2022 Aprilia SR GT 125 Launch Review

On a bitterly cold Melbourne winter day, a motley media crew mounted a fleet of 2022 Aprilia SR GT 125 scooters and convoyed over the windy-as-all-hell West Gate Bridge. The destination was a Port Melbourne go-kart track, where the Antarctic blast tried its best to infiltrate us from every angle, so the only way to keep warm was to ceaselessly cut laps. Thankfully there was the lure of lunch in a cosy Italian restaurant awaiting us at the finish line.

We were the lucky attendees of the Australian launch of the 2022 Aprilia SR GT 125 scooter, the model marking Aprilia’s re-entry to the scooter segment after dropping the SRV850 (2012-2015) and, more recently, SR50 (1992-2020) from its line-up.

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There are two variants on offer – the Aprilia SR GT 125 and Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 – which are differentiated by their graphics, finishes, and colour options. The Aprilia SR GT 125 has black wheels, a black saddle with grey stitching, and a silver tail section and passenger grab handles. It retails for $7440 ride away and is available in Aprilia Black, Street Grey, or Infinity Blue.

Meanwhile, the Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 retails for $7540 ride away and is available in Street Gold, Iridium Grey, or Red Raceway. Aside from the matte colour schemes, the Sport option also gets red wheels, Aprilia lettering below the footboards, a matte black centre section and tailpiece, a two-tone saddle with red stitching, and colour-coded grab handles.

The Aprilia SR GT 125 slips into the market between a number of existing compact and mid-size scooters. This includes, but is not limited to, the Honda ADV150 (from $7124), Yamaha NMax 155 ($5899 ride away), and Honda PCX (from $6250).

Designed for the inner city and short-haul commuting, the 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine produces 15hp at 8750rpm. That's the maximum power output permitted for this class by EU legislation, crowning the Aprilia SR GT 125 as the most powerful in its category.

The lightweight alloy wheels are equipped with chunky Michelin Anakee all-terrain tyres, aiding the model's competency over a range of surfaces. This is further enhanced by the generous ground clearance of 175mm.

Showa front and rear suspension offers ample support under hard brakes and over all manner of bumps (well, it did for my 5ft 3in frame anyway). The 33mm-diameter fork up front affords 120mm travel while the rear twin rear shocks, with adjustable preload, offer 102mm of travel. For traversing gravel, steep hills, or cobblestones, or popping up roadside curbs, the Aprilia SR GT 125 did it all with ease.

The braking package comprises 260mm front and 220mm rear wave discs complemented by a Combined Braking System. The CBS operates using an equaliser to distribute braking force between the front and rear disc when the left brake lever is engaged.

I found CBS to be effective in most applications, and I had to brake desperately hard to cause the rear tyre to skid. When I did this I could still feel plenty of front brake engagement, stabilising the scooter well. The right brake lever engages only the front brake, but if you squeeze the left lever at the same time you can feel the right lever adjust, allowing for even brake force distribution. It is not ABS though, which might deter some prospective buyers.

The Aprilia SR GT 125's broad handlebars and upright riding position make manoeuvring fun. Offering plenty of leverage, the 'bars are narrow enough not to impede lane splitting, but wide enough to provide ‘point and shoot’ precision. There are also two foot position options, either feet forward or flat on the deck, to suit either a more relaxed or a more engaged and sporty riding style.

The seat is built for both comfort and manoeuvrability, and there is 25 litres of storage capacity underneath (enough for a full-face helmet). The screen is substantial for a scooter this size and, like the handlebar/instrument arrangement, it's similar to what you might find on an adventure-style machine or perhaps a streetfighter. And the centrestand works really well; the grab handle is in just the right spot to get it onto the stand with minimal effort, and the scoot rolls off it again just as easily.

The LCD dashboard is neat, bright, and easy to use. The mode button on the left handlebar navigates the left side of the screen (trip, fuel consumption etc) with a single push, while features on the right side of the screen require a double push. There is also a USB port and a Bluetooth connectivity option via the Aprilia MIA multimedia platform.

Curious about fuel consumption, I flicked through the left menu option to get a figure. Seeing numbers as high as 42 had me rubbing my eyes, until it dawned on me that the reading was showing kilometres per litre, rather than litres per 100km. So there you go, you can expect to cover an average of around 40km/lt on the SR GT 125, or 2.5L/100km. Can't complain about that, and certainly not at today's fuel prices!

Another notable button on the left-hand switchblock is the AUTO/OFF function for the Start&Stop system. The technical name is the Regulator Inverter Start & Stop (RISS) system, which uses a brushless motor mounted directly onto the crankshaft instead of a conventional starter motor.

When it is active, the engine will stop whenever the scooter comes to a halt, and automatically restart as soon as the throttle is reopened. It only works when the engine is warm enough, and it offers advantages such as quieter starting, less vibration, and reduced fuel consumption.

On the subject of quieter starting, I really struggled to hear the engine when we were in heavy traffic. To this end, the RISS system made me feel a little uneasy as it gave a tiny, uncertain quiver when I twisted the throttle. I was thankful for the option to switch it from ‘AUTO’ to ‘OFF’.

The Aprilia SR GT 125 feels like it is made for someone of my stature, but there is ample space for larger riders too. Having said that, bigger riders may find this scooter's power a bit lacklustre. Sure, the Aprilia SR GT 125 marginally outclasses its competitors in this regard, but it is still a single-cylinder 125cc four-stroke that is designed to be economical, not for pulling out tree stumps. There is enough power to glide around town, but it might not be the mighty ally you’d hope for when you need a short burst of hard acceleration to get you out of a jam.

Of all the factors you’re likely to consider with a purchase like this, styling is a significant one. The Aprilia SR GT Sport 125’s livery, with a large ‘a’ on the side fairing, pays homage to Aprilia's sportsbike models. And if you look at either Aprilia SR GT 125 variant from the front, they very much resemble a small Aprilia motorcycle. Very cool.

While it is manufactured in Vietnam, the Aprilia SR GT 125 still oozes Italian chic, and the build quality is as good as you could expect for the price. Whatever angle you’re admiring it from, the Aprilia SR GT 125 is an alluring proposition, and it serves its purpose well.

ENGINE
Type: i-Get four-stroke single-cylinder engine with Start&Stop system
Capacity: 125cc
Bore x stroke: 52mm x 58.7mm
Compression ratio: 12:5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Cooling system: Liquid with integrated side mount radiator

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 15hp (11kW) at 8750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 12Nm at 6500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Final drive: Direct
Clutch: Automatic centrifugal dry clutch

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Double cradle, in high-resistance steel tubing
Front suspension: 33mm conventional telescopic fork, non-adjustable (120mm travel)
Rear suspension: Double hydraulic shock absorber, adjustable for preload (102mm travel)
Front brake: Single 260mm wave disc with twin-piston caliper and Combined Braking System
Rear brake: 220mm wave disc with single-piston caliper and Combined Braking System
Tyres: Tubeless

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 144kg
Seat height: 799mm
Wheelbase: 1350mm
Fuel capacity: 9 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $7440 ride away (Aprilia SR GT 125); $7540 ride away (Aprilia SR GT Sport 125)
Colours: Aprilia SR GT 125 – Aprilia Black, Street Grey, Infinity Blue; Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 – Street Gold, Iridium Grey, Red Raceway
Bike supplied by: PS Imports
Warranty: 3 years
Service interval: 1000km then every 10,000km thereafter