Aprilia SR 175 First Ride Review: The Performance Scooter to Get?

I still remember the first time I rode the Aprilia SR 150, almost a decade ago. Back then, I wasn’t particularly interested in scooters – like most young riders, I only wanted to ride motorcycles. Yet the SR 150 impressed me like no other scooter at the time. With its compact proportions and punchy performance, it made me realise that scooters could be thrilling too. So, nine years later, when I found myself holding the keys to the SR 175 hpe – the latest in the SR series – I was really excited to don my helmet, hit the streets, and rekindle that same spark of awe I’d felt all those years ago.

Aprilia SR 175 Review: What’s Good?

It does exactly what it’s meant to do — go fast. Really fast.

The new 175cc engine packs enough punch to easily reach and even surpass the 100 km/h mark, despite the company’s modest claim of a 95 km/h top speed. Twist the throttle, and the scooter surges ahead with smooth yet brisk acceleration. Even while going up flyovers, it shows no hesitation or loss of pace. And if you’re cruising at 40 – 50 km/h and suddenly decide to overtake, the SR 175 responds eagerly, almost as if it’s been waiting for the command.

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A fast scooter also needs an equally capable braking setup, and the SR 175, thankfully, has it covered. The front disc, paired with single-channel ABS, offers sharp, confidence-inspiring stopping power. The bite is strong, and it helps the scooter shed speed quickly. Even the rear drum brake impresses – it’s easily among the better ones in this segment.

Ride quality, too, deserves praise. Sudden potholes or uneven stretches rarely unsettle the scooter; even at speeds north of 70 km/h, the SR 175 maintains its composure and balance while going over potholes.

And then there’s the design – a definite head-turner. The SR 175 has a confident and composed demeanour, accentuated by its racy paint schemes (Glossy Tech White, in our case) that draw curious glances wherever you go. For the rider, the 5-inch TFT instrument cluster is equally satisfying – crisp, well-laid-out, and featuring a Day / Night mode for improved visibility.

What I particularly like is the bi-directional toggle switch on the right handlebar – it works much like the indicator switch. You can use it to scroll through the different readouts, and if you happen to skip past the one you wanted, just flick it in the opposite direction to go back. A small detail, yes, but a thoughtful one nonetheless.

Aprilia SR 175 Review: What’s Bad?

The seat.

A real letdown! The cushion is uncomfortably firm, and you start feeling it within 10 – 15 minutes of riding. Its shape doesn’t help either – the aggressive forward slope makes it hard to stay seated comfortably, while the sharp hump in the middle prevents you from sliding back. Even the pillion will start complaining after 20 – 30 minutes on the saddle. Simply put, this is the worst seat I’ve experienced on any two-wheeler. Aprilia seriously needs to fix this.

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Combine that with a stiff suspension setup, and you have a scooter that delivers a noticeably harsh ride. Granted, a sporty scooter is expected to have firm suspension for sharper handling – and to its credit, the SR 175 manages bumps and speed breakers fairly well. The problem is that it’s too tightly sprung. Even on relatively smooth tarmac, you can feel every tiny imperfection through the handlebars.

Ergonomically, there are a few missteps, too. The short floorboard will be uncomfortable for taller riders – anyone above 5’11”. Practicality also takes a hit: there are no storage pockets on the apron, and while there is a bag hook, the limited gap between the apron and the seat makes it nearly useless for larger bags. The fuel filler is tucked under the seat, which means removing the key from the ignition to open a separate slot on the right side – a small but annoying inconvenience. And once you lift the seat, you’ll find that the underseat storage isn’t spacious enough to fit even a half-face helmet.

The headlamp is more ornamental than functional – it barely illuminates the road ahead. Even with the high beam engaged, visibility remains poor, and the LED’s limited throw makes night riding on unlit roads genuinely troublesome. During the test, I also felt that the buttons on the left handlebar were oddly placed and required a stretch to reach comfortably.

Handling-wise, the larger tyres make the scooter slightly hesitant to respond to quick steering inputs. Then there are vibrations – persistent and noticeable. You can feel a constant buzz through the floorboard and the handlebars, which only grows more apparent the longer you ride.

Aprilia SR 175 Review: Verdict

The SR 175 absolutely nails its primary brief of being a fast scooter – it’s fast, thrilling, and unapologetically so. Twist the throttle, and it rockets forward like it has something to prove. The brakes match the performance, giving you the confidence to push it hard. But when it comes to practicality, the SR 175 starts to lose ground. A comfortable seat is the bare minimum any scooter should offer, and Aprilia’s failure in this regard is a flaw too glaring to be ignored. But if you can, it’s a fantastic machine for those who chase speed and excitement. And with its pricing, the SR 175 makes a seriously tempting case for itself.