To keep the ‘youths’ happy I thought I’d test a 125 instead of the normal ‘big stuff’ that’s out of reach of the young, who still think leaching off their parents is some form of a job, right? Well, they’re going to have to suck up a lot more if they want to own this gorgeous R55,000, 125, yes you heard right, R55,000!
Now to us ‘old folk’ that sounds like a lot of beer tokens for a mere 125 but, let’s be honest here, everything today is expensive anyway and after spending a week with this ‘mini-me’ I can sort of justify the price tag. To the professional teenage sponge that will own one that price tag doesn’t really matter, because dad or mum will inevitably pay for it with vague promises of – ‘I’ll cut the lawn, clean up dog poo, wash the dishes, wash the car’ etc, etc, that will disappear as quick as the RS4’s LED tail light going up the road, if you know what I mean?
Spiteful teenage hate aside, the Aprilia RS4 125 is one cute little motorbike and there’s no denying that it looks deliciously similar to its ‘dad’ – the mighty RSV4 1000 superbike. In fact, from a distance, it’s easy to believe they’re the same bike, which is without doubt what Aprilia is trying to achieve in the eye-candy department. 
Inside the near identical fairing it’s a different story though. Instead of the romping V4 the spotty Facebook obsessed teen’ will find only a 124cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single, with four-valves and DOHC and electronic fuel injection – still sounds promising though. But with a claimed 16hp, and at our altitude (1,500m if you don’t know), it feels as flat as a witch’s tit until the revs get past 9,000rpm. So with much vigorous clutch action and the use of its quick-shifter, yes you read that correctly, it will go past 130km/h. I know this because one of the best attributes of the RS4 125 is the top speed recorder situated inside the superb instrument console. Just reset every time you hop on and try for a better top speed, highly addictive that and I’m sure the MTV bass watchers will love it too.
Perhaps I’m being a bit cruel about its (to me) lethargic motor because I’ve been a bit spoiled by the powerful bikes I normally test, but I did develop a soft spot for this RS4 125. But it is quite brisk due to its feather like weight of only 120kg fully fueled and full of all its other fluids, which doesn’t include a spot of ‘jizz’ on the 14-litre tank, expelled from the first time the ‘youth’ rides it. That’s not too much heavier than a 125 MX bike either!
With its stiff featherweight chassis the RS4 125 handles like a proper GP bike due to Aprilia’s undeniable racing heritage, so yer kid should be relatively safe in that department and also in the braking zone with its huge 300mm wavy disc and matching four-piston calliper. Perhaps not too safe in the safe sex department though, because this little beauty will certainly attract the opposite sex, so a bag of Durex under the seat might be a good idea, if you know what I mean?
Anyway, the RS4 125 is super pretty, looks like Biaggi’s bike and every teenager who saw it wanted one. The biggest problem will be convincing dad/mum to pay for it. Then again, a few strategically placed shooters and a pen next to the purchase form might just convince them, eh, guys and gals?
To book a test ride on, or buy, either of these bikes, go to www.fourwaysmotorcycles.co.za
Mike likes.
Don’t get me wrong, I think this Aprilia RSV4 Factory is a beautiful looking machine, but when I first threw a leg over her we didn’t really get on. I didn’t like her attitude; low bars, high pegs, rock hard seat and heavy steering. Oh dear, the date wasn’t going well…
The next day I decided to ride her to work, for two reasons; maybe we could find some common ground or maybe I’d admit that we were just not compatible. Well, what a difference a day makes because when I turned the steering damper almost all the way to soft/off it made huge a difference. The RSV4 Factory was now small, flick-able and super agile as well. Also, Aprilia rants on about the 250GP chassis and it does feel that small, which is fantastic and everything, but I was now getting off on the power and growling exhaust note. This V4 malarkey has some get up and go! Below 6 grand you can cruise, grumbling along without a care in the world but above 6 grand the intoxicating exhaust wail and massive surge of power will have you smirking from ear to ear. Yes, there are faster superbikes but I don’t like the sound of those banshee in-line fours. This V4 is pure oral sex for your ears (how vile – Bill).
I fell for this feisty Italian and I didn’t want to give her back when the time came, which says it all. She’s on sale now at Fourways for a mere R160,000 and I personally think this is the deal of the century. (Well buy it then yer tight bast’ –Bill).
