The key snapped in the ignition and I had to replace it.
The bike used to splutter when driving, which caused a lot of smoke to come from the exhaust.
The front brake just went (don't know why).
Front headlight went.
It sounded like a hedge trimmer.
For a 50cc it's not bad when it gets going.
It did about 60mph flat out.
The gears were OK.
Although it has too many bad points.
An amazing review to be honest...
All the things that were listed have happened to me as well, which says a lot for the bike.
Some real advice though, save your money and get something else.
The Suzuki GN125 is what I have now and it's amazing..
The RS 50 is A BAD BAD BIKE.
Rubbish... the RS50 is a good bike, a great bike even...
"The key snapped in the ignition and I had to replace it."
Probably your own fault... I know a lot of guys with RS50`s and I`m a member of a lot of Aprilia forums, and I have -never- heard of anyone snapping a key in the ignition...
"The bike used to splutter when driving, which caused a lot of smoke to come from the exhaust."
LOL... never heard of a air screw? (that's what its called in dutch anyway)... just adjust the carb a bit, would have fixed your problem, probably just running rich.
"The front brake just went (don't know why)."
Also rubbish... Aprilia has one of the best brakes in the 50cc moped class, will out-brake a Yamaha TZR of Derbi GPR anytime... probably just went because you abused it...
"Front headlight went."
Can happen to any bike... has nothing to do with the Aprilia, but the lightbulb.
"It sounded like a hedge trimmer"
Hehe... what did you expect... it's a 50cc 2 stroker... of course it sounds like a hedge trimmer :P if you want sound, buy an Aprilia RSV-R... (a performance exaust does make a big difference to the sound of a RS50... I have a Fasmem duo, sounds great.)
Anyhow... I totally disagree with your review... the RS50 is a great fun bike, well-built and reliable... and keep in mind, it's just a moped, compare it to any other moped and it will own it...
Agree that those faults were almost certainly caused by abuse, but the Aprilia outbreaking a Derbi GPR is nonsense. The Derbi's superior brakes and suspension outperforms the RS everytime ;)
I have a 1998 Aprilia RS 50 and I have never had any of the problems you have claimed it has. Neither the front or back brake have ever failed me, and the key wouldn't snap in the ignition unless I hit it with a hammer. The exhaust is practically smoke free.
I think you just don't know how to maintain your bike mate, and if you can find a 50cc bike that sounds as nice as a proper bike, please let me know about it.
Ha ha, it is a 2 stroke, there is meant to be smoke. Funnily enough hedge trimmers are also 2 strokes; that's why it sounds like one!
I have ridden a few RS50s and I think they are in the top two 50cc bikes. My bike is a very highly modified Derbi GPR, however the brakes are almost identical to the RS50, so I think the stopping distances would be about the same for the Derbi and the Aprilia.
I did find the chassis and suspension was not as stiff on the Aprilia when really pushing the bikes hard round corners, and being quite tall, the leg recesses in the tank were not long enough.
The Derbi engine is better as far as I'm concerned. It is more powerful as standard than the RS50, and even with light modifications such as exhaust, sprockets and reeds, the Derbi comes out on top.
I do like the alloy frame on the Aprilia, which makes it a little bit lighter than the older Derbi GPRs, but I don't think it is such a stiff chassis.
I have a 1997 Aprilia RS50, and although it has an arrow exhaust, it won't top 50 mph. I think it should do more. Anyone got any idea`s except the spark plug.
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