Aprilia SR 175 scooter review: Fun, fast, but ready for daily commutes?
The big-capacity scooter space in India is heating up like never before. What started with the popularity of the Yamaha Aerox 155 has now evolved into a full-blown performance-scooter segment, with options like the Hero Xoom 160, TVS Ntorq 150 and more. And now, Aprilia, which has long been competing in the space with the SR 160, has gone a step further and introduced its biggest scooter yet: the SR 175. We recently got to spend some time riding it, and here are our first impressions.
Aprilia SR 175 : Design and styling
The SR 175 carries that signature Aprilia aggression. The sharp body panels, the sporty stance, and those 14-inch alloy wheels instantly give it a planted, purposeful look. Surprisingly, it doesn’t look quite different from its smaller sibling. What sets it apart, however, is its two new colour schemes inspired by the RS 457. The orange wheels on the white-and-black paint scheme really pop. They give the scooter a mini superbike vibe. The LED DRLs and the large headlamp add to that racy character, while the big ‘a’ graphic on the side reminds you that this comes from the same family as the RS 457. Another thing that I liked about the scooter is its X-shaped LED tail-lamp. It looks quite different from what we have seen in other scooters and merges well with the design of this one.
Overall, as for the designing bit, what I really like is that it doesn’t try too hard. The proportions are tight, and the design feels balanced. Even the seat and grab rail flow well with the bodywork. If you’re someone who enjoys being noticed at traffic lights, this scooter definitely turns heads.
Aprilia SR 175: Features and build
Aprilia has stepped things up in terms of equipment. Now, this model features a new 5-inch TFT display that is bright and colourful, and it brings smartphone connectivity with call and message alerts, navigation, and music control. The switchgear feels solid, and overall, the fit and finish are quite good.
Aprilia SR 175: Engine and performance
Powering the SR 175 is a 174.7cc, air-cooled engine, making 12.9 hp and 14.14 Nm. While on paper, these numbers might not sound huge, but once you hop on the scooter, it just feels lively on the word go. This powerplant is paired with a CVT. The acceleration is peppy yet smooth.
It’s not the fastest sprinter from a standstill, but once it gets moving, the engine comes alive. Acceleration is smooth and linear, vibrations are minimal, and it can comfortably cruise past 90 kmph without breaking a sweat. Another thing that impresses is the throttle response; it is very crisp. Best noticeable when you dart through gaps in city traffic. Overall, it is a decent-enough, smooth, eager engine that likes to be pushed.
Aprilia SR 175: Ride and handling
The SR 175 comes with 14-inch wheels and tyres that grip the road well, which makes it easy to take corners without feeling unsure. As for the suspension, the front telescopic unit is on the stiffer side. That said, while it keeps the scooter stable and controlled, you will feel bumps and potholes more than on softer setups.
On smooth roads the scooter feels planted and predictable, and it is enjoyable when you push it through twisty sections, giving you a real sense of connection with the scooter. On rough or broken roads the ride can get a bit uncomfortable. The braking setup, on the other hand, is strong and reliable. Both the front and rear brakes give good feedback, so you always know how much stopping power you have. Plus, you also have single-channel ABS. Overall the SR 175 feels confident and secure when you ride it.
Aprilia SR 175: Practicality
The SR 175 does fall short when it comes to practicality. The under-seat storage is quite small, so you cannot expect to fit a full-face helmet or carry a lot of groceries. The floorboard also doesn’t span long or wide enough to keep taller riders happy. A small bag hook is provided in the front, but beyond that there is very little space for carrying things, so this scooter is more about style and performance than everyday practicality.The Aprilia SR 175 is priced at around Rs 1.17 lakh ex-showroom, placing it right on the edge between entry-level premium performance scooters and the top-end commuter scooter segment.
The SR 175 has an aggressive stance, sharp handling, and enough punch to make even everyday commutes exciting. The ride is firm and storage is limited, but that comes with the sporty character. If you can overlook the practicality issues, it ticks most of the right boxes for performance and style.Another thing to keep in mind is the limited dealership network, which means fewer service centres and potentially slower availability of spare parts. Despite this, in terms of performance, looks, and the overall riding experience, the SR 175 remains a very strong contender in its segment.
