APRILIA RX 50 RACING - 2003 User manual

Racing
8202401

2
CATALYTIC MUFFLER
USE ONLY UNLEADED PETROL IN CONFORMITY WITH THE DIN 51607 STANDARD, MIN. O.N. 95
(N.O.R.M.) AND 85 (N.O.M.M.) AND HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR 2 STROKE ENGINES.
THE USE OF FUELS AND LUBRICANTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE INDICATED CAUSES SEVERE
FUNCTIONAL INCONVENIENCES TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VOIDING OF THE aprilia GUARANTEE.
To have the catalytic converter functioning correctly for long periods and to reduce possible
problems regarding the contamination of the thermal unit and of the exhaust, it is necessary to
avoid covering long distances with the engine running at constantly low rpm.
It is sufficient to alternate these periods with periods in which the engine runs at relatively high rpm,
even if only for a few seconds, but rather frequently.
What has been stated above assumes particular importance for the cold starting of the engine: in this
case, in order to reach a rpm regime sufficient to enable the “priming” of the catalytic reaction, you just
need to make sure that the temperature of the thermal unit has reached at least 50°C, which generally
occurs a few seconds after starting the engine.

3
CATALYTIC SILENCER
The catalytic version of the RX50 Racign is fitted with a silencer with metal catalytic converter of the
“platinum-rhodium bivalent” type. This device provides for the oxidation of the CO (carbon monoxide)
and of the HC (unburned hydrocarbons) contained in the exhaust gases, changing them into carbon di-
oxide and steam, respectively. Due to the catalytic reaction, the high temperature reached by the ex-
haust gases results in the burning of the oil particles, thus keeping the silencer clean and eliminating
the exhaust fumes.
Avoid parking the catalytic vehicle near dry brush wood or in places easily accessible to chil-
dren, as the catalytic silencer becomes extremely hot during use; be very careful and avoid any
kind of contact before it has completely cooled down.

4
First edition: September 2003
Reprint: October 2003
Produced and printed by:
DECA S.r.l.
Via Risorgimento, 23/1 - Lugo (RA) - Italy
Tel. +39 - 0545 35235
Fax +39 - 0545 32844
E-mail: [e-mail]
www.decaweb.it
On behalf of:
aprilia s.p.a.
via G. Galilei, 1 - 30033 Noale (VE) - Italy
Tel. +39 - 041 58 29 111
Fax +39 - 041 44 10 54
www.aprilia.com
This manual contains all the main information and the
instructions required for normal use and mainte-
nance of your vehicle.
For controls and check-ups that cannot be carried out
easily with the standard equipment supplied, we ad-
vise you to consult our Dealers who can assure you
of quick and careful servicing.
To keep your aprilia vehicle always in perfect operat-
ing conditions, we advise you to insist on Original
Spares and to have repairs carried out only by aprilia
Authorized Outlets and Official Dealers.
When ordering spare parts from the Dealers, always
quote the spares code which is stamped on a sticker
placed under the saddle. It is a good idea to make a
note of the identification code in the space provided
in this manual, so that you will always have a record
of it even if the identification sticker comes off.
All information is purely indicative and may be sub-
ject to variation without notice.

5
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.
VERSION:
+Italy /Holland *Croatia
4United
Kingdom
6Switzerland #Australia
>Austria &Denmark RUnited States
of America
MPortugal ,Japan gBrazil
(Finland 2Singapore 1South Africa
$Belgium PSlovenia KNew Zealand
AGermany FIsrael %Canada
CFrance eSouth Korea
'Spain -Malaysia
)Greece @Chile

6
CONTENTS
Pag.
CATALYTIC MUFFLER............................................... 2
CATALYTIC SILENCER.............................................. 3
ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTROLS ................... 18
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE....................................... 41
MAINTENANCE ........................................................ 46
IDENTIFICATION DATA ........................................... 49
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM............................................. 68
CLEANING ................................................................ 74
LONG INACTIVITY.................................................... 74
TECHNICAL FEATURES .......................................... 75

7

8
BASIC SAFETY RULES
To drive the vehicle it is necessary to be in posses-
sion of all the requirements prescribed by law (driving
licence, minimum age, psychophysical ability, insu-
rance, 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 psychotro-
pic substances notably increases the risk of acciden-
ts.
Be sure that you are in good psychophysical condi-
tions and fit for driving and pay particular attention to
physical weariness and drowsiness.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

9
Most road accidents are caused by the driver»s lack
of experience.
NEVER lend the vehicle to beginners and, in any ca-
se, 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 surface, visibility
and other driving conditions.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

10
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 han-
dlebars and both feet on the footrests (or
on the rider’s footboards), in the correct
driving posture.
Avoid standing up or stretching your lim-
bs while driving.
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

11
The driver should pay attention and avoid distrac-
tions caused by people, things and movements (ne-
ver 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 regularly.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
COOLER
OIL

12
If the vehicle has been involved in an accident, make
sure that no damage has occurred to the control le-
vers, pipes, wires, braking system and vital parts.
If necessary, have the vehicle inspected by an Con-
cessionario Ufficiale aprilia who should carefully
check the frame, handlebars, suspensions, safety
parts and all the devices that you cannot check by
yourself.
Always remember to report any malfunction to the te-
chnicians to help them in their work.
Never use the vehicle when the amount of dam-
age it has suffered endangers your safety.
Never change the position, inclination or colour of:
number plate, direction indicators, lights and horns.
Any modification of the vehicle will result in the invali-
dity of the guarantee.
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
A12
345

13
Any modification of the vehicle and/or the removal of
original components can compromise vehicle perfor-
mance levels and safety or even make it illegal.
We recommend respecting all regulations and natio-
nal and local provisions regarding the equipment of
the vehicle.
In particular, avoid all modifications that increase the
vehicle»s performance levels or alter its original cha-
racteristics.
Never race with other vehicles.
Avoid off-road driving.
CLOTHING
Before starting, always wear a correctly fastened
crash helmet. Make sure that it is homologated, in
good shape, of the right size and that the visor is cle-
an.
Wear protective clothing, preferably in light and/or re-
flecting colours. In this way you will make yourself
more visible to the other drivers, thus notably redu-
cing the risk of being knocked down, and you will be
more protected in case of fall.
This clothing should be very tight-fitting and fas-
tened at the wrists and ankles; strings, belts and
ties should not be hanging loose; prevent these
and other objects from interfering with driving by
getting entangled with moving parts or driving
mechanisms.
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
ONLY ORIGINALS

14
ACCESSORIES
The owner of the vehicle is responsible for the choi-
ce, installation and use of any accessory.
Avoid installing accessories that cover horns or lights
or that could impair their functions, limit the suspen-
sion stroke and the steering angle, hamper the ope-
ration 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.
Big fairings and windshields installed on the vehicle
may produce aerodynamic forces that affect the sta-
bility of the vehicle, especially when riding at high
speed.
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 already existing to avoid electrical overloads,
because the vehicle could suddenly stop or there
could be a dangerous current shortage in the horn
and in the lights.
aprilia recommends the use of genuine accessories
(aprilia genuine accessories).
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

15
LOAD
Be careful and moderate when loading your luggage.
Keep any luggage loaded as close as possible to the
center of gravity of the vehicle and distribute the load
uniformly on both sides, in order to reduce umbalan-
ce to the minimum. Furthermore, make sure that the
load is firmly secured to the vehicle, especially during
long trips.
Avoid hanging bulky, heavy and/or dangerous
objects on the handlebars, mudguards and forks, be-
cause the vehicle might respond more slowly in turns
and its manoeuvrability could be unavoidably impai-
red.
Do not place bags that are too bulky on the vehicle si-
des and do not ride with the crash helmet, because
they could hit people or obstacles, making you lose
control of the vehicle.
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

16
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 indi-
cators.
Do not carry animals or children on the glove com-
partment 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
manoeuvrability can be compromised.
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
KG!

17
TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
(*) in the countries where required
Maximum front and rear pressure: 2,5 bar
Low pressure can cause handling prob-
lems and the tendency to weave and in
extreme cases loss of control.
Moreover this will cause a great increase of roll-
ing friction.
The results are: high consumption of fuel and re-
duced maximum speed.
The disadvantage may cause a damage of the cover,
due to excessive local deformation.
Tyre pressure must be checked when the
tyres are at environment temperature,
that is, when the vehicle has not been moved in
the last 2 or 3 hours for more than 1 km.
Check the depth of the tyre tread often, if
it is worn below the allowable limit (2 -
3 mm.) change the tyre.
– The tyre should often be inspected for signs of
damage or cuts.
– Blowings or irregular wavings are showing in-
ternal damages, which request the prompt re-
placement of the tyre.
Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km
1 km = 0.625 miles
Kind of drive Driver only
Front Rear
Off-road 1,3 bar 1,4 bar
On mixed roads 1,5 bar 1,6 bar
On asphalt
paved roads 1,6 bar 1,8 bar
Kind of drive Driver + Passenger (*)
Front Rear
Off-road 1,5 bar 1,6 bar
On mixed roads 1,7 bar 1,8 bar
On asphalt
paved roads 1,8 bar 2,0 bar

18
ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTROLS
The control devices are positioned as indicated in fi-
gures 3 and 4, as follows:
KEY
1) Clutch lever
2) Cold start control
3) Front brake lever
4) Twist grip
5) Rear brake pedal
6) Kick-starter
7) Gear pedal
Fig. 19
7

19
KEY
1) Cold start lever ()
2) Multifunction computer
3) Ignition / steering lock switch (+- - )
4) Dimmer light switch (- ) and high beam sig-
nalling push button ()
5) Horn push button ()
6) High beam warning light ()
7) Speedometer/odometer with trip counter
8) Neutral indicator warning light ()
9) Mixer oil reserve warning light ()
10) Turn indicator warning light (()
11) Low beam warning light ()
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
3
4
1
5
2
11 10
96 7 8

20
MULTIFUNCTION COMPUTER
The display is provided with an automatic
shutoff function. In case the vehicle or
the display are left unused for more than 30 min-
utes, the display will be automatically disabled.
All the pre-set data will nevertheless be stored.
The display will be automatically re-enabled as
soon as one of the push-buttons is pressed or
the vehicle is used again.
KEY
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
1 2
DSTODO
AR TT
ASS PD MS
KM/H
LO
88:88:88
88:88
8
888
888
88
88 88
MODE
1 2
DSTODO
AR TT
ASS PD MS
KM/H
LO
88:88:88
88:88
8
888
888
88
88 88
1 2
DSTODO
888
88
88
1 2
DSTODO
888
88
88
321 4
Vehicle selection
KM/H - MPH Mi or km selection
SPD Current speed
AS Average speed
MS Max. speed
TT Trip meter
RT Partial race time
ART Total race time
00:00:00 Time 12h or 24h
DST Partial distance covered by the vehicle
ODO Total distance covered by the vehicle
Lubrication warning light
Maintenance warning light
Display backlighting
Low battery
1 2
LO