Details of Cars

Aprilia RX 50 and RX 125: the enduro bikes of 1985–2010 and the 2006 redesign

APRILIA

Aprilia RX 50 first series moped, model year 1990
Aprilia RX 50, first series, model year 1990. Photo by Original uploader was Jonny 1988 at it.wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

The Aprilia RX is an enduro motorcycle widely produced by Aprilia. The bike is powered by a six-speed carburettor-fed single-cylinder two-stroke, and the RX models stand between enduro and off-road bikes, close to cross models but with lights, mirror, fuel tap with reserve and a number plate.

Aprilia RX at a glance

Aprilia RX key facts
RX 125 built 1985 to 1999, again from 2008 to 2010; a new RX 125 was presented in 2016
RX 50 first series 1989–1990
RX 50 second series from 1991; three gears, five from 1995; built until 2005
RX 50 third series from 2006, based on the lines of the MXV 4.5 motocross bike
RX 50 engine (2006) 49.76 cc single, 39.88 by 40 mm, compression 11.5:1, liquid-cooled, Derbi/Piaggio D50B0 or D50B1
Tank and carburettor 7 litres; Dell’Orto PVHA 17.5 mm
Clutch and start wet multiple-plate; kick start
Fork travel (2006) 195 mm, against 250 mm on the older bike

English Wikipedia says the 2006 RX renews the RX first produced in 1992; the Italian page gives 1989 for the first RX 50.

History of the Aprilia RX

RX 50, from 1989

1993 Aprilia RX 50 seen from the left
Aprilia RX 50, 1993. Photo by A7N8X, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The RX 50 is the moped Aprilia produced for a long time from 1989. The first series ran only until 1990, with linear styling and a simple but functional chassis. The second series, from 1991, was fully renewed: new frame, swingarm and fairings, and a floating twin-piston front caliper instead of a fixed one. The first gearbox had three gears and moved to five in 1995, when the law no longer limited the number of gears on mopeds; it was built like that until 2005.

The third series appeared in 2006 as the My version, now resembling its bigger sister with squared and slightly unusual lines that follow the MXV 4.5 that raced in the motocross world championship. The fork changed from inverted to conventional, with a 6 mm larger diameter but travel cut from 250 to 195 mm; the rear suspension travel was cut from 260 to 180 mm, now aluminium rather than box-section steel, and the frame became an aluminium twin-beam. The engine changed from the Minarelli (40.3 by 39.0 mm) to the Piaggio (39.88 by 40 mm), and a radiator fan was added. For a short time the supermotard MX 50 stood beside it, before being replaced in 2006 by the SX 50 with the same livery.

RX 125

The RX 125, the bigger version, was built without interruption from 1985 to 1999 and again from 2008 to 2010. A new RX 125 was presented in 2016.

Engine of the 2006 bike

English Wikipedia says the RX 50 engine comes from Derbi/Piaggio (D50B0 and D50B1), the same used in the Derbi Senda DRD, X-Race and X-Treme supermotos and crossers and, from 2006, in the Derbi GPR 50 and Aprilia RS 50 road bikes. Parts from the crossers and supermotos can be swapped with each other.

Design and features

  • Engine (2006): a 49.76 cc liquid-cooled two-stroke with six-petal reed valve induction and a Dell’Orto carburettor.
  • Gearbox: six-speed on the 2006 RX; earlier RX 50: three gears, five from 1995.
  • Equipment: lights, turn signals, mirror, fuel tap with reserve and separate lubrication.
  • Frame (2006): aluminium twin-beam with an aluminium rear suspension.
Aprilia RX 50 parked at Loosdorf station in Austria
Aprilia RX 50 at Loosdorf, Austria. Photo by GT1976, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Aprilia RX versions

  • RX 50 (1989–1990): the first series.
  • RX 50 (1991–2005): the second series with a new frame.
  • RX 50 (2006–): the third series based on the MXV 4.5 styling.
  • RX 125 (1985–1999, 2008–2010, 2016): the larger bike.

More Aprilia motorcycles are in our Aprilia collection, for example the SX, the ETX and the RXV and SXV.

Aprilia RX questions and answers

What is the Aprilia RX?

A family of enduro motorcycles in 50 and 125 cc, close to motocross bikes but road-equipped.

What engine does the RX 50 have?

From 2006 a 49.76 cc liquid-cooled Derbi/Piaggio two-stroke single.

When was the RX 125 built?

From 1985 to 1999 and from 2008 to 2010, plus a new bike presented in 2016.

What replaced the MX 50?

The SX 50 in 2006.

Video: Aprilia RX 50

Video by xXSacredN1NjAPlaysXx on YouTube.

Sources

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