1989/1992: Tuareg Rally 125 Second Series

1989: TUAREG RALLY 125 - Type EC

The Tuareg Rally '89, type EC with homologation code DGM 52585 OM, is a completely new motorbike and represents the evolution of the previous Rally born in 1984. Unlike its ancestor, which was also available as a 250, the new Rally is only marketed as a 125. Like the previous Rally, the new enduro from Noale is intended for more specialised use than the Tuareg Wind and Pegaso (also presented in 1989, editor's note), which were optimised for road use.

The line is really aggressive and with the exception of the large tank, the superstructures are reduced to a minimum. The orange and lilac paintwork is a typical Aprilia colour scheme, that is young, aggressive and really successful. The lilac then characterizes a bit all the Aprilia 1989 production.

Compared to the previous model, the new Rally concedes something to the usability in everyday riding and therefore here are indispensable equipment for the daily use like a powerful electric system and the automatic mixer. The instrumentation and the electric blocks remain the same as the Rally '87.

The chassis is completely new and sees the adoption of a robust single girder frame in chrome-molybdenum steel with the rear part supporting the rider completely detachable. The fork is a Marzocchi upside-down 40 mm and is not adjustable. At the rear we find the well-known APS suspension that works on roller bearings. The Marzocchi shock absorber is adjustable in spring preload and rebound force and acts on a light alloy swingarm. Brakes include a 260 mm cast-iron front disc served by a twin-piston caliper and a 220 mm rear disc served by a single-piston caliper.

The engine is the well-known Rotax 123 '88 version. The valve is always the pneumatically operated RAVE 2 and the balancing countershaft is maintained, although the electric starter is eliminated. However, the Rally mounts a new thermic group with code 223365 that differentiates it from the 223360 of the Sintesi '88 because of a more pushed distribution, but still without the exhaust booster. The 223365, however, performed a little below expectations and from there was born the 223610 with exhaust booster that will be used on Rally, RX and stradali sport production. Absolute novelty for the Rotax 123 is the new Dell'Orto VHSB 34 LD carburettor that takes the place of the well-known PHBH 28. 

Performance is class-leading, with 32.65 hp at the wheel and a top speed of 142.9 km/h.

1990: TUAREG RALLY 125 - Type FU

The Tuareg Rally '90, type FU with homologation code DGM 52885 OM, maintains the style and general layout of the previous model. On an aesthetic level, the only difference is the new colouring which abandons the previous red and lilac for a more sporty orange and white.

From a technical point of view, the Tuareg Rally '90 shares the chassis and mechanics with the RX '89, although it differs from the latter in its steering geometry and trail. The improvements introduced compared to the '89 model are:

• Right-hand electrical block with earth switch (completely absent on '89 model).
• The rear frame can no longer be dismantled into three pieces. 
• The mounted indicators are smaller and standardised with other Aprilia models.
• The front fork gets a revised internal adjustment, while the adjustable rear shock is a Boge instead of the previous Marzocchi. Both suspensions receive increased travel from 280 mm to 290 mm.
• New steel disc brakes (instead of the previous cast iron ones) with large lightening slots. The dimensions remain unchanged from the '89 model, namely 260mm for the front disc and 220mm for the rear disc. The brake callipers are painted black.
• The Rotax 123 '89 engine is now equipped with an electronically controlled RAVE exhaust valve. A new thermic group is adopted, revised in the geometry of the transfers: from 123º to 126º the intake and from 193º to 198º the exhaust with code 223610 (which will then also be used for the AF1 Futura Sport Pro and suitably modified also on Extrema SP '93 and '94). The cylinder head was also revised and the compression ratio increased from 14.7:1 to 15.5.1. The piston is also new and the frame is revised. The exhaust and carburetion are obviously revised and adapted to the new power unit.

The maximum power measured at the wheel is 32.42hp for a top speed of 142.160 km/h.

1991: TUAREG RALLY 125 - Type GG

The '91 model, type code GG with homologation code DGM 58067 OM, keeps unchanged the successful line and driving style inaugurated with the '89 model. Once again the only aesthetic difference compared to the previous model is the new colouring. For 1991, the Noale designers proposed a new fuchsia, which characterised all Aprilia 1991 production. The fuchsia also marks a discontinuity with the previous models, which had a bright orange colour in common. The new colour is also surrounded by a new black and white zebra pattern traced obliquely on the side panels.

From a technical point of view, the Tuareg Rally '91 continues to share with the RX '91 the inevitable improvements introduced each season, although the chassis continues to differ from the latter in steering geometry and trail. New features compared to the '90 model are:

• New 40mm Marzocchi fork with a new lamellar hydraulic system to improve smoothness and consistency of performance. Travel is increased to 300mm (from 290mm) while the rear swingarm (aluminium) has a slightly larger rectangular beam section.
• The brakes see the adoption of a 250mm brake disc (instead of the previous 260) made of steel (instead of the previous cast iron) also featuring large lightening slots. At the rear, the disc remains 220mm. 
• New lighter wheel hubs with 32 spokes instead of the previous 36. 
• The engine is the same as the previous Rotax 123 with some improvements, including the cylinder with serial number 223616 with exhaust booster. This cylinder, while maintaining the power of the 223610 has a softer delivery and therefore more suitable for the intended use of the bike. The carburetion is revised (the VHSB 34 LD carburettor remains) and the filter box as well as the muffler. The gearbox is renewed with the first three gears closer together, while the final drive is slightly shortened from 14/48 to 14/49. The crankcases are now painted grey as on all Rotax '91.

1992: TUAREG RALLY 125 - Type GG

The 1992 version retains the type code GG and the homologation code of the '91 version.