Am I crazy? Or just plain stupid?

[bodyboarding_bum]

So, I come to you all asking for sole advice. I'm looking to get a bike, and I need some 2-banger in my life!

I'd class myself as relatively handy with a spanner, and quick to learn. I also have a few mates with quite a bit of spanner turning skills who are always able to help out.

I was thinking of getting an Aprilia RS125, brand new (~$9k). Expensive for a 125, but I like the idea of knowing it hasn't been ridden hard or thrashed. Warranty, etc.

This will be my first bike.

My other train of thought is get an rs250. I want something I don't have to upgrade within 12-18months because I'm bored. Something that as I grow, and my riding progresses, the bike will still keep me on my toes and excited. The 250 would obviously be 2nd hand, and probably require some more time and effort.

I have no interest in changing to a 'big boy' bike in 12months time, and have no desire to be riding a litre bike anytime soon.

My only concern with the 125 is that I may grow out if it soon, where as the 250 is something I will 'grow into'.

I'm only a small guy too haha, at 173cm and 57kgs so that's another reason for only wanting something relatively small in size

Opinions, suggestions, criticism?
Thanks in advance.

[Geeza]

RZ250 would be OK! easy to work on!

[Murley]

I have no interest in changing to a 'big boy' bike in 12months time, and have no desire to be riding a litre bike anytime soon.

That's what they all say

[scotch]

Your'e just stupid. Doubt that you will never want a "big boy" bike.

Seriously though. Get the RZ250 and see how boring it gets.

Then get an RD500R.......

rd500finalclassicwidesj.jpg

or an RGV600.....

big_suzuki_rgv_600_2009.jpg

[pesty74]

i got a cagiva sp 525 brand new last yr cant get enough of riding it drives the wife crazy hahahah lol its only a 125 2 stroke and havent had any problems with it only changed the standard exhaust with a tyga race exhaust and v-force 3 reed block ( carbon fibre) try asking Loud he has been tinkering with his rs125 the 125's will be faster than most of the 4 stroke 250's but a 2nd hand rs250 you can buy but you might have to buy over east

[filbert]

RS125 is still fun and i've been riding 20ish years if you're riding short courses and around the speed limit it's a good fun bike and you can use most of what it has to offer, a bigger more powerful bike might do some things better but you will rarely use all it has to offer, so you could say the extra expense was wasted money.

i run a 400cc single motard for round town speed limit riding and honestly it's no faster than an RS125 and definitely doesn't handle as well, both a similar purchase price new.

[Commander Keen]

I say go with an RS/RGV250

[Sharky]

I've now been riding for around 3 weeks, brought a 2nd hand RS125 for my 1st bike from a PSB Member, was in good nick. After riding it everyday since i got it, I'm already getting to the point where I wish I had more (read any? ) bottom end torque. Its great once you get off the mark and when you hit the power band its a blast, I still get off after each ride with a grin on my face. The whole clutch slipping, high revs take off does get annoying if you find yourself getting every bloody red light!

In terms of power, its fine for now, easily keeps up with the traffic and also bangs along at 110kph on freeway in 4th/5th gear no worries. I'm still on a massive learning curve in terms of cornering etc, and I've heard nothing but good things about how rewarding this bike can be in the twisty stuff, I've hardly scratched the surface so dunno yet.

In saying that, I went and rode a CBR250RRRRRR on the weekend, and I'm really glad I didn't get one as it was nowhere near as fun and I reckon I would get over that quicker then a RS. If I was using the bike as a commuter tho, I would probably go for the CBR over the RS, but as I just jump on my bike at lunch time and go for a ride its great.

If I had been able to scrape together around 5k more I would have defiantly gone with a RS250. Could have gone with a RGV250 however i just couldn't find one that was in good condition for the same price as the RS + from the research I did it seems like the 250's were even more maintenance intensive then the 125's!

[Zerotime]

So, I come to you all asking for sole advice. I'm looking to get a bike, and I need some 2-banger in my life!

I'd class myself as relatively handy with a spanner, and quick to learn. I also have a few mates with quite a bit of spanner turning skills who are always able to help out.

I was thinking of getting an Aprilia RS125, brand new (~$9k). Expensive for a 125, but I like the idea of knowing it hasn't been ridden hard or thrashed. Warranty, etc.

This will be my first bike.

My other train of thought is get an rs250. I want something I don't have to upgrade within 12-18months because I'm bored. Something that as I grow, and my riding progresses, the bike will still keep me on my toes and excited. The 250 would obviously be 2nd hand, and probably require some more time and effort.

I have no interest in changing to a 'big boy' bike in 12months time, and have no desire to be riding a litre bike anytime soon.

My only concern with the 125 is that I may grow out if it soon, where as the 250 is something I will 'grow into'.

I'm only a small guy too haha, at 173cm and 57kgs so that's another reason for only wanting something relatively small in size

Opinions, suggestions, criticism?
Thanks in advance.

If it's your first bike, buy a 4-stroke 250, learn to ride first, then get a 2-stroke.

Love the hell out of my RS125, riding it on weekends and to work occasionally, but no way would I want it for my only bike.

[Desmo]

If it's your first bike, buy a 4-stroke 250, learn to ride first, then get a 2-stroke.

Shut up.
Many people have learnt to ride on a 2 stroke, it wasn't until a few years ago that two strokes was the configuration of choice for bikes due to their power to weight ratio.
You'll arguably get better skills learning on a two stroke as well.
Buy an RS250, you'll tire of the 125 and the 250 is the sort of bike you keep for many years.

[devolved]

Neighbour has had the same rs250 for 14 years. He loves it. He loves it too much. I am jealous.

[Gangus]

Get the rs250.
Dont hesitate.
Just do .
They are really nice, and I prefer my rs to my rgv, as the suspension is so much nicer standard!!!
Ive had my license for 2 years now, started on a rgv, then got a rs and instead of getting my big bike jumped on the track and have been blown away.
If I had my way I would track ride once a fortnight and i would die happy.
Just budget in a fresh top end rebuild before you get buzy riding, put on some sweet as chambers and wonder why they ever stopped making them

[Benno #03]

RS250, for above reasons.
I learnt on a two stroke and was never happier than when I was a young bloke fanging around thinking I was the next Mick Doohan. Ahh, those where the days.
Now I have Four & Two Strokes & my R1 see's much less time than my RZ, it's just more fun to use all of what a bike has to offer as mentioned previously.

[bodyboarding_bum]

Thanks for all the replies so far, greatly appreciated.

If I was to go the RS250, over east is the best bet as far as I've seen so far - but what realistically should be done when I gets here for a freshen up/rebuild?

I don't have a budget in mind, as dangerous as that is, but I believe in the 'do it once, do it right' mentality.

[filbert]

Thanks for all the replies so far, greatly appreciated.

If I was to go the RS250, over east is the best bet as far as I've seen so far - but what realistically should be done when I gets here for a freshen up/rebuild?

I don't have a budget in mind, as dangerous as that is, but I believe in the 'do it once, do it right' mentality.

replace everything that wears and buy two sets of spares, it's a while since these sold new so the new spares market will be shrinking

[Desmo]

I doubt you'll have many issues getting parts for these to be honest.
You can still get NOS cranks from Suzuki or an old one rebuilt, parts availability would be my last consideration with an RS.
Depending on how many kays the bike has done, you might need to do the top end which ranges from $250 ish just to do the rings up to about $500 ish for replacing the pistons as well.
Here is a kit and it's a relatively easy job.

[pesty74]

my first bike was a RGV2 250 15yrs ago i wish i still had it i was doing the whole bike project but over the years lost interest since i went out to the nite clubs and sold it for parts and last year got the bug for 2 -strokes so much fun and a huge buzz after riding for 2 or 4 hrs


Angebote für 250er Maschinen gives you 3 engine kit's you can buy exchanged but only prob armin fischer is in germany is where i brought my parts for my cagiva

[filbert]

i was basing my reply on my experience with the RZ500 in the mid 90s, there were heaps of parts and then there were none, times have changed i guess

[collector]

+1 Desmo, Gangus and Benno. You will learn how to ride a bike if a 2t is your first. Mine was the X7 and loved it. BB Bum is in Bunbury and may have some medium hauls and I dont know I would want to be riding country on a 125. Geeza suggested an rz250 which are cheap to work on and parts are <$ and in abundance.

[96]

pass on the 125,they just lack as a bike that you can actually "ride"

get the RS250, and you will have a nice light bike, that will still have the power to enjoy a day in the hills.

oh, and if you dont want a big bike, dont ever, EVER ride one... because your oppinion will change very quickly