The ultra-light Aprilia RS 50 sportbike can be called a real work of art. Italian designers set out to create a real racing motorcycle, limiting themselves volume of 50 cubic meters. cm , and they did it! True, you have to pay for everything, and their creation turned out to be quite capricious and expensive to maintain. A distinctive feature of the model is boosted two-stroke engine. True, the original modification was produced only until 2004, after which, due to tightening environmental standards, it was replaced by 4-stroke, called RS50 Replica. The updated Aprilia looks just as stylish, although its agility has decreased somewhat.
Design
The most beautiful cars and motorcycles in the world are made in sunny Italy. At least that's what many people think, and this point of view is quite popular. Aprilia motorcycles have always been famous for their design, and the best specialists in the company worked on the appearance of the baby RS50. The result of their work exceeded all expectations! Although it must be admitted that the modifications of the first generation, which looked natural on the roads almost a quarter of a century ago, today already look morally outdated, but age is age. But fresh copies look great even now!
Specifications
Having invested a huge amount of time and money in the development of this model, the engineers got what they wanted - a small sportbike, which, according to the laws of most countries at that time, did not even require a license or registration, while featuring excellent technical characteristics. How different it is from other 50cc vehicles is evidenced by the fact that in some US states the RS50 was even officially banned from use on public roads. And really, how is it possible - only 50 cubic meters, and the speed is under 120 km/h ?!
Engine
The original modification, produced until 2004, has a 4-valve, 2-stroke, single-cylinder engine with an output of 8 hp. With. , and it loves high revs, like the engine of a real sportbike. At the same time, there are almost no vibrations, since it is equipped with a balancer shaft . This motor is capable of accelerating the bike to ~110 km/h! But when buying a used moped, you need to check its country of origin, since copies for some European countries have a speed limit of up to 50 km/h. Since 2004, an updated 4-stroke version with a slightly less powerful engine has gone into mass production.
Transmission
As on the full-size motorcycle, a 6-speed manual transmission . It works very accurately and gently, but you will have to use it constantly. Short gears are one of the reasons for the Aprilia RS 50's explosive acceleration dynamics. The bike loves high revs, so you'll most likely regularly rev it up to ten thousand.
Chassis and brakes
The bike is built on a diagonal light-alloy frame , and this expensive solution helped to significantly lighten it. The frame is quite torsionally rigid, and during long turns on the track you can immediately feel it. The braking system also deserves praise; it is exactly what should be on a powerful sports bike. Both wheels have disc brakes from top European manufacturers.
Electronics
Despite such impressive technical characteristics, there is practically no electronic content in this sportbike. And what is there is done conscientiously, so you can’t expect problems with electricians. Unless, of course, you try to engage in “collective farming” by attaching Chinese xenon to the creation of Italian designers.
Weight
Italian engineers performed a small miracle by squeezing everything they needed into such a modest dry mass. This Aprilia weighs only 89 kg , less than some 50 cc scooters! This partly explains such impressive dynamics. Light weight combined with a powerful engine and thoughtful aerodynamics is great.
Controllability
The Aprilia RS50 is incredibly easy to handle. This lightweight bike was designed for adrenaline pumping on the track, not for city riding, and its sporting origins are undeniable. Moreover, even many “adult” sportbikes can envy its maneuverability in almost any conditions.
Fuel consumption
In quiet mode, the bike consumes about 3.5 liters of gasoline , and it is strictly not recommended to fill it with fuel with an octane number below 95.
With aggressive driving, consumption can easily increase to 5-6 liters, despite the modest engine size! Fortunately, the gas tank capacity is impressive, as much as 13 liters.
The Aprilia RS50 is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Looking like a full-fledged sportbike and equipped with only a 50 cc engine, it is a recognized leader in its class - a very specific class, it should be noted. The thing is that the Aprilia RS50 is a full-fledged sportbike, only a very small one. The Italians who developed it did not skimp on quality, but no one has yet thought of blaming Italian engineers and designers for the lack of style. The result is a nimble 50cc, in fact, moped, high-quality, powerful and beautiful. The Aprilia RS50 borrowed its appearance, and some other details, for example, the dashboard, from its “adult” brother in the model range - the Aprilia RSV4.
The secret behind the high power of the Aprilia RS50 is its two-stroke engine. It, of course, cannot boast of a long resource, but only 50 cubic meters of volume produce 8.5 horsepower, and accelerate the motorcycle to a little over a hundred kilometers per hour. The modern 6-speed gearbox also contributes to such impressive dynamics for a 50cc. Of course, you have to click it often, but it allows you to squeeze everything you can out of a small motor. The Aprilia RS50 engine, by the way, is boosted and produces its maximum in the range from 8 to 12 thousand revolutions per minute. Not bad for 50cc, right? At the same time, some Chinese pseudo-sportbike, dressed in plastic, like the Johnny Pag Falcon, with four to five times the cubic capacity, lags behind the Aprilia in all respects. Even an experienced motorcyclist can have a lot of fun riding this bike, but first and foremost, the Aprilia RS50 was designed for beginners who want to join the world of sports motorcycles. Buying a “cubic” sportbike right away is, firstly, expensive, and secondly, very dangerous - many motorcycles in this class do not forgive mistakes that are so common for beginners. Therefore, future sport bikers most often gain experience on classic motorcycles, and some turn their attention to entry-level sport bikes like these.
Before the introduction of the “M” category, it was possible to drive an Aprilia RS50 without a driver’s license at all, although, strictly speaking, it was never a moped.
A moped, according to the official definition, is a vehicle with an engine capacity of no more than 50 cubic meters. see and with a design maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h. According to the last parameter, the Aprilia clearly does not pass, and even if you bother installing an official tuning kit, which includes an 80 cc piston. see volume, the RS50 easily reaches speeds of up to 140 km/h.
Don't be fooled by the cubic capacity of this device. This is a complete little motorcycle, built using really high-quality technology and materials. Not all large motorcycles can boast a modern light-alloy frame, 6-speed gearbox and excellent suspension with an inverted fork. And the Aprilia RS50 - perhaps, thanks to its high-tech filling, it is ahead of other 50 cc motorcycles and scooters by a head, or three. Or five. Of course, this is reflected in the price accordingly - for the price of an Aprilia you can buy about seven or eight Chinese 50 cc scooters, but a single copy of the Aprilia RS50 can give much more pleasant emotions and adrenaline than all Chinese products. So if you are planning to switch to a big sportbike in the future, then the best choice would be to learn on the same sportbike, only less powerful. For this purpose, many people choose the Kawasaki Ninja 250 or Ninja 300, and the Aprilia RS50 is a great alternative.
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Motorcycle price
The new 4-stroke version is sold at dealers at a price of about 330 thousand rubles , give or take. The old two-stroke model, the same legendary one, can only be found secondhand, since it has long been out of production. Prices start at about 120 thousand rubles, but the cheapest options usually turn out to be quite “tired”.
Repair and tuning
The less common the equipment, the more expensive it is to repair and tune it - this is an axiom. How many Aprilia motorcycles do you see on the road? Of course not, and the conclusion here suggests itself. It’s definitely not worth buying this device with your last money, because you will still need it.
Repair
There are few specialists in Italian motorcycles in Russia, and it is very difficult to find a person who can repair a monstrously forced two-stroke engine. In addition, you will have to pay a lot of money to service such an exclusive as the Aprilia RS50, so it makes sense to arm yourself with a manual and master the basic service operations yourself
Spare parts
You can buy parts for both the old model and the new four-stroke. The problem is different - nothing is ever available in Russia, so you have to order everything from foreign online stores, mainly Italian ones, and then wait for delivery.
Tuning
The Italians offer a good selection of tuning, and there is a choice both in the official catalog and from third-party manufacturers. If, after reading this review, you are ready to run out and buy an Aprilia, keep in mind that there is tuning, but it is quite expensive. But you can, for example, buy a new piston with an increased volume, as a result of which the RS 50 will gain the ability to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Motorcycle modifications
There are two main modifications of this model. The production of the first of them, a two-stroke, began in the late 90s, and it was she who became famous as the best 50 cc sportbike in the world. Alas, it has been discontinued since 2004 and was replaced by the Aprilia RS 50 Replica, which has little in common with its famous ancestor. This is also a real small sportbike, but it already has a 4-stroke engine, and in terms of technical characteristics it is noticeably inferior to a 2-stroke.
Price
When considering the price, it is worth determining what kind of bike you want to purchase. If you want to buy a new Italian Aprilia RS 50 in Moscow, or in any other region of the Russian Federation or the CIS, it will cost you 190-220 thousand rubles. Not everyone can afford such an amount, although it is inexpensive for him, so you can buy a used motorcycle at an affordable price and in fairly good condition. On average, the cost of a used RS 50 varies between 50-100 thousand rubles; some lucky ones manage to snag cheaper ones, but rarely.
The price of the bike directly depends on the year of production, but it is important to know that Aprilia has practically not changed the configuration of its motorcycle over the years, so the price decreases (increases) only because of time. Here are examples of prices for units produced at different times:
- before 2000 – 40-60 thousand rubles;
- 2000-2008 – 50-80 thousand;
- 2008-present time – new: from 190,000, used: 70-130 thousand.
All prices are averaged based on market indicators. The mileage can be completely different, but generally no more than 10,000 km.
Read other motorcycle reviews Review of the Kawasaki ZZR 400 motorcycle
Screenshot No. 1. Review of prices for used Aprilia RS 50 on Avito
Advantages and disadvantages
This is a very specific moped, and it’s difficult to call it this word. From this specificity, the legs grow from its many advantages and disadvantages, which make it truly unique in its kind. In a nutshell, we can say the following: the Aprilia RS50 is suitable only for those who clearly understand what they are getting into.
Advantages
- Crazy acceleration dynamics for a 50 cc engine. No, seriously - this compact two-wheeled toy effortlessly drives away from any city car!
- High quality and reliability . Aprilia doesn't make bad motorcycles - that's a fact. And even in this model, the youngest, everything is done according to the most stringent European quality standards.
- Possibility of driving with any category of driver's license . According to the law, any rights can replace the “M” category; moreover, this category can be opened separately not from the age of 18, but from the age of 16.
- Stylish appearance . In some ways, the Italians have always been distinguished for the better in design.
- A large amount of tuning . True, this pleasure costs a lot.
Flaws
- Low resource of a two-stroke engine . According to reviews from the owners, it runs for about 2-3 thousand kilometers, after which it requires repairs, and the piston needs to be changed. But this point does not apply to the 4-stroke Aprilia RS 50 Replica.
- High cost of maintenance. Repair and maintenance of this sportbike costs a pretty penny.
- Lack of spare parts and tuning widely available. Everything has to be ordered from Italy, since the company’s semi-official Russian dealers often don’t even have small things in stock, like air filters and brake pads.
Buy Aprilia RS 50
The prices for which you can buy an old generation Aprilia RS 50 in used condition in Russia start from 45,000 rubles. A new motorcycle from Italy in 2012 will cost a very large sum of money, the approximate price is about 200,000 rubles or 6-7 thousand dollars. Before purchasing, do not forget to check the final amount, taking into account customs clearance and delivery of the motorcycle.
By purchasing an Aprilia RS 50 bike, you become the owner of not only one of the best motorcycles in the supersport class, but also get maximum freedom, comfort and pleasure from movement. True, you will have to come to terms with a fairly high price, comparable to buying a good used foreign-made car.
Owner reviews
I owned an old Aprilia RS 50 from 2002 for several years, and the toy is quite interesting. I only drove on the track, and to it and back under my own power too. It doesn't light up like a child, it hits powerfully, just have time to change gears. I still had a piston tuned one, I got it from the previous owner, and the maximum I squeezed out of it was 120 mph according to GPS. Vitaly, Moscow.
I bought an Aprilia RS 50 Replica as my first bike, since there is no category A yet, but 50cc can be ridden with category B. I thought there would be something like a scooter, only with mechanics - but nope, this is really a sport. It goes under 100 kph easily, shifts easily, however, the standard exhaust howls terribly. But the landing is like a real sport, the brakes are grippy, the acceleration is brisk, it’s enough for the city. I think I’ll skate for another year, open category A and take some six hundred. Dmitry, Zheleznodorozhny.
I know the old Aprilia well, I haven’t owned it myself, but I’ve driven it. Just a crazy spendthrift, tearing away with slippage! But the new Aprilia RS 50 Replica is not the same, the four-stroke engine has killed everything that the old RS50 was loved for - dynamics and power. I definitely wouldn't take it for myself. Boris, Krasnodar.
Verdict
At the end of the review, it is necessary to announce the verdict on the bike. Apparently, the Aprilia RS 50 is not an option for experienced drivers. This motorcycle is ideal for those who want to learn all the basics of driving sportbikes and in the future switch to more powerful machines. Well, or for those who want to avoid traffic jams on a two-wheeled unit and look very cool at the same time. Finally, we present to you the main advantages of the Aprilia RS 50:
- Ease of operation: maneuverable, safe, fast, does not require registration.
- Submitted to tuning, which will help to get a good increase in the efficiency of the bike.
- Reliable (rarely breaks) and not difficult to repair.
- Handsome, aggressive, as they say, in style.
It will teach you how to operate a sportbike and give you very important experience before getting on a powerful unit.
FAQ
- Are RS125 spare parts suitable for it? Some are suitable, yes, since both models are designed on the same basis. But not all.
- Are there any affordable analogue spare parts? The prices for the original are steep. There are analogues, but mostly made in Italy, and they cost on average no less than original spare parts.
- Can you race it on the track? Certainly! Initially it was created for MiniGP, racing on small-capacity bikes. On the track she feels like a fish in water.
Similar models
- Honda NSR50 . A 50cc sportbike from Honda was developed around the same time. It still enjoys some popularity in the USA.
- Yamaha TZR50 . A more modern analogue of the long-discontinued Aprilia. It's not cheap and hard to find. It has an interesting design.
- Derbi GPR 50 . A rare guest in Russia – a Spanish-made sports moped! Like the aforementioned Yamaha, it is quite modern.
Conclusion
The Aprilia RS50 lost its appeal for many bikers after mopeds with engines up to 50 cc. see ceased to be “disenfranchised”, and to drive them they began to require a driver’s license of category “M”. But this does not stop it from being an excellent option for novice motorcyclists who want to learn the basics of driving a real sportbike, albeit a small one. The only limiting factor here is the decent cost of maintaining this model.
Specifications
| Maximum engine power: | 8.2 HP |
| Working volume: | 49.9 cm3 |
| Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | |
| Number of valves: | |
| Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
| Bore and stroke: | |
| Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
| Maximum speed in km/h: | 110 km/h |
| Cooling system: | Liquid |
| Transmission (gearbox): | Mechanical 6-speed |
| Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
| Drive unit: | Chain |
| Frame: | diagonal alloy frame |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
| Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
| Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
| Seat height: | |
| Ground clearance: | |
| Curb weight: | |
| Wheelbase: | 1310 mm |
| Weight: | 98 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 13 l. |
| Battery capacity: | |
| Year of release: | |
| Country of Origin: |
BRAKES
Aprilia has set new standards in brake development and performance. A front disc with a record 300 mm diameter is braked by a radial caliper, a solution first introduced by Aprilia in the 250 cc. GP races, and subsequently copied to all racing motorcycles. This impressive braking system allows the new RS 50 to ride on par with GP racers and guarantees maximum safety and precise braking.
The rear brake consists of a 180 mm stainless steel disc and a powerful double piston caliper on a special aluminum bracket.
The new 'Y' spoke wheels are the same as those fitted to the Aprilia GP racers. Light weight, perfectly balanced wheels with the latest generation of high performance tires that give you complete confidence when cornering.
