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Difference between revisions of "Aprilia RS250/reviews"
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Once aboard you're instantly at home. The RS's light and low down weight allied to steering that is slightly slower than the RGV make the machine extremely predictable and easy to get on with. And it just gets better the faster you go. | Once aboard you're instantly at home. The RS's light and low down weight allied to steering that is slightly slower than the RGV make the machine extremely predictable and easy to get on with. And it just gets better the faster you go. | ||
The brakes are absolutely astonishing, with the power to loft the rear wheel with just two fingers and the sensitivity to confidently trail deep into corners. But overall it's the balance between the super-rigid frame and top-quality, multi-adjustable suspension that impresses most. Though a couple of kilos lighter than the RGV, the sensuous pressed | The brakes are absolutely astonishing, with the power to loft the rear wheel with just two fingers and the sensitivity to confidently trail deep into corners. But overall it's the balance between the super-rigid frame and top-quality, multi-adjustable suspension that impresses most. Though a couple of kilos lighter than the RGV, the sensuous pressed aluminum frame gives the RS a solidity and integrity the RGV somehow lacks. The inverted Marzocchis up front inspire complete confidence as does the rising rate rear shock once the compression damping is wound right off (via a convenient knurled knob poking from the side panel) — even if the super-grippy Pirelli Dragon rear tire did cut up alarmingly during the session. Put that lot together and you've got one of the best-handling and least daunting road bikes ever built. | ||
All of which would be fine for a special or the sort of bike destined only for proddie racers but the telling class of the RS250 is not only what it does but how well it's been put together. The styling speaks for itself. From whatever angle you view it, the RS250 is mouth-wateringly beautiful. But when you go through its component parts, one by one, it gets better yet: the alluringly-sculpted front mudguard; the perfectly-blended headlight; the slim and smooth (but useful) mirrors; that fantastic pressed and welded sheet | All of which would be fine for a special or the sort of bike destined only for proddie racers but the telling class of the RS250 is not only what it does but how well it's been put together. The styling speaks for itself. From whatever angle you view it, the RS250 is mouth-wateringly beautiful. But when you go through its component parts, one by one, it gets better yet: the alluringly-sculpted front mudguard; the perfectly-blended headlight; the slim and smooth (but useful) mirrors; that fantastic pressed and welded sheet aluminum frame and 'banana' swing-arm; the neatly machined footrest hangers and the lovely forged and polished aluminum heel protector plates. Not to mention the svelte seat unit complete with closely-fitting pillion cover under which lives the two-stroke filler and a useful sandwich compartment. | ||
It's these things, the attention to detail, the flourishes of design and the quality finish (a few peely stickers apart) that really ensures the RS250 will blow the RGV into a cocked hat. Neat welding, polished | It's these things, the attention to detail, the flourishes of design and the quality finish (a few peely stickers apart) that really ensures the RS250 will blow the RGV into a cocked hat. Neat welding, polished aluminum and (admittedly fake) carbon fibre abounds. Plus of course, there's the unique (and gimmicky) LCD lap-timer which doubles as the temp gauge in the console. Phew, there's so much to the RS, so much style, flair and potential pub boasting to it that, in a way, how the bike goes is almost irrelevant. At a predicted £5495 the 200 bikes earmarked for the | ||
UK will probably be lapped up on looks alone. But, having ridden it, the RS turns out to be faster (just), handles better, is better braked and, for my money, is much more fun than the RGV too. If any bike is going to come close to the Ducati 916 for sheer desirability this year, the RS250 is surely it. And against the 916s £11,000 price tag, the little Aprilia is an absolute steal. | UK will probably be lapped up on looks alone. But, having ridden it, the RS turns out to be faster (just), handles better, is better braked and, for my money, is much more fun than the RGV too. If any bike is going to come close to the Ducati 916 for sheer desirability this year, the RS250 is surely it. And against the 916s £11,000 price tag, the little Aprilia is an absolute steal. | ||
--Phil West | --Phil West | ||