A Compelling Contender?

Aprilia is a pioneer in the premium maxi-scooter segment in our country. We sampled the new SXR GT 175 to find out whether its aggressive price tag of Rs 1.30 lakh ex-showroom, which undercuts the competition, entails any compromises

Story: Salman Bargir

Photography: Sanjay Raikar

Visually, the Aprilia SXR GT 175 bears a strong resemblance to the SXR 160, the model it is based on. Some may even mistake it for the latter, and they would not be entirely wrong. This strong resemblance includes the body shell, RSV4-inspired triple LED headlights, and maxi-scooter silhouette. However, the 12-inch wheels have been replaced with new 14-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, giving the GT 175 a taller stance and a more aggressive appearance. Other changes include three new colour options: Metallic Blue, Matte Green, and Matte Black (the colour our test scooter dons). All three feature refreshed graphics and wheel decals, along with faux carbon-fibre elements on various parts of the scooter.

Get astride the scooter, and you will notice that the digital dash has been replaced by a five-inch colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, similar to the units on the more expensive RS 457 and Tuono 457. Despite its large proportions, the SXR GT 175 does not feel as intimidating as one might expect a maxi-scooter to be. In fact, it feels as if you are riding something smaller.

For my frame and physical stature, there was sufficient legroom on offer, and during my limited time with the scooter, I found the broad and stepped seat to be supportive and comfortable. The rider triangle is neutral, making this scooter well suited to highway runs, which, Aprilia says, is what the maxi-scooter has been engineered for. The windscreen does a good job of deflecting wind, with little buffeting for someone of my height. Overall, fatigue was minimal.

The biggest upgrade, however, is the new 175-cc engine, which also powers the Aprilia SR 175. Aprilia has revised the engine mapping and tuned it specifically for the SXR GT 175 to suit its touring-oriented character and additional weight. While acceleration is not outright punchy, delivery is strong and linear, with a healthy mid-range that lets the scooter attain around 55 km/h quickly. For the most part, the engine feels refined. I noticed a slight buzz at lower speeds, but it disappeared as the speed increased. During our test, the speedometer registered a top speed of 109 km/h.

We rode for the most part on the highway, where the scooter remained reassuringly planted, with only some lateral movement in strong crosswinds. On the smooth tarmac, I could comfortably cruise at about 80 km/h, beyond which the engine would feel a little strained.

Braking is another strong point of this scooter. Offering very good stopping power, the front disc has a strong initial bite with good progression, and the rear drum also feels progressive. The larger wheels come with identical front and rear tyres that provide reassuring grip, not only under braking, but also through corners. Meanwhile, the firmer suspension set-up of this scooter further aids highway stability and cornering confidence. However, on broken stretches of road, the ride felt a little harsh.

The Aprilia team helped us soften the left-side-mounted rear shock-absorber, which offers five levels of adjustment. This improved ride comfort to some extent, with one softer level of setting still available. The front suspension, however, is not adjustable and it continued to feel the same. Aprilia took cognisance of our feedback and said it would look into the issue.

Yes, the SXR Gt 175 misses out on a few features, such as an electronic boot-release mechanism and an external fuel-filler cap, but its competitive pricing helps make up for these omissions. The larger wheels also improve ride quality and increase ground clearance to 170 millimetres, which should come in handy on our city roads. Along with over 20 litres of under-seat storage, there is a lockable compartment on the front apron with a Type-A charging port and space for knick-knacks. We will see how the SXR GT 175 fares in the city when we put it through our comprehensive road test.