Back in 1972, a young engineer by the name of Ralph Sarich, introduced his invention to the world, the Orbital Engine. Imagine an engine the size of a spare wheel producing the power of a V8. There was one problem with it though, the then normal fuel combustion process carboned or gummed up the internal workings of the motor creating the need to overhaul it frequently. Not to be outdone by this, Sarich developed a clean burning fuel injection process far beyond that of the then current crop available. At this point he bolted it onto a 2 stroke motor to assess it’s performance and found that it vastly improved that engine beyond anything ever dreamed. While Sarich tried to keep this technology in Australia, overseas is where it ended up and Aprilia have used it to great effect.
And so to present day, when I threw my long leg over the Aprilia SR50 scooter, complete with a colour scheme straight from Troy Corser’s trailer. It is like most road going scooters, supremely easy to operate with it’s (automatic) CVT transmission, just wind on the throttle and away it goes. On the flat you would never believe the SR is in fact smaller in engine capacity than your average brush cutter, only when I stopped at the lights and turned up Northcott Drive did I wish for some more cc’s to push me along. I really believe another 25 to 50cc capacity is warranted for the more hilly locations even though it can go over 90kph along flatter roads. Still, I reckon it is far easier than pedalling your legs off aboard a push bike, especially for going to work or visiting you mates living in Maitland. The steering is not as ‘quick’ as some of the other scooters I’ve ridden, however, it may also be that ‘horror’, I’m actually becoming accustomed to them. Front and rear disk brakes work a treat and unusual to find the rear brake itself pulling the show up quicker than the front. The horn is nice and loud, something I prefer thanks to the drivers who don’t like to glance left or right. Of course the scooter does in fact run on the ‘smell of an oily rag’ and it doesn’t leave the tell tale 2 stroke plume of pale blue smoke either. I’ve read somewhere that, a 2 stroke engine with Sarich’s fuel injection process will, in California, exhaust 30 % cleaner air than it sucks in, so the future is still bright for the 2 stroke motor. Like all scooters, there is copious space for stowage of all and sundry. Price on road is $5131 and this little baby won’t break the bank in running costs. Italians like to make everything stylish, even their pasta! So it looks as smart as it is and will give the owner freedom from public transport or having to ‘bludge’ a lift.
At present, you can ride up to a 125cc (automatic) scooter, after completing a rider learner course and a motorcycle skills test, going on to complete the provisional test is optional.