The wold's most prestigious high performance 125 has just been throughly redesigned to keep it beyond the reach of the competition. The 2006 model year RS 125 is now an even meaner racing machine, and resembles the mighty RSV 1000 R more closely than ever.

The RS 125 is the undisputed leader among sports oriented 125 cc motorcycles. Aprilia has always led the field in lightweight sports bikes, pioneering new concepts and advanced solutions, and developing technology that others have had to struggle to follow. Like all Aprilia sports motorcycles, the RS 125 has benefited from the sophisticated technology that has been developed over years of success in GP racing, and quickly transferred into production. This technology has ensured the RS 125 a prestigious reputation among sports 125s. Competitive success has led to impressive sales results too: the RS 125 has been Europe’s best selling sports 125 for many years, and is the motorcycle most sought after by riders entering Sport Production racing. And rightly so, because when the competition gets tough, there is simply no other bike like the Aprilia RS 125.

The 2006 Aprilia RS 125 is designed and built to maintain this technical supremacy. The new RS incorporates a whole series of technical improvements, and comes dressed in a fairing that is not only new in design and graphics, but shares a clear family resemblance to Aprilia’s flagship supersport, the RSV 1000 R.

The Aprilia RS 125 gives young riders the best the market has to offer in terms of components and equipment, with a concentration of technical refinements that simply do not exist on any other 125.

The following are just some of the main features of the MY 2006 Aprilia RS 125.

• Sophisticated, tried and tested, Rotax two stroke engine, available in 11 kW and full power versions.
• Super-rigid aluminium frame and swingarm derived from Aprilia’s vast GP experience.
• New upside down fork.
• New front brake with radial caliper and four opposed pistons.
• New RSV 1000 R style fairing, windshield and tail.
• New RSV Factory style, crossed spoke wheels.
• New analog/digital instrument panel with multi-functional computer.
• New RSV Factory style, forged steering yoke.
• New oval section, racing silencer with riveted end plates.

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STYLE

The mean, cutting edge look of the new RS 125 tells you that this is a professional racing machine. The styling of the RS is based on that of the RSV 1000 R and, as with all Aprilia sports bikes, is the result of painstaking aerodynamic research. The new fairing, for example, was perfected by extensive wind tunnel testing, to guarantee GP class wind protection and minimum drag, and to obtain maximum racetrack efficiency from the small engine. The fairing, windshield and tail not only look mean and aggressive, but allow the RS 125 to reach a blistering top speed, eliminating the turbulence that can disturb rider concentration. Man and machine really can become one when the machine in question is an Aprilia RS 125.

The latest generation twin halogen headlight also adds to the mean look of the new RS, and delivers a high power light beam for enhanced visibility and safety at night.

The sleek tail also houses a new light cluster with a pure racing look. In fact, a great deal of effort has been put into all aspects of design of the RS 125 tail. As a result, the passenger seat integrates perfectly with the silhouette of the bike.

Because the new, crossed spoke wheel design is lighter, more reliable and safer, it also improves sports performance.

ENGINE

The powerful but reliable, single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine needs no introduction. Over the years it has won a reputation for being unbeatable on the track and dependable on the road. Still today, this engine boasts technical solutions that are state-of-the-art for two strokes, including a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft, and an automatic mixing system. The RS 125’s engine has been constantly updated over the years to keep in line with the latest emission control legislation without penalising performance. A catalytic converter and precision carburation enable Aprilia’s single cylinder two stroke to sail through homologation to Euro 2 standards. And the amazing thing is that this has been achieved without losing out on performance: in fact the engine that powers the Aprilia RS 125 remains the reference point for all 125 cc engines in terms of sheer power.

CHASSIS

Without a doubt, the most advanced single component on the RS 125 is its frame. Developed from Aprilia’s vast experience in GP 125 racing, the RS 125 frame is made from cast aluminium alloy with cross-ribbing reinforcement. Despite its extremely light weight, this advanced structure achieves amazing torsional rigidity, setting the standards for Aprilia’s competitors.

The box section, aluminium alloy swingarm has the highest torsional rigidity of all production 125 cc swingarms. Its asymmetric design enables the exhaust to pass extremely close to the body of the motorcycle, enabling more acute angles of lean to be achieved on bends without risking dangerous contact with the asphalt.

The suspension too plays a fundamental role in ensuring not only the RS 125’s performance, but its safety and comfort too. The 2006 RS 125 boasts better suspension than ever before. The upside-down fork has been thoroughly redesigned for maximum performance on the racetrack while also delivering a more satisfying ride on public roads.

The rear suspension features rising rate linkages based on Aprilia’s racing technology, for excellent traction and superb comfort even over uneven road surfaces. The hydraulic monoshock that provides the damping for the swingarm is also adjustable in spring preload.

BRAKES

Like any self-respecting supersport motorcycle, the RS 125 has to have the best when it comes to components. The braking system is brand new, and designed for maximum efficiency under competitive riding conditions. The front brakes use a radial caliper with four opposed pistons, in keeping with the latest trends in racing technology. In addition to the 320 mm front disc, the system also incorporates a radial master cylinder and aeronautical hoses for maximum precision and unrivalled braking power. The rear disc is 220 mm in diameter and is also equipped with metal braided hoses for perfectly balanced braking under difficult race conditions.

EQUIPMENT

The world’s top racing 125 obviously deserves top quality equipment. In addition to a high-tech chassis, the Aprilia RS 125 benefits from the most prestigious components available. The compact and lightweight, latest generation instruments are derived from those of the RSV 1000 R and include an analog rev counter and a multifunctional digital display incorporating an on-board computer that can be operated directly from the handlebars. To keep everything under control, the instrumentation includes a speedometer, rev counter, coolant temperature gauge and a racing chronometer. The system even has provision for interfacing with an optical alignment device for racetrack use.

COLOUR SCHEMES

The new Aprilia RS 125 is available in a choice of two colour schemes, all of which emphasise its mean, aggressive nature. Classical Aprilia Black is now joined by a GP Aprilia White version, that gives the RS 125 a mix of sporty good looks and Italian elegance, just like its big sister, the RSV 1000 R.

POWER KIT

A power kit, designed exclusively for racetrack use, is also available as an optional accessory to achieve the full potential of this amazing two-stroke engine. The kit includes:

expansion chamber racing exhaust

complete racing exhaust valve

control unit and solenoid for racing exhaust valve

needle, main jet and atomiser for full power carburation

racing spark plug

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SPECS

Engine: Liquid cooled, single cylinder two stroke. Aluminium cylinder with Nikasil coated liner. Read valve intake. Separate lubrication. Homologated to Euro 2 standards.

Bore by stroke: 54 x 54.5 mm.

Displacement: 124.8 cc.

Compression ratio: 12.5 ± 0.5:1.

Carburator: Dell’Orto PHBH 28.

Ignition: Electronic CDI ignition.

Starting: Electric.

Alternator: 12 V – 180 W

Lubrication: Separate mixing with variable displacement, volumetric pump.

Gearbox: 6 speed. 1st 10/30 (0.33); 2nd 14/29 (0.48); 3rd 17/27 (0.63); 4th 19/25 (0.76); 5th 21/24 (0.87); 6th 22/23 (0.67)

Primary drive: Gearbox: 63/19 (3.31).

Final drive: Chain: 17/40 (2.35).

Clutch: Multi-disc in oil bath.

Frame: Cast aluminium, reinforced box section, sloping twin-spar frame.

Front suspension: Upside down hydraulic fork, Ø 40 mm. Wheel travel 120 mm.

Rear suspension: Cast aluminium box section swingarm with asymmetric members. Hydraulic monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Wheel travel 120 mm.

Brakes: Front: Floating Ø 320 mm disc. Radial caliper with four different diameter pistons, Ø 32 mm – Ø 27 mm; Rear: Single Ø 220 mm disc. Caliper with two Ø 30 mm pistons.

Wheels: Aluminium alloy. Front 3.00 x 17”; rear 4,00 x 17”.

Tyres: Tubeless radial. Front 110/70 17”; rear 150/60 17”.

Dimensions: Overall length 1955 mm; Overall width (at handlebars) 720 mm; Overall height (at windshield) 1100 mm; Seat height 805 mm; Wheelbase 1345 mm

Tank: 14 litres (3.5 litre reserve).

Colours: Aprilia Black, GP Aprilia White