Aprilia RS50 (Repsol Race Replica) (Aprilia RS50)

Member Name: jonothan

Product:	Aprilia RS50
Date:	21/09/03 (8147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quality of assembly, It's fast!, Excellent value for money

Disadvantages: Side stand only, No fuel gauge or low fuel warning light, Big fairings impede basic maintenance

My new Aprilia RS50 (the Repsol Race Replica version) was delivered last week.

First impressions on riding it (it's still restricted) was that it is one hell of a lot faster than I had ever expected. I was expecting a bike that would struggle to reach 33mph. The fact was that after a few miles were under it's belt, it was reaching 45mph quickly and easily and there was still plenty in reserve.

The bike really and truly looks the part. It has a proper race frame, and everything about it screams that this is a race bike with a small engine, and not the sports moped of the kind that I'd seen while looking for a small bike to buy for my son who will soon be 16. I'd seen the Derbi, the Rieju, and the Motorhispania, and they're all attractive bikes. But the Aprilia is the best assembled, the best looking and really stands head and shoulders above the rest.

All the controls are logical and intuitive to use. The instrumentation (rev counter, speedometer and coolant temperature gauge) is classy. There are warning lights for indicators, low two-stroke oil level, high and low beams and neutral. The Repsol race replica fairings on this version are a bit garish but attractive nevertheless. And they're also highly visible, so although a bit "in your face", you're going to be seen by other motorists which ain't a bad thing.

The fact it only has a side stand could be considered a slight disadvantage. It also has no fuel gauge or low fuel warning light which might be irritating. The odometer and trip meter are in kilometers but there are both kph and mph markings on the speedo.

As it is run in, I don't doubt it will become smoother and faster. Derestricted, it will become a monster of a 50cc bike. If you're 16 and want something that is a bit special, then this is the bike for you.

Summary: