Getting a bike - Help Please - RS125

kvfb97

kvfb97

kvfb97

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Joined
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Location
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Ok, I've just started my lessons for getting a bike and I want one ASAP. I want it to learn on myself, and I don't intend on selling it when I get my test. I don't want to wait until I have my test as I want some experience first.

Here is what I am going to look at on Wednesday:
http://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/51/22326651.html

I've been in contact with them and the owner said it needed a battery taco cable and starter relay. She said it would cost about £100 to fix this.

Does anyone know anything about these? She says you can start it by bump starting it. I'm guessing this is something to do with the "taco cable"?

I would appreciate ay help about these 2 things ASAP. If its ok I think I will go ahead and get it as I have got her price down to £500.

Thanks
 
i used to be keen on bikes when i was 16/17 (21 now) but i learn't when looking at these things that they are unrealiable, glorified scooters and that they dont fare well in british weather. My 2cents
 
RS125 is unreliable and expensive to run and (IMO) you'd be better off with a Honda CG125 or Suzuki GS124 4-stroke - no, not as much fun, but at the end of the day the RS125 is just a 125, they're only stop gap machines until you pass your test and get a real bike.
 
I've read loads of posts on this forum about it being unreliable, but on other sites its usually the opposite- if treated well.

I am learning on a CG125, and although they are meant to be reliable, I hate the look of them and after speaking to the instructor about them I'm not keen on the bike its self.
 
A 125 is a 125. It might look sporty and fast, but at the end of the day it won't be that much faster than any other 125 and it'll still get destroyed by anything you buy after passing your test.
 
I had one back in 2000. I had the RS125SP which is the fastest/limited edition model.

A dead battery is the reason why it wont start. So long as it is just a dead battery then yes all the repairs will cost approx £100. BUT, these are possibly the most unrealiable bikes in production. Mine spent every other week in the garage (and I really did look after mine too) If you fail to look after it properly, you CAN be looking at an engine rebuild as soon as 7-8k. Saying that, I got 16k out of mine and it never went bang.

My suggestion, start looking at 4 stroke bikes. They are slower, but most are bulletproof in comparision.

If your after any positives, I still look back at that RS125SP as possibly the most fun I had on a bike (the smell of 2 stroke still brings happy memories) And I've had an R6 to play on since.
 
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I'll re-iterate, 125's are just starter bikes, yes the RS125 is fairly quick for a 125, but it's slow compared to pretty much anything else and you will want to upgrade to a proper bike after passing the test...

I had a TZR125 when I passed my test, and for a 125 it wasn't too bad, but still very slow, enough at times to be scary (eg re-joining an NSL dual carriageway from a layby :o), and I recently acquired and have ridden a CG125, for town riding which is all a 125 is really good for there isn't enough in it to warrant the cost difference, and the potential for unreliability (which is quite high with two strokes)...

The CG is an ugly but effective bike, they really are very reliable, and very easy to work on if they do break, perfect for a few months of learning until you buy a proper bike after getting your test :)
 
I get your point about being more reliable and stuff, but maybe the RS125 would lead me to learn more about the bike itself, and have fun as you said.

I'm not sure. I'm having 2nd thoughts but I really like the bike, and it's sexy..

Going to ring a few places tomorrow to ask how much it would cost + I'm researching into the things wrong with it now to see if I could do it myself. I'm pretty handy with tools so I may be able to.
 
Could anyone tell me what a "Battery Taco" is? I've Looked up the Relay and an Airbox, but I need to find out what this Taco is..

Also, it has been off the road for a year so what books etc. will I need to put it through the MOT?

Thanks
 
When the owner says a "taco cable" is needed, I am assuming they mean a "tacho cable" i.e. rev counter cable.

As far as info goes on RS125's, get yourself over to:-

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=65

....and have a read through all that lot.

Should answer any questions you have on the RS Ape. :cool:

You are looking at @£58.40 plus VAT and delivery for a tacho cable, check the parts index at Aprilia Yorkshire.
 
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kvfb97 said:
I've read loads of posts on this forum about it being unreliable, but on other sites its usually the opposite- if treated well.

I am learning on a CG125, and although they are meant to be reliable, I hate the look of them and after speaking to the instructor about them I'm not keen on the bike its self.
Click to expand...

Just a word on these bikes.

When they are properly maintained, they are unreliable and expensive to purchase and run when compared to other 125's.

An RS125 that needs bits and is being sold as needing bump starting clearly hasnt been taken car of and will be a money pit.
RS125's need top spec 2 stroke oil, as in the best 2 stroke oil.
Does this bike sound like a fully maintained machine that has been run on £15 a litre 2 stroke oil?

Doesnt to me.

AS for the parts, she has just missed a comma in the list, it needs:

A BATTERY.
Tacho cable (rev counter cable)
and a starter relay.
 
Yeah, AF1 is a cracking forum for Aprilia owners.

I post over there as RSV_Ecosse mostly in the RSV Mille ( 1998-2003 ) section.

For some reason, the RS125 section of the forums has been locked and is viewable as an archive only....no new posts allowed.

However, there are pages of info there which will be a help to any prospective new RS125 owner.

Have fun reading them!!! :cool:
 
Thanks for all the help.

Anyone know anything about any books I should be getting from her for MOT and Tax and stuff. I'm new to this malarky, but I'm keen to learn..
 
Assuming it's the same as over here, the MOT is a single A4 sheet (assuming no advisories) that lists the date of the test and the date that it runs out,

You'll also get a V5 which is a two page A4 leaflet thing that she should ask you to fill out when you buy the bike, and then she gives you a small green slip and posts off the rest of it. You'll then get a new V5 through the post upto 6 weeks later.

There may also be the 'user manual' and/or 'service book' for the bike, but these aren't that common for cheap second hand bikes/cars I've found...
 
An excellent thread for maintenance tips on the RS125 is THIS one.

Also, you can download a manual for it from
HERE.

All workshop manuals for the bike are there, just in case whatever RS you go for does not come with one.

Hope that helps. :)
 
SKILL said:
Assuming it's the same as over here, the MOT is a single A4 sheet (assuming no advisories) that lists the date of the test and the date that it runs out,

You'll also get a V5 which is a two page A4 leaflet thing that she should ask you to fill out when you buy the bike, and then she gives you a small green slip and posts off the rest of it. You'll then get a new V5 through the post upto 6 weeks later.

There may also be the 'user manual' and/or 'service book' for the bike, but these aren't that common for cheap second hand bikes/cars I've found...
Click to expand...
Its currently off the road so has no MOT or Tax. I'm guessing there is still something that needs to be transfered?

Draeger said:
An excellent thread for maintenance tips on the RS125 is THIS one.

Also, you can download a manual for it from
HERE.

All workshop manuals for the bike are there, just in case whatever RS you go for does not come with one.

Hope that helps. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks! Still having a read through some of the topics on that forum. Some interesting viewing. Mucho Gracias!
 
kvfb97 said:
Its currently off the road so has no MOT or Tax. I'm guessing there is still something that needs to be transfered?
Click to expand...

In that case you'll just get the V5, you'll then have to get it insured, mot'd and taxed before you ride it on the road...

But £5-700 for a 125 that has no mot seems like too much, put it this way, currently fixing up a CG that I nicked off a housemate, once fixed, mot'd and taxed for a year I'll be lucky if I get £500 back. Or my TZR125 (a 2-stroke quick-ish 125) cost me £370 with a years mot and a few months tax...

Not sure how much RS125's usually go for though I guess...
 
SKILL said:
In that case you'll just get the V5, you'll then have to get it insured, mot'd and taxed before you ride it on the road...

But £5-700 for a 125 that has no mot seems like too much, put it this way, currently fixing up a CG that I nicked off a housemate, once fixed, mot'd and taxed for a year I'll be lucky if I get £500 back. Or my TZR125 (a 2-stroke quick-ish 125) cost me £370 with a years mot and a few months tax...

Not sure how much RS125's usually go for though I guess...
Click to expand...

I've been looking for about 2 weeks now and the cheapest on the road price I can get for a RS125 is over £1000, so getting this for 500 I thought was a steal..

Thank though.
 
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