just wondering about the servicing on a two stroke motor i.e what do you need to change routinely?

Servicing is pretty light, there's not really a lot to do. Every 10k, you'll want to:
- New pistons and rings, top end rebuild sets are damn cheap
- New sparkplugs; contrary to popular belief, that should be the only time you need to pull them unless you're doing a chop
- Clean or replace the airfilter
- Change the gearbox oil

Every 2k you'll want to take the powervalves out and clean and inspect. No biggy, doesn't take too long.

Like does the crank case require different oil to the premix stuff?

Case oil is gearbox oil, not 2 stroke (that goes in a seperate tank).

where do you get the gearbox oil from?

Anywhere, Repco, whatever.

Oh my riding is going to be track days and long trips.

No good for long trips.

I commuted for a year on an NSR, not an issue really - just warm her up and take it easy till shes hot.

Yep, warm it up.

Most people will get the same enjoyment from a well sorted IL4 250

Assuming they've never ridden a 2 stroke. One ride will ruin a 4 stroke one for them.

One of the all-time greatest sprots bikes! Not a good commuter or tourer, it's a pure sports bike, a racer for the road and you'll be grinning from ear to ear every time you hop on and fire it up!

But maintenance is higher because of that, and regular, frequent servicing including the rebuilds is essential! Some have used the RS250 as a daily/regular bike and reckoned it was doable, but it's really a play-bike for a blast on! They are very fast and will embarass many much bigger bikes on most NZ roads! I'd have one in a shot as a second bike!

What he said

2 strokes also have a reputation for chewing through spark plugs, which again are not cheap to replace on these bikes.

Worn out 2 strokes have that reputation, correctly maintained ones shouldn't foul plugs.

They have the same(ish) engine as a VJ22

Yep, same parts, probably the easiest Italian bike to get engine parts for hahahahah.

[Latte]

Servicing is pretty light, there's not really a lot to do. Every 10k, you'll want to:
- New pistons and rings, top end rebuild sets are damn cheap
- New sparkplugs; contrary to popular belief, that should be the only time you need to pull them unless you're doing a chop
- Clean or replace the airfilter
- Change the gearbox oil

Yep changing plugs more often than this is a sign of something wrong (My 1st NSR fouled plugs every 500-1000 k's, was drawing air/oil through the crankcase seal - had about 6 plugs I would "rotate" on a regular basis, cleaning the old ones up once I got home (99% of the time would happen on the side of the road).

No good for long trips.

Weeelllll, young fullahs that have aclimatised to the sportbike position should be fine, keep the speed up and wear earplugs - 5-600k no problem (I realise thats not "long" for some people - but that'll get you a coro loop or most of Auck - Welly.

Realistically Imdying and others are right...... it's not really a commuter/cruiser, but the more smokers out there being ridden the better so I'm giving you all the ammo you need to make the purchase - for the fun you'll have the "drawbacks" are minimal (in my opinion anyway).

Buy it buy it buy it.

[cbrmattRR]

Getting a 96 with 16kms on it instead.

[imdying]

Rumour has it that the 96/97 model has shite forks... PM RT about it.

[cbrmattRR]

How do i do that

[imdying]

Use the 'Private Messages' link just under the main menu at the top. Enter Robert Taylor into the 'to' box.

Alternatively, look up Crown Kiwi Technical in the phone book and ring him. However his answers are both length and informative, so you might as well PM him, that way you can digest what he tells you and figure out what to ask next! He's the local Ohlins dealer and knows his bouncy things pretty good.

[aprilia_RS250]

i've got the '03 model. Done 15km. Mechanic says she doesn't need any big engine rebuilds. You should get 20k km out of it if you look after it easy.

Many people will say get a build after 12 or 16km. That's rubbish, that's assuming the bike has been thrashed on a track.


I spend about 600 per year on servicing. I don't do anything on it apart from oil the chain and put gas in it.

Power Valves are the achilles heel on this little beauty. You can get modified ones that don't snap off in the UK sent here for about pounds 120.

I use Castrol tts. Good stuff, the smell gives you a hard on. I don't think the oil indicator is that reliable. So always have it topped up. Always carry 1L with you in the tail box when going for big rides.


When you're on the road with it, you forget everything as you're constantly focused, trying to nail every corner and zing out all the hp, but under that helmet there will be a massive grin going on!

[cbrmattRR]

Could be keen for a ride then?

[McWild]

If it has 16kms on it make sure it's been rebuilt, or budget for a rebuild as soon as you buy it.

You shouldn't own one if you don't already have a fair idea of most/all of this information by the way. Read all of the guides that are already written on rgv250.co.uk's technical section.

Read more, post less. Otherwise you're just going to fuck up another 2 stroke 250 for the rest of us.

[imdying]

Don't let tired pistons rattle around in the expensive bores, rebuild kits are cheap as chips.

Unless it had documented evidence of a rebuild that you can trust, budget to do it immediately.

[cbrmattRR]

Just had an email back from aprilia. they said with proper oil and other service it should do 30000kms with out needing a rebuild.

[imdying]

Yeah, definitely, good luck with that. When you've fucked it, come join us in the real world.

[Latte]

I'll buy it cheap when it lets go - TSS 500GP

[McWild]

Just had an email back from aprilia. they said with proper oil and other service it should do 30000kms with out needing a rebuild.

LOL. Oh man. Are you serious?

Dude, "other service" includes pistons and rings, no matter what Aprilia tell you. I have the P model RGV owner's book sitting right next to me. This is the official owners book that comes with the bike. And do you know what it says? Every 10,000 miles ie every 16,000 kilometres, replace pistons and rings.

I'm not surprised that Aprilia would spew bullshit though. Next you're going to say that the RS makes a genuine 70hp.

I think the RS is a great bike, but the amount of BS out there about it because OMG IT'S ITALIAN is unbelievable.

Do yourself a favour and experience owning a single cylinder two stroke like an RG150 first.