Description
Additional photos of this Aprilia RS250 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. 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.
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.”
The seller of this example (VIN: Z04LDA5002S0026) is the original owner. He bought it new in 2002 from GP Motorcycles in San Diego, California as a Challenge Cup model.
“I campaigned the bike with WSMC, WERA and AFM for 4 years and won several class championships. In approximately 2010, Ed Sorbo rebuilt the motor using all new Aprilia OEM components including crankshaft, cylinders, pistons and heads. A new transmission was also installed. The motor now has about 2 miles total on it. The bike has a total of 5,728 kms (3,559 miles) since new.”
“In 2012, as a winter project, I sourced all new Aprilia OEM fuel tank, body parts and street conversion parts from Italy and converted it to a street legal motorcycle. Many new parts were installed, including Tyga rear sets, JL exhaust pipes, carbon fiber front and rear fenders, Zero Gravity smoked windshield and more.”
“The only flaws on the bike are some slight scratches in the frame and swingarm from its life as a race bike. I left a few areas with safety wiring to show its racing heritage.”
Currently located in Red Lodge, Montana, this Aprilia is offered on a clean Montana title.
The seller is letting it go as he’s downsizing his collection – he recently sold an Aprilia RS125 through Iconic as well. Have any RS250 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
