APRILIA RS 125 - 1995 User manual

2
© 1995 aprilia s.p.a: - Noale (VE)
This manual is to be considered an integral part of the vehicle, which must be delivered complete with it also in
case of resale.
aprilia s.p.a. reserves the right to modify its models at any time, without prejudice to the main characteristics here
described.
All rights as to electronic storage, reproduction and total or partial adaptation, with any means, are reserved for all
Countries.
The mention to products or services supplied by third parties is made only for information purposes and it isn't
binding in any case.
aprilia s.p.a takes no responsibility as to the performance or the use of said products.
First edition: january 1995
Reprint: march 1997
Produced and printed by:
Studio Tecno Public
Viale del Progresso - 37038 Soave (VR) - Italy
Ph. 045 - 76 11 911
Fax 045 - 76 12 241
on behalf of:
aprilia s.p.a.
Via G. Galilei, 1 - 30033 Noale (VE) - Italy
Ph. 041 - 58 29 111
Fax 041 - 44 10 54

3
FOREWORD
Before starting the engine, carefully read this manual, paying particular attention to the chapter "SAFE DRIVE".
Your and other people's safety depends not only on your quickness of reflexes and on your agility, but also on
what you know about the vehicle, on its efficiency and on your knowledge of the basic information for SAFE
DRIVE.
Therefore, get a thorough knowledge of the vehicle, in such a way as to be able to drive in the traffic safely.
For the controls and repairs not expressly described in this manual, for the purchase of
aprilia Genuine Spare
Parts, accessories and other products, as well as for specific technical advice, contact only
aprilia Official Outlets
and Officials Dealers, who can ensure you reliable and prompt servicing.
Thank you for choosing
aprilia . We wish you a nice ride.
Carefully observe the instructions preceded by the
following warning signs:
Safety norms and regulations to protect
the driver and other people from severe
injuries or grave risks.
Caution norms and suggestions to avoid
damaging the vehicle and/or hurting
yourself or other people.
Indications to make the operations easier.
Technical information.
IMPORTANT:
When asking your Dealer for spare parts, specify the
spare parts code indicated on the
SPARE PARTS
IDENTIFICATION LABEL.
Write down the identification code in the space here
below, in order to remember it also in case of loss or
deterioration of the label.
The label is placed under the saddle.
a
b
c
aprilia
CODICE RICAMBI spare parts code number
N˚ I.M. ABCDE
IUKAPSFBD F E
GR NL CH DK J SGP PL IL ROK
MALRCH BM

4
GENERAL CONTENTS
SAFE DRIVE, 5 - basic safety rules, 6 - clothing, 12 - accessories, 13 - load, 14.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS, 16
ARRANGEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENTS, 17
INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS, 18 - instrument and indicator table, 19
MAIN INDEPENDENT CONTROLS, 20 - controls on the left side of the handlebars, 20 - controls on the right side
of the handlebars, 21 - ignition switch and steering lock, 22
AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT, 23 - glove compartment, 23 - tool kit, 23 - crash helmet hook, 24 - raising the fuel tank,
25 - multifunction computer, 26
MAIN COMPONENTS, 29 - fuel, 29 - mixer oil tank, 30 - transmission oil, 31 - brake fluid, 31 - front brake, 32 - rear
brake, 34 - adjusting the rear brake, 35 - adjusting the clutch, 36 - coolant, 38 - tyres, 39 - catalytic
silencer, 41
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE, 42 - preliminary checking operations, 43 - starting, 44 - departure and drive, 46 - run-
ning-in, 47 - stopping and parking, 48 - suggestions to prevent theft, 49
MAINTENANCE, 50 - regular service intervals chart, 51 - identification data, 52 - checking the transmission oil lev-
el and topping up, 53 - changing the transmission oil, 54 - chain, 55 - front wheel, 58 - rear wheel, 60 - remov-
ing the fuel tank, 62 - air cleaner, 63 - inspecting the front and rear suspension, 64 - adjusting the rear sus-
pension, 64 - checking the steering, 65 - adjusting the exhaust port valve "electronic rave", 66 - checking the
brake pad wear, 67 - bleeding the mixer oil tank, 68 - idling adjustment, 69 - adjusting the accelerator control,
70 - spark plug, 71 - battery, 72 - long inactivity, 73 - changing the fuses, 74 - adjusting the headlight beam,
75 - bulbs, 76 - changing the headlight bulbs, 76 - changing the dashboard bulbs, 77 - changing the rear light
bulbs, 77 - changing the direction indicator bulbs, 78 - changing the number plate bulb, 78
TRANSPORT, 79 - draining the fuel tank, 79
CLEANING, 79
LONG PERIODS OF INACTIVITY, 80 - after a long period of inactivity, 80
TECHNICAL DATA, 81 - lubricant table, 84 - importers, 85 - wiring diagram, 86 - wiring diagram key, 87

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BASIC SAFETY RULES
To drive the vehicle it is necessary to be in possession of all
the requirements prescribed by law (driving licence, minimum
age, psychophysical ability, insurance, state taxes, vehicle
registration, number plate, etc.).
Gradually get to know the vehicle by driving it first in areas
with low traffic and/or private areas.
The use of medicins, alcohol and drugs or psychotropic sub-
stances notably increases the risk of accidents.
Be sure that you are in good psychophysical conditions and fit
for driving and pay particular attention to physical weariness
and drowsiness.

7
STOP150m
STOP
¡
150m
Most road accidents are caused by the driver's lack of experi-
ence.
NEVER lend the vehicle to beginners and, in any case, make
sure that the driver has all the requirements for driving.
Rigorously observe all road signs and national and local road
regulations.
Avoid abrupt movements that can be dangerous for yourself
and other people (for example: rearing up on the back wheel,
speeding, etc.), and give due consideration to the road sur-
face, visibility and other driving conditions.

8
Avoid obstacles that could damage the vehicle or make you
lose control.
Avoid riding in the slipstream created by preceding vehicles in
order to increase your speed.
Always drive with both hands on the handlebars and both feet
on the footrests, in the correct driving posture.
Absolutely avoid standing up or stretching your limbs while
driving.

9
The driver should pay attention and avoid distractions caused
by people, things and movements (never smoke, eat, drink,
read, etc.) while driving.
Use only the vehicle's specific fuels and lubricants indicated in
the "Lubricant Chart"; check all oil, fuel and coolant levels reg-
ularly.
COOLER
OIL

10
If the vehicle has been involved in an accident, make sure that
no damage has occurred to the control levers, pipes, wires,
braking system and vital parts.
If necessary, have the vehicle inspected by an
aprilia Official
Dealer, who should carefully check the frame, handlebars, sus-
pensions, safety parts and all the devices that you cannot
check by yourself.
Always remember to report any malfunction to the technicians
to help them in their work.
Never use the vehicle when the amount of damage it has suf-
fered endangers your safety.
Never change the position, inclination or colour of: number
plate, direction indicators, lights and horns.
A12
345

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Any modification of the vehicle and/or the removal of original
components can compromise vehicle performance levels and
safety or even make it illegal.
We recommend respecting all regulations and national and lo-
cal provisions regarding the equipment of the vehicle.
In particular, avoid all modifications that increase the vehicle's
performance levels or in any case alter its original characteris-
tics.
Never race with other vehicles.
Avoid off-road riding.
ONLY ORIGINALS

12
CLOTHING
Before starting, always wear a correctly fastened crash hel-
met. Make sure that it is homologated, in good shape, of the
right size and that the visor is clean. Wear protective clothing,
preferably in light and/or reflecting colours. In this way you will
make yourself more visible to the other drivers, thus notably
reducing the risk of being knocked down, and you will be more
protected in case of fall. This clothing should be very tight-fit-
ting and fastened at the wrists and ankles. Strings, belts and
ties should not be hanging loose; prevent these and other ob-
jects from interfering with driving by getting entangled with
moving parts or driving mechanisms.
Do not keep objects that can be dangerous in case of fall, for
example pointed objects like keys, pens, glass vials etc. in
your pockets (the same recommendations also apply to pas-
sengers).

13
ACCESSORIES
The owner of the vehicle is responsible for the choice, installa-
tion and use of any accessory. Avoid installing accessories
that cover horns or lights or that could impair their functions,
limit the suspension stroke and the steering angle, hamper the
operation of the controls and reduce the distance from the
ground and the angle of inclination in turns.
Avoid using accessories that hamper access to the controls,
since this can prolong reaction times during an emergency.
Large fairings and windscreens assembled on the vehicle can
produce aerodynamic forces capable of compromising the
stability of the vehicle while driving.
Make sure that the equipment is well fastened to the vehicle
and not dangerous during driving.
Do not install electrical devices and do not modify those al-
ready existing to avoid electrical overloads, because the vehi-
cle could suddenly stop or there could be a dangerous current
shortage in the horn and in the lights.

14
LOAD
Be careful and moderate when loading your luggage.
Keep any luggage loaded as close as possible to the baryc-
enter of the vehicle and distribute the load uniformly on both
sides, in order to reduce imbalance to the minimum.
Furthermore, make sure that the load is firmly secured to the
vehicle, especially during long trips.
Absolutely avoid hanging bulky, voluminous, heavy and/or
dangerous objects on the handlebars, mudguards and forks,
because the vehicle might respond more slowly in turns and
its manoeuvrability could be unavoidably impaired.
Do not place bags that are too bulky on the vehicle sides and
do not ride with the crash helmet hanging from its string, be-
cause it could hit people or obstacles making you lose control
of the vehicle.
Do not carry any bag if it is not tightly secured to the vehicle.
Do not carry bags which protrude too much from the luggage-
rack or which cover the lights, horn or indicators.

15
Do not carry animals or children on the glove compartment or
on the luggage-rack.
Do not exceed the maximum load allowed for each side-bag.
When the vehicle is overloaded, its stability and its manoeu-
vrability can be compromised.
KG!

16
ARRANGEMENT OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS
KEY Fig. 1
1) Fuel tank plug
2) Saddle lock
3) Mixer oil tank plug
4) Transmission control lever
5) Side stand
6) Passenger's handle
KEY Fig. 2
1) Pillion
2) Rear brake fluid tank
3) Coolant expansion tank plug
4) Front brake fluid tank
5) Rear brake control lever
6) Fuel cock
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

17
ARRANGEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENTS
KEY Fig. 3
1) Left rear-view mirror
2) High beam signaller push button (
a )
3) Clutch lever
4) Cold start lever (
e )
5) Dimmer switch (
a - b )
6) Multifunction computer push button (
LAP )
7) Horn push button (
f )
8) Direction indicator switch (
c )
9) Start push button (
r )
10) Headlight switch (
o - p - •)
11) Throttle grip
12) Front brake lever
13) Engine stop switch (
n - m )
14) Right rear-view mirror
15) Instruments and indicators
16) Ignition switch/steering lock (
n - m - s )
Fig. 3

18
INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
KEY Fig. 4
1) Multifunction computer
2) Revolution counter
3) Speedometer
4) Total kilometres odometer
5) Trip odometer
6) Trip odometer control knob
7) Low fuel warning light (
g )
8) High beam warning light (
a )
9) Neutral indicator warning light (
q )
10) Direction indicator warning light (
c )
11) Mixer oil reserve warning light (
j )
Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km
1 km = 0.625 miles.
Fig. 4
c

19
INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km
1 km = 0.625 miles.
DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
Multifunction computer It indicates the water temperature, the battery voltage, the hour and
minutes and it makes it possible to clock and record the track lap
times.
Revolution counter It indicates the number of engine revolutions per minute.
Speedometer It indicates the driving speed.
Total kilometres odometer It indicates the total number of kilometres covered.
Trip odometer It indicates the partial number of kilometres covered.
Trip odometer control knob By rotating it clockwise, it is possible to set the trip odometer to zero.
Low fuel warning light gIt comes on when the quantity of fuel left in the tank is about 3 l.
High beam warning light aIt comes on when the headlight is on "high beam" position.
Neutral indicator warning light qIt comes on when the transmission is in neutral.
Direction indicator warning light cIt blinks when the direction indicators are on.
Mixer oil reserve warning light jIt comes on when the ignition switch is in position "n" and the start
push button “r“ is pressed, thus checking the proper functioning of
the bulb.If the light does not come on during the starting, provide for
replacing the bulb.
If the warning light comes on and does not go out af-
ter the start push button "r" has been released, or if
it comes on during normal functioning, this means
that the mixer oil reserve is being used; in this case, top up
the mixer oil tank, (see “MIXER OIL TANK” - page 30).
a
c

20
MAIN INDEPENDENT CONTROLS
CONTROLS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE
HANDLEBAR (Fig. 5)
The electrical parts work only when the
ignition switch is in position "n".
1) DIMMER SWITCH (a- b)
When the light switch (“CONTROLS ON THE
RIGHT SIDE OF THE HANDLEBAR” - page 21) is
in position "o", if the dimmer switch is in position
"a" the high beam comes on, while if it is in posi-
tion "b" the low beam comes on.
2) DIRECTION INDICATOR SWITCH (c)
To indicate the turn to the left, move the switch to
the left; to indicate the turn to the right, move the
switch to the right.
To turn off the direction indicator, press the switch
on its centre.
3) HIGH BEAM SIGNALLER PUSH BUTTON (a)
This push button makes it possible to use the high
beam signaller, which is useful to send signals to
the forthcoming vehicles when passing and in
case of danger or emergency.
4) HORN PUSH BUTTON (f)
The horn is activated when the "f" push button is
pressed.
5) COLD START LEVER (e)
The starter for the cold start of the engine is oper-
ated by rotating the cold start lever downwards.
To disconnect the starter, rotate the lever com-
pletely upwards.
6) MULTIFUNCTION COMPUTER PUSH BUTTON
(LAP)
It makes it possible to use the chronometer of the
multifunction computer, (see pages 26÷28).
Fig. 5
c