The words “supersport scooter” are not ones that we see put together very often, but that's exactly what the Aprilia SR 50 Motard brings to the market. Aprilia drew on its own extensive Supermotard experience for the design high points of this model, and the racetrack DNA is plain to see. A four-stroke 50 cc engine delivers clean power that meets U.S. and Canadian emission standards, and the under-seat storage compartment makes it an effective commuter.

2018 - 2019 Aprilia SR Motard 50

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 - 2019 Aprilia SR Motard 50
  • Engine/Motor: single cylinder
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Aprilia SR Motard 50 Design

The factory endeavored to give the SR Motard 50 the soul of a racing Motard, and for the most part, it seems like a job well done. An aggressive overall panache greets the eye with a sporty beak that's meant to capture the essence of the original off-road Supermotards with a direct connection to the Dorsoduro's design.

A recessed headlight splits the night from behind a clear cover with short-standoff turn signals to complete the forward lighting. Would they look better recessed, too? Sure, but U.S. regulations require the turn signals be a certain distance apart, and the narrow, jet fighter-like front end just simply isn't wide enough for all that.

A teensy flyscreen on top does more to protect the instrument cluster than the rider, but it does add a nice aesthetic that compliments the front fairing. Below the nose, the legguard components form a sport-like scoop not entirely unlike its RSV4 siblings, and that further accentuates its sporty influences. The handlebar has a fairing all its own to keep the hand-control area nice and tidy, and the instrument cluster consists of a pair of round analog gauges with a few idiot lights to handle all of the pertinent info.

Mirrors run with vented standoffs, and I gotta' say, I think the factory missed an opportunity by not integrating the blinkers with the mirrors. Oh well, what are ya' gonna' do? Inside the legguard area there's a small glovebox and a cargo hook, and since the step-through is completely flush, you always have the option of using the deck for some 'tween-feet storage.

The sculpted, bench-style saddle rides at 32 inches off the ground and comes complete with a wide p-pad and pair of compact J.C. handles and molded-in footboards for a little bit of passenger security and comfort. The flip-up seat covers a dry storage compartment that will hold a single full-face bucket, a handful of books or a couple of bags of groceries, and when you add that to the other storage, it makes the Motard 50 an okay machine to be used for light commuter duties as long as it's low-speed and local. A mudguard-style assembly makes another visual Supermotard connection that keeps the plateholder and rear blinkers together below the recessed taillight.

Aprilia SR Motard 50 Chassis

An aluminum perimeter frame on the SR Motard 50 replaces the steel skeleton that supported the previous models, though the asymmetrical, swing-mount drive system that uses both engine and transmission as a stressed unit remains the same. It is still a scooter, after all.

A coil-over monoshock supports the rear end and dampens the motion of the rear wheel with 4.80 inches (122 mm) of travel to soak up the bumps. Up front, a set of 40 mm, rwu hydraulic forks take care of business with 4.33 inches (110 mm) of travel while the suspension components at both ends run on fixed damping and preload values.

Cast, 14-inch wheels round out the rolling chassis with matching six split-spoke architecture and 120/70 hoops, front and rear. Braking duties fall to the 220 mm front disc and 140 mm rear drum with the Bosch 9.1 MP ABS that brings a measure of safety to the table.

Frame:

Aluminum perimeter frame

Front suspension/ Wheel travel:

Conventional fork with 40 mm body/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Rear suspension/ Wheel travel:

Asymmetrical swingarm. Monoshock absorber/ 4.8 in (122 mm)

Front brake:

300 mm stainless steel disc.

Rear brake:

218 mm stainless steel disc.

ABS system:

ABS Bosch 9.1 MP

Wheels:

6 split spoke wheel rim in lightweight alloy.

Tires:

120/70 R 14


Aprilia SR Motard 50 Drivetrain

Power comes from a four-stroke, liquid-cooled thumper that displaces a total of 49.9 cc and meets EPA, CARB and Transport Canada emission standards. Although the factory seems to be keeping the U.S. model's power numbers close to the vest, we know that the previous gen put out 4.55 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 2.8 pounds o' grunt at eight grand even, and I expect the liquid-cooled version to produce about the same. No matter how much it puts out, the plant is governed for a 40 mph top speed, and that's all the faster you can make it go. Well, that's as fast as you can go with the factory settings, and I'd never condone bypassing the governor.

A centrifugal clutch decouples the continuously-variable transmission from engine power at idle, and of course, the CVT delivers the twist-and-go operation scooter riders expect.

Engine:

Single cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled

Displacement:

49.9 cc

Transmission:

CVT


Aprilia SR Motard 50 Pricing

The only color package available for the 2019 SR Motard 50 is called “Racing Black,” though it's actually mostly black with gray panels and red trim; colors that also tie in with Aprilia's more race-tastic models. It rolls for $2,199 in the U.S. market.

Colors:

Racing Black

Price:

$2,199


Aprilia SR Motard 50 Competitors

Aprilia is a well-known brand, especially in Europe, but I wanted to give a lesser-known marque a shot at the SR Motard 50 so I picked out the Super 8 50X from KYMCO. The “50X” rocks a similar front end, though instead of a bird's beak it relies on a high-mount fender that is nestled right up under the fairing proper.

A large, over-under headlight dominates the front end, and in a departure from the Motard's style, the handlebar and all the associated control cables and wires are exposed, motorcycle style. The KYMCO also has a full step-through for easy mounting/dismounting, and it also comes complete with a p-pad, passenger footboards, and J.C. handles so you can share the fun with a friend. Oh, but I gotta' hand it to KYMCO; the Matte Orange over Matte Black color scheme is hot stuff, and one of my favorite color combinations.

That aside, our two competitors cut a similar figure and are both rather narrow and sporty rides. The wheels on the 50X surrender a couple of inches to the Motard with 12-inch rims and dual-purpose hoops, and it relies on a hydraulic disc up front and drum out back to manage the energy J.C. ABS protection.

A 49 cc four-stroke plant drives the 50X with 2.3 pound-feet of torque on tap, and though we don't have hard numbers on the Motard, I feel confident that it out pulls the KYMCO. The Super 8 50X rolls for $1,899, and while that's only $300 less expensive than the Motard, I imagine it's not enough of an difference to offset the name recognition of the Aprilia.

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“What a sharp little scoot. Too bad that's what it is though; a little scoot. Since the U.S. doesn't use the tiered licensing system favored in other parts of the world, its utility might be a bit limited, especially in the face of 100-plus cc competition that'll stand up to highway use. That said, as a first machine for a young rider, the SR Motard 50 is an okay ride with a pedigree you just don't see in many small scooters.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “Instead of the KYMCO, which is a perfectly fine scooter, I might have gone with the Piaggio Typhoon 50 for comparable fit and finish, though it is pretty much the same scooter as the SR Motard 50 for less money. Still, it's light and nimble, and the seat allows for taller folks to slide back a little for a bit more legroom.”

Aprilia SR Motard 50 Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine:

Single cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled

Displacement:

49.9 cc

Transmission:

CVT

Chassis:

Frame:

Aluminum perimeter frame

Front suspension/ Wheel travel:

Conventional fork with 40 mm body/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Rear suspension/ Wheel travel:

Asymmetrical swingarm. Monoshock absorber/ 4.8 in (122 mm)

Front brake:

300 mm stainless steel disc.

Rear brake:

218 mm stainless steel disc.

ABS system:

ABS Bosch 9.1 MP

Wheels:

6 split spoke wheel rim in lightweight alloy.

Tires:

120/70 R 14

Dimensions & Capacities:

Saddle height:

32 in (820 mm)

Fuel tank capacity:

1.9 gal

Emission compliance:

EPA, CARB, Transport Canada

Details:

Colors:

Racing Black

Price:

$2,199


Further Reading

KYMCO Super 8

See our review of the KYMCO Super 8.

Aprilia Dorsoduro 900

See our review of the Aprilia Dorsodoro 900.

Piaggio Typhoon 50

See our review of the Piaggio Typhoon 50.

Aprilia

Read more Aprilia news.