Update 7.19.2016: No longer being offered. -dc
Built from 1991-2007 the Aprilia RS 250 is a rare sight, except on RSBFS – but an RSV or RSW – the factory race machines are exponentially more exotic. Over its long run the model has been ridden to championships by Moto GP stars such as Max Biaggi, Valentino Rossi, Marco Melandri, and Jorge Lorenzo. A factory test mule, the 2001 RSW 250 offered here has been treated to a lot of factory upgrades, and would make a great start to a race effort.
Though power isn’t claimed for the 249 cc 90-degree two-stroke twin, it should be around 90 hp at 12,000 rpm. Aluminum-framed but with carbon fiber bodywork ( including seat console ), swingarm and wheels, with fuel this bike should weigh less than 300 lbs. Ohlins and Brembo equipped front and rear. Expansion chambers are titanium.
Brought over from an Italian shop that had done a pristine restoration, this RSW 250 has turned only 200 miles since. A nice collection of spares is included, including a rare set of carbon-carbon brakes. The owner attempts list everything in the eBay auction:
- Complete ATR carbon fibre bodywork including tank, self supporting seat unit
- Carbon fiber swingarm that an A Kit part typically only available to factory teams
- Carbon fiber wheels that were designed by Aprilia (and ATR) but manufactured by Ferrari (these wheels are effectively irreplaceable so the bike also has a set of magnesium Marchesinis if you actually want to ride it)
- Brembo monobloc calipers
- Ohlins front and rear suspension (and steering damper)
- Full data acquisition with all sensors active (e.g., suspension travel, EGT, etc)
- Titanium expansion chambers with DLR end cans
- Motor has various magnesium A Kit parts (water covers, etc)
- Motor was built about 200 miles ago with fresh pistons less than 20 miles ago and transmission is completely fresh
- It is set up to run on VP Q16
- 520 chain and sprocket conversion to avoid snapping chains (which was a frequent issue with the lightweight racing chain) but lightweight factory chain and sprockets includes along with a small selection of 520 sprockets
- Carbon fiber battery (but like the wheels effectively irreplaceable so aluminum version also included)
- Battery charger included
- Spare titanium expansion chambers (not really spare but if you know anything about these bikes you already know that there were a litany of expansion chamber types that could be used to vary the power delivery)
- Spare pistons and gaskets
Whether you were an up-and-coming rider or a skilled club racer, finding a bike like this could make a career. Appearing ready to load in the trailer and head south, this RSW 250 looks prepared for competition and has adequate spares to at least get rolling. Details and contact information can be found on the eBay auction or at the Racing Bikes For Sale facebook page.
The owner also has a 2002 RS 250 Cup available with significant spares available, which could also be a less exotic but exciting alternative. See the eBay auction or Racing Bikes For Sale page.
In compare with Ducati Supermono, these GP bikes are real master piece of tech and beauty. Aprilia RSW250 are very unique, but for big money. Honda RS250 and TZ250 seems to be great for that money which are selling for. Especially I like NX5 with single side swingarm.
I agree, the Honda RS250 and Yamaha TZ250 are a bargain right now, and will be a great investment as fans of the classic 90’s GP era get older.
Like a teenage boy with a supermodel – after one look, I quickly realize… I’m not worthy!
Biagi on the 250…incredible!
These bikes are closer to 225lbs, big difference. Also, while the TZ and RS are nice bikes, these are in a league of their own. I raced the 125cc version and know the difference as I have raced TZs and RSs as well.
The single sided RS250, 1993 to 2000, while looking good and guaranteed perfect rear wheel alignment, had more disadvantages and that led to the TZ250 being the bike of choice for 250 racing in the US.
Joel
PIMP! I want it!
If this bike is what the seller claims, a factory mule, then it is by definition absolutely collectable and very hard to price. A real world champion 2 stroke from the end of an era-it doesn’t get much better than that.
I’m a huge fan of racing and sports 2 strokes as I grew up with and raced quite a few in the 70s, but this machine is probably rare enough to justify beng careful with it-remember a lot of race bikes get crashed very heavily, completely rebuilt and constantly modified so a complete and original bike can be impossible to find.
Glass case in the hallway is my vote.
Oh believe me Locky, it is what the seller (me) says it is!
Riot – I say that everyday! 🙂
The Honda RS 250s and Yam TZ 250s are great bikes but not in the same league. Maybe a Honda TSR 250 or Yam TZR (not the road bike but the Olivier Jaque bike) can be compared. Aprilia never had a version that was comparable to the Honda RS 250s and Yam TZ 250s. And the number of Honda RS 250s and Yam TZ 250s that were sold is huge so from collectability the Aprilias are far beyond the rest.
SPEEDUP.
It’s not that the TZ and RS are a bargain,they are worth what they are worth right now,it’s just that this Aprilia is WAAAAAAY overpriced.It has no real racing pedigree or history and as the seller states,it is a bit of a mogrel/bitsa bike used for testing and evaluation of various parts over a long model run.
Just find someone who can pull the big BOOF out of the right side radiator header tank.
I love you too, Pepsi….. I feel sorry for you. You clearly missed out on the period when Aprilia won the 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007 250 world championships. Not to mention the 125 ones… Aprilia is in fact the most trophied manufacturer of the smaller classes before they went to Moto2 and Moto3.
As for a mongrel, the bike is not a mongrel. Respectfully got to a couple years worth go GP races and see how real racebikes are kept. Parts are swapped and changed, and bikes are made from batches. This bike is unique simply because it’s got factory parts you can’t but–a function of being a testing bike. And overpriced…well all depends on what you want to spend and what you want. We can all buy an R6.
He’ll never sell it……at that price.
Yes, I agree 100% as I stated above. I have a TSR250 AC28M and as great a bike as it is, it still isn’t this Aprilia, though easier to tune have maintained. I think that the RSW is worth every penny and will only appreciate in value. The Cup bike, while nice, is vastly overpriced IMHO, only because the parts replaced were overkill. Lipstick on a pig type of thing and while the sum of the parts are worth it, the whole is not.
Cheers,
Joel