Aprilia Scarabeo 100 (Shine Red) spotted in Midtown.

While here at NYCS Towers we know we are guilty of returning time and time again to our favorite subject matter, the Vespa, we recognize that there’s more to life on two-wheels than the Italian icon. Starting this week NYC Scootering will feature scooters spotted on the streets of our city to draw potential riders to the wealth of two-wheeled options out there that many New Yorkers are already enjoying.

This week: the Aprilia Scarabeo 100

MSRP: $ 2699
Color options for 2010 models: Cult White, Couture Blue

Back in ’93, Italian manufacturer Aprilia (one of the marques within the broader Piaggio group of Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Gilera and Moto Guzzi) set a trend within scooter design that has been aped by just about every other scooter manufacturer since – the move from 8″ and 10″ wheels to a much more robust 16 inches – in the form of their scooter, the Scarabeo (Italian for scarab beetle.)

Adopting this larger wheel instantly meant that while the Scarabeo immediately visually separated itself from past Italian scooters (some would argue loosing the charm in the process) it did so for very practical reasons: better, safer motorcycle-like handling, particularly on cobble-stone and pot-holed streets (NYC anyone?)

The Scarabeo was an instant hit and has since gone on to become one of Europe’s most popular contemporary scoots with the better handling meaning that the scooter is just so easy and plain fun to ride around harping back to the initial inspiration of the scooter as a jump-on-and-go form of transportation.

Features:

• Front disc brake with a drum brake in the rear.
• Hydraulic front forks.
• LED tail light for greater visibility at night.
• Adjustable rear suspension.
• 96.2cc four stoke engine with forced air cooling, 8 HP.
• Seat handles for passenger and lifting the scoot onto its stand.
• 2.1 gallon gas tank.
• Back-lit instrument panel.
• Leg-shield storage.
• Electric and kick-start.

Options:

• Lockable top-box that locks with the ignition key.

For more information visit Aprilia’s official Scarabeo 100 page. The Scarabeo is available locally from Vespa/Aprilia Brooklyn in Fort Greene and occasionally makes an appearance on CraigsList. It is also available in 200cc and 500cc fuel-injected options.

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