Here is my Aprilia Scarabeo scooter review... With the rising gas prices, I started my search for a gas scooter that I could commute to and from work with, as well as being able to hop on the freeway for short trips if needed.
I knew that I would need something above a 150cc, but also wanted to keep within my price range of $2500-$4000. My final choice came down to the Aprilia Scarabeo 200, pictured above with optional accessories.
PROS of the Aprilia Scarabeo
This bike has 16" wheels, with 19hp and between 70-75 MPH. The Scarabeo 200 is a great looking scooter and is currently offered in the US in two colors: red and blue. I chose the blue, because in my area, there are a ton of red scooters and the blue model comes with a tan seat making it stand out even more.
CONS of the Aprilia Scarabeo
The Aprilia Scarabeo 200 has plenty of power but can feel a little unstable on the freeway when reaching speeds over 60 MPH. Also, I've noticed that other Scarabeo 200 owners have been running into engine hesitation issues and stalling (see Aprilia forums).
The optional accessories offered by Aprilia can be hard to get. Aprilia is also apparently back ordered on the oil filters for this model.
Agip products are the recommended products to use with this scooter. However, Agip products are hard to find, such as the coolant and brake fluid unless you order from the US distributor by the case at a time, which may be more than you need.
The Aprilia Scarabeo 200 scooter is also built in China, rather than Italy, unlike the other Aprilia models.
In Summary
Had I done better research, I probably would have opted to pay a little more and get the Aprilia SportCity 250, which is fuel injected. Or, I would have chosen maybe a Kymco (which comes with a 2-year warranty).
If you are set on the Scarabeo 200, it may be wise to wait until the 2009 models come out to see if some of the issues have been resolved.
To see other scooter reviews besides this Aprilia Scarabeo review, visit our motor scooter reviews page.
the keys are odd on the Scarabeo but we only have the keys alone. No other keys.
The mechanic is fixing the scooter now and we told him to disable the LOCKED feature. I know this is an anti theft device but I will take my chances.
One other concern: the high/wide seat. Anyone know how to shave the seat or get a custom one made?
Thanks
May 23, 2009 Rating
Made Where? Steering Locking? by: Pekingduck
I was looking at the Scarabeo 200 at a dealer today, and he could not open the seat with the key. We both fumbled with it for a while. The key has a half round knob on it, with some teeth that act like short pointers so you should, in theory, see what position the key was in.
Anyway, because the key isn't flat, and the nubs are short, it's hard to tell. But more importantly, it may also be possible for a keyring with a bunch of keys on it, to kind of wrap itself around the knob, and with the weight of the keys, rotate counterclockwise, letting the steering lock when you turn the bars to the left.
Also, the first letter of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) tells you where it's made - Z for Italy, J for Japan, L for China, R for Taiwan, 3 for Mexico.
May 11, 2009 Rating
CHINESE? by: Anonymous
not sure the Scarabeo is made in china. Go read the tech page of the scooter.. country of origin always reads ITALY.
May 11, 2009 Rating
Frightening by: Kathi
Wow... this is a frightening story. I've never experienced anything like this on my Buddy. I hope I never do...
May 11, 2009 Rating
Aprilia 200 and locked wheel by: Anonymous
yesterday my husband took out the Scarabeo for a spin. As he slowed down to turn into a major intersection the WHEEL/STEERING wheel locked.!! he crashed into a cement abutment, rolled into oncoming traffic.
Luckily help was immediate and he suffered nothing more than road rash. I check to day to see the damage to the bike.
The nurse who cleaned his wounds said she owned a BUDDY and the same thing happened to her. LOCKED HAndlebars. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? I googled this and find nothing.
I wont get on this bike again (if it isnt totalled) until this wheel/handlebar thing is resolved.
Jan 14, 2009 Rating
Scarabeo Rider by: Harry
Nice 200 review. I went with the Scarabeo 500ie and though I had some fuel line issues at first, all has been corrected and the scooter runs great! It is stable on the highway (excluding windy days) and tops out at around 100mph and an average of 58mpg. The down side is that Aprilia dealership networking is terrible. Alos, anything at high speed longer than about and hour gets uncomfortable. A Yamaha Tmax or something relative to this would be recomended for such tasks.
Aug 02, 2008 Rating
Excellent Review! by: Kathi
Wow! This is a great review -- very detailed and informative. Thanks so much for submitting it. Anyone else have any experience driving the Scarabeo?
