2005 Aprilia reviews

This bike by far is one of the most total package bikes on the market! I travel some 86 miles one way to work, and there is never a dull moment on the road. The powerband on this bike is great, not to mention the handling. I have all sorts of upgrades such as the shotgun pipes a powercommand etc, just to be sure those "PONIES" are there when I need them. Show less

My 2005 model DiTech is now four months old and has 1800km on the clock (about 1100 miles). This bike is my only means of transport and gets used every day for getting to work, shopping, going from work to client's homes, visiting relatives, etc. I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for an urban scooter. In inner city traffic, I have averaged 40 km to the litre of premium unleaded and on the local motorways slightly better. It has always started on the first press of the starter and the digital display is clear day and night. The under seat storage space takes my full face helmet quite well and with that and the luggage hook I manage my weekly shopping for two without any major problems. On the one occasion I have needed a car for shopping (to take home potting mix) I just hailed a taxi - which is a lot cheaper than running a car all year. The rear lights are very clear and bright at night and the headlights are very good for a 50cc (although not as good, of course, as a 150 or 200). But then, this bike is really in its element in the city, where there is plenty of incidental night light anyway. Speed: When it first came, it was restricted to 50 km/h. After the first 100km I had it derestricted (new engine mapping and a new $40 part in the variator - all quite easy), and it now runs to 80 km/h on the flat and 90 on a downhill slope. I am a big man at 105kg and with my more petite partner riding (she is more like 60kg) it will maintain 90 km/h on the flat. It does drop off a little on long hills, but then there are not many of those in a major city. I have taken it for two runs out into the surrounding countryside and there I felt a little underpowered, but not too much. Stay off the high-speed motorways, though. She is not designed for 110 km/h traffic. She is a tall bike, and appealed to me for that reason. Shorter people will find it too tall, taller people will wonder why all scooters aren't made this height. The suspension is very firm, to help with the handling. The SR certainly handles well, but be warned - bumps, potholes and corrugations are all transmitted to your back with considerable force if you sit solidly on the seat. I have started raising myself up a little before hitting a large bump and this helps a lot. My partner's Aprilia Mojito has much softer suspension and rides out the same potholes much more smoothly - but then it doesn't handle as snappily either. Brakes are excellent and pull the bike up sharp - in fact, you'll be checking you mirror a lot to make sure the car behind has managed to stop as quickly, if you know what's good for you. The SR50 DiTech is a great bike if you want to run around the city, scoot to work, go to the nearest beach, do the shopping, etc. It is cheap to run, pulls well and is finished to a high standard. (A very high standard. Think BMW or Aprilia big bikes for a quality comparison.) don't plan to take on the high-speed motorway but if you live in town and want a day-to-day workhorse that is also fun, then this is a great scooter. Show less

My 2005 Tuono is the best motorcycle I have ever owned, and I have had several. This bike gives you the best of both worlds of comfort and sport. I just got finished taking it on a 300 mile back road ride with no fatigue, never got bored and stayed in front of the pack. If you do not like wheelies, this is not a bike for you. I just installed the Aprilia double shotgun exhaust and e-prom and all I can say is wow. I have installed exhaust systems/e-proms on several of my bikes and have noticed a minimal improvement but not with the Aprilia. They are really hiding the raw power in this bike but the exhaust and chip make it come to life. Keeping the front end on the ground is not an option in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. I do not recommend this bike to anyone because I like being the only guy with one on bike nights and on the Sunday rides. Show less

You will find the Atlantic to be an eye catcher and very comfortable. I especially like the 500cc engine. I have had it up to 100mph once but generally cruise on the highway at 70mph. don't buy a scooter with less than 500CC! It's the perfect amount of power to move around town or get on the open highway quickly. Friends have another make (400cc) and after 7 months, they want to move up in power. Most "bigger" scooters seem to be 400, 500 or 600 cc. But you are going to pay a lot more for a 600cc and the 500cc is PERFECT. The Atlantic is priced right and well built. Be prepared for people to ask you questions about your scooter at every light! Show less

I bought my Scarabeo 500 about 9 months ago. It was my first 2 wheeled vehicle in about 30 years. I had used it mostly for local trips. I guess I should explain that my home is in the US, but I also live in the mountains in northern Italy. My wife and I decided to take a vacation in Tuscany on the Scarabeo. I planed a 1600 kilometer trip that was going to take between 6 or 7 days. It was my first ever tour that included my first autostrada, My first rain storm, not to mention my first two up.I only mention these details so I can explain my level of experience as it pertains to my review. First of all storage: I had purchased the lateral bags as well as the soft bag that goes between your legs. My wife carried two pairs of shoes including running shoes. I carried my running shoes. we carried enough clothes for a week including swim suits, sweat shirts, rain gear video camera plus all the electric gear for charging that plus cell phone gps+ cables two ipods, toiletries and a medicine kit not to mention a jump rope, beach towel and oh yea paper back books. We also bought another bigger beach towel, my wife bought a dress and we bought a bottle of olive oil.The storage is unbelievable we checked into a hotel popped off the lateral bags and unconnected the soft bag and away we went. The Ride: The Scarabeo was incredible it handled the mountain curves, the superhighway at 130-140 k an hour, the rain and a 500 meter off road downhill experience that I hope to never repeat. Every stop we made including the auto-grills people came up to admire the bike. Tunnels and tunnels with curves are unnerving, but the Scarabeo handled them well. You have never lived until you are passed by a big bus in a dark tunnel. In closing this was one of the best vacations ever. I know that big scooters have not really caught on in the US as they have in Europe, but I have to tell you that I am blown away about how my Sacrbeo performed. I bought it because it is beautiful, but I have learned that the beauty is far more than skin deep Next summer we are going to do a moto vacation again. Show less

My aprillia sr 50 is the best invesment I ever made. I wanted a scooter but I didn't want to get an old looking scooter. The sr is very sport bike looking. I take it for short errends usually, but I also trailer it and take it for long rides in lancaster. The sr does about 30 mph but mine does about 45mph and 50 going down hills after getting the engine retuned by the dealer. Show less

So far, the reliability is good but then the bike isn't even broken in yet. But the Rotax engine has good pedigree, so I feel confident that it will hold up well. Hopefully the rest of the bike would be the same. Performance is awesome. Love the broad power and torque bands. But the front and rear brakes could bite a bit harder. I like a bit more stopping power. Comfort isn't bad for a crotch rocket thanks to the raised and flat handle bar. Foot pegs are not too far backward. It makes for a nice street riding position similar to my BMW Rockster. The seat doesn't offer much cushion, but that's rather expected on these sort of bikes. I can ride around 100-miles before butt discomfort start to set in and even then it's not that bad thanks to the flat and wide seat. Overall, it's a great bike. Show less

This has been a replacement for my 2002 Ducati Supersport. The qulity, make, finish of this bike is way superior to "my" Ducati. As for performance, this is the best bike I have ever ridden. It has the power and handling of a race bike with comfort of a cruiser. Really agile with an ever-ready engine torque in any gear. Amongst the best features, I could mention the agility, engine, and gear box and breakes. Shifting is very precise. I never expected such a performance and qulity in the same package. But my faivorite is the breaks. It has the shortest stopping of any bikes in my area. Truely confidence inspiring. Best bike to my openion --- if one can afford it. Show less

I have had this bike about 2 months, like it very much, it has good power and handling, and the Scarabeo has great balance and the layout of the controls work great for me. I took it up to over 90 mph and it still had more to go in the power department. On the road, riding at 68 mph I have gotten 65 mpg so far and some of that was two up, but going slower. Have made two upgrades including a taller windscreen and modified the seat for a little more room. I had a Burgman 400 before the Scarabeo 500 and I like the bike a lot better because it weighs a little more and it handles better for my needs and it is a little faster than the Burgman. I also like the 4 1/2 gallon fuel tank that is a real plus! Show less