Aprilia Atlantic 500 reviews

Just returned from a ride where I rolled past the 5,000 KM mark, so I thought I would update my review. After more than a year and 5,000 KM, I have found this scooter to be very reliable with a great level of performance. It's very versatile, as well - if you want to go scoot around with your local scooter club it fits right in with its classic lines, but if you want to take it out on the highway and do some touring or freeway commuting, it is more than up to the task with what feel like large reserves of power. The level of finish (full chrome muffler, quality windscreen, alarm, remote seat opener, hazard lights) continue to elicit comments from fellow scooterists - this ride will make you proud! A used one will cost less than a new 250, and none of them can even touch it. Still highly recommended! Show less

What a bike! It is great for the money and it is fast! I love this scooter! It goes from 0 to 60 in no time. No problem keeping up with traffic! I ride it to work, a 6 mile roundtrip. It gets around 53 miles-per-gallon. The insurance is affordable! I am 5'5" and 200 lbs. and it has no problem with handling the weight. I ride with my wife two-up no problem, maybe because she is only 116 lbs. and 5'. It has lots of storage. I added a storage truck for my stuff. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great, fast and affordable scooter. Show less

I am on my second Scarabeo 500. I rode the first one from Miami, FL to San Francisco, CA and back and the only problem was a screw in the rear tire which was easily repaired with a plug. I love riding this scooter so much that I put 7k miles a year on it versus less than 4k miles a year on my 400hp (from the factory) sport car. Show less

I traded up from a Burgman 400 and this is a bigger, faster, better handling scooter. It runs smooth and fast all day long. It's a nice, terrific ride. Show less

I bought this bike new in April of '05. As you can see, it doesn't rest too much. This bike gets very regular, very thorough maintenance. It has never let me down. Only 1 minor issue; the water pump developed a small leak. I even continued to ride it while the parts came in. I once rode it 230 miles just for lunch and then back home. That particular day it was between 105 degrees and 114 degrees. The big 'Beo never broke a sweat. It fared much better than I did. This bike needs nothing right out of the box to take you anywhere you want to go. Lots of storage with the optional panniers. This bike is comfortable and stable at speeds of 75-80 mph for as long as you want to ride it. Show less

Purchased used as my first bike. I really like it, and especially enjoy that there is no clutch to fool with. In my first 200 miles, it has run well, and got 60MPG on my first tank. 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

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

I have now had this automatic bike for 6 months, and I like it even more each time that I ride it. I have discovered the following: BRAKES - They are good, especially when you need to come to a very quick stop. Where I use the front brake 95% of the time on my 2001 SV650, I use the combined front and rear left break the most. LEAN - the 500 will lean as far as you want to take it. Country roads or tight turns at lights are a piece of cake. The tires grip well. SEAT - My legs and toe tips have become adjusted to the tall, wide seat. When riding I realize that I can see really far because I'm about the same height as an SUV driver. STEERING - I have tightened the steering damper almost to the maximum (yes, there is one, but it takes some practice to reach it under the front fender) for better connection with the road. I now also have the Borso tunnel bag that, when tight against the inner part of the fairing and the seat, acts beautifully as an additional steering damper, especially in strong winds. SPEED - When I take off at a red light, I don't feel like I'm going fast, but cars are always in my mirrors. MIRRORS - They work really well. This is the first bike that I can actually see easily what's behind me on both sides. CENTERSTAND - If you know how to use a centerstand properly, you'll find the 500 raises easily. This helps when you frequently clean the brake dust off the rims, check the tires etc. I have to rock a couple of times to get the bike down, due to the height. Be careful in gas stations if a car moves too close to you when filling up. You'll need some room as you come down off the stand. COLD WEATHER - I ride throughout the winter and the hand guards so far (December 6th) on the fairing have been great. Cold fingertips and body parts on my SV have been comfortable on the 500. EASE OF OPERATION - I can see/enjoy more of my surroundings while riding because the management of the bike is so much easier. No shifting. No adjustment of the feet for braking. A full upright, comfortable position with the wind 85% off of you and loads of room for adjustment of your feet. MILEAGE - When I tell people that I'm getting 55-60 mpg, no matter how hard I ride, they ask where they can find an Aprilia Scarabeo 500. Show less