In 2013, Aprilia launched its first mass oriented scooter, the SR Motard 50 under the "supermoto-inspired" range. This was an ‘out-of-the-blues’ decision for a superbike maker like Aprilia, courtesy of its parent company, Piaggio, thus targeting itself towards a niche younger audience. However, with the SR 150, Aprilia has widened its base and has created an all-new segment of performance-oriented scooters for the mass market buyers although it hasn’t come onto US shores yet.

Touted to be the sporty yet fun-to-ride scooter, Aprilia has launched a limited edition version of the scooter titled as SR 150 RACE for its Asian markets, which comes with some cosmetic as well as mechanical changes over its regular version. Here’s is a comprehensive review of the all-new Aprilia SR 150 Race:-

2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE
  • Horsepower: 10
  • Torque: 8
  • Transmission: CVT
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

Even after belonging to a rather mass oriented price bracket, the SR 150 has a silhouette and stance which is unmatched by any other scooter, just like the Vespa sisters. With the SR 150 Race, what Aprilia has done is that it retained the original design with some all-new graphics and paint job, which tend to make this already athletic looking scooter even sportier.

The SR 150 Race has got the same sloping front apron as that of the regular SR 150, which comes integrated with the double barrel headlamp setup. The headlamp unit is shaped like an open wing, which is encased in a black housing. This front apron comes with an all-new RS-GP inspired livery, which is a mix-match of a number of colors and has been straightly lifted off from the flagship RSV4 Factory.

Unlike the regular SR 150 in which the handlebar above comes finished in black, the SR 150 Race’s handlebar too continues the RS-GP livery and has got the same clear lens parallelogram shaped turn indicators at both of its ends. The handlebar with these turn indicators gives it the typical Aprilia front fascia, a sense of which you can find in the other machines of Aprilia as well. There is a short and tiny fender positioned above the large 14-inch front wheel, which looks a lot like a motorcycle.

The RS-GP livery has been continued on the side of the apron and the rear side body panels, which continues to have the same sporty stance as the latter. The back panel of the apron comes fitted with a luggage hook. However, it misses out on the hook below the seat. The initial impressions say that the floorboard is quite roomy, but might feel tight for riders above 6 feet of height.

The seat is capacious enough to seat two full-sized adults, with the under seat compartment having a storage capacity of 1.7 gallon, which is enough to house a half face helmet. The 14-inch wheels on both the ends are painted in red color here, whereas the SR 150 has got an all-new “Race Boom” exhaust, which sounds better and aids in the performance of the scooter. The rear profile of the SR 150 Race retains the minimalist stance of the regular SR 150, with a large LED tail lamp and a split pillion alloy grab rails. The rear fender comes fitted with turn indicators like that on a motorcycle.

The instrument console design has been lifted off from the regular SR 150. Although it lacks the flair of the rest of the scooter’s design, it has a functional all analog unit with two pods – while the left one is larger and houses speedometer and a small rectangular digital screen for odometer and trip meter, the right smaller pod houses the fuel gauge. The rear view mirrors shared with the regular SR 150 are nicely styled and are positioned quite ergonomically. The switchgear is all new which is very different from that of the other scooters in the market. Being a product of Aprilia, the overall build quality is top notch.

So, regarding the visual appeal, Aprilia has done a commendable job by making the SR 150 Race look a lot sportier looking than its regular version, thanks to the new paint scheme.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE

Vespa Sprint 150

Length

76.9 in

68.6 in

Width

28.3 in

27.1 in

Height

44.6 in

44.8 in

Wheelbase

53.3 in

50.7 in

Seat height

29.7 in

31.9 in

Wet weight

268 lb

293 lb

Fuel Tank

1.7 gal

1.9


POWERTRAIN

Unlike any other limited edition model, Aprilia has made some slight changes to the powertrain of the SR 150 Race over the regular SR 150. It does come with the same four stroke, single cylinder, 3-valve, air cooled, 150cc engine as seen on the regular SR 150 as well as the Vespa VXL 150 and SXL 150.

However, thanks to the revised gear ratios of the CVT transmission, the engine now belts out 10.4 hp and 8.4 lb-ft of torque. Though there is not much to differentiate between the power and torque outputs of both the versions of the scooter, thanks to the revised gear ratios as well as sportier exhaust, the SR 150 Race performs slightly better than the regular SR 150.

This 150cc engine gets mated to a CVT transmission and has a solid punch not only in the lower revs but also at the higher revs, making this little scooter a powerful tool for your daily riding duties. The scooter delivers promising fuel economy of 117 mpg in the real world conditions, which is considerably lower than the competition.

Engine Specification

Make Model

2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE

Vespa Sprint 150

Capacity cc

154.8

150

Bore/ Stroke mm

106/67.9

n / a

Output

10.4 hp @ 6750 rpm

11.4 hp @ 7000 rpm

Torque

8.4 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm

9.4 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm

Type

3 Valve, Aluminum Cylinder Head, Overhead Cam and Roller Rocker Arm, MAP Sensing and Variable Spark Timing Management

3 Valve, Aluminum Cylinder Head, Overhead Cam and Roller Rocker Arm, MAP Sensing and Variable Spark Timing Management

Clutch type

Automatic centrifugal dry clutch

Automatic centrifugal dry clutch

Transmission

CVT Auto with torque server

CVT Auto


RIDE AND HANDLING

Aprilias are always known to be agile handlers and ace in riding dynamics, and the SR 150 Race is no different in this aspect. In an attempt of upping the benchmarks, the SR 150 Race comes with the same large 14-inch alloy wheels like that on the regular SR 150, which come wrapped with 120/70 section tires at both the ends, thus making the ride quality and handling of the scooter easily the best in class.

Apart from the wheels and tires, the SR 150 Race shares the hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a single-sided hydraulic coil spring at the rear from the regular SR 150. So are the front 220mm disc brake and the rear 140mm drum brakes, which are the most powerful brakes seen unlike other scooters in its class, and give the SR 150 Race an excellent braking capability.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE

Vespa Sprint 150

Frame

Monocoque full – Steel body construction

Monocoque full – Steel body construction

Suspension / Front

32mm Hydraulic telescopic fork with straight stanchions – wheel travel: 86mm

Aircraft derived single side arm Front Suspension with Anti-Dive characteristics

Suspension / Rear

Single arm with engine crankcase as swinging element, served by a single dual chamber shock with 4-setting adjustable spring preload. Wheel travel: 82mm

Rear suspension with Dual-Effect Hydraulic Shock Absorber

Brakes / Front

220mm brake disc

200 mm Ventilated Front Disc Brake

Brakes / Rear

140 mm drum

140 mm Rear Drum Brake

Tires / Front

120/70 R14

110/70 R11

Tires / Rear

120/70 R14

120/70 R11


PRICE

Currently, Aprilia sells only the SR Motard 50 in the US for $2,099. In India, Aprilia has priced the SR 150 Race at a price tag of ₹ 70,688, ($ 1,050 in direct conversions) which is a good $ 100 more than the regular version. However, expect it to cost much more than that when and if Aprilia decided to get this 150cc scooter across the pond. Somewhere in the ballpark of $ 3,000.

However, considering the changes, it comes over the regular SR 150 indeed make it a good value for money. Given its limited edition appeal, the SR 150 Race comes with the only option of Maze Grey, which does come with sporty body decals to accentuate its performance-oriented persona.

Make Model

2017 Aprilia SR 150 RACE

Vespa Sprint 150

MSRP

$ 3,000

$ 5,399


COMPETITION

Vespa Sprint 150

Compared to the retro-looking Vespa Sprint 150, the SR 150 Race has a sporty and motorcycle-like design, which is indeed an eye-pleasing and individualistic one to look at. Both the scooters have head-turning designs which surely break the monotony of the otherwise bulky looking family oriented scooters from other manufacturers.

The Vespa Sprint 150 sources its thrust from the same engine which does the duty on the SR 150 Race – a four stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled, 150cc engine, which churns out 12.7 hp of power and 9.4 lb-ftm of torque. The refinement and power delivery of the engine on both the scooters are almost equal, however, considering the lower weight of the SR 150 Race, the latter feels slightly more zippy to ride. Both the scooters are equally well-heeled when it comes to riding and handling. However, the larger 14-inch wheels with fatter tires as well as larger front disc brake on the SR 150 Race give it an edge regarding riding dynamics and braking capabilities.

VERDICT

Drawing inspirations from the brand’s Supermoto models, designers in the Italian factory have managed to combine the practicality of a scooter with the dynamic lines of a sports bike onto their SR range of machines albeit with 50cc or 150cc.

Having said that, the SR 150 Race indeed looks sportier than the regular SR 150 due to the cosmetic changes on the body panels, and at the same time, it performs slightly better too, with the revised gear ratios translating into a better and minutely sportier power delivery. And the premium it carries over the regular SR 150 isn’t too much worth asking for. This makes the SR 150 Race a great value for money product, something which was not said about any Aprilia product previously.