Scooter Review

Aprilia Scarabeo 100 4T

If you want a scooter with the Milan seal of fashion approval, then imagine riding down the runway on this little beauty

Words by GREGOR STRONACH

A few years ago, Italian company Aprilia released a scooter which revolutionised the market almost overnight. The Scarabeo ventured forth onto the streets of Roma and Milano wearing enormous 16-inch wheels, wheels which were somewhere between the normal 12-inch scooter wheels for manoeuvrability and the 17- inch motorcycle wheels for stability. Coupled with relatively narrow tyres, the new wheels gave the Scarabeo both light steering and supreme confidence over the bumpy Italian cobblestones. And they gave the market a completely new niche, the big-wheel scooter.

The retro-styling of the Scarabeo, plus the large range of accessories, especially some of the leather luggage, made the scooter an instant hit in Milan, where, in the fashion capital of the world, it suddenly seemed every second scooter was a Scarabeo, but in a practical sense, probably the most striking feature is the wheels – compared to most other scooters, they’re huge. This should be helpful for anyone stepping off a regular motorcycle and into the saddle of a scooter. They certainly make negotiating Sydney’s colossal potholes a whole lot easier. Knowing you’ll make it out the other side of some of the worst ones is real peace of mind.

The Scarabeo’s suspension is lovely and compliant, which also helps to soak up the worst of the bumps. The narrow tyres give the Scarabeo a feel not dissimilar to riding a very comfortable bicycle, Milan’s other favoured mode of transport.

Adding the optional top-box extends the Scarabeo’s versatility and appeal and its light steering an extreme narrowness makes slipping through traffic or squeezing into a parking space very easy.

At present there are two models of the Scarabeo available in Australia. One is the 50cc two-stroke version (carrying the Orbital Engine Company’s direct fuel injection Di-Tech system, which minimises fuel consumption and emissions) and which of course complies with the 50cc scooter legislation in WA, SA and Qld, while the other is the Scarabeo 100, a four-stroke which is eligible for the NSW scooter licence.

There are other versions on the drawing board, including a 200 and a 500cc maxiscooter, which will feature a slightly revised shape.

If fashion and fun go hand in hand for you, then the Scarabeo’s your escape to Milan fashion week.

As published in TW SCOOTER MAGAZINE - 27/10/2003
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