Aprilia RS250 Review (1995)

What Is It Like?

Tell us a bit about you

I'm a 35 year old male, 6'2", with 19 years riding experience. 30-35 bikes owned including everything from sports, adventure, enduro and retro.

Why did you choose it?

Growing up watching two stroke GP I wanted a bit of two stroke magic for myself.

What is good about it?

Where to start! It's just a giggle machine. Every time I ride it, look at it or start it up it makes me smile ear to ear.

For a bike that's from 1996 it handles so well and it hides its age, even the brakes are pretty good.

The lack of ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie and modes is actually a breath of fresh air. Its just you the bike, a small power band and that two stroke sound.

To make good progress you've got to keep it on song so it improves your riding as you have to think more. It's a riders bike and will reward you when you get it right but if you drop out of the band you know about it.

Best of all you can shock people on a lot of new machines with all the current toys and power. In short if you want one buy one.

What could be improved?

It's a shame it isn't a little bigger. At 6'2" I am a little tall for it.

What is the economy like?

Don't ask, sub 20 when on song!

Any mods or upgrades?

• Air filter
• JL pipes
• Jetting to match

How is the engine?

It's 250 cc of of two stroke fun. You need to keep it in the power band if you want to make progress and feed it the best two stroke oil if you want to keep it sweet.

How does it handle?

Like sh*t to a blanket.

What are the brakes like?

Good but they are showing their age a little.

Is it comfortable?

I'm not going to lie, at 6'2" it's a little small for me but the bike makes me smile so it's all good.

How reliable have you found it?

Not too bad. It lost a few fairing screws when riding so lock tight is my friend now and I had the fork seals go but it's a 20 year old bike.

What's the servicing frequency and cost like?

Not as bad as you might think but they do need keeping on top of. I do my own work to keep the cost down.

How would you sum up the model?

The RS250 is a bit of old school GP for the road.

- Gav S, 2020

Add Your Review

Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.