Description
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1999 Aprilia RS250. Please note: VINData lists the bike as a 2000, as this bike is not on its original frame the seller states, “I was told the frame was a ’99 when I bought it but it could very well be a 2000, however it is registered as a ’99.” Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Riding Aprilia’s quarter-liter GP mount, Max Biaggi secured back-to-back-to-back world titles in ’94, ’95, and ’96.. Like Paul Smart’s Desmo racer had done for Ducati roughly two decades prior, Max’s success achieved on the RSV250 put Aprilia on the map and helped to establish the small Italian firm as a true contender on the world stage.
Taking advantage of the factory race effort’s triumphs, in 1994 Aprilia released a road-legal replica version of the RSV250 known as the RS250. 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 10,750rpm and around 70hp at 11,900rpm — just shy of its 12,000rpm 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 twin-spar aluminium frame paired with an adjustable aluminium banana swingarm. The frame was fitted with 41mm inverted Marzocchi fork and a mono-shock in 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 310 lbs dry, the RS boasted a top speed of over 130 mph, and a standing quarter-mile time of 12.5-seconds flat.
Though over two decades have passed since this machine left the factory, the track-oriented V-Twins are regarded incredibly highly today. MCN went as far as to call the RS250, “Simply one of the very best, least-compromised sports motorcycles money can buy”, and Visor Down more recently stated, “The real problem with the RS250 is that if you want one, a good one, you’re too late.”
This example is VIN: ZD4LDA000YS102619. The seller purchased the bike locally 10 years ago and states, “I purchased this bike as a “cup” model and then I imported a 17 digit frame from Japan and sourced all OEM parts to make it street legal (wiring harness, fairing stay, lights, hand controls, etc) and swapped everything over. I still have the original “cup” frame and all of the cup parts (fairings, wiring harness, etc) which will be included. I used to do a few track days a year on it but now I have a Ducati 900SS for that. The bike is too nice to risk on the track and the roads in my area are boring for this bike.”
True mileage unknown. During his ownership the seller has covered approximately 1,000 miles. The odometer shows 1,138 miles. “20 miles on engine rebuild.”
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “I just did a full engine rebuild including new OEM crank and aftermarket pistons, new clutch, all new seals, etc. I have receipts and pictures of the rebuild.”
Modifications:
Woodcraft rearsets. Tyga carbon fiber chain guard.
Billet rear axle adjusters.
Aftermarket petcock.
PVM wheels.
Not shown: Accessory fork springs from Aprilia.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Continental ContiSportAttack tires with date codes of 0616 and 0716.
The sale includes one key, original “cup” frame and all of the cup parts (fairings, wiring harness, etc), sprockets, factory service manual, rear stand.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in New Berlin, Wisconsin, this Aprilia is offered on a clean Vermont title. Have any RS250 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
