The Aprilia RS 50 is a sports moped made by Aprilia, the smallest sports model of the company. It was built in three series between 1992 and 2013 and imitated the larger RS 125 in styling and some components.
Aprilia RS 50 at a glance
| Production | 1992–2013 in three series |
|---|---|
| Engine until 2005 | single-cylinder two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 49.7 cc Motori Minarelli AM6 |
| Engine from 2006 | single-cylinder two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 49.9 cc Derbi D50B0 (Derbi NT engine) |
| Weight | from about 92–93 kg in the first series to 89 kg in the second |
| Rivals | Honda NSR 50, Cagiva Mito 50, later Yamaha TZR 50 and Derbi GPR 50 |
| Restricted form | capable of 45 km/h, popular where licence rules limit engine size by age |
The English page describes the engines and the Italian page the three series.
History of the Aprilia RS 50
First series, 1992–1996
The first series is recognised by a 16 inch front wheel and a single-sided rear swingarm, so the transmission and rear brake are both on the left side of the wheel. There were several restylings over the years, including a new headlight and mirrors in 1995. It followed the AF1 50 in the Aprilia range.
Second series, 1997–2005
The second series brought a 17 inch front wheel, wider rims at both ends and the more traditional two-sided swingarm, so that the transmission and rear brake sit on different sides. The frame was completely changed. The fairing became bigger, to replicate the 125 and 250 Grand Prix versions, and the weight fell from about 92–93 kg to 89 kg. The RS 50 was a good compromise between quality and price against the Honda NSR 50 and the Cagiva Mito 50; later rivals included the Yamaha TZR 50 and the Derbi GPR 50. The engine of this period was the Minarelli AM6 of 49.7 cc.
Third series, 2006–2013
The third series derives closely from the Derbi GPR 50 and has top-grade components for a moped; the differences remain only aesthetic. The headlight fairing, front mudguard and side fairings take the shapes of the fourth series of the RS 125 to keep a family feel with the RSV 1000, and the wheels have wider rims so that larger tyres (100 at the front instead of 90, 130 at the rear instead of 110) can be fitted. The engine is the new Derbi D50B, a 49.9 cc two-stroke.
Design and features
- Engine: a liquid-cooled 49.7 cc two-stroke Minarelli AM6 until 2005, then a 49.9 cc Derbi D50B.
- Chassis: single-sided swingarm on the first series, two-sided swingarm from 1997.
- Fairing: from 1997 bigger bodywork modelled on the 125 and 250 racers.
Aprilia RS 50 versions
- First series (1992–1996): 16 inch front wheel and single-sided swingarm.
- Second series (1997–2005): 17 inch wheel, new frame, 89 kg.
- Third series (2006–2013): Derbi-based, with the Derbi D50B engine.
More Aprilia motorcycles are in our Aprilia collection, for example the RS 125 that the RS 50 copies, the AF1 and the SR.
Aprilia RS 50 questions and answers
What engine does the Aprilia RS 50 have?
A liquid-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke: a 49.7 cc Minarelli AM6 until 2005 and a 49.9 cc Derbi D50B from 2006.
When was the RS 50 built?
From 1992 to 2013.
Is the RS 50 related to the Derbi GPR 50?
The third series (2006–2013) derives closely from the Derbi GPR 50.
How fast is the restricted RS 50?
English Wikipedia says about 45 km/h in restricted form.
Video: Aprilia RS 50
Video by Acoo94 on YouTube.
Sources
- Aprilia RS50, English Wikipedia: engines, use as a moped
- Aprilia RS, Italian Wikipedia: first, second and third series
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