Ridefast July 2021

1995 Aprilia RS 250 MK 1
3000 KM’s on the clock.
The Aprilia RS 250 was a liquid-cooled,
two-stroke, V-Twin Sport Bike motorcycle
produced by Aprilia between 1995 and
2004. It could reach a top speed of 123
mph (198 km/h). Max torque was 30.24
ft/lbs (41.0 Nm) @ 10750 RPM. Claimed
horsepower was 72.01 HP (53.7 KW) @
11900 RPM.
This bike is semi original – Phil worked a
little bit of magic…
The Suzuki VJ22 engine has been bored
out to 290cc.
Custom paint job. Not a single sticker – all
airbrushed.
Carbon Special aftermarket covers.
Marzocchi forks from a later model.
Dry clutch from an SP.
6-speed Close ratio box.
1996 Honda NSR 250 R (MC 28)
The last rendition of this bike before it was discontinued
due to 2-stroke laws…
42000 on the clock. 70BHP.
Phil bought the bike and rebuilt it in 2010.
Here’s something interesting. This bike came out with a
credit card ignition system. Sound strange?
Well here’s the story:
In Japan, bikes were limited for street use to 45BHP,
but the Japanese are race crazy, so… Honda came up
with a plan. You could buy the bike with several “Credit
cards”. Each card was loaded with a different power
curve, dependant on which track you took the bike on.
Cool huh!
On this one, Phil replaced that system with a traditional
ignition, but he did modify the CDI in order to give the
bike a bit more oomph.
Just have a look at the standard fare like the gorgeous
single sided swing arm and HRC performance
exhausts.
Jorge Lorenzo Tribute Bike: 2005 – MK
1
9000KM’s on clock.
This bike was originally a barn find in the
Western Cape, a bit of a wreck with a
spray can paint job. Someone in Kimberly
bought it, but could not find parts.
They got hold of Phil who got it up from
Kimberly and rebuilt the bike.
Pretty-pretty!
“It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Jorge
Lorenzo who is almost a forgotten hero
now after only a few years on the side
lines. In my estimation he was on par
with Marquez and Rossi in his prime.
This latest and now the 25th restoration
is featured here in tribute to the man and
his championship winning Aprilia RSW250
from 2007.”
The MK 2 RS250. 2001.
Aprilia did a restyle on the bodywork, but the bike was
essentially the same as the Mk1.
2001 RS125 Mk 2. 600 KM’s on the clock.
The RS125 was first introduced in 1992 and early bikes
are easily identified by their rectangular front headlight.
This model was updated in 1996 when a revised Rotax
motor was introduced alongside a new look, before the
bike received yet another facelift and more technical
updates in 1999
Stock standard. 32 BHP.
This was the last RS125 model brought out by Aprilia.
The Derby GPR 125.
This Spanish brand was imported into SA by Megabike
in Randburg, not many of these bikes were sold, largely
thanks to the cost of the things. When Phil heard that
this was available, he grabbed it – not his usual fare,
but here it is in all its glory.
The engine is sourced from Yamaha. This engine was
used in the Yamaha DTR125 Dual Sport and TZR125
sport bike. It uses the Yamaha Yamaha Power Valve
System, a two-stroke power valve system, which
consists of a rotary valve located in the exhaust port
which changes the exhaust port timing and area. The
power valve is controlled by an ECU and servo motor.