The Aprilia RS250 was the first two-stroke I actively lusted after. Keep in mind that I grew up in an era when two-strokes, at least here in the US, were basically found in off-road bikes and really annoying yard-care equipment. Not really the sexiest of associations. I still think that the sound of a two-stroke is more a pragmatic noise than a beautiful one, but you can’t argue with how effective they are, and the narrow powerband combined with the light weight performance of a two-stroke sportbike makes for a highly involving, giant-killing ride.
Aprilia is a relatively small company and, instead of starting from scratch and building their own engine, they spent time developing a highly-effective chassis and powered their creation with a tuned version of Suzuki’s RGV250 engine. With a claimed 60hp and backed by a six-speed gearbox, the 249cc v-twin gave the 300lb machine serious performance although, in typical two-stroke style, you had to work pretty hard for it. But for motorcycling fans, that just sweetens the deal.
The RS250 Cup was intended to compete in the Cup Challenge, a one-make racing series designed to raise brand awareness and offer competitors a level playing field, since modifications were not allowed. It’s obviously not road -legal, so café racers need not apply.
The bike comes as pictured plus spares which include stock rear sets, multiple sprockets, front spring sets, oils and more. This is the Cup Edition, which does not have lights or electric start (kick only). It was sold as a race bike and never titled.A true time capsule…This bike was removed from the crate and prepped in the winter of 2008. Ridden a few times between 2009-2011. It was stored away indoors and covered from the end of the 2011 season until early 2015. The resurrection in 2015 included a thorough cleaning, fluid changes and fresh battery and rubber.The bike has always been ridden at open track days and never raced. Last tracked in late August 2015 at Buttonwillow, this bike held its own around bigger bikes and was able to embarrass a few of them….This bike has never been down and looks practically brand new (aside from a scuff here and a nick there). With only a little over 540 miles this little 250cc Moto GP Replica is hardly broken in.…. You won’t find another this clean or this original anywhere!!!!Buy it and ride it, race it or put it on display.
-tad
I believe this RS 250 has been on ebay several times in the last few months.
Yep. No one wants to spend that kind of money on a non-titled RS250.
“you may say im a dreamer but im not the only one”
No doubt a fun bike. I would be tempted to jump on it at around $4000. $5800 + shipping for a dedicated limited resale market track bike is a bit on the high side – but I am sure the seller will find a buyer, since the other side of the argument is “Holy Moly!! An RS Cup in great condition for ONLY $5800… ” is also a valid response 🙂
But at the end of the day it still a 15 year old RGV250 2 stroke that eventually will be near impossible to R&R as seals and other internals start dropping off the spares catalogue, so the buyer needs to another smoker fool hehe.
If you want a 2-stroke track bike, spend a few grand more for a Honda RS250 or Yamaha TZ250 which are 80 lbs lighter with 20 more horsepower.
the vintage suzuki gb site stocks vj22 rgv parts pretty sure all the seals are the same…
A few grand more? more like 5-10 more…plus the track side tuning needed. the 1000km cranks and pistons more often then that
Rs show up warm up and run it . The time between rebuild is at least twice as long if I am not mistaken.
I love my RS, though I would get a kick out the pure race bike. The costs were just to high.
Yes, they are – but that’s the point really, the new owner would need to go out and buy a number of “rebuilds” worth of seals, bearings and top end kits to add as spares for when they try sell it on or to keep the bike going after the day the spares are delisted.
I have a 1989 Honda RS250 and a 1987 TZ250 – very good condition dry stored bikes, that are being resurrected into wet parade/track day riders, and souring consumables has been a huge pain – I literally am buying up boxes of seals and bearings and bits so the bikes can be kept rideable as well as make then somewhat resaleable with a useful spares package.
A later generation Honda RS or TZ in rideable condition with serviceable spares is the Holy Grail of purchases and comes at that price – which is why used-up wore out GP 2 strokers without spares are sold for “cheap” – current owners can’t ride them without spares and they may not even have the inclination to keep buying spares for a depreciating asset – if the bikes are in good/great original or restored condition they carry a premium.
Sadly in 2016 there is no “cheap path” to GP 250 ownership 🙁 – for this reason a Prila RS Cup in great show and ride contain at this price is not that bad. But it’s condition can only go down from here if it is I ntended to be ridden. So again, the buyer better stock up on spares to maintain at least some sort of value 🙂
theres a reason this bike has been on ebay several times and is still unsold, most likely the fantasy that any 2t on the west coast (lack of title is a huge turn off for most) commands a premium hasn’t wore off.
I have a similar bike and source all engine spares from the UK (The Tuning Works). Sean there has everything available and costs way less than US suppliers, even with postage. I sent two barrels and heads back for a complete top end rebuild. No problem getting parts there or back. These are amazing track bikes. The cornering and braking are tremendous… and the sound of this engine on full chat is lovely.
Parts for these engines are not going anywhere any time soon. Suzuki has even retooled for some parts. Thanks mostly to the strong UK crowd embracing the RGV’s. This engine has the best available parts base of just about any other 2 stroke ever made. This is why Zook is my brand. Many 1st’s and many last’s.
Which parts in particular has Suzuki retooled?