While folks in the US are free to choose whatever first bike they please after acquiring their motorcycle endorsement, folks across the pond in Europe aren’t so lucky. Now, I know far too many riders who’ve chosen a first bike that was way too big, way too powerful, and way too expensive for any first-timer to swing a leg over.
More often than not, it isn't too long until said first bike takes a tumble—or worse, a crash that scares its owner straight out of the motorcycling world.
That being said, over in Europe, they’ve got tiered licensing for motorcyclists, so young riders aged at least 17 years can ride nothing larger than a 125cc two-wheeler. It’s a smart system if you ask me, and one that encourages riders to actually learn the ropes of riding. It enables new riders to gradually progress into bigger, more powerful machines, instead of yeeting themselves into oblivion aboard a Yamaha R1 on their first day of riding.
These days, Europe’s crop of 125 machines are cooler than ever. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that some of them are worth flexing to your buddies at a bike night. Case in point just has to be the updated RS 125 and Tuono 125 from Aprilia, two beginner-friendly bikes that make their race-bred pedigree clear as day.
But their sporty DNA goes much deeper than just styling. In fact, judging from their spec sheets alone, it appears that Aprilia’s Tuono and RS 125 are the best-equipped 125 bikes, possibly in the world.
For starters, they’re powered by the same 125cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected thumper with 15 horsepower on tap. This is as much power as the A1 category permits, so it’s pretty much a level playing field here. But engine aside, Aprilia’s 125 platform is underpinned by a full aluminum frame. The RS 125 takes this a step further with an aluminum swingarm, too. Both bikes get inverted front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.
In true Aprilia fashion, the bikes are equipped with quite an advanced set of electronics. Perhaps too advanced for a pair of 125cc street bikes, at that. They get dual-channel ABS from Bosch, a traction control system that can be switched off (because, you know, wheelies), and even an electronic quick shifter as an optional extra. Of course, there’s the ubiquitous TFT display with Bluetooth smartphone pairing, because pretty much all new bikes have this feature, and Aprilia wouldn’t be Aprilia if it wasn’t high-tech.
To that end, I think Aprilia may be going a bit too far with its 125cc bikes here. For most folks, their A1 bikes are nothing more than liminal—stepping stones to bigger, faster, better things. But let’s be real. When commuting in and around the city, the most capable machines tend to be the smaller ones. So who knows? Maybe Aprilia’s on to something here? Maybe its 125cc bikes are meant to be more than just beginner bikes?
What do you think? Would you, as a seasoned rider, rock one of these 125cc sportbikes around town and up and down your favorite set of twisty roads? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Aprilia
