Aprilia Reveals Trick 250

APRILIA REVEALS TRICK 250

ROUNDUP

HOW SERIOUS IS APRILIA about its new 250cc two-stroke grand prix replica standing apart from the competition? An LCD lap timer on the RS250 doubles as an engine-temperature gauge.

The RS250 also has a healthy ration of performance equipment. Power is provided by a Suzuki-Aprilia hybrid engine; the bottom-end comes from Suzuki’s RGV250, while the barrels, pistons and heads are made by Aprilia. Aprilia says the RS will produce 70 horsepower and has lapped faster in track testing than the RGV and Honda’s NSR250, two of the class leaders.

Aprilia based the RS frame on its 250cc GP racers. Also derived from the GP bike is a curved swingarm, allowing twin exhaust pipes to tuck in for greater ground clearance.

A Showa shock handles rearsuspension duties, and a Marzocchi inverted fork is fitted up front. Stopping power is supplied by Brembo brakes. Aprilia has not yet released the RS250’s price. -Robert Hough