Mark Fattore•15 May 2012

REVIEW

First ride: Aprilia RS4125

Name: First ride: Aprilia RS4125
Brand: Aprilia

With a real fun factor, spunky design and frugal running costs, this new four-stroke pint-sized sports bike from Aprilia has got a lot going for it

Who says that a quickshifter should be the domain of large capacity, mega-horsepower sports bikes? Aprilia certainly doesn’t, and until the end of June, 2012, is throwing in one for free with every purchase of its all-new RS4125 four-stroke single-cylinder machine, a rival for the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R125 in the pint-sized, sporting commuter stakes.

And the quickshifter actually presents a very solid business case when you think about it. We all know that most single-cylinder bikes have to be kept on the boil to get the best out of him – a slow burn just doesn’t cut it – and the RS4125 is no different in that regard.

There’s probably only a narrow 1000-2000rpm range to really ride ‘fast’, so it’s imperative that not too many revs aren’t lost in the pursuit of happiness – and that’s where the quickshifter kicks in. Just keep the throttle pegged and start surfing.

It’s a really nifty piece of kit and, apart from a little bit of a racket in the flick between first and second gears, it works beautifully and allows the RS4 to continue on its merry way with only minimal disruption.

DONE GOOD

There’s no doubt that Aprilia does small, sporting fare – both racing and production – standing on its head, and only someone with blinkers on could have failed to notice how the Italian company dominated 125 and 250 GP racing over the last few decades, with riders like Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi leading the charge.

On the mass-production side of the fence, the RS250 two-stroke was a cult machine from the late 90s to the mid noughties when it was discontinued, and the RS125 has been on the scene since 1998, the Bikesales Network taking that one for a spin a few years ago and having the time of our lives.

Now Aprilia has turned a page – or shall we day added a page – with the RS4125, which like its sibling is a beautifully finished piece of kit with a number of the same styling pieces.

The RS4 has an aluminium perimeter frame, 41mm upside-down forks, radial brakes, six-spoke light alloy wheels, 17-inch rubber, and its fairing looks like the RSV4’s – so on designs and looks it’s already a winner.

The dry weight is a claimed 134kg, so it’s a lithe package – only 6kg more than the RS125. Seat height is 820mm, and the suspension isn’t adjustable, but Aprilia has still managed to produce a standard set-up that

works well for its intended purpose.

So what does it go like? For a 125cc four-stroke, it’s quite a crafty little practitioner, and it certainly doesn’t require exacting standards in clutch and throttle control just to get off the line like some other 125cc four-strokes I’ve ridden. That definitely left nerves jangling – so you could imagine how it might produce a cold sweat on a less experienced rider, especially at traffic lights with a swarm of impatient peak-hour drivers behind them.

But I still found myself feathering the RS4125’s clutch on the odd occasion, more for the extra squirt factor out of turns in second or third gear, rather than for take-off. That’s a great thing for learners too, as it teaches them about brake, clutch and throttle control.

That’s not saying complacency should become part of the RS4 menu, as there simply isn’t a safety net of power and torque to fall back on -- it just doesn’t work that way on a 125cc four-stroke producing just 15hp at 10,500rpm and 9Nm at 8500rpm.

I’ve already sold the virtues of the quickshifter in dealing with the RS4’s tighter terms of power reference, but it can’t be all electronics: the pilot has to come along for the ride.

And once I got into the groove of how the power delivery works – ie fairly unremarkable below 7000rpm, and lots of bounce above that -- I enjoyed every minute of my commuting, and even the odd trio home to my abode north of Melbourne, which called for some freeway work. And it’s so light too, so throwing it around is an exercise in precision... Everything just feels natural after a short while, and for such a light bike it feels really stable, even on the open road where lighter bikes can sometimes get rattled around by the elements.

The RS4 glides along easily at 100km/h, and it will even purr at 110km/h – and hit 120km/h if really pressed.

Head winds and inclines are obvious retardation elements, but if you kick back a gear while it’s still buzzing above 7000rpm, there’s still some energy to be had.

And the RS4 has a bit of a ‘dry clutch’ rattle at lower revs, which sounds kinda cool.

NUGGET

Nobody at April is suggesting the RS4 can replicate the power characteristics of the RS125, as that’s just too fanciful. But there’s no harm in trying, I suppose: Aprilia Australia has started bringing in an Arrow exhaust for the RS4125 if you’re keen to extract even more sting in its tail….

But what the RS4 provides over the RS125 is lower running costs – fuel range is excellent -- a more environmentally friendly engine, and you certainly won’t be throwing fresh pistons and rings in it with the frequency of the two-stroke.

The RS4125’s seat is comfortable enough, and the ergonomics are accommodating for most shapes and sizes. And there’s minimal weight bearing on the wrists, so fatigue isn’t a major issue.

The dash on the RS4 is a mix of analogue and digital, just like the big Aprilia sports bikes. There’s not the same depth of information, of course, but it’s got all the major bits and pieces covered.

The RS4125 is a nugget: it’s light, looks tough, has a dependable powertrain and great brakes. It’s a smart package for $6490, and comes in two standard palettes: red/black and white/black. There’s also a special

Alitalia liveried version for $6990 – and not forgetting both prices include the free quickshifter until the end of August, 2012.

Other than the Yamaha YZF-R125, which retails for $6999, the RS4125 is definitely a premium over the more basic 125cc four-stroke commuter hardware. That begs the question: what will learners fancy more in their introductory two-wheel diet: a top-shelf 6K bike that oozes fun out of every pore, or a more staid model for two-and-a-bit-grand less? It’s going to be intriguing to see how it all pans out.

Visit the 2012 Aprilia RS4125 in Bike Showroom

SPECS: APRILIA RS4125

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder

Capacity: 124.8cc

Bore x stroke: 58mm x 47mm

Compression ratio: 12.5

Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

Emissions: Euro 3

Claimed maximum power: 15hp at 10,500rpm

Claimed maximum torque: 9Nm at 8500rpm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Six speed

Final drive: Chain

Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR

Frame type: Aluminium perimeter

Front suspension: 41mm upside-down telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 110mm travel

Rear suspension: Monoshock, non-adjustable, 120mm travel

Front brakes: 3oomm disc with four-piston radial caliper

Rear brake: 218mm disc with single-piston caliper

Wheels: Light alloy spokes -- front 2.75 x 17, rear 3.50 x 17

Tyres: Front 100/80-17, rear: 130/70-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

Rake: Not given

Trail: Not given

Claimed dry weight: 134kg

Seat height: 820mm

Wheelbase: 1350mm

Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres

OTHER STUFF

Price: $6490 (red/black, white/black), $6990 (Alitalia)

Test bike supplied by: John Sample Group, www.aprilia.com.au

Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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First ride: Aprilia RS4125

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