Aprilia SR 125 Review
Bike Tested: 2018 Aprilia SR 125; Road Test No. 922; Test Location: Navi Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 77,994/-
The Aprilia SR 125 has big shoes to fill after the impact left by its elder brother
The scooter segment has always been more focused on commuting rather than sheer riding pleasure. From mid-2017 onwards, Aprilia has completely changed the game. With the introduction of the Aprilia SR 150, this premium brand made itself not only more accessible but added an extra bit of thrill to one’s daily commute. The SR 150 is a very capable scooter and one of the best scooters according to me when it comes to sheer riding dynamics. So where does the SR 125 fit in and does it make any sense? Let’s find out.
Motor Quest: Aprilia has been making scooters since the early 1990’s. Their first scooter was a two-stroke, 125cc model called the Amico LK. In India, they made their debut with the SR 150 which was a completely alien approach for scooter buyers. However, the scooter was impressive in terms of dynamics and performance which made the RSV4 maker bring out a 125cc version of the same.
I really like the fact that this takes design cues from the Aprilia RSV4
Styling The Aprilia SR 125 looks exactly like its elder sibling, the SR 150. The only true difference comes in the options of color schemes, the absence of grab rails and the noticeably smaller engine. Apart from these minor changes, this is literally the same machine as the SR 150. It has the same design that seems to focus less on practicality and more on sportiness. There isn’t much to talk about the styling as the SR 125 resembles its elder brother in every way and shares a majority of parts with it. This, of course, is not a bad thing as this is a very handsome looking machine.
One step forward, two steps back – this speedo already feels dated!
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – This instrument cluster is again lifted from the SR 150. The analogue console gets a white background and a very basic setup. It has a speedometer (tells you both km/hr and mph), odometer and fuel gauge. Apart from this, there isn’t anything to talk about, so you know I wasn’t exaggerating when I called it basic. The switchgear is of good quality and the overall build quality feels great.
I bet you can see quite clearly how much room I have for myself and my feet
Ergonomics – I’m just going to ahead and put it out there, this isn’t a practical scooter at all. Practicality is something that isn’t its emphasis, instead, it’s about the way it looks. Now that’s fine with me but not for 125cc scooters, that are known for their blend of performance and practicality. Let’s start with the seats, they’re not that spacious and the scooped out front seat makes it feel cramped. The compound itself isn’t suitable for riding long distances. Next, the footboard is quite cramped too and doesn’t permit to place your feet wherever you’d like, as there isn’t much of an option.
The seats are very stiff and could use a good amount of cushioning
The lack of an external fuel filler is noticeable and something Aprilia could have given to this machine
The absence of grab rails may look cool but it isn’t practical at all. Instead, this gets a rubber band between the front and rear, which seems to be there to help you lift the scooter on the main-stand instead of helping a pillion (neither of which it can do properly). The band feels loose and flimsy, it feels like it will tear off the bike and come straight in your hand if you pull too hard. I feel Aprilia should have thought this through given the fact that this scooter doesn’t have a side stand and the main-stand is the only way to park this machine. Unlike most 125cc scooters, this doesn’t get any additional storage space either. Sure you do get some under seat storage, but it’s not big enough to even fit a full-size helmet. This scooter also gets new mirrors which don’t offer the best of visibility.
Performance – Unlike the SR 150, this one packs in a 124.49cc motor that dishes out 9.52 BHP of power and 9.9 Nm of torque. Expectedly, the power as well as torque figures are down in comparison to its elder sibling. That being said, this motor takes its own sweet time to get into its stride. It lacks power down low and keeps most of its grunt and punch in the mid-range and top-end respectively. This is probably the fastest feeling 125cc scooter and I have to give it due credit for that. Aprilia is ahead of the game and offers an exciting motor in this segment. It’s a very refined engine and stays smooth throughout, there aren’t any vibrations from the motor whatsoever which is quite commendable. It’s very easy to ride this scooter in the city and from the moment you open the throttle, power is always available and delivered in a linear and seamless fashion. There is no actual kick but a gentle push that gets harder as you climb up the rev range.
Sheer riding pleasure is what you will find with this scooter
The stiff suspension tuning on the SR 125 allows for a stable ride at high speeds
Riding Dynamics – The Aprilia SR 125 gets the same suspension setup as its elder brother, which is not a bad thing, or is it? The suspension and chassis setup feels stiff and really communicates to the rider in terms of feel and feedback which is great. When it comes to a day-to-day basis, this scooter feels more youthful as it literally channels every bump and undulation to the rider which isn’t comfortable at all. The handling though is great and the stability is unparalleled. It’s like it really sinks in its claws through corners and grants so much confidence to the rider. The brakes on this machine are wonderful. Braking bite is immediate and feels solid. Probably one of the best brakes I’ve tested on a scooter.
Such a fabulous design along with beautiful lines to compliment it
Verdict – On the outside, this is literally the same scooter as the SR 150, which is great but it also inherits all of its cons. The uncomfortable ride, the hard seat and the lack of practicality aren’t to everyone’s taste. The people that do find this scooter appealing, to them I’d say instead of accepting all the compromises that this scooter brings forth and settling for a 125cc machine, get the SR 150 instead. At an additional Rs. 3141/-, the SR 150 brings more performance and value to this dynamic machine and justifies the absence of most practical bits with its added performance.
Is it just me or does this scooter have more than enough ground clearance?
What’s Cool
* Attractive styling makes it an attention-grabber
* Beautiful riding dynamics
* Great performance when compared to its rivals
* Solid braking ability enhances rider’s confidence
What’s Not So Cool
* Not practical with small foot board and limited under seat storage
* Stiff suspension setup coupled with a hard seat compound
* Priced very close to the Aprilia SR 150
For a price difference of a little over Rs. 3000, this scooter just doesn’t justify the cons
2018 Aprilia SR 125 Specifications
* Engine: 124.49cc, 3-valve, Air-Cooled, SOHC
* Power: 9.52 BHP @ 7250 RPM
* Torque: 9.9 Nm @ 6250 RPM
* Transmission: CVT
* Fuel Consumption: 40-45 km/l (Est.)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 120/70/14 (Front), 120/70/14 (Rear), Tubeless
* Brakes: 220 mm Disc (Front), 140 mm Drum (Rear)
2018 Aprilia SR 125 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 1985 mm x 703 mm x 1166 mm
* Wheelbase: 1365 mm
* Ground Clearance: 155 mm
* Seat Height: 780 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.6-litres (1.2-litres usable reserve)
* Kerb weight: 115 kgs
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