Yamaha Aerox SP55 scooter

Yamaha has released a special version of the 2011 50cc two-stroke Aerox scooter in the UK, called the SP55. Emblazoned with the number 55, the new scooter celebrates the year of Yamaha Motor's inception, 1955, and comes with a range of other up-spec features.

Available in just one colour, black with red and white highlights, the compact urban scooter has a racy design and will appeal to hip young scooterists who want a sporty personal transport solution.

Yamaha reckons "The scooter's sporty, bold red and black bodywork, finished with carbon effect touches, is designed to make an impression." Can't argue with that logic.

The eye-catching livery complete with carbon-print skin is matched with a three-tone seat, and the sporty 13-inch tyres and shod to black rims finished off with red pinstripes. The headlight design is also relatively aggressive, adding to the scooter's machismo.

Furthermore, air scoops above the headlights along with an analogue speedometer and fuel gauge plus an aviation-style fuel cap add to the Yamaha Aerox's sporty image.

Hidden beneath the motorsport-inspired body work is a liquid-cooled 49cc two-stroke engine which has been "built for sporty acceleration," according to Yamaha. Like most scooters of this size, the gearbox is fully automatic -- just twist and go.

Meanwhile deceleration is taken care of by a pair of 190mm disc brakes, one located fore, the other aft.

Yamaha says the "race-style" suspension has been tuned for sporty response, and is "Adept at tackling all kinds of surface - from city streets to country roads..." The rear shock comes with a piggy-back reservoir and features adjustable damping settings.

Like all modern scooters, a full face helmet fits in the storage cubby under the seat.

Available in the UK priced at £2499 ($A3800), the little scooter with big attitude has not been confirmed for Australian importation at this stage.

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