By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Aprilia RS4 125 (MY2011) vs RS 125 Replica (MY2017)
Aprilia RS4 125 vs RS 125 Replica: one garage spot. Here's what should decide it.
Halfway down a tight string of bends, the Aprilia RS4 125 flicks in and doesn't fight you. On the Aprilia RS 125 Replica, an aluminum twin-spar frame and an inverted fork hold the front tight through each turn. It's every bit as sharp on the way in.
So which one do you buy?
The RS4 125 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: RS4 125
Day in, day out, the RS4 125 nudges ahead in traffic. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
What makes each one tick
RS4 125
The RS4 125 carries itself like a bigger sportbike, its perimeter chassis wrapped around a single that's happy to rev. Corner entry is where the bike comes alive, and its steering stays eager from one apex to the next. At 265 lb (120 kg), it doesn't need a shove to swap edges. One nudge tips it in.
RS 125 Replica
A balancer shaft keeps the buzz out of the RS 125 Replica's bars and pegs while its single runs clean at a gentle pace. Up top the delivery goes flat, and it won't scream at the limiter the way a two-stroke does. A mid-corner bump meets supersport-grade legs up front. The nose doesn't stray off line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The RS4 125 has the lower wet weight: 265 lb (120 kg) vs 295 lb (134 kg).
- ABS: standard on the RS 125 Replica, not offered on the RS4 125.
- Quickshifter: option on the RS4 125, not offered on the RS 125 Replica.
Which one for the way you ride
Call it even on twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
RS4 125
What owners say
Strengths
- Top-tier sport bike
RS 125 Replica
What owners say
Strengths
- High-spec chassis for a 125
- Smooth, refined engine
Trade-offs
- Engine lacks top-end excitement
- Premium price at the top of the segment
Known problems to check before you buy
RS4 125
- Fuel pump reliability issues Fuel pump failures have been reported, which can cause loss of fuel pressure, hesitation under acceleration, or engine stalling.
RS 125 Replica
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Displacement
- 125 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 15 hp (11 kW)
- Torque
- 8 lb-ft (11 Nm)
- Fuel capacity
- 3.8 US gal (14.5 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 100/80-17
- Rear tire
- 130/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| RS4 125 | RS 125 Replica | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 265 lb (120 kg) | 295 lb (134 kg) |
| RS4 125 | RS 125 Replica | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| RS4 125 | RS 125 Replica | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
