The 125 category in the UK was fairly stagnant for years with the mainstream Japanese only rally offering colour updates on long running machines. We had the Honda NS125F which was made in Italy and featured a larger chassis, Kawasaki's aging AR125 with GPZ styling, Suzuki's tiny RG125 (actually based on a RG80) and Yamaha's sporty steel framed TZR125 but even this was skinny. All of these bikes had similar performance as in the UK all learner 125's had to be restricted to 12hp giving a maximum speed of around 70-75mph.
Meanwhile in Europe and in particular Italy 125's were about to turn in to serious motorcycles with almost 30bhp and reaching speeds of up to 100mph!
Aprilia first showed there intentions by showing a prototype AF1 125 at the Milan motor show in 1985 and although styling was maybe influenced by the Japanese (Mk3 RG250?) it was light years ahead of anything else.
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| 1985 AF1 Prototype |
In 1986 Aprilia release the AF1 50 making the 50cc version the first production AF1.
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| 1986 AF1 50 |
1987 - AF1 Project 108 Type AC/1
The production version of the AF1 125 made its debut in 1987 and was called the 'Project 108'. The biggest change over the prototype was the addition of a single sided swing arm. The Aprilia name for the swing arm was 'Project 108', hence the model name. This was a technical first for a production bike on sale in Europe, although Honda did have it on the VFR400 NC24 in Japan. It also featured a steel box section frame, 3 spoke 17" wheels (16" on the prototype), anti dive forks and RAVE power valve on the Rotax 127 engine.
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| 1987 AF1 125, White with black |
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| 1987 AF1 125, Blue with white |
With new rivals hitting the market in the form of the Cagiva Freccia C9, Gilera ZK and the Honda NS Aprilia made a quick update with a twin headlight fairing.
1988 - AF1 Project 108 Type AC/1
With a striking paint scheme inspired by the 250 gp race bike if Loris Reggiani or the first time the 'Replica' is offered. For the Second colour Aprilia really embraced the era using contrasting colours, something they will embrace of the next few years.
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| 1988 Af1 125, Black, white and red |
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| 1989 AF1 125 Reggiani Replica |
1988 - AF1 Sintesi Type EH
First shown in June 88 the all new AF1 Sintesi changed the game more so than any other generation. With more than a passing resemblance to Honda's RC30 the Sintesi featured the new Rotax 123 engine with RAVE 2 power valve, aluminium beam frame, 38mm upside down forks, single sided swingarm with new muli-spoke wheels. Colour options are black, purple, white, red or blue, aqua, white, red
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| 1988 Sintesi, Black, purple and white |
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| 1988 Sintesi, blue, aqua, white |
For the export markets like the UK a Replica was also produced, this is another Reggiani replica with a number 6 on the tail piece.
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| 1988 AF1 Sintesi Reggiani Replica |
1989 - AF1 Sintesi Type EU
In keeping with Aprilia's mid-model updates the Sintesi was updated for 1989 and featured a new top fairing with smaller headlights, new 'AF1' alloy top yoke, new clocks (loosing the fuel gauge) and a new 'aircraft' style fuel filler cap. This model was offered in the Sintesi colour scheme and the Replica. The Replica now had the number 4 on the tail piece reflecting Aprilia's current GP rider of the time Didier De Radigues.
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| 1989 AF1 Sintesi |
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| 1989 AF1 Sintesi Replica |
1989 Sintesi Sport Type FG
The final Sintesi was called the Sport and was produced for the Italian Sport Production Championship using a 34mm carb opposed to the 28mm carb from the previous version. This gave a decent power increase but as it was sold alongside the new Futura sales were not that strong.
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| 1989 AF1 Sintesi Sport |
1990 AF1 Futura Type FM
Aprilia launch the Futura as successor to the Sintesi in Feb 1990, although its looks like a big redesign in reality it has minor updates to the chassis and engine and keeps the 34mm carb from the Sport. The new fairing features a flush single headlight. For the UK market the Futura featured twin headlights and was based on the newer Type GE -
see here for more information on the UK bike
1990 AF1 Europa Type PV
Launched shortly after the Futura was a naked roadster version called the Europa. Based on the FM Futura chassis the Europa was produced to appeal to riders that didn't want a race replica and competed with the new NSR-F but with lower gear ratio's it actually accelerated quicker than its faired stable mates. Made in both 1990-91 without change.
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| 1990 AF1 Europa 125, Metallic Amaranth |
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| 1990 AF1 Europa, Metallic Electric Blue |
1991 AF1 Futura Type GE & GR
Another mid-life update for the Futura. The GE update include a modified frame with the centre side lug is not hidden inside the frame spa with a plug cover. New swingarm with 'Project 108' decal to take a wider tyre. updated chain cover, 40mm forks (were 38mm), new front mudguard, new seat unit, pillion seat. & pillion foot rest hangers. Offered in both a stock colour scheme and the return of the Reggiani Replica.
The UK twin headlight model is the GE bike but with the original FM seat unit and metal fuel tank.
The GR update was to comply with an updated EU law relating to noise so had a different part number on the silncer, exhaust and air intake, but these items visually are the same for both versions.
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| Type GE 1991 AF1 Futura |
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Type GE - UK version with twin headlights, FM seat unit and metal fuel tank
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Type GR
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| Type GR - Replica |
1992 AF1 Futura Sport Pro Type HC & FM
Although from a technical point of view the Sport Pro is identical to the Futura '91, the SP featured a new cylinder head, ECU for the exhaust valve control that opens at 8400 rpm. (7800 rpm on the other Futuras), a new exhaust can in aluminium with a carbon wrap and a 28mm carb, (which was needed for racing), an adjustable Boge rear shock absorber and a wider 140/70 rear tyre.
There are actually two versions of the Futura Sport Pro, the first has the identification code HC followed by DGM 53295 OM, which is the true Sport Pro (about 772 units), and a second version with the identification code FM followed by DGM 52867 OM, which is essentially a '91 Futura in the Sport Pro colour scheme (about 2228 units).
For the road the FM is faster due to the 34mm carb.
The UK also got the SP model but all UK bikes have been identified as GE models with the 34mm carburettor, metal fuel tanks and also the twin headlights from the previous UK spec Futura.
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| 1992 AF1 Sport Pro, model HC with 28mm carb |
After the Sport Pro Aprilia had a wholesale redesign and dropped the single sided swignarm for a double sided with the RS 125 which continued on sale in various forms until the two stroke engine effectively got outlawed by emissions.
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