thinking about buying a aprilia af1 125 or rs 125

[chrism15]

hi guys, im about to sell my Rs 50 but iv long been thinking about what 125 to get

iv seen a few aprilia AF1 125s going pretty cheap in need of paint jobs but not much ect (OLD models ie, 1988, 1997)

and some Rs 125s going fairly cheap (1999 2000)

i just wondering what is the reliability of the two? a mate of mine had a Rs125 in really nice condition (2000 model) but ran it low on oil and trashed top end - the AF1 i have very little knowledge about

i was thinking about getting a 4 stroke just because they are cheap and reliable BUT the power of the 2 stroke is tempting me too much + im on a very low budget hence the second hand purchase, i dont have a problem with buying a old bike like the AF1 but i dont wanna have to stick a top end on it all the time because i wanna scream it a bit

so how long do top ends generally last if the owner didnt rap the revs off the clock all the time?
how reliable are the AF1 AND RS as im going to use it regulary?

im going to pick up a compression tester in a couple of hours and if i decide to veiw a two stroke i will ask to just screw in the tester so i know im not getting one with half a piston ring haha

thanks in advance

[WestOzRS125]

For all intents and purposes you're looking at the same engine and therefore the same level of reliability.

Early 125s run a Rotax 123 motor, later ones run a Rotax 122. The 122 is a far more common unit, therefore it's easier to obtain parts for. E.g. I once had a gearbox lunch itself and was easily able to source a barely used second hand set of gears from eBay, whereas it'd be a mission doing the same for a 123.

If you're relying on a compression tester to tell you the condition of the engine then do yourself a favour and buy a four stroke. And a cheap two stroke won't be cheap in the long run, so if the budget is a concern then you should definitely consider a four stroke.

[chrism15]

thanks for the reply mate...

trouble is that i keep getting tempted by the power of a 2 stroke 125

Rs125 will do 96mph with eas

cagiva mito 125 will do 100mph - 110mph

aprilia af1 125, well iv seen some full power models with 40bhp! topping out at 120mph

where as a 4 stroke will do 75mph - 80mph with eas

(^^pretty much un modified except derestricted with correct jet^^)

im also considering a imported 4 stroke, although iv always stayed away iv had a few mates who"v had them and been problem free!! maybe something like the pulse adrenaline 125, hyosung 125

iv seen a few VERY nice yamaha tzr 125"s 1995 model 2 stroke but sadly im not able to travel far (not to the oterside of the uk anyway)

thing is it feels like iv been waiting weeks for a 125 but iv been waiting what 4 days? but still want one ASAP so will see what pops up

i know what two strokes are like in the sense of how they work ect as iv just sold my Aprilia Rs 50 1999 and i re-built the engine but like i say i dont want to buy a old af1 (which id love!) and have to stick a top end on it most months coz they aint cheap and then you"v gotta run em in and most of all i need it to be pretty reliable too hence why i bought a compression tester to indicate life of the piston rings ect ect

[WestOzRS125]

Here's a few things to consider before you make a decision:

Changing the sprocket size on a bike alters the acceleration and top speed. So saying that one bike does 110mph and another does 96mph doesn't mean much - the 110mph bike could feel slower due to taking longer to accelerate, taller gearing could also mean it's a dog to try and get away from traffic lights.

Older bikes might be appealing, however you've got to consider that there's likely to be even more maintenance on such a bike - brake hoses, caliper rebuilds, fork seals, speedo drives etc. Top end rebuild intervals are going to be pretty similar for all these bikes and again, a compression tester is only going to give you a VERY limited amount of information.

Top ends are relatively cheap. If they don't seem this way to you, really consider buying a 4 stroke or your wallet and girlfriend will hate you.

Happy shopping!

[chrism15]

thats true about the gearing

im finding it really hard finding a bike coz of a low budget (although is see loads in my price range i often cant travel too them )

whats your opinion on imports like the pulse adrenaline 125, superbyke rmr 125, hyosung 125?
wudnt get a shitty import like a COPY of a honda cbr, something like a sky jet something something
thing is im unsure about imports, i have a few mates who have had them and been problem free but iv naturally stayed away from them but if i got something like the pulse adrenaline 125 i could maybe gear it down alot so it wheelies easy - depending on how much top end it robs

older bikes are nicer like the 1995 yamaha tzr 125 but like you say they are more prone to worn parts

and the top ends to me arnt cheap (mostly £200 for a Rs 125) and id RATHER spend money on petrol and tuning - and i especially dont wanna buy a AF1 125 or soething similar thats older and have to stick a top end straight on it, i assumed a compression tester would be a accurate way of telling me the inside condition of the engine

my past bikes have been

Aprilia SR50R 2007 - spent alot of money on parts for tuning like race clutches and MUCH more

and the one iv just sold is

Aprilia Rs50 1999 - re-built the top end and few other bits

need something reliable and cheap to buy and was condiering a honda cbr 125 but been advised against one due to speed of it (apperently not very good)

i say im fiding it hard finding a bike but lets face it iv only been looking days! but have looked ALOT so maybe something will pop up soon near me

[jeimuzu]

I'd stay away from the Hyosung :p

[chrism15]

im swinging away from imports again haha, most likely gonna be a honda cbr 125 although iv been advised against them for the power compaired to a Rs125 but they seem to be REALLY reliable so we will see

thanks for help guys