Scooter Review Aprilia Scarabeo 200 Review Scarabeo has always stood the high moral ground when it comes to all the good things we like about scooters, the 200 is no exception.
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After living day to day with the Scarabeo 125 over an extended period of time my train of thought became one that maybe the 200 would be more of the same. Good all round abilities with a little extra oomph I thought, as the Scarabeo 200 carries the same platform and is basically the same scooter with just a different capacity, 180 cc versus the smaller 125.
My first experience with the Beo would be to ride back to the Scootersales office direct from aprilia headquarters down the busy M5 Motorway linking Sydney's west.
Immediately I was overwhelmed as the power from the double overhead cam engine came on strong with a brisk flow of momentum. This is a whole new ball game I suddenly thought myself , hey I'm already at the speed limit , man this thing moves , better slow down , lets not get too excited here! The extra weight of the engine at these speeds gave the scooter a new complexion also helping with stability and road feel.
All good freeways must come to an end and soon enough where onto the mixed tar roads that we in Sydney have to deal with day to day. Dual rear  shocks and that added weight significantly help the road handling of the Scarabeo, its like this is the optimum engine and chassis combination for this scooter. Larger wheels mean a different kind of riding style is required and corners are best managed through leaning and trust as this scooter will run out of tires before it runs out of clearance. Ride the Scarabeo for a number of days in a row and you will be amazed how it taunts you to take that corner a little quicker or a little tighter. This scooter in time will instil you with a new found riding confidence.
New Thought ....... Handling like this is normally reserved for scooters with a perimeter frame or steel chassis but again the Scarabeo follows the family tradition and does it all with a flat floor.
Which then brings us to storage options which like all larger wheeled scooters you have to trade some underseat room for handling ability. But that said there is the afore mentioned flat floor and a sturdy top box ready rack and we cant forget the still generous amount of room under the seat. The seat is key operated and felt a fair bit more comfortable then what I remember on the 125 version. The 12 volt socket remains under the seat and is a nice touch for charging electrical items on the run.
 Some purchase tips are that you will need to check your speed regularly on this baby and whilst the multi feature dash is extremely comprehensive it can be a little difficult to learn at first, so best consult the owners manual. Also get the dealer to teach you how to use the star shaped operating key prior to leaving the dealership.
And when its time to pull up, braking is catered for via dual discs and you wont be wanting for more power in the stopping department. I love the brakes but have never really been a fan of the linked set up that adorns more and more modern scooters these days. Grab the left lever and jointly you get a bit of front and rear brake both helping to slow the scooter. Great for the unaccustomed but for me I'm a little more of a rear brake only man through corners.
So ample performance, good brakes, premium feel and class leading handling sounds pretty good doesn't it. That's really where the aprilia Scarabeo is at, the 200 was just supposed to be another scooter, another version of what is now quite an extensive family. Aprilia have priced the Scarabeo 200 quite competitively at $5490 + ORC and for this reason it just about makes the 125 redundant.
We are certainly blessed in Australia for what is a relatively small scooter market, yet we still get to experience some true gems. The Aprilia Scarabeo 200 is one of these......
Scootersales.com.au says
 
- Premium Value
- Disc Brakes all round
- Performance
- Handling and Cornering
- Solid
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- Digital Dash, tricky to use
- Linked Brakes, just not sold on them
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By Type
|
/10 |
| Handling |
09/10
|
Performance
|
10/10 |
Quality of Finish
|
08/10 |
Storage Options
|
08/10 |
Dash / Gauges
|
07/10 |
| Seating |
08/10 |
| Maintenance |
08/10 |
Function of Parts
|
08/10 |
| Technology |
08/10 |
Value for Money
|
09/10 |
Total
|
83/100 |
2nd Opinions from the Scootersales.com.au Network
Graham Marston - Scooters Scooters, Fortitude Valley Brisbane
Another larger wheel scooter from aprilia is in my midst and this time it has more get up and go than the previously reviewed 125 version. It’s a lively performer and will offer a ride that could easily take you away onto the open roads. The strong energetic engine will have you taking longer routes on your way home and have you ducking into town with ease.
It’s a carburetted single cylinder four stroke which has the added benefit of liquid cooling for the long hard rides, and a belt drive that delivers this power smoothly onto those large confidence inspiring wheels. A respectable 19 horsepower becomes apparent at 9250 rpm, so in scootering terms she’s no slouch. I found lazy, effortless power smothered the city ride; it pulls away sharply from traffic snarls and is graceful when cruising around. It has a subtle exhaust note, too, which is always welcome in my book.
This is not a bulky wide scooter either; it’s reasonably narrow, the long wheelbase making the scooter a stronger silhouette on the road. You can see the Scarabeo 200 because the chassis size and headlight configuration set it apart visually on the streets. It prompts the rider to sit up more, occasionally tucking neatly behind the factory fitted windshield, and this is a nice touch and creates a small weather shelter. Dash information is well lit, incorporating bold lights and analogue dials make the cockpit entertaining to look at and informative at a glance.
Braking is strong and true, triple piston callipers up front combined with twin piston stoppers at the rear provide sure footed stopping. Both brakes are disc .These brakes talk too each other too, being linked, so application of one distributes power to the other, a great feature especially on those cold wet winter days.
Once again aprilia have built around the larger wheel and the 200’s handling stands apart. Great traction from 16 inch rear and front tyres allows power delivery with minimal fuss and chatter; it’s a sure footed scooter. In a way she is motorcycleseque because of this, so be prepared to lean a bit into those corners and you can guarantee the Scarabeo will be there for you.
Build quality is high, the panels are fitted well and colour options are classy rather than garish. The white option carries with it a graphic pattern not unlike a zebra, a little bit cheeky but it works, it’s artful and flatters the lines of the scooter. Once again the road manners shine through for me but this time the handling is matched by the power of the feisty little engine. It’s a great combo and should ensure your journey may stretch the boundaries of your GPS, look for the roads you shall have a willing companion.
As ever, a large wheel means compact storage and underseat space is limited; the glove box seems devoid of any true cavity as well which I found a bit frustrating. The rear rack which comes as standard is ready for a maximum payload of up to 9 kgs though so top box touring wont be a problem. Foot space I found a bit cramped with minimal room to stretch the ankles, again a symptom of the wheel size. Remember this is not a true maxi style scooter so acres of storage come second to road handling.
I found initially that I had problems operating the multi function ignition switch with the key, as the key is designed to operate like a switch once in the ignition. Forget a scooter key as you know it, this one is straight from Mars, and is a bit painful if you sit on it in your trouser pocket. For some reason I didn’t really like the fit of the glove box door either, which in comparison with the great fit and build of the rest is a shame.
Overall the 200 is enjoyable to ride and would appeal to those seeking the longer journeys. I would have no hesitation in seeing Queensland on this scooter; just get me a top box and I’m gone. Build quality and style is top notch and it will make you feel happy and confident if the going gets tough. It made me smile on my commute, I look for things like that.
By Type
|
/10 |
| Handling |
09/10
|
Performance
|
09/10 |
Quality of Finish
|
08/10 |
Storage Options
|
06/10 |
Dash / Gauges
|
09/10 |
| Seating |
08/10 |
| Maintenance |
08/10 |
Function of Parts
|
08/10 |
| Technology |
08/10 |
Value for Money
|
08/10 |
Total
|
73/100 |
Murray Walters - Scooter Central Brookvale Sydney
You have to remember when you look at the Scarabeo 200, that this scoot is part of a large family of scoots that includes engine sizes from 50cc right through to 500cc. The Scarabeo 200 version is carefully placed to provide all the trimmings of a premium scoot, but with a modest price tag.
Price and pedigree aside, I like the big wheels on a scoot of this size, as it is capable of 120kmph, and the big wheels add to the scoots ability to smooth out the bumps and carve a nice arc around your favourite bends. The big wheels do come with a small drawback though, as they don't leave too much space for underseat storage, so a topbox will be considered by many.
Fortunately, the design boffins at Aprilia have seen to this by adding a very strong rear rack that is capable of accepting up to a huge 45 litre topbox if required.
On the engine side of things, the power is smooth and more than enough to burn off any local traffic, or to pillion a passenger with ease around town. The integrated windscreen takes a bit of the buffeting off you at speed, and I find the controls easy to use, however, the mode button is placed where you would usually find the starter button, and this takes a little getting used to.
Seating is firmish, and allows plenty of legroom in the cockpit for a big range of rider heights. I also liked the adjustable twin rear shocks, that allowed me to customise the rebound, and general ride of the soot.
For me, the Scarabeo is a great scoot to consider for those that love the Italian branding, big wheels and are considering a well priced scoot for town riding. It's the sort of scoot that has you grinning at the thought of a long commute home, as it has the looks and a peppy motor to match.
By Type
|
/10 |
| Handling |
8.5/10
|
Performance
|
8.5/10 |
Quality of Finish
|
8.5/10 |
Storage Options
|
08/10 |
Dash / Gauges
|
09/10 |
| Seating |
08/10 |
| Maintenance |
09/10 |
Function of Parts
|
09/10 |
| Technology |
08/10 |
Value for Money
|
09/10 |
Total
|
85.5/100 |
Brendon Watson - Scooter HQ Southport Gold Coast
 One of the most versatile scooters on the market. In the 200 class the Scarabeo really packs some serious value for money. The biggest brakes, the most powerful engine & the longest service intervals. This is the scooter I put my mum on.
New generation DOHC 4 valve engine performance is up there with the 250's, handling is superb as are brakes & ergonomics. Capable of handling anything dished out.
Underseat storage could be better, easily resolved with a top box.
By Type
|
/10 |
| Handling |
10/10
|
Performance
|
10/10 |
Quality of Finish
|
10/10 |
Storage Options
|
08/10 |
Dash / Gauges
|
10/10 |
| Seating |
10/10 |
| Maintenance |
10/10 |
Function of Parts
|
10/10 |
| Technology |
10/10 |
Value for Money
|
10/10 |
Total
|
98/100 |
published 5/06/2009 |