1996 Aprilia RS250 with California Title
Miles: 6,000
Clean Title
Listed Price: $17,000 Or Best Offer
Listing Ends: July 3rd, 2024
Introduced in 1995 at the tail end of the 250cc sportbike craze that had been raging amongst the Japanese Big Four since the mid-1980s, the Aprilia RS250 combined an achingly gorgeous aluminum beam frame, a Suzuki RGV250Γ powerplant, high-quality suspension components, triple-disc brakes from the Ducati 916, and a dose of Italian style to create their own take on the formula. The result was a claimed 70hp and a 310lbs dry weight, with peaky performance that meant constant dancing on the shift lever. The Aprilia RS250 managed to stay in production until 2004, although it wasn’t road-legal in some markets by that point. Never officially imported to the US, some have managed to sneak in over the years, and this particular example has a much sought-after California title. I much prefer this earlier iteration of the bike, with its simple, classic, very 90s design and understated silver paintwork, along with that dash that features a huge, clunky lap-timer and the easily removable speedometer on a separate panel.
1996 Aprilia Mk1 Romboni Replica
Includes manual, uncut spare key, stock heads, master cylinder, and rear alignment parts. All receipts and service history included, some from prior to my ownership. Clean California title and registration on hand, sold as-is.
Upgrades and work completed:
- Complete engine rebuild performed by Kevin Murray at MCE Racing [less than 1000 miles ago]
- New crank balanced before installed with new components
- VHM heads with quick swap combustion chambers [stock volume installed]
- Port and flow new cylinders
- AF1 high flow air filter
- New pistons/rings/bearings/wristpins
- New connecting rods/bearings
- All new engine seals including power valve seals, new upgraded billet 3-stage Cougar Power Valves
- New power valve cables
- Vented power valve covers with catch cans
- Carbs completely rebuilt with stock jetting 270/280
- New cylinder oil inlets
- New stock reeds
- New silicone cooling hoses
- New fuel lines with quick disconnect
- New oil tank fitting and oil lines
- Oil pump removed, cleaned, and synched with carbs
- Jim Lomas stainless steel exhaust with green carbon fiber silencers
- NGK BR9ECM spark plugs
- Weize AGM battery [05/2024]
- Chromed kick starter
Embarrassing to admit, I’ve never actually ridden a two-stroke: they were long gone from the lineup of manufacturers here in the US by the time I got into motorcycles. But articles in the British press about the RS250 always struck a chord and I think it’s one of the best-looking bikes of the era. This is an extremely cool bike, and the quality photos suggest it is in exceptional physical and mechanical condition. Frankly, the description and photos speak for themselves, and there are more details about the build over at the original eBay listing. Basically, unless you’re a collector obsessed with originality, this is probably one of the nicest Aprilia RS250s around, and the clean California title just makes it that much more appealing. It’s almost too nice to actually ride. Almost.
-tad
