First unveiled at Auto Expo 2016, the Aprilia SR 150 sure had us beaming with joy at the prospect of a new scooter! It was impossible to resist. After all, it carries a legendary name like Aprilia, and it is a true-blue sporty scooter too. If that wasn’t enough, seeing the bike in its almost Aprilia RSV4-style livery and hearing its incredible price at a recent announcement was enough to make our jaws go slack with shock and awe. With this exciting little scooter slated to enter showrooms soon, we thought we’d make a quick list of some important things that everyone needs to know about the Aprilia SR 150.
1. Sensible power
While a lot of us were expecting a 150cc sporty scooter to pump out something close to 15 horsepower, the reality is, well, a bit more realistic. The SR 150 will actually be powered by the same 150cc SOHC air-cooled motor that does duty on the Vespa 150, which has a slightly modest output of 11.6hp of peak power and 11.5Nm of peak torque. While there will be some difference in the gearing, seeing as how the Aprilia is running larger 14-inch wheels (as opposed to the 10-inch rear wheel on the Vespa), we expect power and torque figures to remain in the same ball park. However, combined with a lower kerb weight figure (for reasons discussed below), the SR 150 will likely be a lot sprightlier when you decide to open the taps. Just for the record, internationally the most powerful SR is a 125, with less than 10.14hp.
2. Advantage: Chassis
While the SR 150 might share its motor with its classier sibling, it certainly isn’t a Vespa. What makes a Vespa a Vespa, on the most part, is its distinctive steel monocoque body. And the SR 150 has clearly gone a more conventional route with underpinnings which consist of a traditional underbone scooter chassis as well as a telescopic front fork arrangement and a single offset monoshock at the back. With 14-inch wheels at both ends sporting 120/70 size tyres, the inspiration has undoubtedly been from Aprilia’s international range of SR Motard scooters. And from what we understand, this should not only equate to great handling, but the larger wheels should also add a healthy dose of practicality by offering improved stability over other scooters. Also, the larger wheels along with telescopic suspension should make this the best scooter to tackle our monsoon ravaged roads on.
3. Within reach?
With that fantastic masterstroke of pricing already announced and out of the way, Piaggio has got its Baramati plant running in full swing to get the Aprilia SR 150 into showrooms by the last week of August 2016. And apart from the fact that it’ll be available from the company’s small handful of exclusive Motoplex outlets, a majority of buyers will get access to the sporty scooter from the 100 or so Vespa dealerships across the country.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
