Thank You for Smoking: 1995 Aprilia RS250

The goal in filling my fantasy garage is to have as wide a range of engine configurations as possible: a thumpy Ducati v-twin, a shrieking four in a big-bore MV, an older KTM Duke single, a howling triple Laverda. But I’ll also need a two-stroke. Maybe an old Kawasaki H1 triple, or something like this very nice Aprilia RS250…

The elemental RS250 used a heavily updated version of Suzuki’s RGV250 two-stroke v-twin engine, tuned to make 60hp, with sleek bodywork that has aged extremely well, unlike some of Aprilia’s more recent offerings.

The whole package is designed with handling in mind, and features plenty of very trick details, including the distinctive swingarm and triple disc brakes that would work just as well on a bike that weighs 100lbs more. It has a reputation for being a manic machine with light weight and two-stroke power delivery, it’s really most at home on the race track.

Tragically killed off by strict emissions standards that don’t look very favorably on bikes that leave clouds of blue smoke hanging in their wake, these bikes have a very enthusiastic following and always sell well.

This one also features almost enough spares to make a whole second bike!

From the original eBay listing: 1995 Aprilia RS250 for Sale

This is a low mileage, exotic motorcycle with lots of spare parts. I have a brand new spare engine for this bike, a spare windshield, spare front body work, and much more. There are two stands – one front and one back. It runs on Amsoil 2 stroke synthetic oil and there is new oil in the crank case. I have only ridden this bike for short jaunts, but I do start it up from time to time. I inherited it from a friend and he was the original owner. It has a clean tile and is a street legal bike which is ready to ride – and this price includes all the spare parts

This particular paint-scheme is much more striking than the later grey/black/silver design. For style, I like these earlier dashes with the easily-detached speedo/idiot lights. The later dash may have been perfectly useful and includes a handy lap-timer, but the super-modern design took all of about five minutes to look dated. All it really needs is a bit of script that reads “Turbo” and it would fit perfectly in a 1980’s sports coupe.

I’m still not completely sold on the buzzy, nasal sound of two-srokes, but all the rabid stroker fans out there can’t be wrong. And I love the idea of a lightweight motorcycle that punches above its weight: nothing like passing a liter bike on a 250 to make you feel like a riding god! Hopefully, one of these days I’ll get the chance to try one of these out.

There are several days left on this auction, and bidding is up over $8,000. This seems a bit on the high-side [pun!] for RS250’s, but all those extra parts may be contributing to the interest in this bike, along with that desirable title. Although this isn’t exactly an ideal bike for the road, unless that road ends at a racetrack!

-tad