APRILIA SX125 (2018 - on) Review
![Aprilia SX125's suicide side stand retracts on a spring](https://mcn-images.bauersecure.com/wp-images/4635/600x400/_aprilia-sx125-02.jpg)
Highlights
- Learner-friendly 125cc supermoto
- Mechanicals based on popular RS 125
- Soft, forgiving suspension
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
---|---|
Annual servicing cost: | £190 |
Power: | 15 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (34.6 in / 880 mm) |
Weight: | Low (265 lbs / 120 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Aprilia SX 125 immediately found itself in a gap in the market, which used to be packed with learner-legal enduro or supermoto 125s (Suzuki DR125SM, Yamaha XT125R and Yamaha XT125X), but nowadays none of the ‘recognised’ brands build one and instead have focused their attention on race reps and naked bikes. A move that has left the door open for Aprilia…
- Related: Aprilia SX125 and RX125 updated for 2021
- Related: Best 125cc motorbikes
- Related: Best supermotos
New in 2018, the supermoto Aprilia SX 125 and enduro RX 125 share a similar platform. Both bikes use the RS 125’s (or RS4 as it used to be called) fuel-injected, four-stroke, single cylinder engine that is housed in a steel double cradle frame. Boasting inverted forks, ABS, and smatterings of real-fake carbon fibre, not to mention typically-Aprilia aggressive styling, they look far more premium products than their impressively budget £3399 price tags suggest. Are Aprilia onto a winner by spotting this hole in the 125cc market?
The SX 125 has a ‘big bike’ feel about it and while the seat height is quoted at 880mm, it’s such a narrow machine with soft suspension that in reality it’s far lower. The riding position is relaxed with tall bars, which is good, but the seat is pretty firm. While the engine’s weedy exhaust note is a disappointment, it’s as fast as any four-stroke 125 with solid road holding meaning you can happily top 60mph, which is all you need. My only real criticism was the cheap dash, which lacks a fuel gauge and looks like it came out of a cracker.
You always expect an Aprilia model to cost a premium, but launched at £3399 the SX was impressive value for money and backed up by some tempting finance deals, which you don’t always get with far eastern brands. However, fast-forward to 2021 and the price has risen to £3895.
The aggressive look and relaxed riding position that a supermoto style of bike delivers is good and the fact the SX comes with ABS is a bonus.
Ok, it’s made in China and not Italy, but it’s the name on the tank that counts and the Aprilia brand still carries some weight behind it.
The SX looks fantastic in the flesh and fits all shapes and sizes of rider, even those who have been through a recent growth spurt/McDonalds binge. The little single engine is reliable and sips fuel with 80mpg easily achievable, making the SX cheap to run on a shoestring. It sounds a bit puny, but that’s nothing a loud exhaust can’t rectify.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Aprilia has a ‘big bike’ feel about it and while the seat height is quoted at 880mm, it’s such a narrow machine with soft suspension that in reality it’s far lower. The riding position is relaxed with tall bars, which is good, but the seat is pretty firm. There are better handling 125s on the market (KTM 125 Duke) but overall the SX doesn’t disappoint and it’s a good little 125 and ideal for commuting or shorter runs. The ABS system works well, giving newer riders a greater feeling of security than combined brakes deliver. And the rear brake has no ABS, so you can still do skids to impress people…
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe SX use the same four-stroke single cylinder 125 as the RS 125, which is a pretty advanced engine. It has four valves, double overhead cams and a fuel-injection system, so meets Euro4 regulations. Despite sounding pretty weedy, it makes the legal limit for a 125 and is impressively frugal to run with 80mpg easily achievable.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueBy their very nature 125s get hammered to within an inch of their life, but as new you get a two-year warranty and the RS4 (which is now called the RS 125) has a proven reliability record. The lower level of finish tends to show up after a few years, but mechanically it should be sound.
Our Aprilia SX 125 owners' reviews show a few issues with build quality that we think you should consider before buying one.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIf you are comparing the SX to far eastern brands the Aprilia is more expensive, and the likes of the Keeway TX 125 Enduro or SM and Lexmoto Adrenaline and Lexmoto Tekken all cost £1999. The air-cooled Rieju MRT 125 Pro is £2999 while a water-cooled version £4099, which is more than the also water-cooled SX. The Japanese ‘big four’ seem to have abandoned the supermoto/enduro 125 market in favour of the naked/race rep, so if you want a recognised brand, it’s the Aprilia or nothing and at £3399 it’s good value. Although it is actually also Chinese-built, unlike the Aprilia RS 125…
Equipment
Unlike some cheap 125s, which have a combined braking system to pass Euro4 regulations, the SX has a Bosch ABS system on its front brake, which automatically reduces pressure to keep the bike level when braking hard, cutting out stoppies. It’s a neat system and works well, giving newer riders a greater feeling of security than combined brakes deliver. The rear brake has no ABS, so you can still do skids outside the youth club…The SX’s overall look is premium and it has inverted forks, however the LCD dash is cheap and nasty and a radial brake caliper would have been nice on the supermoto.
Specs |
|
Engine size | 124cc |
---|---|
Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 4v, DOHC single |
Frame type | Double cradle steel frame |
Fuel capacity | 7.5 litres |
Seat height | 880mm |
Bike weight | 120kg |
Front suspension | 41mm, inverted forks, non-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Single rear shock, adjustable preload |
Front brake | 1 x 300mm disc with two-piston caliper |
Rear brake | 220mm single disc with single-piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 100/80 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 130/70 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
Average fuel consumption | 80 mpg |
---|---|
Annual road tax | £25 |
Annual service cost | £190 |
New price | £3,895 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
|
Max power | 15 bhp |
---|---|
Max torque | 7.7 ft-lb |
Top speed | 65 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 130 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
The Aprilia SX 125 and RX 125 are new models for 2018. They are four stroke iterations of the two stroke Aprilia SX 125 and Aprilia RX 125 machines Aprilia made up until 2011.
Other versions
The RX 125’s styling is more off-road orientated and as such it comes with a 21-inch front wheel (with a smaller 260mm wave disc) and 18-inch rear with chunky CST tyres. But other than wheels and a taller 905mm seat height, the SX and RX are identical and share the same £3399 price tag.
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA SX125 (2018 - on)
5 owners have reviewed their APRILIA SX125 (2018 - 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 APRILIA SX125 (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
Overall rating: | |
---|---|
Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £190 |
Version: 2018
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £150
Never had issues, standard 125. Can get 75-80 85mph at a push. everything is stock except the spocks hence why i get 80mph. Pull off is good. faster acceleration than a Honda Grom. Keeps up very well with the bigger bikes if you keep them revs high, seem to have more power in the higher revs.
Very smooth, keeps up 80mph not the best but deffo not the worst as it can stick at 75/70 going up a hill. loses abit of power when low on fuel, is very jumpy when you change gear & pull, can be abit too jumpy but if you like the thrill of being dragged back when riding. Youll love it.
No issues with engine, runs amazing, sounds good, no leaks & exhaust is stock but that can be changed with the magic of the aftermarket exhausts magic.
dah could have been way better. living in anxiety when that fuel gauge lights up. digital dash is a nice feature but a rev limiter & gauge would be better
If you take pride in your motorcycles this would be perfect for you. Easy to get parts except fairings. very expensive to get in. Normal Chinese parts are very adaptable to the bike & repairs can be a little but if you look after your're toys properly then you will have nothing to worry about.
amazing off road, is a very heavy bike so be carful, if your balancing ration on a motorbike or if you are a pro you will love it. only really bad thing to say about it is that it is a 125cc.
Buying experience: Great from dealership, everyone is trying to make a buck on their own junk however if you can give the bike enough time & money its a GREAT first Bike.
Version: Sx125
Year: 2021
Annual servicing cost: £200
Wouldn’t recommend
Bikes good when working but because it’s Italian nothing is reliable so always have problems
Could be abit more power
3 months of buying the bike needed a full body ecu system took them 7 months to get the parts they gave the bike back to me on 900miles was fine now cut out at red light and won’t start again only on 2700 miles would not buy again!!
Just don’t get the bike
No petrol gadge to see when your running low and the manual is not helpful at all
Buying experience: Paid 3800 wish I looked around
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £250
Best features are its chassis being so light. Well geared bike it keeps on with r125's on single carriage ways although it's down sides are on dual carriageways it can be rather slow. Pretty small tank so 77miles a tank is what I get.
The Bosch Abs is amazing and definitely will save you in a pickle, also very easy to turn off for them endos. the suspension can be a bit too bouncy and not firm enough.
It's a solid engine although it's let down by Italian "reliability"
Where do I start... I've had issues with the ignition system when the coil pack went 2 months in. Water pump failure 6,000Mls of riding. Parts are difficult to get a hold of because of the old Italians not stocking what you need in the UK. Seat catch has failed on me as well. Broken down many of a time due to the bike just cutting out at red lights which in my opinion is quite dangerous. Cylinder head and exhaust has rusted.
Depends how much you ride as my commute is 800miles a month I go through a lot of chain cleaner and chain lube.
I know that not having a fuel gauge is an Aprilia thing but on a £3,500 motorcycle in 2020 when I bought mine and no rev counter is quite lackluster.
Buying experience: Awful I bought my bike from Youls Manchester and I recommend that not even my worst enemy purchases anything from them, service time is lack lustre. when having my brake fluid done as part of a service they put the dust shield in the master cylinder wrong and left me with no front brake.
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £150
Love this bike! Fun and reliable. I would totally recommend. A real good bike to have as your first one, driven around 11k km now.
Riding a supermoto can make it hard on your back etc. I can easily ride 1h 30min with no special problem, but yes it could be better. The brakes are good, but i have cleaned the brakes some times and it makes an annoying "peep" noice.
It got some power to it and accelerates "fast" with stock parts. It's been reliable and i don't have anything specific to complain about. The gearbox can be a little weird from time to time when gearing down, but nothing scary or bad. Doesn't struggle when I got a passenger on it.
Solid bike, maybe a bit too much plastic but it is a supermoto, so it is what it is.
From Norway here and don't really know the price of the services, but i do take a service on it per 6k km. It's not that expensive.
Mirrors are good but i don't like them on this bike, could be a personal preference. The seat is pretty soft and comfy. The license bracket is a bit big and i can't find any aftermarket ones which are made for the SX. Stock tires have been great so far.
Buying experience: Did buy it from a well known dealer and i payed 42.500kr which is a real good price in my opinion.
Year: 2018
Looks good but is Chinese
Abs works well
Engine cylinder rusting already along with the rear silencer
Water pump failed at 8 months local dealership less than helpful at getting it in quickly, one week later the coolant reservoir fluid is black and it is leaking from the engine casing again
Dealership less than helpful when trying to book it in around work
Buying experience: Not very helpful will not recommend to anyone