Aprilia RS4 125 coming to the US

[zilaniz]

http://www.motorcycle.com/news/eicma...-us-90098.html

Looks pretty badass. Wonder how much power it puts out. At least it is FI.
Finally some smaller bikes coming to the US

[zilaniz]

another aticle

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/612/83...irst-Look.aspx

[Cali619]

Hopefully it can hang on freeways , looks pretty nice.

[bdavison]

Im betting its gonna be weak..4 stroke 125....unless that thing is turning 50grand, its not gonna put out much power.

If by some miracle it actually performs...Id buy one...and ride the snot out of it.

[greg737]

Dammit! A 125cc single.

Dammit! C'mon Aprilia, throw in another 125cc cylinder (for a grand total of two) and you've got the Fuel Injected 250cc bike we've been waiting for.

I don't even care how you mount the second cylinder, parallel or 90 degree.

I love the bike's nearly invisible exhaust system.

[bikeguy57]

I wonder who they are marketing this to in the us?

[Apex]

That is one sexy bike!!!

[bikeguy57]

Originally Posted by zilaniz

http://www.motorcycle.com/news/eicma...-us-90098.html

Looks pretty badass. Wonder how much power it puts out. At least it is FI.
Finally some smaller bikes coming to the US

HFL is saying 15hp and 264lbs.

[SCREEM]

if it's anything like the cbr 125 forget it...that bike is gutless

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

people like me. its about dadgum time they got some decent 125 bikes here. not everyone is worried about horsepower and touring on the highway. some of us want a good looking commuter bike that gets awesome MPG. and by the way, their are some 125 bikes that will easily hang with the ninja 250. i know its hard for some people to believe that a 125cc bike can be fun to ride.

For most of us, commuting means at least some highway time. Meaning, if it can't hang at 80+, it's roadkill.

[jonthechron]

Doh, not an other scooter on the road...

[Samer]

I really don't get it. When I saw the post, I was confused because I thought they banned two stroke street bikes in the US a while ago. So when I read that it was a four stroke I got really confused. Can somebody fill me in on this? What in the world were they thinking? How can this bike be legal to drive on the highway? There is no mathematical way that I see for the top speed to be acceptable for the highway. i.e. it is a great looking scooter.

[thurt88]

I think this is wonderfull. Would be a great bike for my daughter for school and for me to play with around town

Knowing aprilla tho, I wonder what the price would be.

[Cedilla]

I'm betting it flops. It looks really nice, but also looks expensive. I think it will sell for no less than 7k dollars. I think I could ride that on the highway, but I definitely would not want to. If it were a 250 I could easily see myself buying one used after a few years. I just don't see a market for a 125cc 4 stroke sportbike in the US though, and that thing will FLOP big time.

[Cedilla]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

its a 4 stroke bike. and it CAN do 80 mph, but the last time i checked, the speed limit was 65 or 70, depending on the area. change the rear sprocket for little less revs. and in case some of you didnt know, APRILIA is number one in small bike performance. if you want to go 80 mph or above alot, you either need a bigger bike, or you dont need to be riding anyway.

I don't doubt that it can't do everything that its needed to do, I'm just saying that it won't sell at its price point.

[Samer]

To clarify what I said before. I understand that it is four stroke, but that is why the numbers don't add up. I agree with the prediction of those who say it will fail. I doubt there is a market for it. To the argument that the speed limit is 65 to 75. Let's be honest with ourselves. I calculated roughly that as was stated, the top speed for this bike assuming 15 HP is 81 mph. That is top speed. You know how long it takes to get to top speed? So it takes a long stretch of highway just to keep up with the normal flow of traffic, barely. In the meantime, you are getting passed by countless cars giving you the finger, not to mention the dangerous situation you've caused. Try to pass someone to avoid another dangerous situation, and you have no juice. I dare say that this bike should not be used on any freeway.

[CC Cowboy]

I'd rather have it than a scooter!

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by Samer

I really don't get it. When I saw the post, I was confused because I thought they banned two stroke street bikes in the US a while ago. So when I read that it was a four stroke I got really confused. Can somebody fill me in on this? What in the world were they thinking? How can this bike be legal to drive on the highway? There is no mathematical way that I see for the top speed to be acceptable for the highway. i.e. it is a great looking scooter.

Up here where I live (Quebec), it's illegal to drive this bike on ANY street/highway that has a speed limit of 45MPH or higher.

SO, it's as much as a fail for us as the CBR 125r is.

[wild-bill]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I'd rather have it than a scooter!

Yeah me too!

I don't think I'd get on the freeway with it-probably not quite enough power. It would probably be the same scenario as the Honda Rebel I used to have-doable, but not safe.

And it is good to see some smaller bikes here in the USA. But I wish we had some 350-400cc options like we did in the '70s. How about a Ninja 350R, GSX-R400, SV400, CBR360R, R4, KLR383(I like it when the model # is the exact cc ).

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by wild-bill

Yeah me too!

I don't think I'd get on the freeway with it-probably not quite enough power. It would probably be the same scenario as the Honda Rebel I used to have-doable, but not safe.

And it is good to see some smaller bikes here in the USA. But I wish we had some 350-400cc options like we did in the '70s. How about a Ninja 350R, GSX-R400, SV400, CBR360R, R4, KLR383(I like it when the model # is the exact cc ).

Come up to Canada and buy yourself the new ninja 400r o.-

http://www.kawasaki.ca/model/ninja-400r:1256

[wild-bill]

Originally Posted by jonthechron

Come up to Canada and buy yourself the new ninja 400r o.-

http://www.kawasaki.ca/model/ninja-400r:1256

Wow. I didn't know it was available in Canada. But there's a huge jump in price from the 250.

[spooph]

Pending price this might be exceedingly appealing...

[Cedilla]

I think Aprilia would be very successful if they sold that same bike with a 250 twin. Just from the way it looks its going to be very expensive, and fairly impractical to ride on the street. I'm thinking this new bike will be sold in very limited numbers, and will probably be more of a collectors item.

[KURT]

Originally Posted by spooph

Pending price this might be exceedingly appealing...

X2! I would hope it is tuned for more low end, but that would mean it might run out of breath by 65mph. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[bdavison]

The original RS125 with the two stroke was an incredible machine...but unfortunatly, nearly impossible to tag it in the US because of the EPA.

The problem with this bike is that they really should have made it 250cc's. At 125cc's its gonna lack enough guts for most riders. It would be ok in the city as a commuter, or alternative to a scooter. Its a darn shame...because had they put a 250 in it, I probably would have bought one asap. Its got everything I want in a small displacement bike...except the guts.

[Snake]

It's a very sexy looking bike but 250cc is as small as I will go.

[CZroe]

I drooled over the RS125 at a scooter dealership in 2008 and dreamed of a street-legal version, but I really don't know about this.

[Daeldren]

Supposedly Aprilia is using the Derbi powerplant which is the fastest of the 125cc 4 stroke sportbikes, supposedly the derbi's can do 100mph stock if you have enough room. If Aprilia crammed a 250cc powerplant in that frame though I would be all over it.

[Samer]

Trying not to beat on a dead horse here, but there is no way to get to 100 mph on a naturally aspirated 125cc engine. Sorry. The latest and greatest technology is probably the BMW 1000rr. That engine is 999cc and produces 193 HP. So assuming that power to cc ratio gives the 125cc engine 24 HP. You need about 30 HP to get to 100mph on a typically shaped sport bike. Sorry, no matter how you look at it 125 cc doesn't add up. By the way, using that same power to cc, the Ninja 250 would be putting out 48 HP. Just to put things in perspective.

[Apex]

I'd buy one. That thing would be sweet for track use and for around town stuff. I'd love to own a 125, but a 6-speed is a must!!

[edbro]

If it was a 250 I'd buy it in a second, but a 125? Maybe if I was looking for a track only bike.

[Daeldren]

Trying not to beat on a dead horse here, but there is no way to get to 100 mph on a naturally aspirated 125cc engine. Sorry. The latest and greatest technology is probably the BMW 1000rr. That engine is 999cc and produces 193 HP. So assuming that power to cc ratio gives the 125cc engine 24 HP. You need about 30 HP to get to 100mph on a typically shaped sport bike. Sorry, no matter how you look at it 125 cc doesn't add up. By the way, using that same power to cc, the Ninja 250 would be putting out 48 HP. Just to put things in perspective.

While you are correct, power to weight ratio play a huge role a well as gearing and powerband. Going past 100mph takes even more power due to the resistance created by airflow at those speeds, however I think a properly geared lightweight 125cc 4 stroke sportbike could potentially do 100mph (past 100 I agree with you that it would take a lot more power and aerodynamics). Keeping in mind that rider weight plays an even more significant role when talking about smaller displacement bikes.

However producing the amount of power necessary to reach those speeds and making a reliable long lasting motor is a whole nother problem altogether. I agree that it would have been smarter to use a 250 engine instead, but we will have to wait and see what the end result will be.

[Samer]

I don't mean to "show-off" here. This is the internet. I'm not trying to impress anyone or make anyone look foolish. But this is one issue I have some authority over. I have a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I've been a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer for many years. Now that I laid out some credentials. Most of what you just said is completely wrong. Gearing has nothing to do with the power required to reach 100 miles per hour. Also, the riders weight has almost nothing to do with top speed as well. So please, do not perpetuate myths if you are not 100% certain. I agree, when specs come out, we won't need to guess. However, no matter what happens, I'm certain this bike does not break the laws of physics.

[Cuongism]

Aprilia 125 already exists and the 2stroke engine can break triple digits.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/...5-ar76549.html

"If you are of normal size and keep the little engine singing in its sweet spot, she has plenty of juice to see triple-digit speeds and embarrass riders on liter-bikes in the tight stuff. Top speed attained at MSR Houston was an indicated 108mph on the longest straight and still pulling;" – 2wheeltimes

10% off indicated will put it at 99.2 actual. Spec sheet for the RS 125 is +- 110 mph. Gearing changes top speed/acceleration and weight will affect top speeds on such light bikes (best examples are scooters).

I believe the model coming to the US is the 4 stroke version though

[Alex]

Yup, 2-stroke racing engine <> 4-stroke street-legal engine that meets emissions regs. The former will make well over twice the power of the latter, at the same displacement...

[zartan]

Feel free to beat it up all you want. But isn't it exciting to see some smaller displacements coming onboard. Lot's of folks never ride on the 8 laners. My 2 lane Highway speed is 60 with coppers everywhere. So this is appealing to me to add to the stable. One of everything I say. So it lacks power.. Put it in your livingroom just look at it

Unfortunate they always call these smaller bikes -- entry level. All bikes require skills and respect for skills.. even ruckus's 50 cc. This term "entry level " makes me crazy. It give the misnomer it is just fine to take it out with out skills. I've been riding 25 years and the 250 pushed in the back roads is plenty fun and has made me change my undies a good couple of times!!

[Alex]

Small bikes = good. Small bikes = fun. More small bikes = good idea. But really, really small bikes shouldn't be on the freeway. That's why California requires a freeway-legal bike to be 150cc or greater. Nothing wrong with fantastically cool machines coming in below that displacement, but if they are pricey as well, it's hard to understand where they will fit in, and who will buy them. Time will tell...

[zartan]

They just might fit fine on the mantle !!

[bob706]

It is a good looking bike but Aprilia = big bucks and no dealership anywhere near me.

[Apex]

True about the dealer. The only one that I was aware of near me closed its doors a few years ago.