Opinion needed for Aprilia RS 50

[Goat_Herder]

While browsing Craigslist (as I often do while day dreaming), I came across a 2000 Aprilia RS 50 for sale.  Owner is asking for $1800.  Thought it would be fun to ride it around town.  Just wondering if any of you had any experience with an RS 50. 

I also did some search on ebay for parts.  Doesn't seem like there's much there, unlike our Monsters.

Any opinion is welcome.

Cheers

[MonsterMan1036]

A friend of mine had one, I rode it more than a few times. He had a race pipe, reed box up grade, removed direct oiling (had to mix gas/oil), big carb, and I think larger piston (80cc).

Pros:
-very light
-turned well
-just fun to ride (parking lots)
-cool factor

Con's:
-it's not going to get you anywhere fast if your over 120lbs
-zero power till around 10,500rpm (sounded cool)
-head has to be rebuilt every so often
-mixing the gas

That's all I can think of right now. He sold it for around $1850.00 with the things mentioned above and the stock parts, also the bike had like 1200mi.

I wouldn't buy one or pass up a ride on one.

[Raux]

it's basically a manual shifting 50cc moped with motorcycle riding position and handling.

hell of a lot of fun to ride if you aren't into fast but love thrilling leans. they make great starter racers too for the young kids.

i've seen them with changed rear sprockets, big bore kit, exhaust and carb work to get to 80mph  or so. but stock i think it's a struggle to top out at 60.

if i had to the chance to grab one cheap.. i would for the fun. and if i lived closer to town... would be fun to ride to work.

[stopintime]

Change the order of the letters  

I had an SR 50 for three years. It pulled really strong at lights and up hill, never under 40mph up hill and very quick off the lights. Would have guessed it at 150cc hadn't I known it was a 50cc.

Top speed: 60 downhill - 55 flat.

The young guys at he shop had the chip tuning software on their Game Boys. Only other tuning mod was the small parts in the transmission, weights or something.

BTW, I'm 220 lbs. 6' 4". (It needed a better spring, otherwise ok)

[Raux]

no the RS is more fun


 

[ODrides]

These little bikes are great practice for track riding.  Really help improve your body position and lean angle, and get you to think more about maintaining momentum.  A fancy Aprilia may not be the best choice to thrash in the local abandoned parking lot, but as a whole, I recommend everyone get a minibike.

[Goat_Herder]

Thanks all for the feedback.  I am arranging time with the saler to check out the bike this weekend.  The wife doesn't konw about this yet so.... 

[junior varsity]

as a whole, I recommend everyone get a minibike.

What other brands are their?


I'd take an RS 50 in a heart beat to play around on. That price looks good to me.

[Goat_Herder]

ok, I sneaked out over the weekend to check out the RS50 without the Wife knowing it.  first impression - the bike is big, relatively speaking to its engine size.  It's a bit smaller than a superbike but it's much bigger than I imagined.  Super light.  You can really throw that bike around. 

The owner kept real good care of it and installed a 70cc big bore kit on it.  Top speed of about 50-55mph.  The owner only rides it in local street and got it up to 40-45.  But it still sounds like a damn scooter though.  LOL  I personally thought it's the coolest 50cc "real" bike out there with all the motorcycle parts you'd find on a big boy bike.  And for $1800, it's not that bad of a deal. 

I thought this bike would be a cool way to introduce the Wife to riding.  It's small, light, and not intimidating at all.  After I got home, I casually suggested that to the Wife.  Turns out, she has no inspiration to ride a motorcycle...  She is perfectly happy on her scooter.   And she is not about to let me buy another bike.  So that's where the story ends.... or IS IT?

[Raux]

get the bike. ride it in front of her.. she'll want to try it.. and she'll love it.

[kingbaby]

Easier to be forgiven, than asking for permission. 

That coming from a guy that has a girl that loves bikes as much as he does.

[ODrides]

What other brands are their?

There's a bunch... but good luck finding most of these:
http://www.50cc-motorcycles.com/

I just picked up a Honda XR80R dirtbike, put street tires on it.  I'll practice my knee dragging and bike control on it during the off-season.  It's got a nice under-powered 4-stroke motor, too.  The 50s that I know of are 2-stroke, so they have more power.

[Veltro]

Hi
I'm new around here  and I subscribed for this forum because I'm going to buy a monster when I'm 18( in half a year ) and i just saw this link .I live in Belgium which has many 50cc 'racers' and the country above us has even more 50 cc 'racers' so i know a thing or 2 about 50cc 'racers'. i just wanted to mention that i too have a 50cc 'racer' and that a 80cc or 70cc cylinder ( and matchings carbs, exhaust,...) isn't really good for every day use.You can count a $1000 for a good setup which gives you a nice acceleration and top. You should keep in mind that you have to put a new cylinder on it every 2000-4000 miles depending wich cylinder you have. Personally if you want to buy one I would search for a TZR 50 ( like mine  ) or an aprilia rs 50 after 2006( a MY version) and just put a new exhaust on it and add a bigger carb.

P.S. sorry if My English isn't really good but if you don't understand something just ask and I try to translate it beter 

Grtz

[Raux]

Hi
I'm new around here  and I subscribed for this forum because I'm going to buy a monster when I'm 18( in half a year ) and i just saw this link .I live in Belgium which has many 50cc 'racers' and the country above us has even more 50 cc 'racers' so i know a thing or 2 about 50cc 'racers'. i just wanted to mention that i too have a 50cc 'racer' and that a 80cc or 70cc cylinder ( and matchings carbs, exhaust,...) isn't really good for every day use.You can count a $1000 for a good setup which gives you a nice acceleration and top. You should keep in mind that you have to put a new cylinder on it every 2000-4000 miles depending wich cylinder you have. Personally if you want to buy one I would search for a TZR 50 ( like mine  ) or an aprilia rs 50 after 2006( a MY version) and just put a new exhaust on it and add a bigger carb.

P.S. sorry if My English isn't really good but if you don't understand something just ask and I try to translate it beter 

Grtz

very informative first post. welcome

[TAftonomos]

How I wish sometimes I wasn't 6'5" and 235 lbs....I'd love to get a RS50 (or even an SR!)