Built between 1994 and 2004, the Aprilia RS250 has justifiably developed a cult following among dedicated corner-carvers and track rats. It’s the quintessential “giant killer,” wrapping an impossibly lightweight frame and sleek bodywork around a very compact, 250cc powerplant yanked straight out of Suzuki’s RGV250, with brakes designed to stop a much heavier motorcycle. That means you get sexy Italian bodywork and handling in a sub-300lb dry weight package, with Suzuki’s vast engineering knowhow and easy parts availability. Which is great, considering you’ll be needing new pistions every 6,000 miles or so…
It wasn’t all that long ago that Grand Prix motorcycle racing at all levels featured dirty, dirty two-stroke engines. But with those emissions-unfriendly powerplants rapidly falling out of favor all over the world in favor of durable, eco-friendly four-strokes, the two-stroke has seen a rapid decline. And although track days are more popular than ever, most people buying sportbikes will never see a race track, making two-strokes pointless for those motorcycle fans as well.
But it’s a shame: although the wider powerbands of four strokes have given rise to a whole range of tire-spinning riding styles in Moto GP, two-strokes are notoriously difficult to master, and their explosive, Jekyl/Hyde power delivery gives riders the satisfaction of achieving speed through skill, instead of a heavy right wrist.
This one looks to be in very good condition, with only minor cosmetic blemishes, and includes the very nice set of carbon-kevlar Arrow pipes, tucked in close under the stylish “banana” swingarm designed expressly to improve cornering clearance for the expansion chambers.
From the original eBay listing: 2001 Aprilia RS250 for Sale
For sale is a very nice factory street legal 2001 Aprilia RS250. 5500 Miles, Mototek 316cc kit, Barnett clutch, Arrow Exhaust system. Comes with manuals, touch up paint kit, tank, side fairings and front fairing OEM decal kit. Other spare parts as show in the photos. Motorcycle runs great.
Minor cosmetic blemishes…Championship decal on tank is missing a small section (comes with OEM replacement decal). Right hand lower fairing decal is not perfect (comes with OEM replacement decal). Scratch on top of tank. Gouge on left side of swingarm probably from swingarm stand. Some scratching on the frame near kick start and left side. See photos.
Many RS250’s in the US are untitled track bikes, so the fact that this example is road-legal is an added bonus. Although really, unless you live next to some really twisty roads, you’re probably better off trailering your RS250 to trackdays, rather than riding it around town where its potential is completely wasted.
As I’ve stated previously, I actually prefer the looks, graphics, and more traditional gauges of the earlier bikes, but you can’t argue with the function of Aprilia’s forward-looking dash seen here that includes a lap timer. The later design is a bit of an acquired taste: it looks like a retro-futuristic 1980’s movie, and the kickstart only adds to the vintage two-stroke race-rep charm.
The Aprilia RS250 is on my short list, although I want a pure track bike, which will hopefully keep prices below this one. With only a couple days left, there are zero bids at the starting price of $8,700. While that’s on the higher side for RS250’s, it doesn’t seem out of line, especially for a road-legal bike.
What do you think?
-tad
“It wasn’t all that long ago that Grand Prix motorcycle racing at all levels featured dirty, dirty two-stroke engines. But with those emissions-unfriendly rapidly falling out of favor all over the world in favor of durable, eco-friendly four-strokes, the two-stroke has seen a rapid decline. And although track days are more popular than ever, most people buying sportbikes will never see a race track, making two-strokes pointless for those motorcycle fans as well.” Ouch, Your’e not a member of the 4-strokes only coalition are you? How about riding on twisty roads between track days? Plus I would rather ride my KTM 300EXC off-road than any 4-stroke I can think of..
“But it’s a shame: although the wider powerbands of four strokes have given rise to a whole range of tire-spinning riding styles in Moto GP, two-strokes are notoriously difficult to master, and their explosive, Jekyl/Hyde power delivery gives riders the satisfaction of achieving speed through skill, instead of a heavy right wrist.”. Watch The Unrideables parts 1 and 2 on YouTube
The biggest revolution in motorsports in the last decade has been electronics. I wonder what marvels might have come in 2-stroke rideability had they been included. Without fuel injection as a huge part of that formula there was only so much that could be achieved. Just a lament, not an admonishment. I love technology and achievement but there is a point of diminishing returns.
As Tad points out there an envelope of opportunity to enjoy such a machine in its proper environment. Living in east Texas, the roads here don’t support that. Ownership is a silly day dream in my case.
I really enjoyed riding the S1000 BMW at the Code schools. Marvelous experience. I would be all over any opportunity to take attend a school if they offered the option of an old 250 two stroke though! Sign me up. Let someone else maintain it, let me ride it one or two days a year in the right environment and I’d be a contented guy.
2t fuel injection has made great strides but unfortunately only in the world of pwc and snowmobiles, honda should be punched square in the word hole for trying to kill off two strokes
Sure, they’re great for riding on twisty roads between track days, if you happen to live near them. Which many, many people in this country don’t. And I’m definitely not a member of the “4-strokes only coalition” since I do state that the RS250 is on my short list of bikes to own.
They make great power for a given displacement and are very light. But fact is, two-strokes are less emissions-friendly than four-strokes, and they require more regular maintenance. Which, for most people, is a hassle they’d rather not put up with. Me? I’ve put 35,000 on a two-valve Ducati and have had all those belt-changes and valve checks done by professionals, so I’m obviously not in the “practical” camp.
I’ll have to check those videos out. I really loved “Faster” and its sequel, since they basically bridged the gap between the two-stroke and four-stroke eras in Moto GP. Watching slow-motion videos of guys sliding those bikes all over the place never gets old…
I saw one of these some years back in Joliet at a dragstrip, with plates and thought “what the hell…….”. Still want one today.
Once again, Yep,Yep, Yep! Hardon city with the power on the pipe! Long live the mighty mighty two smoker! Brings a tear to my eye, although I’m not an Aprilia/Suzuki fan, f#ck it, if it produces power on every downstroke, and pisses off the neighbors, I am IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I own one of these.
These actually make decent streetbikes and you really don’t need to trailer them to the twisties. Seating position is very comfortable for me. They are easy to start, and at a street pace they only consume about a quart of 2 stroke oil every 600 miles or so. Power delivery while peaky compared to a 4 stroke is more linear compared to an RZ350. Their close ratio gearbox means 1st gear is pretty tall, so lots of clutch slipping is needed to get going, but once under way weeeeee!!!! The handling is tough to get used to. So light, so responsive, so precise, it is very very easy to ride through tight twisties although the lack of engine braking and torque place a premium on maintaining corner speed.
OTOH, they are fairly maintenance intensive. Pistons, rings and crank rebuilds are normal maintenance items along with powervalve cleaning and adjusting. There are a myriad of cables for the carbs, powervalves and injection pump and their nylon tanks swell if you don’t use non-oxy fuel. With all this, anyone wanting one of these needs to pay attention to how it was used previously and how many miles are on it no matter how clean one might look.
Given all the preceding, maybe an RC390 test ride is in order…
the rc 390 is no comparison from a power/weight standpoint. good point about fuel I always run my two strokes on non ethanol. its useless to skimp on oil its false economy, run a full synthetic amsoil motul etc made for injection
Too expensive…
For that price I would sell my stock perfect condition Reggiani replica with 7k km…
Hi Albert…If you’re serious about selling your Reggiani rep, I’d love to get some more details from you. I had a cup bike which was a ton of fun, but I always liked the Reggiani bikes the best. You can email me at mcinty76@hotmail.com