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When I prepared to go shopping for my very first scooter, just over 18 months ago, I set out with incredible optimism. The benefits inherent in scooter ownership were so clear, the market so full of options, that I just assumed that the perfect scooter would materialize in front of me, probably smiling impishly. It took me about two weeks to realise that scooter designers generally do not go about the design process with tallish overweight men on the forefront of their minds. Tell you the truth, tallish overweight men aren't very often on the forefront of mine either, but I digress.

About the time my morale was set to disappear I read an article about the SportCity 200. After a few months of umming and ahhing and studying the competition I paid for a Mocha Black SC 200 before I had even taken one for a test ride (not advisable to those of a more sane disposition, no matter how good the thing sounds in print). A year later and with a bit more general scooting experience under my belt I am happy to say that I made the right decision.

The ride is extremely comfortable for someone of my height (6 foot), there being plenty of room between my knees and the handlebars. The scoot's weight, at 148kg dry, added to the punchy 13.9 Kw engine, propel our combined weight (not telling) very quickly around Canberra's many fast arterial roads. There is a slight pause in power delivery from standstill to 20 km/h (slowing you to car acceleration), but after that the engine pulls strongly all the way to about 85. Over that the acceleration dips until 110, where the poor thing really starts to struggle under me.

 Thanks to the large wheels and stiff chassis, cornering at these speeds is fantastic. I have heard a few people complain about the stiff front suspension and centralised weight bias of the SportCity, however, I find both of these traits to be highly conducive to fast cornering, something you may like if you are after a sporty scoot for city use. The front/rear disk brake setup on the SC provides impressive stopping power, which I find to be more than adequate.

On the downside, the underseat storage is nowhere near big enough for a helmet, making a top-box essential. The legshield storage space is truly pitiful, however the presence of a 12v power socket enables someone with a smallish phone to charge on the road. The small windshield, and the aforementioned stiff suspension, would combine to make long highway trips uncomfortable. Also worthy of note is the high price for replacement parts, especially the fairings. I managed to crash my scoot early in our relationship and ended up with a repair bill over $1000 just for fairing damage.

 Fuel consumption is anywhere from 3.5 - 4 L per 100kms, though it would probably decrease under a lighter rider who doesn't share my thirst for fast cornering.

In all, a truly fantastic scooter for general city use, with great performance and handling, not to mention elegant modern styling. If these things appeal then the SportCity is definitely worth a test ride.

 

Great review Nevyn,.

I too have a Sportcity 200 & am very happy with it.

My dimensions are 6ft 1" & 95kg & find it drags me around quite easily. Cars generally have to be in a hurry to beat me off at the lights & tend to be a turbo or V8, so they are usually burning more fuel in their launch manouver than I do in a week.

I have had it up to a speedo indicated 135kph (on a ' test track'..... ahem.)  but agree with your comment on the long trips at freeway speed a larger screen would be nice. I find the legshield glovebox handy as I fit my wallet, keys & phone in there no worries. Top box is mandatory on any scooter for me. Underseat storage is limited to wet weather gear only.

The only other midsize scooter that I have ridden that is as good or better in the handling department is the Derbi GP1 250 (have not ridden a Gmax150, so I can't comment) & the brakes are great. I live in the hinterland & the hills & twisties are a blast!

With the lag you are experiencing it may be worth looking into a Malossi/Polini variator to get the gearing right for your riding style. This is what I may be doing in the near future to get the best out of what is already a great scooter.

My biggest gripe with it is the lack of choice for replacement tyres especially the rear being a weirdo size, but saying that I have 7500klms on the clock & have a bit to go before replacement time.

Come winter in Canberra you must love the hot air vents!

VENTURI:

Come winter in Canberra you must love the hot air vents!

Where are these located?

Found them: http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139875

I picked up my sportcity 200 yesterday and im loving it!

Is there anyway to lower is slightly?

Also what does the switch in the glove box do? Just a power on/off for the charger port in there or some kind of imobilizer?

Gibbz:

Is there anyway to lower is slightly?

Eat more Pies?  Seat mod perhaps?

Not sure on the switch, mine doesn't have one.

Have fun, they are a great scooter & you won't regret buying it. 

Gibbz:

Is there anyway to lower is slightly?

Sure is & he rode with at at Le Minz so he knows all about being comfortable on a scoot

http://www.custommotorcycleseats.com.au/custom_motorbike_seats/scooter_seat.html

I think the use of the word 'Unleaded' is meant to indicate that you can only use fuel that isnt leaded, or diesel. The Sportcity requires fuel of RON 95 (from memory) and most standard unleaded in Australia is RON 91. This means that the engine has been designed for use with premium unleaded (such as Shell Premium, or VPower - sorry for the Shell plug, its just what I use). Using standard unleaded in an engine that hasnt been designed for it can lead to 'engine knock', something that effects the power and longevity of your engine in the long run. There is nothing at all wrong with using the fuel in engines that are designed for it, just read your maintenence manual before you put anything into it.

Yes Nevyn, you are right the Sportcity requires minimum 95 octane.

I mostly use BP ultimate, occasionally Mobil 8000 or Caltex Vortex.

I dont use Shell because I dont have one close by, but have used it previously.

At the moment Im having a look at the different fuels to find the best mileage on the Sportcity. Which one of the three do you find gives you better mileage? Or is there no difference?

Thanks for the headsup on the variators, it might be worth a go eventually, though I must admit to loving the scoots performance - wrinkle or otherwise.

On the Derbi GP1, from someone that has put over 7000kms on a Sportcity 200, how would you compare the two? Im looking at potential upgrade options in the next year or so and that one is definitely on my list to ride.....along with the Mana....Scarabeo 500....and maybe even the new SC 300 Cube.

 Tyres are a bit of a worry for me, though with only about 6500 ks on the clock and currently perfect tyres Im not going to really stress for another 3-5 thousand ks. The stock Sava Diamonds appear nearly impossible to buy independent of the Aprilia dealership network, and equivalent tyres of the same profile just dont seem to exist.

On the airvents I have to totally agree, I must look like a right nut during the winter months with my knees stuck out like sails. Still, the warmth is worth it!

Gibbz:

 

ah okay that makes sense :)

No worries Gibbz 

 The SC 200 is absolutely one of the best scoots money can buy. This lesson comes home to me every time I ride something else - everything from the Fuoco 500 to the courtesy Bug Espresso 150 I borrowed from my dealership the other month.

Sweet, sweet Aprilia

Sportcity v's GP1......

The Gp1 is more nimble due to smaller tyres & better weight distribution due to lower centre of gravity.

Sportcity has more versatile options for storage- flat floor, top box fitment

Sportcity is easier to get on & off with a step thru floor.

they are both great scooters, it really depends on what you want from a scoot personally.

Hmmm let me think for a while.

VENTURI:

The Gp1 is more nimble due to smaller tyres & better weight distribution due to lower centre of gra

Yep

VENTURI:

Sportcity has more versatile options for storage- flat floor, top box fitment

Nope - GP1 has larger underseat storage, optional tunnell bag & panniers.

VENTURI:

Sportcity is easier to get on & off with a step thru floor.

Yep

VENTURI:

they are both great scooters, it really depends on what you want from a scoot personally.

Yep - Thats why Derbi have the Rambla (sportscity) to complement the GP1

I knew that would wake up Brendon  

Scooter HQ:

Nope - GP1 has larger underseat storage (Agreed)

Disagree & Agree-No lockable storage solution apart from underseat & cannot carry near as much without a flat floor, no if's, no but's.

If you could see what I cart to the Post office to send away, most would laugh & some do. Actually the Monaco carried more on the footwell than the SC...... but if you could get away with soft luggage & didn't need to cart bulky stuff well.....

I was asked personally what I thought, so that's what I've done. If I were to have to choose between the more practical (for me) Sportcity(or Rambla) or the GP1 it would be a hard choice........

MY OFFICIAL RATING

Sportcity

GP1

You cant go wrong with either.

VENTURI:

Disagree & Agree-No lockable storage solution apart from underseat & cannot carry near as much without a flat floor, no if's, no but's

What about the glove box? Also has the two nifty little compartments infront of your knees, good for MP3 Player. It can still carry a carton (of workshop consummerables ) which as we all know is very important.

Both are great scoots and its good to see the market can support both.