There seems to be a new mode of two-wheel fun that's sneaking up on the motorcycling community. It's always been around, but just recently has been a little more prevalent. I'm talking about scooters. Not your average shopping kind either. Sports style, a style that hangs out at the AMA and WSB pit's and the kind you don't mind being seen (and heard) on, and certainly the kind you lust after when you see your favorite factory rider whiz by, usually on one wheel.
 
We turned in our spare tea, coffee and playboy cash and bought a couple to see what the deal was and to establish if: A) Are they practical? B) Are they tunable? And C) Are they cool enough?
 
Worst-case scenario is they would be the ultimate race day runabouts or camera vehicles.
 
Chick Magnets
 
I do hope you're not shy. This two-wheeled wonder turns you into Tom Cruise. All missions are possible, you can even do your own stunts (if you want). The attention you'll get is pretty incredible. I don't know if it's the cute factor of the bike or whether I'm getting more shaggable with age, but I enjoyed more Q and A's about this bike far more than any other exotica I've owned or ridden. I had a tremendous amount of boyfriends pull their girlfriends away from me (and my new ride.) We got lots of positive attention too. Even old grannies love our new scoots. Maybe it's a shopping basket short of their dream bike, who knows?
 
Practicality?
 
No, err yes; actually I'm not sure. The main problem seems to be speed. Yes, I know most motorcycles are never fast enough, but in most instances you must at least be able to keep up with traffic. Sadly, on a modern day 50cc scooter, you can't. With our current moped laws most scooters are restricted to about 30 mph, and that, ladies and germs is the first problem. Whilst riding these vehicles it becomes immediately apparent that with the decent suspension and braking that they enjoy, they could handle two or four times it's stock output. Instead you're reduced to a rolling road block that just frustrates you and more importantly the large Buick or three stuck behind you.
 
For shits and giggles we strapped the Aprilia to Full Spectrum Racing's dyno. Stock was 4.1 BHP.
 
This brings us quite nicely to tuneability.
 
More Power! Please.
 
Most of the modern day scooter's come with the same style Minarelli motor that is either air cooled like the Yamaha Zuma's or Vino or water-cooled like the Italian jobbies. Restriction for the US market is usually in the form of a simple exhaust plug and a little something something within the variator that inhibits top speed. Remove one or both of these and you can achieve an extra 10 to 20% more power, for free. Imagine that sort of increase on your current sportbike. That would certainly put a smile on your face wouldn't it? Well this is scooter world buster, and speed is relative and that smile still comes with that increase, even when we are only talking around 10 mph.
 
Is it enough? Nope. 'Fraid not. It's still a tad dangerous in traffic, acceleration is better and on par with your average SUV, however, you're potential road kill if you can't top at least 50mph. More speed?
 
We only want another 10mph...
 
OK, go get your credit card now. We'll still be here when you get back.
 
Aprilia SR50 Tetsuya Harada Replica.
 
Now this is the pit transportation of the gods. Massimiliano Biaggi and Valentino Rossi have both been seen aboard this little scooter from the factory in Noele, Italy. The same company that took on the world of two smoke racing and ruled the roost for many World Championships. The build quality of this bike rivals the Mille for attention to detail. It's solidly built, doesn't rattle and is probably one of the fastest stock scooters available in this country (USA). Right out of the box. Top speed was around 40 - 45 mph and acceleration could have been described as brisk, as in brisk walking pace. Styling cues seemed to have been pulled from the Mille, or was it the other way round? This particular bike came with an optional set of passenger pegs and a styling side and center stand. Handling is pretty stable and the whole bike is very roomy. Instrumentation is pretty good too with a reliable fuel level indicator, speedometer and the usual idiot lights.
 
However...
 
We did have an "incident" with this bike. The centerstand ground out during some knee down showing off and we levered the rear wheel off the road with some spectacular results. We don't condone this sort of riding, totally unnecessary, but top laughs. The bike crashed well too.