Aprilia RS 125 2023 — Specifications

Twenty-two-time world champions in 125cc, a reputation built on decades of competition, and a racing DNA that goes back long before the current buyers of the 2023 Aprilia RS 125 were born. Noale has always known that motorcycles are passed down young, almost by contagion. This new model year features a thoroughly reworked engine and a refined silhouette, to continue competing with the big players, worthy of a 125cc machine designed to seduce A1 license holders.

The Aprilia RS 125 fairing evolves subtly, without a radical change in appearance. The headlights borrow some lines from the RS 660, the turn signals are integrated into the lights, and the front end gains aggression while losing roundness. This isn’t a radical platform change, but a targeted facelift that gives the impression of a more modern machine without touching the underlying structure. The perimeter aluminum frame remains in place, as does the 40mm upside-down fork, along with the asymmetrical swingarm and radial four-piston caliper clamping a 300mm disc. These are serious foundations for a 144 kg motorcycle, and we’re not complaining.

The real work took place under the fairing. The 124cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine has undergone a complete overhaul: revised cylinder head, new ducts, more aggressive camshaft, iridium spark plug, redesigned catalytic converter to meet Euro5 requirements, and a Magneti Marelli latest-generation ECU to orchestrate it all. The resulting figures remain legally capped at 15 horsepower at 10,000 rpm, with 11.2 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. But the difference lies in the availability of that power: the power arrives earlier in the rev range, the torque curve is better filled in the low end, and the 58-tooth sprocket optimizes acceleration. At 75 mph, the unrestricted Aprilia RS 125 remains a fantasy of an owner, not an approved reality. But within its legal limits, the Aprilia RS 125 engine delivers on its promises better than before.

The dashboard is now fully LCD, with a configurable display in blue or white depending on your mood. Speed, revs, engine temperature, fuel level – it’s all there. The Aprilia MIA platform remains optional for connecting your smartphone, which will appeal to urban users but won’t change the trajectory of a corner. The raised clip-on handlebars are 18mm higher, softening the riding position, which is welcome for average-sized riders facing an 820mm seat height. An optional quickshifter can complement the 6-speed gearbox for riders who want to chase gear changes without taking their foot off the lever. It’s a detail, but it confirms that Aprilia is targeting young riders who want to progress, not just ride.

At €5,499, the Aprilia RS 125 price positions itself clearly above a Honda CBR 125R or a Yamaha YZF-R125, its direct rivals. Comparison with the Aprilia RS 125 used market for previous generations, notably the mythical 2-stroke Aprilia RS 125 models of 1998, 1999, or 2000, no longer really makes technical sense. Those still searching for a 2-stroke RS 125 used on classifieds live in a different regulatory universe. Those who choose the 2023 model know what they are buying: an A1 homologated sportbike, serious in its foundations, with a legacy of 54 world titles embroidered on the tank and a frugal fuel consumption of 2.6 liters per 100 km to empty the 14.5-liter tank. It’s a motorcycle that fully embraces what it is. Not a revolution, but a well-executed evolution.