When it comes to road-legal 125cc production bikes, there can be few you can take along to a track day and not feel embarrassed.

One of the few exceptions is Aprilia's amazing RS 125.

It offers a big-bike feel and yet is lightweight and ultra flickable. It's nice to know that with all the new laws, bikers can still have fun with the full power version's 33bhp.

The liquid-cooled two-stroke machine is claimed to be able reach a top speed of 110mph, thanks to a slick six-speed gearbox. So venturing into the fast lane of the motorway presents no problem. You have to keep reminding yourself it's only a 125.

On the twisties, where it is in its element, the 114kg bike does the reminding. The RS 125 has incredible handling and can achieve unbelievable corner speed.

I have watched racing production versions of the RS125 literally flying round the outside of 600cc machines during wet-weather practice sessions.

This could have something to do with the fact that since Aprilia has been competing in the World Motorcycle Championships, it has won 15 titles (10 riders and 5 manufacturers). The Italian company has also claimed 118 victories and 341 podium places in Grand Prix races.

The secret of the RS 125's sensational handling - no doubt gleaned from all the aforementioned race-track success - lies not only in the rigidity of the sculptured aluminium double sloping beam frame, which has been fused into a thin-walled monocoque, but also good-quality suspension.

The front boasts highly effective 40mm upside-down forks in high tensile steel - again amazing for a 125 - and the rear swinging arm, a work of art in itself, is kept under control with a tuned mono-shock.

The riding position is a good, natural tuck-in, with the contours of the bike flowing nicely around the rider. Lanky riders like myself don't look too big for the bike, but may find the RS slightly cramped. If the pillion bump could be moved back another inch or so it would be perfect. Personally I would also ditch the pillion pegs as I found they got in the way of my heels.

The engine, like so many well-tuned two strokes, allows the rider to play hunt-the-power band.

Unlike all the "beginner" bikes, there is literally no power what-so-ever below 6,000rpm.

The little engine, hidden away behind a radiator and full fairing, is keen to rev right up to a red line of about 11,000. Over keen, in fact.

I found that it takes a knack to get the bike rolling and up into the power band, before the bike suddenly takes off. The secret is to keep one eye on that rev counter!

Drop below 6,000 rpm and the poor little piston - even with its Gilnisil coated aluminium barrel and a compression ratio of 12.5 :1 - just chugs. This means traffic is a bit of a chore. But then again it was never really designed for walking speeds.

If, however, you should be flying along and want to suddenly reduce your speed to that of a pedestrian, worry not. You have the brakes. The front is blessed with a big 320 mm floating disc and a four-pot caliper. The rear disc brake is also highly effective.

Talking about stopping, with a 14-litre fuel tank and its three-litre reserve, you don't have many worries there. I failed to run out of petrol and so find out the bike's miles-per-gallon figures!

Kings Two Wheel Centre, the dealer in Hollow Way, Cowley, which loaned us the demonstrator, is offering a special package deal on the Aprilia RS 125.

For £4, 300 you get a new bike, insurance, tax, CBT training, a helmet, jacket, gloves and a disc lock. And then everything is delivered to your door!

Alternatively, the bike alone costs £3,300 on the road.

Kings Two Wheel Centre, of 1 Hollow Way, Cowley, Oxford, loaned the featured Aprilia RS125.

Tel: 01865 777094