Aprilia RS 50 Motorcycle Reviews on Cycle Insider (4)
Avg. Rating

This bike seems to turns heads everywhere I ride. Just bought it new 11/03 from my local Aprilia dealer, it is the rare GP-1 model. It was between this and the 2004 Ninja 250R and the Aprilia won me over. The RS50 was a more expensive and not as powerful, but more than makes up for that in different areas. It is rare, exotic and looks like a true GP racing bike. I also like the fact that it is a two stoke. When the warranty runs out at the end of 2004, I will consider modifying it. Until then, I will enjoy riding a true Italian race bike and all the attention it gets!!

I have 5 yrs riding experience, the bike is 196lbs so it tosses around very easy, I have raced other experienced riders and have smoked them on any size bike 600-1000, great for beginners or others, big bore kit a must!

If you live in the US and are a 2-stroke fan, the RS-50 is a great compromise over the hard to find RZ's and RD's, of the mid 1980's. Although not as fast as the last of the 2-stroke imports, a fully modified RS, will keep most riders very entertained. The bike itself is engineered very well, and its brakes and suspension are capable of handling much higher speeds that even a modified bike are capable of. The catch....? On top of the sticker price, expect to drop at least $1000 in performance parts into your RS, to make it road worthy. Sure you could ride it around in stock form, but acceleration is so slow, that you will grow tired of people in cars (with disgusted looks on their faces) tailgating you away from traffic lights. Dont expect miracles from all the upgrades however, as you will still not be able to keep up with your buddy on his 600. The mods do make the RS, much safer and easier to ride with the only exception being a very narrow powerband. A beginner will have a very hard time with a Modified RS, because of this. It takes some very smooth clutch and throttle control to drive in traffic.

I didnt actually own this bike but i have a few friends with them. Being only 125lbs it was strange to ride, its a bit weak at pulling away and to get even a good start the exhaust is gona moan at ya with the high pitch scream, but when it comes to handling, brakes and top speed it is the best 50 in the road, i have had 70mph on it and had to stop very very very fast as a car pulled out in front of me, the brakes saved me from being road kill, but use them properly, I've seen too many accidents due to riders not knowing how to brake properly. I advice going to a training school b4 riding it just to gwet a feel for it but other than that just jump on and have fun