Aprilia RS250

**Vapor** · 17th February 2007, 09:34

Good morning guys/gals,

I know, I know.. I just posted the other day about the rg150

But my budget has increased significantly, and I was looking at the rs250s. I would need to use it to commute as well as being my weekend blast, I would be looking at keeping the bike long term (Not just while I have my learners etc etc). My main question is.... Will it be ok to use as a commuter, or will this have ill effects on the bike?

Also, How much maintenance and how often (Maybe some cost indications on 2 stroke oil etc?) Would be very helpful. I love the Aprilias.

I really appreciate any opinions and help you guys give here... its amazing.

Cheers

**MSTRS:Me** · 17th February 2007, 10:01

That's a bike for fanging on. I wouldn't kill it by commuting.

**Madness** · 17th February 2007, 10:04

Yeah, those race inspired 2-strokes don't breathe too easy at crawling speed. An inline 4cyl 250 will do all things pretty well, may not fang as quick as a 2-smoker but maybe better in the real world of urban living.

My 2c

**pritch** · 17th February 2007, 10:45

About the only sillier choice you could make would be the Aprilia 125.

High performance two strokes are temperamental and need fastidious maintenance. Only the most expensive oil, and new barrels pistons and rings every 16000K and BIKE magazine quotes that at 750 pounds (a couple of grand in $NZ?) a time. If you're going to use it to commute that'd be an annual expense.

Aprillia two strokes are beautiful but are "not for newbies". Others on KB have discovered this to their cost.

For God's sake buy something sensible.

**Vapor** · 17th February 2007, 10:50

Ok, Thanks for the responses

I do appreciate any input.

The next question is then, what are the performance differences between say a CBR250rr and a VTR250? I only ask because for maybe a grand or two more, you can get a brand new VTR250, where as the CBRs etc are over 10 years old

Thanks again

**xwhatsit** · 17th February 2007, 11:34

CBR250RR is a fair bit more powerful than a VTR250, and the CBR is more of a sportsbike too, with a head-down seating position that is more designed for riding hard. In addition, the CBR is fully-faired, with all the high-speed benefits that has. A VTR has about 32HP (correct me if I'm wrong), whereas the CBR has somewhere between 40 and 45HP depending on year.

Despite that, as you said, CBRs are often 15 years old or more, and have been no doubt thrashed to death. A VTR is not really a slow 250 at all, and will be a lot more fun commuting on, but will still be quick enough to keep up with the CBRs and ZXRs in the weekend.

**MSTRS:Me** · 17th February 2007, 13:31

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

CBR250RR is a fair bit more powerful than a VTR250, and the CBR is more of a sportsbike too, with a head-down seating position that is more designed for riding hard. In addition, the CBR is fully-faired, with all the high-speed benefits that has. A VTR has about 32HP (correct me if I'm wrong), whereas the CBR has somewhere between 40 and 45HP depending on year.

Despite that, as you said, CBRs are often 15 years old or more, and have been no doubt thrashed to death. A VTR is not really a slow 250 at all, and will be a lot more fun commuting on, but will still be quick enough to keep up with the CBRs and ZXRs in the weekend.

What he said (more or less). McJim is selling his VTR soon - check his out. You will not be disappointed.

**Biff** · 17th February 2007, 21:36

Ahhhh mamories....my first ever 'sprots' motormacycle was an RS125. What a mint of a machine - flawless handling, and you could flip it from side to side like an angry haddock.

Thems were the days...

My advice...price up some basic spare parts first (light lenses etc), I think you may find that they'll cost you a lot more than a japper part would.

**Chisanga** · 17th February 2007, 21:49

Also depends on how tall you are. At over 6 foot no 250 is big enough for me but my mates CBR250RR feels ridiculously small whereas my VTR feels a heap more comfortable.

**McJim** · 17th February 2007, 21:53

I'm reading between the lines here - I haven't looked at your profile to find out your age but I'm guessing that you're looking for a fast 250.

The VTR is a halfway house - it's not a fang machine but shifts it's arse faster then most cars from the lights - it's very easy to handle in traffic and is a great bike on twisty country roads. I get 27km/litre too.

It will not compete with a CBR250RR on open roads but the service intervals are longer - parts are still being manufactured (and still will be long after the cbr250 parts are consigned to history).

If you just want to go fast then CBR250/ZXR250/FZR250/GSX250R (not to be confused with a GSX250...one little letter and a completely different bike!)

Best of luck - the hard part is being honest with yourself. I predict you'll end up with a fast bike and hate commuting on it after 2 months.

**Mr. Peanut** · 17th February 2007, 21:55

Sounds like everyone knows what they're talking about...

I dont know about the RS250 but... I'm 6"1, I commute on my NSR every day and it loves it. Oil isn't that expensive, because it only eats it when you're fanging it. Uses more petrol than a 250 4, but it's still a shiteload less than a car. Starts first kick every time (no electric starter to wear out), and only 2 carbs to balance/work on. No valves to adjust, and no oil to change!

It's a nice simple engine to work on, and is built to take serious abuse. I haven't had any trouble with fouled plugs, it's quite happy to putter.

A top end rebuild is only going to set me back $800 and that's every 60000km (rings and bearings @ 30000 ~$350) and I can do that in my garage. The RS250 is a bit higher maintenance because of its powervalve system, which can destroy your engine if abused.

I don't see what all the fuss is about, 250 2-strokes are easy enough bikes to ride and have excellent handling. Far better brakes and chassis than 250 4-strokes. If you want to use it for commuting I say go for it.

But they are very powerful, and it would be a good idea to start on something like an FXR150. I started on a 125 scooter and learned to thrash that (even the scooter intimidated me at first!). Then after the scooter I got on the NSR, which pretty much blew my world.

It's not a first bike!! But they're not the horror stories people lead you to believe.

**McJim** · 17th February 2007, 22:00

Originally Posted by MrPeanut

Sounds like everyone knows what they're talking about...

I'm 6"1, I commute on my NSR every day and it loves it. Oil isn't that expensive, because it only eats it when you're fanging it. Uses more petrol than a 250 4, but it's still a shiteload less than a car.

It's a nice simple engine to work on, and is built to take serious abuse. I haven't had any trouble with fouled plugs, it's quite happy to putter.

A top end rebuild is only going to set me back $800 and that's every 60000km (rings and bearings @ 30000 ~$350) and I can do that in my garage. The RS250 is a bit higher maintenance because of its powervalve system, which can destroy your engine if abused.

I don't see what all the fuss is about, 250 2 strokes are easy enough bikes to ride and have excellent handling. Far better brakes and chassis than 250 4 strokes. If you want to use it for commuting I say go for it.

Commuting in the countryside doesn't count - I have to do 52km of lane splitting on the Southern motorway every day - I wouldn't want to do that in a racing crouch. Personal preference really.

**Mr. Peanut** · 17th February 2007, 22:22

I've lane split the southern motorway too! Was great fun fanging it through the gaps

Maybe you're all just getting old?

**KLOWN** · 17th February 2007, 22:49

as the others have said an rs250 is not good for commuting. I "THINK" the prilla puts out around 70hp, which is more than a 400cc 4cyl but weighs less than a 250 4cyl so not really a newbie bike. I started with an rg150 and it was awesome, probably not too good to commute on ,although it is more upright riding position then a cbr/zxr, you won't be dissapointed with a vtr or similar I have heard that an fzr is more upright then a cbr/zxr and it puts out the same hp as the cbr/zxr so maybe that might be the one you want. Whatever you get it i'm sure you'll enjoy!

**Vapor** · 18th February 2007, 14:10

Thanks guys for all your advice.

I will fill ya in on the details

Im 27 years old, Im 5ft9, 70 odd Kilos.

I have raced Motorcross and riden bikes most of my life, and love two strokes. I know the difference is huge when on the road. I went and sat my Basic Handling skills test today (And Passed

Yay!)

The commute I have to do is from Orewa to Northcote, so most is on clear motorway both ways.

I think if I decide on an RS250 and I give it the respect it deserves, I will hopfully be ok

The reason it appeals to me so much is that I would love to get to the track as much as possible, and would want to hold onto the bike, even when graduating to the full license

I was probably more concerned for the harmful effects on the bike, but from what it sounds like, if I maintain it all the time, it should be fine.

Im going to go and take a few four strokes for a ride this week to see what I think of them

I might well be pleasently surprised.

I appreciate all the input people thanks a bunch