Aprilia SR 150 Road Test Review

I will be very honest here; when it comes to two-wheelers I have always preferred bikes over scooters. It is not that I don't like scooters, I think they are very practical, handy and easy to drive. They can be a bit boring, but bikes on the other hand are full of fun and well they have that inherent 'macho-ness'. However, all that changed the moment I mounted this seemingly slim and petite looking scooter called SR 150. Yes it had the Aprilia branding and I was expecting a different kind of performance than other scooters we have in the market but boy did the scooter perform on a completely different level!

The 150cc engine in the SR 150 is all about ferociousness. With max power of 10.4hp and max torque of 11.4Nm coming at relatively lower rpm levels this one is in the true sense a 'pocket-sized powerhouse'. Be it carving corners, be it long stretches of highway or be it congested city roads, this scooter performs with grace and ease. It is literally the best example of 'best of both world'. You get the raw power of a 150cc bike coupled with the ease of a gearless scooter. The slender figure of the SR 150 makes it a great vehicle to zip through traffic. The SR 150 eats speeds of 50-70kmph for breakfast! I did manage to push the speedo needle a little beyond the 100kmph mark on a long and empty stretch of tarmac. Somewhere close to 80kmph you feel like the SR 150 is at its peak but can still go faster. While the official figures state that this scooter has a mileage of 53kmpl, real world figures might drop to almost 40-45kmpl. The front 220mm disc brake is precise and has enough bite to let you control this vehicle. The rear drum brakes also performed similarly.

The large 14 inch tyres are one of the best parts about the SR 150 (engine being the best part). You get plenty of traction and confidence when you lean in a corner like a pro! Potholes can be a bit of an issue due to the suspension setup being stiff. This is expected however and forgiven as the telescopic forks upfront and unit swing in the rear do a decent job. After all who would buy a Lambo and complain that it has a low ground clearance? At 160mm, the ground clearance of the SR 150 however is pretty good.

The slim figure allows for some great aerodynamics but also means that there are some compromises on the comfort front. The footboard can feel a little short for people with heights of 6 feet and above. The seat however, is adequately broad and long. The cushion is comfortable as well. Under the seat you get a modest amount of storage space and the provision to add a charging port. There are no pockets up front but you do get a single bag hook.

If there ever was a Justice League made of scooters then the black and red colour variant of the SR 150 we had would definitely be the Batman amongst them. With sharp lines and curves running all along the scooter and the Aprilia graphics, this one is a mean looking little scooter. One would expect a very tech heavy meter console on this scooter but what you  get instead is a simple analogue speedometer. You do get a dial that shows you the fuel level but a trip meter is nowhere to be found. This all-analogue meter is admittedly is a bit of a let-down but the overall build quality is very good and all the controls are within reach.

One thing is for sure, the Aprilia SR 150 is not your everyday commuter scooter that has loads of features and convenience. This is for those who just want mad performance without the hassle of gears or for enthusiasts that wanted the boasting rights of owning an Aprilia but were on a budget. This is Aprilia's most budget friendly offering in the country but by no means is it devoid of the Aprilia DNA that we all have witnessed in their high end bikes. With a 150cc engine and a price tag of Rs 67,395 (ex-showroom Delhi), the SR 150 really has no direct competition. But then in cities like Delhi, the company would have to increase its number of dealerships to reach out to the people.