Aprilia RS 125 vs Yamaha YZF-R3
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Aprilia RS 125 and Yamaha YZF-R3 are among the most cross-shopped sport bikes of 2026. They land within touching distance on price, so this comes down to character and fit. On paper the Yamaha YZF-R3 leads on power with 42 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Aprilia
Aprilia RS 125
Our pickYamaha
Yamaha YZF-R3The verdict
The Yamaha YZF-R3 edges it overall at 8/10, but the Aprilia RS 125 wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Aprilia RS 125
A2-legal, 15 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Yamaha YZF-R3
42 hp and 0.25 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Yamaha YZF-R3
Our 8/10 at $5,499, the most bike per dollar.
Aprilia RS 125
152 kg with an 820 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Yamaha YZF-R3
Our top score in this matchup at 8/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
Still torn between them?
Answer a few questions and we'll rank every bike by how well it fits you.
Aprilia RS 125 vs Yamaha YZF-R3: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Aprilia RS 125 or the Yamaha YZF-R3?
The Yamaha YZF-R3 makes the most power at 42 hp and 29.5 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Aprilia RS 125 or the Yamaha YZF-R3?
The Yamaha YZF-R3 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $5,499.
Which is lighter, the Aprilia RS 125 or the Yamaha YZF-R3?
The Aprilia RS 125 is the lightest at 152 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Aprilia RS 125 or the Yamaha YZF-R3?
For a new rider we'd point to the Aprilia RS 125: A2-legal, 15 hp and 152 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
