Aprilia SR 150

Pros: Excellent braking bite and feel, is easy to handle

Cons: Is uncomfortable for larger riders, could do with better illumination

The Aprilia SR150 was launched back in 2016 and immediately earned the reputation of being a completely fun sport-scooter. And since its arrival in India, the SR150 had not changed much; just minor additions to its colour pallete at the most. And even though the sales numbers didn’t dive, Aprilia decided that it was time to give the SR150 a much-needed midlife makeover. 

So here we have the 2019 SR 150 ABS which comes fitted with a single channel ABS unit to comply with the latest norms mandated by the government. However, that's not the only new feather to its hat. The sport-scooter also gets a few other updates that Aprilia claims to have made a difference to the SR150.

Has it really made a difference worth noticing though? We find out.

It’s hard not to notice the SR150, especially in this striking red colour. A new set of colour options and bold livery screams sporty all over its bodywork and the ABS badging is present subtly on the fork protectors. While the quality of materials used on the SR150 is good on most parts, the fit and finish of plastics and the feel of the switchgear could have been premium given that the 2019 Aprilia SR150 costs almost a lakh. 

Comfort was never the SR150's forte, particularly in terms of its seat and floorboard space. It might not be cramped for a small-sized rider, but someone nearing six-feet would have a rather uncomfortable time on it. And it isn’t a very shopping-friendly fellow either, the SR150. While the front hook is capable of holding a couple of bags, the minimal under seat compartment can hold essentials and a 14-inch laptop maybe. 

The earlier SR150 was infamous for its stiff ride. Now, having heard the woes of its consumers, Aprilia has retuned the suspension setup making it a teensy bit more pliant. Not saying that the SR150 has acquired perfect damping abilities and swayed away from its sporty character, but it promises not to shake up the rider over petty bumps. Moreover, the rear shocks are pre-load adjustable, so that's a win. 

The spec-sheet hasn't changed for the 2019 SR150. It retains the 154cc, air-cooled motor with a CVT gearbox. And with an output of 10.25bhp and 11.4Nm, the numbers haven't changed either. What has changed though, is the feel of the engine and the exhaust note. It is now smoother and sounds less gruff than the earlier model. There are vibrations which can be evidently felt on the handlebar but these flatten out as the revs rise. 

The braking hardware is top-notch on the SR150 and the 2019 model's single-channel ABS adds to the safety net. The bite and feedback from the brakes are excellent, the ABS unit is not as obtrusive or aggressive as most other systems and it brings the scooter to a crisp and composed halt.

While the 2019 Aprilia SR150 does get a single-channel ABS, it also gets a completely new semi-digital instrument cluster. The unit displays a clock, two trip computers, a fuel gauge and an odometer beside the analogue speedometer. We liked the sporty layout of the cluster although a white backlit unit would do it more justice than the current orange unit. Speaking of lighting, the SR150’s halogen headlamp fails to illuminate the road at night. An upgrade to LED bulbs, probably in the next update could do the job effectively.

Being a sport scooter, the SR150 was never meant to be extremely efficient. In our fuel-efficiency test, which involves neck-to-neck traffic, the SR150 returned 40.7kmpl. And with a fuel tank capacity of seven litres, it has a range of around 285kms which is decent for a 150cc scooter. 

The 2019 version of the Aprilia SR150 stays true to its roots of being a sport scooter. It has a peppy engine, handles really well and looks the part. Moreover, with the introduction of ABS, and the new instrumentation, it seems more complete and on par with the market. However, the most significant upgrade to the scooter is the retuned suspension setup which has been made more pliant and useable than the earlier version. 

The 2019 Aprilia SR150 is now a near-perfect sport-scooter. It has features that most scooters boast of and a visual character that suits its target audience. And now, with a comparatively refined engine and retuned suspension, the 2019 SR150 has addressed the issues that its predecessor faced. However, we would have liked to see it with better finished components and LED lighting for improved visibility at night.

Photography by Kapil Angane