Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2001 Aprilia RS250. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
In 1994, Aprilia released the RS250, a road-legal replica version of their RSV250. Powering the RS was a modified version of the liquid-cooled, 249cc, two-stroke, 90-degree V-Twin from Suzuki’s RGV250. The RS’s engine utilized the Suzuki’s 34mm Mikuni flat slide carbs, though it featured its own Aprilia-designed expansion chambers, barrels, air-box, and exhaust system, a revised ignition and ECU, and a higher compression ratio. Building on the already well-designed single-crank V-Twin developed by Suzuki, the changes made in Noale afforded the RS more mid-range power.
Married to a six-speed transmission, the RS250’s engine was similar to the motor found in Aprilia’s GP mount, albeit with a bore and stroke of 56mm X 50mm versus the race bike’s square 54mm X 54mm setup. The RS generated 29.5ft-lbs of torque at 10,750 rpm and around 70 hp at 11,900 rpm — just shy of its 12,000 rpm redline.
What really made the RS250 special, however, was its chassis design. Derived from the bikes built by Aprilia’s factory race program, the RS250 used a polished alloy twin-spar frame paired with an adjustable magnesium alloy banana swing-arm. The trick alloy frame was fitted with 41mm inverted Marzocchi forks and a Sachs monoshock in the back — both adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
Rolling on 17-inch, five-arm, cast aluminum rims, the RS250 and its race-bred chassis afforded its rider incredibly sharp handling. Slowing the V-Twin was a set of dual 298mm discs pinched by four-piston Brembo Serie Oro calipers out front and a single 220mm unit bit by a dual-pot caliper in the rear.
Its GP-inspired bodywork not only looked the business but gave the RS one very slippery drag coefficient. Tipping the scales at just 310lbs dry (368lbs wet), the RS boasted a top speed of over 130 mph, and a standing quarter-mile time of 12.5 seconds flat.
The RS250 remained in production, receiving various updates and tweaks – including a significant revamp in ’98 — before Aprilia pulled the plug on the 250 in 2004. Despite a decade-and-a-half having passed since the last RS left the factory, the track-oriented V-Twins are regarded incredibly highly today. MCN has gone as far as to call the RS250, “Simply one of the very best, least-compromised sports motorcycles money can buy”, and VisorDown more recently stated, “The real problem with the RS250 is that if you want one, a good one, you’re too late.”
But today you’re in luck, as we’ve got a good one for you. The seller of this example (VIN: ZD4LDA0001S103389) acquired it approximately 18 months ago from a private party after it had sat in his garage for over two years.
During that time, the seller has covered about 250 miles. The odometer now shows 7,202 miles.
He’s letting it go as he’s thinning out his collection a little and he spends more time on his Honda NSR250. he is the head of a very large service department for an automotive dealership and does his own work on his bikes. There are no mechanical issues – this is 100% sorted. Recent work includes new Dunlop Sportmax Q3+ tires, coolant flush, oil injection system flush, transmission oil, engine oil, full brake fluid flush, new rear rotors, rebuilt rear master cylinder and caliper, rebuilt front master cylinder and calipers, new chain + sprockets, and a carb service.
Cosmetically, there are scratches on the left side panel, top left nose fairing, a small chip on the tail and a small crack in the decal on the tank.
Modifications:
Giannelli shotgun exhaust with aftermarket chambers (carbs jetted to match).
Zero Gravity windscreen.
OPTIONAL: The next owner will be given the option of a brand new Ohlins shock (these are nearly unobtanium as they are no longer being made) for $1,250.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California, this RS250 is offered on a clean California title with registration current through June 2021.
The RS250 is truly an Iconic bike, and this one stands out for local buyers as it’s one of the few that’s already street-legal in California. Got any RS250 stories or questions? Let us know in the comments below!
