Review: Aprilia SXR 125 review, test ride

A few weeks ago, we got a chance to sample the SXR125, Aprilia’s latest offering in the 125cc scooter space. At the cost of repeating myself and for the sake of setting the ground for this review, the SXR 125 is nothing but the Aprilia SXR160 with a smaller displacement engine. How does it fare in the realworld? A proper road test is what we’ve got, to put it through its paces.

For all the flak that the SXR 125 receives for its lukewarm performance, it makes up for it with its fantastic high-speed stability and handling. The trade-off comes in the form of a firm low-speed ride, but it does improve markedly with rise in speed.

The brakes are another positive, as they offer a strong and progressive bite, with the scooter covering 18.25m from 60kph to standstill. We also found the CBS to be calibrated well, and there’s no heavy fork dive when you grab the rear brake lever. However, there’s no denying that ABS would’ve been more than welcome, especially on the rain-soaked road that we were on.

Aprilia’s stab at the 125cc maxi-style scooter space is an interesting one. It brings the style, functionality and premiumness of its sibling from a segment above and marries that to an engine that offers mediocre performance while being more frugal. However, the scooter’s proverbial chink in the armour is its Rs 1.16 lakh price tag, making it among the most expensive 125cc scooters on sale.

The price seems steep considering the kind of performance it offers, but more so because Rs 12,000 extra will get you the SXR 160. If you're willing to spend this much on the SXR 125 for its design, features, quality and sheer feel-good factor, you might as well pay a little more for the 160's obvious performance gains and the ABS. It just makes more sense.

All prices, ex-showroom