Posts published in “Aprilia”

Featured Listing – 2009 Aprilia RS125 Track Bike

Published March 13, 2023 by Mike

Continuing in our recent form of fantastic two strokes comes today’s Featured Listing – a 2009 Aprilia RS125 Track Day bike. If you are a RSBFS reader and have seen comments in recent smoker posts you will know that there is nothing sharper for the track than a lightweight, focused two stroke. And when the bike in question comes from Aprilia – a company renowned for their small-bore racing exploits – and has been massaged and reworked to optimize track performance, you know you are looking at a bike that can punch well above its weight class.

Featured Listing – 2009 Aprilia RS125 Track Bike

The heart of the RS125 is a single cylinder, liquid cooled, reed valve inducted two stroke breathing through a single Dell’Orto carb. Power is fed through a wet clutch to a close-ratio 6-speed final drive. On the chassis side, the main attraction is a beautifully crafted box section aluminum alloy frame, to which is mounted very sophisticated suspension components. Out back there is an asymmetrical alloy swingarm with rising rate linkage, curved and braced to allow the exhaust to mount up high and tight for maximum cornering clearance. Up front the forks are oversize and upside down, mounted to a strongly braced frame stem. There is only a single disk up front, but it is a 320mm unit squeezed by a four piston, radial mount caliper; more than enough to aggressively stop the 280 pound (dry) package.

From the seller:
Up for sale is a rare TRACK ONLY Italian performance 2 Stroke moto. This bike is one of one hundred and fifty imported in to the U.S. in 2009. It is #17 out of 150. Purchased brand new from a dealer in CO in 2021 with 1 Km.

Bike has been my dedicated track bike for the 2022 season. It has been cleaned and serviced after each track day. Currently has 979km which is equivalent to about 607 Miles. Autolube feature so no pre-mixing. I run AMSOIL Interceptor as the oil and only 110 Octane Race gas. Bike is always garage kept and on a battery tender. Bike comes with a few extras.

More from the seller:
Included:
•Front and Rear stands
•Certificate of Origin
•Chicken Hawk Tire warmers
•Full printed Service Manual
•Original OEM Spain Plastics, Rear Seat and windscreen

Installed:
•RG Frame Sliders
•Racing Windscreen
•Renthal Grips
•Adjustable Levers
•Lever Guards

More from the seller:

Location: Vacaville, CA

Contact Mikkel at 707-666-5556 or tronomikkel@gmail.com

Price: $8,000

These dedicated track bikes from Aprilia are very rare in the United States, but offer the most pure antidote to your track day addiction short of a full-on GP bike. With a snappy and zingy two stroke, light weight, and excellent brakes and suspension the RS125 when ridden properly can obliterate more street-oriented bikes many times its size. And while the Aprilia is a great mount for riders of any level, it teaches smoothness and momentum conservation much more so than a bigger bike. With automatic oiling and electric start it takes no more work than a bigger four stroke, without those pesky oil change and valve adjustment intervals. That is all win!

RSBFS fan Mikkel is offering this bike at $8,000. Located in California, the bike comes with some key additions (frame sliders, levers and guards) as well as desirable paddock accessories in the form of tire warmers and stands. The bike also comes with the original bodywork to maintain authenticity. Interested readers should reach out to Mikkel here, or give him a call. A bike like this does not come our way often, and if you are committed to improving your riding by attending track days there could be no better way to do so. Good Luck!!!

Track Day Tuesday: 2022 Aprilia RS250SP2 racer

Published February 28, 2023 by Mike

Here is a quickie for your Track Day Tuesday morning. Up for grabs is a pretty special machine, an Aprilia RS250 SP2 race bike. Aprilia offered two different specifications of this model, which included the lower spec SP and the high specification SP2. Meant to emulate a Moto3 machine – but with greater reliability and a less-stressed engine – the modern RS250 offers 30+ HP from a single cylinder, four-valve, liquid cooled four stroke. Weighing in at a scant 230 pounds, the RS250SP and SP2 feature top-rated components such as Marchesini forged aluminium wheels, Brembo brakes, Ohlins rear shock and SC-Project exhaust. These bikes are used in Europe as a single-class, one make event for younger riders, such as the CIV Junior class promoting regional riders, as well as over on the US side of the pond with the North America Talent Cup. If you can fit on it, you are looking at one of the sharpest motorcycles your track day experience money can buy. Located in Canada (details are here), there is only a single picture of this weapon; but boy-oh-boy does that look like fun!

2022 Aprilia RS250SP2 racer for sale on eBay

From the seller:
A rare opportunity to own the Aprilia RS250SP2 race bike, perfect for younger racers or as a showpiece in a collection. The bike is in immaculate condition, the suspension has just been professionally serviced. The bikes comes with the Alfano dash/datalogger, and front and rear stands.

One Response.

Mille-enial – 2001 Aprilia RSV Mille

Published February 12, 2023 by Donn

Aprila took notice and made multiple improvements first the first update to their groundbreaking Mille. Today’s example has turned just 5,112 miles hiding out near the Merritt Parkway, and looks so much the better for it.

2001 Aprilia RSV Mille for sale on eBay

Aprilia’s choice of the Rotax twin was a revelation, the 60-degree V making for a more compact package than some others. The sculpted alloy frame and swingarm stampings are a work of artistry, and part of the reason the matte black finish works so well. For 2001 there were several engine and chassis updates, a narrower roto-molded tank was specified, better Showa forks with Sachs monoshock, and a lighter though massive-looking 2-into-1 muffler.

Seeming early on in the owner rotation, this RSV looks excellent and is probably only on its second ever set of tires. The Rotax isn’t high maintenance and the rest of the bike doesn’t have to work hard to keep up with most riders. The pictures aren’t bad but need some brightening with all that matte black. The owner offers to have new tires mounted and has just a couple of notes in the eBay auction –

Low mileage 5,112 (8,227K) and in excellent condition.

Performs like it should. Never been down.

I am open to offers.

It’s been a buyer’s market for earlier RSV’s, but the condition of this example justifies additional consideration. With the tank bag mount and what appears to be a pigtail for electric gear, the miles are surprisingly low. With all it’s original good looks, this Mille goes most of the way to an R or race livery replica.

-donn

2 Responses.

Almost Friday – 2007 Aprilia RSV 1000R Asking $3,800 !

Published December 15, 2022 by Donn

For just a usual down payment, it might be possible to ride off into the California night on a sharp Aprilia superbike. Looks way better than its 63,628 miles would suggest.

2007 Aprilia RSV1000R for sale on Cycletrader

Aprilia threw a kitchen sink of tech at their gen 2 RSV, claiming 143 hp from the 60-degree magnesium cases, thanks to advanced fuel injection and ram air in the nose. Triangulated chassis segments kept things strong and light. Even the basic R components were nothing to sneeze at, adjustable Ohlins forks and remote reservoir monoshock, with Brembo radially mounted brakes. Red and bronze fairings afford the rider all possible protection.

As good as this RSV looks, it would be hard to believe the seller scrimped on maintenance, though having a friend stop by and take a listen might be all the inspection there’s time for. Saying they’re the original owner, the – Cycletrader listing – gives a deadline –

Must be picked up by no later than Friday nite Dec. 16, plus I’m the original owner, bike never been laid down, moving out of state must sell.
2007 Aprilia RSV1000-R, 63,628 miles.
Great condition.

Interested buyers will have to be local or fast on their feet to take delivery by tomorrow night, but a clean RSV1000R will be worth the trouble.

-donn

3 Responses.

Debut Taunt – 2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Serial Number 1 !

Published November 28, 2022 by Donn

In 2009 Aprilia introduced and went racing with the only V-4 then in World Superbikes. While the RSV4 is still in the Aprilia playbook, the original is over in Santa Monica at RSBFS friends Iconic, boasting zero KM and a VIN ending in 0001.

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory for sale at Iconic Motorbike Auctions

Designers opened the V slightly to 65 degrees, but still had one of the most compact fours ever, and sixteen valves made 180 hp possible. Engine controls are all electronic, with selectable fuel injection maps, ride-by-wire throttle and ECU controlled intake trumpets. The chassis is a computer-aided design combining pressed and cast elements, and the components aren’t to be left behind – with Öhlins supplying forks, monoshock and steering damper, Brembo monoblock brakes and forged 17-inch wheels. Even the fairing got a dose of tech in the wind tunnel.

Not much to gloss over on a bike that has rarely had a battery, and the dash still has its disposable dust cover. There are a few tiny defects, but this RSV4 has been parked for 13 years. Here’s a compendium of the notes in the Iconic auction –

There’s still protective plastic on the gauge cluster and the battery has not been prepped yet – it appears that the bike has never been started since it left the Aprilia factory.

In preparation for the listing, the seller had us detail the bike.

This Aprilia is completely stock.

In storage, the bike has picked up scratches on the tail and some cosmetic wear on the frame.

It is riding on Metzeler Racetec K3 tires with week/year code of 2809.

The sale also includes a side piece from the original crate. The piece is at the seller’s home in Pennsylvania.

Clearly meant for a serious collector, the auction opened on the weekend, and it would be a surprise if this Aprilia took a single step away from the show stand or toward the street. A pretty meaningful bike in Aprilia racing history, Max Biaggi took his to the WSBK championship in 2010 and then 2012. Though flying at an altitude well above that of the usual Aprilia fan, it’s still great to – study – a museum piece like this and then see where this auction goes.

-donn

4 Responses.

Featured Listing – Historic 1999 Aprilia RS250 Challenge Cup with just 664 miles!

Published October 6, 2022 by Mike

Update 10.6.2022: This bike has SOLD! From the seller, “I have sold the bike. Allow me to express my appreciation to YOU and RSBFS for your wonderful service and building such a large network of like-minded viewers.” Contact us for your own Featured Listing! -dc

Today RSBFS reader John M. brings us a fantastic bit of racing history. The Aprilia RS250 Challenge offered a true one make race series celebrating what was essentially the last of the two strokes. And for the occasion, Aprilia ran off a batch of Cup bikes that were devoid of pesky D.O.T. goodies such as 17 digit VIN numbers, lighting, etc. These were bikes that were only intended for track duty. And this particular one raced… and won. The winning rider for the 1999 US championship series – on this very bike – was John Hopkins. If you are newer to racing, you might recognize John Hopkins’ association with the American Racing entry in the Moto2 world championship (supporting American riders such as Joe Roberts and Cameron Beaubier as a coach). If you have a bit more history with racing, you will know him as a WSBK Superbike competitor, a British Superbike participant, an AMA Superbike rider and a genuine MotoGP racer, having tasted both the 500cc two stroke era, as well as the transition to four strokes on both 990cc and 800cc machines. Today’s Featured Listing is the RS250 that John rode to the 1999 Aprilia Cup championship. This bike was also a winner with Aaron Clark at the help in the 2000 Daytona Race of Champions. And if that is not enough historical significance, the bike was built, fielded and maintained – and ultimately sold – by the legendary Team Hammer crew.

Historic 1999 Aprilia RS250 Challenge Cup Racer for sale with just 664 miles!

From the seller:
1999 Aprilia RS250 Challenge Cup Champion

Price: $12,500

This is a 15-digit VIN Aprilia Factory Race Bike. John Hopkins (Hopper) won the U.S. Aprilia Cup Series Championship on this bike while racing for John Ulrich’s Team Hammer/ Roadracing World in 1999. Aaron Clark (of “Clarkie Tuono” fame) rode this machine to win the title at the Daytona ROC in 2000. The bike only shows 1068 KM’s / 664 miles.

I Purchase the bike from Team Hammer in 2002. It has been preserved in its original, glorious race-bike condition from when I received it 20 years ago. Although I start it and move it around a few times each year, It has not had any additional miles put on it since I acquired it (sans a stealthy ride around my old subdivision). It’s been properly stored inside my climate controlled shop. It’s a bit of a time capsule and I love it for that. I hope you will too.

More from the seller:
Being a factory, built-for-racing machine, it is not currently street legal. Original certificate of origin through Aprilia and Pro Italia Motors (Glendale, Ca) plus a bill of sale will be included in the transfer.

The sale includes all the spares and manuals that I received when I purchased it, please see the photos regarding those items. Original rear-stand included as well.

The bike is in very good condition. Essential, non-dispensable components like the frame and suspension parts are in great shape. There are minor scuffs on the right side bodywork and a very small spot on the lower of the two Arrow mufflers. In my opinion, they are just enough to give it some character without feeling the need to further repair. The bike is incredibly good looking.

I Could write a long dissertation about the history and features of the Aprilia RS250 Challenge Cup but I feel it’s safe to assume that if you are here, you already know!

More from the seller:
A bit about Hopkins himself:
During and after the ‘99 Aprilia Cup Championship he went on to compete in AMA 600 Supersport, AMA 750 Supersport (Champion), Formula USA Superbike, Formula Xtreme (Champion) and then of course, MotoGP, Including finishing fourth in points in 2007 with only Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi ahead of him. Then World Superbike and British Superbike (where he racked up 5 wins). He was featured in the 2003 documentary film “FASTER” and later “The Doctor, the Tornado and the Kentucky Kid” in 2006.

It’s not every day that these bikes become available and for this one, it’s the first time in 20 years.
Here’s your chance to own a little slice of road racing history.

Go for it.

Price: $12,500

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This amazing piece of racing history and heritage is currently for sale. While we do see Challenge Cup bikes come up for sale occasionally (many being converted and masquerading as street machines), none have had the star power or provenance of this one. And who would imagine you could purchase a Team Hammer race bike through a Roadracing World magazine advert back in the day?! The best part is this isn’t some trashed or used up bike – when John M. peeled away some of the black vinyl covering up distracting elements of the dash (such as the speedo), the odometer only shows 664 total miles! This is truly an amazing find, presented in “as it was raced” condition. Thank you John for supporting RSBFS with such an interesting chapter of motorcycling history!

Scantily Clad – 2007 Aprilia Tuono 1000R

Published September 29, 2022 by Donn

In the super-naked segment since 2002, Aprilia found it a good place to show off their chassis engineering and 998 cc V-twin. Today’s Tuono looks great with its transformer bodywork in a monochrome checkerboard, and a few pairs of seemingly unused bobbins.

2007 Aprilia Tuono 1000R for sale on eBay

The Tuono had plenty of thunder between the alloy frame spares, and cooked up 139 hp with the dry sump, four-cam twin. Tank and seat console are shared with the superbike, but the tapered bars are more conventional, giving a comfortable upright riding position. Showa USD forks and Sachs monoshock are multi-adjustable and rely on the 320mm Brembo brakes to keep things in perspective. The bikini fairing makes a helmet-sized hole in the wind, and the radiator shrouds send the rest around the rider.

The 26,647 miles have been kind to this Tuono, with just an isolated smudge and just a few minor farkles. The newish eBay dealer doesn’t offer any history, but says that a rear stand accompanies the bike. Notes from the eBay auction –

GOOD CONDITION WITH 26,647 MILES. VEHICLE HAS FRONT AXLE SLIDERS, REAR PADDOCK STAND, ADJUSTABLE LEVERS, CRG BAR END MIRRORS, NEW GRIPS, AND A SMOKED WINDSCREEN.

While not the fire-breathing WSBK example, the Tuono has a lot on the ball and won’t require a trip to the chiropractor when it’s over. It might make it out of the garage more often than the RSV, and on the road the speed difference on the road wouldn’t amount to much. As good as this Tuono looks, it can’t be described as new, but packs a nice punch for the ask.

-donn

2 Responses.

Mighty Max – 2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE

Published September 11, 2022 by Donn

Max Biaggi brought Aprilia to the top of the world superbike show in 2010, and the factory commemorated the achievement with a limited edition for 2011. Today’s RSV4 has all the bells and whistles, low miles, and plenty of farkles.

2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE for sale on eBay

Priced at $25K back in 2011, the SE had everything an Aprilia fan could dream of – the latest ride-by-wire V4 with selectable engine maps, intake horns and exhaust chamber controlled by the ECU – not to mention 180 hp. The twin spar chassis and swingarm are intricately fabricated of alloy pressings and castings, and offers adjustments for the steering head, swingarm pivot height and even engine position. A suite of APRC electronics offers traction, wheelie and launch control, as well as a standard quick shifter. Fairings are trim and angular with matte carbon details.

Even as a pre-loved bike, the APRC would require a committed rider, which with 7,365 miles it must’ve had at some point. It presents very well if not clean enough to show, and while collection of sliders is almost scary, they appear un-used, save a scorch or scratch on the right lower. The seat console looks better without the factory thong / license plate holder, and the Austin muffler isn’t that much smaller than the original equipment. Hopefully the rear stand and prayer mat are included in the deal. Notes from the eBay auction –

350 produced worldwide. A one year only model. Commemorating the 2010 World Superbike Championship with Max Biaggi in the saddle. 50-70 are estimated to exist in the USA.

Collectible. Fun as hell to ride. Better than a new RSV4 in many respects. $24k new + $4k in parts upgrades, in 2011

Transferable warranty good through 7/16/25 or 49,790 miles. $50 deductible.

Traction control, launch control, wheelie control. The first Aprilia with APRC. Track oriented gearing. Upgraded oil system. Slipper clutch. Adjustable chassis (not on the regular factory model). Quick shifter. As close to Max Biaggi’s bike as one could get outside of the same year WSBK replica bike.

$4k in quality upgrades. All receipts. Full owner and bike history. Maintenance history.

Ohlins setup for 180 lb rider. Tuned with race ECU and exhaust. Great sound.

MAINTENANCE
Oil changed too many times to count
Motul 300v 20w-50 used by 2nd owner. Fresh synthetic as of last oil change 8/19/22
Fork oil changed twice
Fork seals replaced
Spark plugs replaced
Brakes bleed every other year
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires front and rear are brand new with 11 miles on them

EXTRAS
New extra set of lower fairings (ones on the bike have a scratch and were never swapped out)
New extra front carbon fender (the original yellows over time)
Aprilia special edition bike cover which has been folded away and stored to preserve it—never used
Owners Manual
Stock parts besides exhaust

Fans who missed out on the 2011 SE got another chance in 2013 after Biaggi was the 2012 champion, though only the 2011 SE has the #3 graphic. Aprilia parlayed their superbike success into a Moto GP team starting in 2015, and Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales have been on the podium often as not this year. The 2011 model might be more rare and commemorates Aprilia’s first WSBK championship.

– donn

3 Responses.