Aprilia RS 50

The Aprilia RS 50 is a genuine sports motorcycle, and comes packed with the sort of technology normally found only on a GP racer. Its eye-catching, racing lines and determined, aggressive shape tell you that the Aprilia RS 50 knows no compromises. This 50 cc supersport is made to thrill and has all the performance needed to do so. In terms of style, the RS 50 is clearly and unashamedly inspired by the flagship of the Aprilia family, the RSV 1000 R, the twin that beat Japanese four cylinder racers to win the 2006 Master Bike trophy. This same thirst for victory is found in the RS 50, together with technology developed for the world-beating Aprilia 125 GP. No wonder the RS 50 is the machine that all other 50 cc bikes have to beat.

The specifications for the RS 50 are simply breath-taking. The following are just the most important:

• aluminium frame
• aluminium swingarm
• lightweight wheels with ‘Y’ spokes
• radial caliper front brake
• Euro 2, two-stroke engine
• fairing based on that of the RSV 1000 R
• analog/digital instruments

 STYLE
The aggressive lines of the new RS 50 are enhanced by a new, wind tunnel tested fairing, with a sporty modern design. This fairing is very similar to that of the RS 125 which won the 2006 Design Award.
Twin headlights give superior visibility and contribute to the aggressive racing styling of this incredible 50.
A streamlined, slender tail completes the Aprilia RS 50’s racing image and also hides the expansion chamber of the under-seat exhaust, another feature taken from the world of racing, that dramatically improves balance and weight distribution.
A 13 litre fuel tank and miserly fuel consumption mean that the Aprilia RS 50 has an amazing autonomy. Even the new tank shape conveys the bike’s racing spirit: the tank appears to sit on the twin beam frame just like the tanks of genuine GP racers.

CHASSIS
Aprilia was the first manufacturer to make a 50 cc motorcycle with an aluminium frame. The new RS 50 takes things one step further, with a light alloy, reinforced, extruded tube frame for better than ever performance. This revolutionary frame not only reduces overall weight but offers a new level of structural rigidity. Even the swingarm is made from a prestige light alloy and is damped by a hydraulic monoshock with
adjustable spring preload, giving a wheel travel of 110 mm.

The upside down fork is another important feature of the RS 50. This extremely advanced fork is totally safe and reliable while offering amazing performance in terms of sliding action and damping. The 40 mm stanchions are the same size as on many big bikes, and wheel travel is a generous 120 mm, making the bike’s powerful braking system even more effective .

BRAKES
Aprilia has set new standards in braking technology and performance too. The record diameter 300 mm front disc is braked by a radial caliper, a solution first introduced by Aprilia in 250 cc GP racing, and subsequently copied on all racing bikes. This impressive braking system enables the new RS 50 to tackle GP style braking in total safety.
Even the back brake is a high performance unit, featuring a 180 mm stainless steel disc and a powerful two piston caliper on a special aluminium bracket.
The new ‘Y’ spoke wheels share the same design as those fitted to Aprilia GP racers. These lightweight, precision-balanced wheels combine with the latest generation of high performance tyres to give amazing road holding on bends.

ENGINE
A performance chassis demands an engine to match. The RS 50 is therefore equipped with an advanced engine of the latest generation, in the form of a single cylinder, liquid cooled, two stroke powerplant with read valve induction and an anti-vibration balancer shaft. The very latest design and technology enables this new engine to deliver exceptional performance (6.25 kW at 10,000 rpm) for its size and weight (only 15 kg).  Lubrication is provided by a separate mixing system, incorporating a variable displacement volumetric pump. Starting is electric. The gearbox is a six speed unit, to make the most of the engine’s exceptional power.

EQUIPMENT
On top of all this, the lucky RS 50 owner benefits from a whole range of prestige components normally only found on far bigger machines. Take, for example, the aluminium brake and clutch levers, aluminium footrest brackets, high level silencer and tubeless radial tyres. Aprilia has even fitted the RS 50 with an advanced multi-functional instrument panel. This compact analog-digital unit acts as a real on-board computer. In addition to all the usual parameters and functions, it also incorporates a built-in lap timer to enable the champions of tomorrow to record their best track times.