2005–2018 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The Retro City Slicker
The Mojito 125 Custom is Aprilia's take on 1950s scooter design: two-tone paint, chrome trim, a steel double-cradle frame and a 12-inch front wheel paired with a 10-inch rear. Under the retro dress sits a sensible recipe. The 125 cc single is a four-stroke making 10 hp at 8,250 rpm and 7 lb-ft at 7,250 rpm, sent through an automatic transmission and belt final drive. Under-seat storage and a center stand come standard. Forget the racing side of the Aprilia badge: this is a style piece built on everyday hardware. Italian dress, practical bones.
Read the numbers and the purpose is obvious. A 29.5 in (750 mm) seat, 265 lb (120 kg) wet and a 53.1 in (1,350 mm) wheelbase point to a scooter built for tight streets, short hops and easy parking. The 56 mph (90 km/h) top speed tells you where it stops: this is a city and suburban machine, not a freeway commuter. A 2.4 gal (9 L) tank and twist-and-go drive keep the routine simple, and the optional luggage system adds carrying space beyond the under-seat compartment. On paper, it's for the rider who wants some style with their errands. Built for the city.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 10 hp (7.4 kW) @ 8,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 7 lb-ft (9 Nm) @ 7,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 125 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-10 |
| Wheelbase | 53.1 in (1350 mm) |
| Seat height | 29.5 in (750 mm) |
| Wet weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9 L) |
| Top speed | 56 mph (90 km/h) |
Equipment check
Comfort
I've spent years listening to riders: in the paddock, at club nights, in owner chats and in the messages that land in my inbox. For the Mojito 125 Custom the picture is consistent. Owners like how it looks and how little gas it uses, and they grumble about pace and price.
The styling comes up most often. Riders say the chrome, the two-tone paint and the faux-cruiser shape set it apart from modern scooters, and strangers tell them so. Gas mileage gets the same steady praise from daily commuters. Some owners add that the plush suspension takes the sting out of rough pavement and leaves them fresh after longer trips. People notice it.
The loudest complaint is speed. Riders consistently report little in reserve on faster roads, with some seeing true speeds as low as 40 mph (64 km/h). A few add that the speedometer over-reads, so you're never quite sure what you're doing. Price is the other recurring gripe: owners find the premium hard to square with the performance and the plastic construction. You pay for the style.
Carburetion and fueling difficulties
Hard starting when cold, uneven idle, and hesitation at low revs are reported, often linked to the Walbro carburetor.
Variator/clutch noise and slippage
A ringing sound under load and occasional variator slipping indicate worn rollers or clutch components.
Floorboard seam separation
The plastic floorboard can start to separate along its outer edge if subjected to heavy rider weight or standing.
Chrome finish peeling and rust
The chromed plastic parts, including the headlight bezel and luggage rack, are prone to pitting and peeling in humid or coastal environments.
Where this Aprilia Mojito 125 Custom pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Mojito 125 Custom is actually built for.
You're the best fit here: low seat, light weight and a 56 mph ceiling suit short urban runs and tight parking. In humid coastal air, watch the chrome trim. It's prone to pitting and peeling.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
Retro chrome and two-tone paint photograph well, and it covers the city half of your week. With 10 hp and a 56 mph ceiling, the weekend ridge roads aren't its job.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
