Motorcycle specifications ApriliaTuareg 125 Rally 1990 Rally-maniaque

In 1990, Aprilia decided to renew its Tuareg Rally. The previous model had copied the styling of the first Yamaha Ténéré and had become seriously outdated. What's more, technically, the model had not kept pace with the rest of the Aprilia range.

With African rallies still in vogue, the designers couldn't do without the big tank. However, its lines had been significantly softened. The tank was no longer just huge, it was also chubby.

The rear end was in the same spirit, with inflated flanks that mimicked the additional fuel tanks of rally bikes; the left flank accommodated the separate oil tank; 2T obliged.

Only the front mudguard appeared to be an afterthought, its sharp, angular styling contrasting sharply with the Rally's roundness.

When it came to the chassis and engine, Aprilia didn't go for half-measures. As the RX125 trail bike was the best on the market (the RX could even compete with real enduros), it offered its engine and chassis to the new Tuareg Rally.

The bike retained the explosive temperament of the RX and the precision of its chassis, while offering contemporary styling. The position didn't allow for as aggressive a riding style as on the RX, as the shape of the tank prevented the machine from being squeezed between the knees. Nonetheless, it was still possible to maintain a very good pace both on the road and on stony tracks, where the "enduro" chassis worked wonders.

For off-road adventures, it was advisable to fill the fuel tank to just a few liters. The center of gravity was seriously raised when the tank was full. The brakes and suspensions also had a little more difficulty in stopping the machine after a stop.

in France, despite all its qualities, this model was not a commercial success. Its price, colors and displacement were perhaps not adapted to the market. At 28,000 FF, the model was more expensive than a Suzuki DR600 Djebel or a Yamaha XT600K. Too expensive for a penniless high-school student who wouldn't have been put off by the colors, but also for a more experienced biker who was more inclined towards larger displacement bikes.

Tanthallas - Photos: www.motorradhandel.ch