2010–2013 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The Everyday Italian Hauler
The Scarabeo 500 is Aprilia's big-wheel scooter in its most grown-up form: classic Italian lines on the outside, real maxi-scooter hardware underneath. At its heart is the liquid-cooled 500 cc Master single, rated at 39 hp at 7,500 rpm and 32 lb-ft at 5,250 rpm. It sits in a steel double-cradle frame and drives the rear wheel by belt. A 16-inch front wheel and a 60.4 in (1,535 mm) wheelbase make it an alternative to a midsize motorcycle more than a city runabout. Don't look for superbike bite here. This is Aprilia's practical side. Elegant and useful.
Read the spec sheet and you see a daily tool. The 30.9 in (785 mm) seat height, the underseat storage and the standard center stand take care of the everyday jobs. A rated 55 mpg (US) from the 3.5 gal (13.2 L) tank keeps running costs down. The fairing is there for weather protection, and the preload-adjustable rear suspension lets you set it up for a passenger or a load. The hardware points to a rider who commutes every day but wants the highway and a longer weekend run within reach. A luggage system is available as an option. Practical first. Italian always!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 39 hp (29 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) @ 5,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 500 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 110/70-16 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-14 |
| Wheelbase | 60.4 in (1535 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) |
| Fuel economy | 55 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
I've spent years listening to Scarabeo 500 owners: in paddock conversations, at club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. The pattern is clear. Riders describe a scooter that handles real distance and highway speed, and the complaints are few and specific.
Three things come up again and again. Owners say the single accelerates briskly and cruises comfortably at highway speed. They call it planted in corners and at speed, with little wind buffeting. And many say they'd take it over their motorcycles for multi-hour trips. Storage gets regular praise too: a full-face helmet plus extras fit under the seat, and some add the optional top case. A smaller group rates the brakes as strong and confidence-inspiring, and a few single out the old-school Italian lines. Touring on a scooter!
The gripe you hear most is weight: it feels heavy when you push it around a parking lot, though the same owners credit that weight for stability on the highway. Individual riders add two more. The rear gets harsh over broken or undulating surfaces, and taller riders find the stock windscreen too low, with turbulence and noise at highway speed. A short list.
Starter relay failure
Some owners reported early failure of the starter relay, resulting in a no‑start condition. Dealers replaced the relay under warranty.
Speed sensor malfunction
A faulty speed sensor was noted by one owner, causing erratic speedometer readings. Replaced under warranty.
Coolant leak at hose clamps
Minor coolant seepage from loose hose clamps, especially around the cylinder head area. Regular inspection and retightening is recommended.
Where this Aprilia Scarabeo 500 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Scarabeo 500 is actually built for.
If your day is city traffic and tight parking, this is the best fit here: a low seat, underseat storage, a standard center stand and 55 mpg (US) keep your daily commute simple and cheap.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
A good match for your weekday commute into the city, and it'll carry you up to the ridge roads on weekends. Just know it's built for practical miles and Italian style, not a sporty pace.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005–2006
Italian Comfort Meets Highway Range
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia Scarabeo 500. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
