Aprilia RS 125 2008 — Specifications

When Aprilia decided to mirror the shapes of its RS 125 onto those of the RSV-R 1000, the message was clear: even under 16, and you plant your wheel in the shadow of a Superbike. It’s not hyperbole. The Aprilia RS 125 fairing doesn't just look good in car mirrors; it actively contributes to aerodynamic efficiency, something few machines of this size can claim with such seriousness.

Underneath this bodywork, the Aprilia RS 125 engine is a 124.80 cc two-stroke single-cylinder, with an almost square bore of 54 x 54.5 mm and a compression ratio of 12.5:1. The engine produces 24.5 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 17 Nm at 9,750 rpm. On paper, that seems modest. On the road, with 127 kg dry weight to propel, the six-speed gearbox has plenty to do. The Aprilia RS 125 2T reaches 135 km/h in restricted configuration — and those curious about the unrestricted Aprilia RS 125 top speed know that the full-power 34 hp version radically changes the game. This RS 125 full power 34 hp is another machine, literally.

What distinguishes this generation from its predecessors is the braking philosophy. The 40 mm inverted fork with 120 mm of travel, borrowed from racing practices, works in concert with a radial four-piston caliper and a 320 mm disc. A few years ago, this setup only existed on the track at a high level. In 2008, it landed on a production 125. The thin-walled cast aluminum twin-spar frame, with its reinforced ribs, completes a package that is nothing like a rushed entry-level model.

Comparisons with a Honda RS or a Yamaha TZR from the same era often favor the Italian in terms of technical equipment, even though maintaining a sporty two-stroke requires a rigor that some buyers underestimate. Aprilia RS 125 parts remain accessible, which explains why the machine is still highly sought after as an Aprilia RS 125 2T used. Listings on classified ad websites regularly attest to this, with prices varying depending on the condition of the top end and the presence or absence of a redone Aprilia RS 125 fairing kit. It’s not a detail: an RS in good bodywork condition is worth significantly more than one rescued from repeated crashes.

Marketed at 5,399 euros new, it was aimed at a young audience wanting a real sports motorcycle within the A1 license framework, but also to track riders looking for a serious base. From the RS 125 1998 to the 1999, 2000 versions, and then this 2008 model, the progression has always been consistent, focused on real performance rather than marketing. Those who compare it with the Aprilia RS 125 2021 or Aprilia RS 125 2023 — now equipped with four-stroke engines to meet Euro standards — quickly realize that the two-stroke had a soul that the four-stroke struggles to recreate in this format. The RS 125 of 2008 is the end of an era, not a mere entry-level product.