What you see here is a scooter, and quite a racy one at that. And it just happens to have a powerful 150cc engine and also just happens to be priced at Rs 65,000 (ex-showroom). But, best of all, it’s an Aprilia – the SR150. This combination of ingredients was something we never saw coming, and you just can’t fault us for being excited about it.
For enthusiasts, owning a motorcycle from an exotic Italian brand like Aprilia is usually meant for a slim strata of society. But with the arrival of the SR150, we can ride around on an Aprilia, while continuing to dream about owning big bikes from the brand, like the RSV4 or Caponord. The SR150 is eye-catching, and its overall design looks confident and racy. However, the pointy front end and the twin headlamps mounted on the front cowl may not be to everyone’s liking.
The contrasting red-and-black seat cover and the flush-folding pillion foot pegs, however, are smart design touches.
Of the touch points and the rider’s cockpit, everything feels functional and smart, but there’s nothing that will wow you. The palms grips feel soft and the switches simple. The inclusion of a pass flash switch is welcome, but the two-dial analogue instrument console seems a bit dated. Aprilia says that the price dictated some of these decisions and future updates could include an analogue LCD unit.
Under the seat is a 154cc, four-stroke engine that’s derived from the unit used by Vespa, and this has undoubtedly helped Piaggio price the Aprilia well (Piaggio owns Vespa and Aprilia, amongst several other brands). Like on the Vespa, this engine makes 11.4hp of power and 11.5Nm of torque. Piaggio officials suggest that while the stated power and torque might be the same as the Vespa on paper, the diktat was to make the SR150 the fastest scooter in India.
Don’t think of this as a differently dressed Vespa, because instead of Vespa’s signature monocoque body, the Aprilia uses a tubular frame. Also, it’s about 3-4 kilograms lighter than the Vespa.
It even packs 14-inch wheels and a 220mm front disc brake, so it could add a dash of zing to your daily commute without taking away the convenience of a scooter.
It is a hoot to ride around – amazing in the way it combines performance and handling to deliver a ‘near-bike-like’ experience without sacrificing usability. Incredibly, the motor just feels so strong at higher speeds that getting to 80kph is a breeze, and the 100kph mark comes up more often than expected. The engine even responds well at low speeds, which makes it very easy to ride.
The SR150 is precise and confident to steer, and actually feels more like a bike than a scooter in the way it handles. That’s because unlike most scooters, the SR150 doesn’t feel nervy when ridden hard. Even with a pillion on board, it feels composed over bumps, even at 80kph. Shedding speed feels solid, courtesy the two-pot-caliper, 220mm disc brake from Bybre. And given the way the SR150 performs, we expect this might end up being the city runabout in most superbike owners’ garages too.
The stepped seat is generous and the riding posture is comfy. There is enough room even for taller riders. The only downside is that the ride is a bit firm, and can feel a bit jittery over uneven tarmac. But the suspension and the large wheels deal with bumps and potholes fairly well.
As of now, we don’t have the under-seat storage capacity in litres; a quick check with a helmet showed that it isn’t a very large space. Also, remember, the SR150 does without modern-day gadgetry such as charging sockets, USB ports or remote seat-release mechanisms. We don’t expect that to be a deal-breaker for enthusiasts though.
In all, the SR150 is an exciting product that does justice to its brand name and to its very existence as a scooter. On top of that, it is also very well priced. Will it be a scooter for everyone? No. Relatively low storage, expectedly lower fuel efficiency and a lack of modern-day features will not appeal to most buyers. But for those looking for the fun factor of riding a motorcycle but with the convenience of a scooter to tackle the city every day, the SR150 will hit the sweet spot.
Don’t wait around though, as this introductory price may not last longer than a couple of months. The scooter will be available at all Vespa dealerships across the country.
Aprilia has rolled the dice. We think it’s a six.
