AJS REGAL-RAPTOR DD250E (2003 - on) Review

AJS Regal Raptor motorcycle review - Riding

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	2.7 out of 5 (2.7/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£200
Power:	17 bhp
Seat height:	Low (27.5 in / 698 mm)
Weight:	Low (333 lbs / 151 kg)

Prices

New £1,195

Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The AJS Regal Raptor range comes in three sizes; 50cc, 100cc and 250cc, all single cylinder four strokes, with the 250 the most commuter-friendly of the bunch. The smaller machines are mini cruiser styled motorcycles, with the DD100E arguably the most oddball `chopper' that anyone can buy, compete with Captain America Stars `n' Stripes paint. Made in China, AJS Regal Raptors are cheap, cheerful and have the advantage of a UK importer for spares/warranty back up.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Now here's a surprise, the AJS Regal Raptor 250 actually handles quite respectably, with soft-ish suspension but no different from what you might expect on a mainstream 250cc cruiser motorcycle. The frame appears strong, the motorcycle steers nicely, especially at low speeds and the dinky 15-inch rear wheel doesn't cause any wobbly moments on the open road. The smaller 125 and 50cc variants are also novice-friendly.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The AJS Regal Raptor motor is old hat, no two ways about it. The 250cc Regal is OK in modern traffic but soon runs out of steam near 60mph and the smaller motorcycles are simply too slow for anything but short trips around town. The gearboxes are fairly crude as well. On the upside, they’re all based on proven Honda motors from back in the day.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Believe it or not, Japanese motorcycles were once like Chinese bikes; good in parts, cheap to buy, but frequently lost all their chrome in three heavy rain showers. The AJS Regal Raptor models are at the upper end of the scale in Chinese budget motorcycles, and look decently made, but you still have to wonder if these will stand the test of time, or the grind of daily commuting.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

For two grand, the AJS Regal Raptor 250 makes a decent workhorse and looks the best made Regal badged bike of the range. The AJS Regal Raptor DD125E is reasonable value, but at 1500 quid you could do better in terms of 125cc practical transport if all you want is a commuter motorcycle. The AJS Regal Raptor DD50E version is top value at just under a grand, although, frankly, I doubt many 16 year old boys will want to be seen on one... Find an AJS Regal Raptor for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Basic switchgear and clocks, wooden brakes, plus what appear to be 70s ‘Comstar' type wheels, don't help the AJS Regal Raptor win converts to budget biking. On the other hand, the seating is good and new models like the Harley clone 250 9B model suggest the factory is trying to make their motorcycles look like really good value for money. Compare and buy parts for the AJS Regal Raptor in the MCN Shop.

Specs
Engine size	249cc
Engine type	4v, parallel twin, 5 gears
Frame type	Steel tubular cradle
Fuel capacity	14 litres
Seat height	698mm
Bike weight	151kg
Front suspension	None
Rear suspension	Preload
Front brake	252mm disc
Rear brake	Drum
Front tyre size	90/90 x 18 in
Rear tyre size	130/90 x 15 in

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	50 mpg
Annual road tax	£55
Annual service cost	£200
New price	£1,195
Used price	-
Insurance group	8 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	17 bhp
Max torque	11 ft-lb
Top speed	70 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	15 secs
Tank range	140 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2003: AJS Regal Raptor DD50 launched in UK.
2004: AJS Regal Raptor DD100E launched.
2005: AJS Regal Raptor 250 launched.
2007: AJS Raptor DD125E replaces DD1100E.
2007: New DD250E-9B Harley lookalike launched.

Other versions

AJS Regal Raptor DD50: 50cc 4-stroke version.
AJS Regal Raptor DD100E: 100cc 4-stroke version.
AJS Regal Raptor DD125E. 125cc 4-stroke version.

Owners' reviews for the AJS REGAL-RAPTOR DD250E (2003 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their AJS REGAL-RAPTOR DD250E (2003 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your AJS REGAL-RAPTOR DD250E (2003 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	2.7 out of 5 (2.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine:	3 out of 5 (3/5)
Reliability & build quality:	2.7 out of 5 (2.7/5)
Value vs rivals:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment:	3.3 out of 5 (3.3/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£200

3 out of 5 A first cruiser. Cheap and fairly reliable 125

17 July 2023 by tMoB70

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £200

Takes some punishment, but then it isn't bulletproof. Rode mine for just under 2 years every day and night in all kind of weather. It sat outside in the rain and started every time. Rode along at a comfortable speed and did the job as long as you had a few spares bulbs on you.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Lovely cruising position. At least a few people expected it to be more than 125cc. Seat was really comfy as was the handlebars. Took pillion easily. Power isn't great, it just sort of rode, but that is the case for most 125s. Braking it stopped, though when I first got it the back break didn't work at all so needed a refresh.

Engine 3 out of 5

Go...and slow and stop. Yes it did all of those things, not bad sound from the exhaust. You just won't win any races, but you will get to where you want to.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

There are two ways to look at this. Firstly it was terrible in the end, the gear box was ruined (no 3rd gear), around once a week a bulb would go. Yet it was worked hard, it had no shelter (lived outside) and rode in all weathers. A bit like those top gear challenges, but this one was buy a second hand 125 for less than £1000 and commute to work every day. In that I can't be too cruel, by the time I sold it on it still would have ridden away. Just replacing parts was difficult as nobody in the local garages were a fan of trying to source Chinese parts.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Most of the cost of owning this was in bulbs. The build of the wiring and light fixtures was poor so these went quite often. A new chain was required and new tyres. It needed a new set of gear as 3rd stopped working, but no garage was willing to touch this.

Equipment 4 out of 5

It has all you need and looks bigger than a 125 so you won't be embarrassed. For the cost of these things you can't really complain.

Buying experience: Privately bought for £900 around 2012

1 out of 5

22 May 2015 by CrimsonSion

Version: Mark 2

Year: 2013

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 2 out of 5

Sluggish, slow and is sometimes reluctant

Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Cheap to run, parts are expensive and hard to find

Equipment 3 out of 5

Good - when it was new

4 out of 5 do not be put off

18 January 2014 by henrykoko

I bought a 2006 Regal Raptor 250DDE 18 months ago and I have to say do not be put off by its Chinese origin. On the open road it will do 70mph if you wring its neck briefly. I ride mine between 50 and 60 and at the legal limits around town. Fuel consumption has been monitored over all the bikes time with me at 65mpg. I find the seat a little on the low side but the riding position is comfortable, it feels secure all the way over to foot peg scrape. The brakes are adequate for the performance of the bike. I clean and polish my bike regularly, all the paint and chrome is original and in good condition, the bike looks really good. Build quality is good, everything feels solid. The bike has never let me down beyond a headlight bulb. I service and maintain the bike myself . The bike has one fault which could be unique to my machine or a model problem, When the bike has stood overnight the clutch sticks so badly it will stall the engine with the first gear engagement of the day, avoid this by not starting the bike until you engage second, pull in the clutch and push the bike until you feel the clutch break free. The problem will not re occur until next day, I can live with that. The bike was very cheap to buy because of its Chinese origins, its open market resale value will therefore be low but you may find yourself keeping it for years! My star ratings may seem on the high side, but are given on the basis of value for money.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5