Aprilia SR 150
A 150-cc 11.5-PS Italian moto-scooter that can hit 100 km/h. What’s not to like?
HOWEVER HARD I try to think of the machine standing in front of me as a scooter, I fail; for the spanking new Aprilia SR 150, which was first shown to the discerning Indian masses at the Auto Expo earlier this year, looks unlike any other vehicle that is classified a scooter. In fact, the more I stare at this minimalist but gorgeous two-wheeler, the more convinced I become that Aprilia may have got it right in classifying this machine as a ‘Sport-Scooterbike’. Although a novel descriptor in the dictionary used by the automotive world, it seems apt.
The first thing that stands out when you look at the SR 150 is the wheels. At 14 inches across, they are the largest on any scooter, not counting the handful few maxi scooters available, you can find in our country. And, boy, do those blacked out five-spoke wheels stand out! Those polished alloys could easily give a few motorcycles a run for their money. The other thing that is instantly noticeable about the SR 150 is its overall length. Although the specification chart provided by Aprilia does not mention the scooter’s dimensions, visually it seems a bit longer from tail to nose than other scooters. This is further accentuated by the merging of the minimalist styling of the scooter: the moto scooter-esque headlamp on the body instead of on the handlebar, the short stepped seat, a superb paint job and an even better set of stickered graphics. No. There is no argument on this aspect. The Aprilia SR 150 brings the best of the world of Italian design into the humble universe of the scooter in India.
Where features are concerned, Aprilia have continued with the minimalist theme and, as a result, there are hardly any features to talk about. There is, of course, the customary under-seat storage box and a hook up front to hang a small bag from but not much else. There isn’t even a parking brake or a side-stand. According to Stefano Pelle, the CEO of Piaggio, the objective was to be able to price this product as competitively as possible and, therefore, Aprilia have shaved off everything that could add to that cost without adding equivalent value in a two-wheeler of this sort. The company’s efforts at making this product as affordable as it is, is also evident in some other areas. For instance, the quality of the aforementioned plastic hook or the switchgear for that matter could definitely be improved. But every teeny tiny bit adds, and adding is what Aprilia wanted to avoid as far as possible.
Beyond the aspect of costing, and therefore pricing, lies the other issue of whom this two-wheeler is meant for. In Aprilia’s own words, the intended buyer of the SR 150 is unlikely to be a customer in search of a practical means of transport or one who is looking to cash in on the iconic (and, perhaps, nostalgic) legacy of a brand like Vespa. The target audience of the Aprilia SR
Aprilia have been successful in their principal aim of creating a product that the youth would aspire to and the enthusiast would not shy away from
150 is the consumer who aspires for the excitement of a motorcycle but desires the convenience and practicality of a scooter. As far as the eye is concerned, the SR 150 effortlessly straddles the twin worlds of the scooter and the motorcycle and, perhaps, in many ways is the first crossover of the two-wheeler world in India. But then, you don’t just look at a two-wheeler, do you?
The Aprilia SR 150 is powered by the same air-cooled 150-cc, single-cylinder, three-valve engine that powers its cousin, the Vespa SXL 150. So when you thumb the starter and fire it up, you are greeted by a clatter that is not unlike what you experience in the Vespa. On sheer refinement, this brand-new Italian still has some work left before it can catch up with Japanese scooter engines. Oddly enough, even though it makes as much noise as the Vespa, the Aprilia engine seems to engender less vibration. Aprilia say that although the engine is shared with the Vespa, the transmission is different, and this becomes evident as soon as one gets going. The throttle response on the Aprilia is more intuitive and the delivery of the 11.6 PS (at 7,000 RPM) of peak power and 11.5 Nm of max torque (at 5,500 revs) is more linear than on the Vespa. At low speeds the difference is less evident but as you give the SR 150 some stick, the contrast becomes stark. The scooter easily pushes past an indicated 100 km/h and still feels like it has some go left.
Apart from the engine, however, nothing is shared with the Vespa and this includes the chassis. Instead of the Vespa’s monocoque the Aprilia uses a tubular open frame single-cradle chassis. Despite a company declared weight of 122 kg, which is eight kilos more than that of the Vespa SXL 150, the SR 150 feels light and nimble on its 120/70 (front and rear) Vee Rubber shod 14-inch wheels. Flicking it left and right and back again feels like a breeze with the sporty ‘Sport Scooterbike’ inspiring more and more confidence on the narrow twists and turns of the road that leads from Coimbatore to the Vaidehi Falls. Its agility feels surprisingly motorcycle-like and it’s not hard to guess why my fellow journalists were smiling in their helmets. Perhaps, I was too. Admittedly, this is a fun machine.
To stop this mean little machine, Aprila have equipped the SR 150 with a single 220-mm disc up front and a 240-mm drum at the rear. Even though ABS
doesn’t exist as of now and will only be seen in subsequent iterations, braking is excellent. The bite is sharp and the progression generous with the scooter tracking a straight and predictable line even under the harshest of braking. We would like to give a nod of approval to the tyres as well for they offer good grip and enhance the scooter’s ability to inspire confidence in the rider. Over time, however, Aprilia plan to replace the Vee Rubber, which they are currently sourcing from Thailand, with tyres manufactured by some indigenous brand but Stefano assured us that the specifications would remain the same.
On the whole, there is little doubt in my mind that Aprilia have been successful in their principal aim of creating a product that the youth would aspire to and the enthusiast would not shy away from. Yes, this is a scooter and will take on the chore of commuting at the blink of an eye, but it will also bring a smile to your face with its ability to offer loads of fun and style. Not to mention exclusivity and brag rights (it is an Aprilia, after all). At this point I would have nitpicked about the quality of plastics and the engine refinement but at Rs 65,000, ex-showroom in Pune, all that is good in the Aprilia SR 150 outweighs the bad. If you’re an enthusiast looking for a stylish set of wheels that will allow you to stand out in a crowd, experience all the thrills of a motorcycle without having to sacrifice on your comfort and convenience, we just found you your transport solution.