Beginner bikes often get a bad rap. They’re seen as stepping stones, placeholders, or machines you outgrow the moment you figure out how to work a clutch. But the reality is, some beginner bikes are an absolute blast, and Aprilia’s newly launched RX 125 and SX 125 are prime examples of that. While these models have been refreshed for the Japanese market with an updated instrument cluster and redesigned LED headlights, they remain fundamentally the same at their core: lightweight, nimble, and ridiculously fun.
Let’s start with the RX 125. This little ripper is built for the dirt, with a proper dual-sport setup that makes it ready to take on trails, gravel roads, and anything else that isn’t asphalt. It rolls on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combo wrapped in knobby CST tires, giving it the grip to claw through loose terrain.
Suspension-wise, it’s got a set of beefy 41mm inverted forks up front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the back, offering solid ground clearance and enough travel to soak up rough trails. The RX’s lightweight steel double-cradle frame keeps things simple and durable, making it a no-fuss machine for exploring the outdoors. Whether you’re a newbie learning the ropes of off-road riding or an experienced rider looking for a playful, flickable machine to mess around with, the RX 125 delivers.
On the flip side, the SX 125 takes that same platform and transforms it into a street hooligan’s dream. With 17-inch wheels front and rear, fitted with road-biased CST tires, this thing is built for city carving and backroad fun. The same suspension setup carries over from the RX, but with a tighter, more aggressive feel suited for quick turns and sliding around corners.
The SX is the kind of bike you take to a parking lot to practice wheelies or blast through tight urban streets, dodging traffic with ease. It’s got all the ingredients of a proper supermoto—minimal weight, a punchy engine, and an attitude that encourages you to push your limits. And sure, it only makes 15 horsepower, but because of its ultra-lightweight build, it feels peppy and responsive, making every ride feel like an invitation to just do hoodrat shit.
While the US market often disregards small-displacement bikes, regions like Japan, Europe, and Australia have long taken a more structured approach to motorcycling. In Japan, strict tiered licensing laws ensure that new riders don’t hop on a liter bike straight out of the gate. Compare that to the US, where an 18-year-old with a fresh motorcycle endorsement can legally throw a leg over a 228-horsepower Kawasaki Ninja H2 and high-side into another dimension. While the former approach might seem restrictive, it cultivates skill progression without robbing riders of fun—and that’s where bikes like the RX 125 and SX 125 shine.
It’s a shame these Aprilia 125s might never make their way to the US, because who wouldn’t love a lightweight dual-sport or supermoto to thrash around? They’re proof that a beginner bike doesn’t have to be boring—and sometimes, less power just means more excuses to wring the throttle wide open.
Source: Aprilia Japan
