Aprilia Scarabeo - 1999 Motorcycle Review

With the rising cost of gasoline, my scooter is the perfect answer!  I don't ride it to work because the threat of thundershowers in the Midwest might cause me to arrive at my job looking like a drowned rat.  I do ride it for all my other daily errands and events.  It's also a really fun way to get around.  You can't be sad when riding a scooter, it's just not possible!  And if you're a person who likes a bit of extra attention, the Scarabeo is certainly going to draw the comments.  "Do you like it?" (can't you tell by the wide grin on my face?) and "How fast does it go?" (about 45 mph top speed because its a 49.5 cc engine) are the most common questions.  Current models come with 50, 100, 125 and 200 cc engines.

The best feature of the Scarabeo, other than the excellent Italian construction (apparently Aprilia is known for its racing motorcycles and they have quite a decent track record) is the large-sized wheels.  Most scooters have little tiny wheels that make the ride "jittery" and unstable-feeling.  The Scarabeo has large, motorcycle-sized wheels that make riding and turning much more smooth.  It has both an electronic starter and a kick starter, an automatic transmission, turn signals, and a little bitty glove compartment.  Mine also has the optional trunk that mounts on the rear to carry my helmet or my groceries or the hot dish I'm taking to the potluck. 

Parking is usually a breeze because you can sneak it into a very small space.  Some places even allow you to get away with parking on the sidewalk.  Use you good judgment on this and be sure you leave enough room for people in wheelchairs to pass by.  Licensing in my state (Iowa) treats this as a moped so I don't need a motorcycle license, but check the rules in your state for the status where you live. 

Of course there are the usual downsides common to scooters:  weather is an important factor in how comfortable your ride will be; it's a one-person vehicle, although the larger models are able to carry two; you can't easily carry a whole lot of cargo although if you are creative, you can bring home a number of bags of groceries with the optional trunk and the bag loop positioned below the front of the seat.  And the obvious safety concerns with any two-wheeled vehicle still must be respected.  Wear a helmet, be hyper-vigilant, and proceed as though you are invisible to other motorists. 

 While I paid a premium for mine in the San Francisco Bay area when they were first introduced here and rare ($3,500 with trunk and helmet)  the scooter retails for around $2,100.00 here in Iowa today. 

Its fun, economical transportation, and the coolness-factor cannot be beat!