Aprilia RS250: review, history, specs

The Aprilia RS 250 was a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, V-Twin Sport Bike motorcycle produced by Aprilia between 1995 and 2004. It could reach a top speed of 123 mph (198 km/h). Max torque was 30.24 ft/lbs (41.0 Nm) @ 10750 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 72.01 HP (53.7 KW) @ 11900 RPM.

Aprilia RS250 94.jpg
Aprilia RS250
Manufacturer
Also called RS 250
Production 1995 - 2004
Class Sport Bike
Engine
liquid-cooled, two-stroke, V-Twin
Bore / Stroke 55.9mm x 55.9mm
Compression ratio 13.2:1
Top Speed 123 mph (198 km/h)
Horsepower 72.01 HP (53.7 KW) @ 11900RPM
Torque 30.24 ft/lbs (41.0 Nm) @ 10750RPM
Spark Plug NGK BR9ECM '96-04[1]
Battery YUASA YB4L-B '00-04 [2]
Transmission Gear box: gears

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: wet multi-disc, manual
Suspension Front: 40mm upside-down telescopic fork
Rear: adjustable monoshock with APS
Brakes Front: dual 298mm discs, 4-piston calipers
Rear: single 220mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Tire 120/60-17 '96 [1]120/60-17 '97-02[1]
Rear Tire 150/60-17
Wheelbase 53.7 inches (1364 mm)
Length 77.99 inches (1981 mm)
Width 27.2 inches (691 mm)
Height 42.91 inches (1090 mm)
Seat Height 31.89 inches (810 mm)
Weight 310.85 pounds (141.0 Kg) (dry), 140.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 4.36 Gallon (16.50 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 34 mpg
Competition Kawasaki ZXR400
Honda VFR400
Suzuki RGV250
Manuals Service Manual

Reviews ·

OverviewEdit

The RS250 is that increasingly rare item: a current two-stroke production roadbike. Emissions legislation worldwide has made the large-capacity two-stroke engine a thing of the past, with its poor fuel consumption and excessively dirty exhaust emissions.


But Aprilia's RS250 continues to provide some of the purest motorcycling performance available. The heart of the bike is a rather outdated engine, Suzuki's RGV250 motor, first seen in 1989. It's a V-twin two-stroke, with several advanced power-boosting features, including guillotine-type power valves, electronically-controlled 34mm Mikuni flat-slide carburetors and ceramic-coated cylinders.

Aprilia modified the RGV's exhaust and intake systems to produce a power increase to 52kW (70bhp) at the crankshaft, equivalent to 280bhp/liter: the highest specific power output of any current production roadgoing motorcycle.

The rest of the bike is more than capable of handling this impressive power figure. A twin-spar aluminum frame provides super-stiff handling, and the fully-adjustable Showa upside-down front forks and rear monoshock allow a wide range of adjustment for any track or road situation. Wide sports tires provide amazing grip, and the front twin Brembo four-piston calipers offer superlative stopping power, especially for a bike weighing just 140kg (309lbs).

While the RS250's engine is based around a design that's more than a decade old, the styling is undoubtedly modern. A banana-style upswept aluminum swingarm and twin side-mounted exhausts pay tribute to the Grand Prix technology behind the RS, as well as providing a unique look.

Since Suzuki discontinued its RGV250, the RS250 has been unique in its class. The closest rivals to this mini-racebike are the four-cylinder 400cc four stroke machines like Honda's VFR400 and Kawasaki's ZXR400. But these heavier machines can't provide the ultimate cornering experience of the RS250, nor the exhilaration of the 250's screaming two-stroke acceleration.

EngineEdit

The engine was a liquid cooled liquid-cooled, two-stroke, V-Twin. A 55.9mm bore x 55.9mm stroke result in a displacement of just 249.0 cubic centimeters.

DriveEdit

The bike has a gears transmission. Power was moderated via the wet multi-disc, manual.

ChassisEdit

It came with a 120/60-17 front tire and a 150/60-17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual 298mm discs, 4-piston calipers in the front and a single 220mm disc, 2-piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 40mm upside-down telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a adjustable monoshock with APS. The RS 250 was fitted with a 4.36 Gallon (16.50 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 310.85 pounds (141.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 53.7 inches (1364 mm) long.

SpecificationsEdit

Make Model Aprilia RS 250
Year 1995-96
Engine Liquid cooled, two stroke, 90° V twin
Capacity 249
Bore x Stroke 56 x 50.6 mm
Compression Ratio 13.2:1
Induction Mikuni TM 34 SS flat sides
Ignition / Starting CDI digital
Max Power 72.5 hp 52.9 kW @ 11900 rpm (rear tire 65.5 hp @ 11100 rpm)
Max Torque 40 Nm @ 10750 rpm
Transmission / Drive 6 Speed / chain
Front Suspension 40mm Inverted with adjustable rebound and compression damping. 120mm wheel travel.
Rear Suspension Magnesium alloy swingarm. Monoshock with resevoir, adjustable extension, compression and spring preloading. 130mm wheel travel.
Front Brakes 2x 298mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes Single 220mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre 120/60 -17
Rear Tyre 150/60 -17
Dry-Weight 140 kg
Fuel Capacity 19.5 Liters
Consumption average 34 mp/h
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0 12.9 m / 36.8 m
Standing ¼ Mile 12.50 sec / 172.5 km/h
Top Speed 209.5 km/h

1995 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 1995 MY Aprilia RS 250 has, at its heart, a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerhouse mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 70 horsepower and 38 Nm of torque.

This quarter-liter two-wheeler boasts race-like performance and maneuverability, and can be used as a leisure bike, as well as a racer for a track Sunday. It comes standard with an upside-down front fork, an adjustable rear monoshock with Aprilia Progressive System (APS), an aerodynamic fairing and a digital instrument panel.


1996 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 1996 MY Aprilia RS 250 is the latest addition in the House of Noale line-up, and has been developed from the RS 250 rode by Max Biaggi in the 250cc World Championship. At its heart lies a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, single cylinder powerhouse paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 70 horsepower and 38 Nm of torque.

Standard features include an upside-down telescopic fork, an adjustable shock absorber with Aprilia Progressive System (APS) as a rear suspension, a Brembo braking system with front and rear disc brakes, an aerodynamic full-fairing with a small windscreen, a digital instrumentation panel, and a graphic scheme similar to the one found on Max Biaggi's official machine.

1997 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 1997 MY Aprilia RS 250 has, at its heart, a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerplant paired to a six-speed manual transmission and can reach a maximum power output of 70 horsepower and 38 Nm of torque. This quarter-liter two-wheeler is arguably the most powerful in its class, and is equally suited for day-to-day use, as well as for a Sunday track.

Standard features include an upside-down front fork, an adjustable mono-shock with Aprilia Progressive System as a rear suspension, a Brembo braking system with dual front discs, an aerodynamic full-fairing with a small windscreen, and a digital instrumentation panel.


1998 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 1998 MY Aprilia RS 250 sports a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerplant mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. This machine is arguably the most powerful production quarter-liter class machine available on the market, and boasts race-grade features such as an upside-down front fork, an adjustable shock absorber as a rear suspension, a Brembo braking system with dual discs in the front and a single disc in the rear, carbon-fiber body parts, a small windscreen and race-inspired graphics.


1999 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 1999 MY Aprilia RS 250 sports a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerplant paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. This machine is one of the most powerful quarter-liter two-wheelers available on the market up to date, and also boasts a high-end, Brembo braking system, and a race-grade suspension package and engine mapping, making it suitable as a road bike, as well as a track machine.


2000 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 2000 MY Aprilia RS 250 sports a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerplant paired to a six-speed manual transmission and can produce 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. It comes standard with a high-end suspension package, composed of an inverted front fork, an adjustable monoshock with Aprilia Progressive System (APS), a Brembo braking system, a single seat, an aerodynamic full-fairing with a small windscreen, and racing graphics.


2001 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 2001 MY Aprilia RS 250 has, at its heart, a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerplant paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. This machine boasts lots of features and technologies derived directly from the racing department of House Noale, and is sure to fit the taste of the adrenaline junkies among Aprilia fans.


2002 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 2002 MY Aprilia RS 250 sports a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerhouse paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. This machine boasts race-derived features, such as the engine mapping, a 40mm upside-down telescopic fork, an adjustable rear shock absorber with Aprilia Progressive System (APS), dual, 298mm, front disc brakes with Brembo calipers, plus an aerodynamic full-fairing and a digital instrumentation panel.


2003 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 2003 MY Aprilia RS 250 has, at its heart, a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerhouse mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque. It also comes standard with features such as a race-derived engine mapping, a 40mm upside-down telescopic fork, an adjustable rear shock absorber with Aprilia Progressive System (APS), dual, 298mm, front disc brakes with Brembo calipers, plus an aerodynamic full-fairing and a digital instrumentation panel.


2004 Aprilia RS 250Edit

The 2004 MY Aprilia RS 250 is a small-bore sportbike that is suitable for a wide variety of riders, from the young and inexperienced ones, to the seasoned who want a machine that emphasizes on maneuverability and agility, rather than raw power. It boasts features such as a 40mm upside-down telescopic fork, an adjustable rear shock absorber with Aprilia Progressive System (APS), dual, 298mm, front disc brakes with Brembo calipers, plus an aerodynamic full-fairing and a digital instrumentation panel.

In the tech/engine department, it sports a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 249cc, V-Twin powerhouse mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 72 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque.


In MediaEdit


ReferencesEdit

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019. 
  2. 2021 Yuasa Powersports Battery. Yuasa guide. 2021.