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 I am in the middle to make the final decision to buy a scooter.  The 2 scooters in mind are Aprilia Scarabeo 250ie and Sportcity 250ie.

I know both have the small engine but different body.

 I am after something that is good for urban use but with storage as well.  I love the Scarabeo because it is so "solid" built and comfortable.  Whereas, Sportcity is light and easy to ride especially during heavy traffic.  I intend to have top box so storage shouldn't be any issue. 

Anyone has the same confusion as me?  Which one is better and would make me happier in terms of ownership for long term? I intend to use it for (city riding 70%) occasionally country drive. (30%).

I am after something that is quick off the light too.  I believe Scarabeo is slightly slower as it has heavier body.  But how much slower are they?
 

 Feedback/opinion from both Scarabeo and Sportcity owners would be great.

Thanks.

 Confused. :((
 
 

If the decision was mine i would go the scarabeo 250 solely for the fact that it is the better all round scooter. The sportcity will feel shorter, smaller, lighter etc when you first start riding it and this is mainly due to the size. The scarabeo is a bulkier scooter in the way that it looks and feels But 

the scarabeo is by no means wide and really once you get on the scarabeo and ride it for a while it will feel just as thin. The main reason i bought the scarabeo 500 is to still be able to feel comfortable lane splitting and getting through tight spots whilst still having the freedom of the freeway if needed. This is the same with you. The scarabeo gives you better storage, you can store a helmet under the seat, you have some great luggage options with the tunnel bag, the thing handles so smoothly on the road and is so much more comfortable then the sportscity.

The scarabeo's key I think is its size , longer wheel base and its rock solid. The underseat storage will fit a laptop and other items and when stopped with fit a full face on its side and a jacket and gloves.  

The sportcity is more sporty then the scarabeo is classy and comfortable and so much more practical.  I came off a sportcity and put 10000 k on it and loved it as it is a great point to point shorter distance scooter, handles sharply and can get into any tight spot with ease. If you like it sharp then the sportscity is that with the added bonus of a flat floor

 

But the scarabeo 250 is in another league

Thank for your opinion.

 What confused me is the small price difference between the 2.

Sportcity:

Lighter, 2 disc brake at the front,  more agile and faster (maybe as lighter body)

Scarabeo:

Good Storage, solid built, comfortable and come with Alarm etc
 

Do you think during traffic take off, Scarabeo will be far slower than Sportcity?  Fuel consumption?

 I am riding SR 50 now and is very happy with its fuel consumption and light.
 

I doubt there would be much difference in fuel but the scarabeo does have the bigger tank so it does take a bit more to fill it

i would say you would get more K's by far out of the scarabeo because of this reason alone. But in terms of fuel efficiency i wouldnt think apart from a bit of weight you would find much difference

I dont think the scarabeo after run in would be much slower at all then the sportcity 250

both scoots are not going to get anywhere near the consumption figures of your current ride  

 I've not ridden the Sportscity,  but to me the footwell area looks small and a little cramped.....

Both are good looking scoots though.

I know, my SR 50, can give me almost 300km in 1 tank. (7L).

How many Km's can 1 tank gives on 250 Scarabeo or Sportcity?

I have read a number of reviews about Sportcity's fuel gauge.  It appears to "drop" very quickly once it passes the 3/4 mark. 

 
I will try to have a test ride on the Scarabeo in the coming days.

 As said, Scarabeo is a much "complete" scooter than Sportcity.

 


 

 Scarabeo for it's better highway ability. Although it is easy for me as my knees dont fit on the sportcity.

Has anyone got any views on the Scarabeo 250ie vs the Beverly 250ie? They look like the same sort of scoot.

 Ahh, an interesting question, and probably a better comparison than the scab and the sportcity. They are q similar in terms of spec and design. I think the riding position is very similar, neither have the feet forward position of maxi's.

I prefer the scarabeo (i would) because the bev has much more plastic on the dash and knee area, which I think looks cheap. It has better storage, and the look of it is better IMO. The bev does have the bigger rear wheel, at the expense of some storage. I am not sure what effect this has, given that they both have a 16 up front. The bev has a helmet hook up back too, and is a bit cheaper isn't it? 

I think is really comes down to aesthetics for the individual though coz they are so similar.

The Beverly is $500 cheaper. Im also wondering about the ecomomic conquences of a scooter being called Beverly. It might be that people are turned away by the name and if thats the case, there could be some good deals going on. Got to get a ride on a Scarabeo.

Wow - this post could have been written by me - I am considering the same two (three?) scooters - scarabeo or sportcity 250 ie - plus beverly for same reasons (cheaper) plus Geopolis 250. At present I am favouring the Scarabeo as I need to carry stuff to work and hate the look of a topbox on the Sportcity - also love the combined brakes on the Scarabeo as I will be a newbie - But I am not crazy about the high headlight on the Scarabeo - kind of heavy looking. Anyhow a question for you Scarabeo owners out there - can you fit a flip-up helmet under the seat? I have been in Europe where everyone uses one of these helmets - just so comfortable and flexible - but they are a little bigger than a standard full face. I am thinking Shoei Multitec - so if anyone out there has this helmet and fits it under the Scarabeo 250 seat - I'd love to hear from you. Finally Mr V8 - let me know what sort of deal you can get if you get the Scarabeo - love not to pay retail - Alto in Sydney has good deals on website but there is nothing in Melbourne that comes close.

 I have only been riding my Scarabeo 250ie since Monday so have only done about 200km's and the more I ride it the more I love it!

The difference in ride between the Scarabeo and the Sportcity/Rambla 250 is huge, but this depends on what sort of scoot you are looking for too. The Sportcity/Rambla is a much sportier ride, you feel the bumps a lot more (much shorter wheel base, smaller wheels) but this scoot is quicker off the mark(21kg lighter). The storage under the seat is very small and not sure what size if any helmet you would fit under there.

I was looking for more of a tourer so the Scarabeo suited me better and as I have two scoots, I was looking for comfort and the ride on this scoot is great. It irons out the bumps and has nice smooth acceleration. Under seat storage is good I can fit my full face Shoei XR-1000 without a problem plus other bits and pieces. I also have the Aprilia big screen and 47ltr top box on order.

I was fortunate to be able to take both scoots on the a 100kph road so could see the differences how they sit at higher speeds.

My Honda had a hump between the feet with the petrol filler so this doesn't bother me. I don't like the filler under the seat like some scoots have.

If you are looking at these two scoots you should also take a Derbi GP1 250 (bigger under seat storage that Sportcity/Rambla) out as this is different again. My order of preference for these three scoots would be.   1. Scarabeo 250ie.      2. Derbi GP1 250.     3. Sportcity/Rambla 250

My advice would be take all three scoots out and if you can ride them back to back. 

Have fun test riding, I know I did! 

Denni:) 

I totally agree with Denni here as I did the same thing as she did and the storage of the Sportcity is the BIG let down as well as the rough ride (not sure if you can adjust the suspension for a softer ride).

On the day my preferences went Sportcity, Scarabeo then GP1, with no consideration for storage or other features.  Simply a fun ride comparison and it was only the seating position of the GP1 (which I did not like as it was too much like a bike) that moved it down the list to last.

But, looking at the overall package, Denni pretty much got it in the right order, IMHO

 Thank Denni and Scott!

 Yes.  Ideally, I should ride both of them back to back and then make decision then. 

Denni, as you have ridden Sportcity, do you know how much slower is the Scarabeo compared to Sportcity?  Do you find the Scarabeo slow, esp. in city traffic?  I really want something that zoom me out of those cage drivers. 

Sportcity is compact but I don't know how it will look if Top Box is being put at the back.  Plus, with only ~$200 difference in price RRP, i think you get alot more value in Scarabeo, not to mention the Remote Lock/alarm and side stand and well built quality.

I am not in to the GP1 250 at this stage as it doesn't feel like a scooter with the front framing at the foot stand.  But again, this is personal.  I want a scooter that feel like a scooter.

Ericm, I don't know who can do a good deal for Scarabeo in QLD.  Maybe Denni can help with this.  But I know scooterscooter.com.au in Brisbane is currently having Free on Road Cost for Sportcity.  Good value!! 

 

 Hi MrV8,

You will not have any trouble leaving the cagers behind with either of these two scoots. As I am still running mine in I am gentle with the throttle.

I can understand not wanting to throw a leg over on the GP1, I quite like the riding position but I did start my riding experience on a chook chaser (dirt bike).

Scooter HQ in Johnston street, Southport is where I got my Scarabeo, I'm sure that Brendon and D'Arcy will look after you very well. 

I too was impressed by the Alarm/remote seat and prefer the side stand with cut off than a suicide type.

It really does depend on what you are looking for out of your scoot, sportier or tourer but test riding them will answer all your questions.

Give Brendon or D'Arcy a call to organize a test ride. I know that there is a lot of interest in both these scoots at the moment. 

Good luck hunting.

Denni:)