Yes, it is a good-looking scooter, though its design still stays close to the Aprilia SXR 160, which gave way to the new SXR GT 175. Look at it head-on, and you will instantly be reminded of the Aprilia RS 457’s headlamps. Aprilia says they did it intentionally to keep some similarities across its two-wheeler family, and I think that’s a fair approach. The SXR GT 175 looks like a proper maxi-scooter as it has the proportions and stance of the same. Aprilia says they have kept the wheelbase the same, and the ground clearance stands at 170mm for tackling most of the surprises you would encounter on the roads. The bodywork gets carbon fibre-finished inserts that add to its looks. The only way you would distinguish it with the SXR GT 125 is the choice of colours and different graphics. Overall, a handsome maxi-scooter with the road presence it deserves.
Aprilia has given the new SXR GT 175 features that have now become a standard across most of the two wheelers. The 5-inch TFT screen is straight off the 457 twins, which we have seen on the SR 175, albeit the layout is different. You also get the usual connectivity – maps, calls, music controls, etc. The storage space on the front hides the USB-A charger and some space for your knick-knacks, as is the underseat storage, which isn’t too large but should be enough for everyday essentials. The seat is long enough to accommodate two adults easily, and the rear grab rail is designed in a way that it integrates itself neatly. No remote key is on offer, and I think it is a good thing.
Now comes the question of how it rides and feels. Well, for starters, the engine is from the Aprilia SR 175; however, it gets a different tune for the engine and a different throttle map. Even the CVT ratios have been altered to suit its characteristics. The 174.7cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine makes 13.2PS and 14.14Nm. It uses telescopic suspension on the front and a single shock at the rear. For braking, it gets a disc with ABS at the front and a drum brake at the rear.
What slightly seems out of place is the level of the handlebar and the seat, which almost feel level with each other. While the sitting position is upright and the footboard is spacious, the handlebar height should have been slightly higher. Seat padding is adequate and should be comfortable for longer rides as well. The engine seems to be a tad relaxed on the SXR GT 175 as opposed to how eager it feels on the SR 175. But that is the tuning which has been deliberately done to suit the character of this maxi-scooter. It handles confidently on the road and feels planted and balanced. The engine feels relaxed up to 80kmph after which it feels like squeezing the lemon which has already been extracted for its juice. However, it can still go on, but that would make both the scooter and the rider feel stressed. The front windscreen does a good job of deflecting the wind at high speed.
What really bothers is the suspension setup. It is stiff, both on the front as well as the rear, sending each and every undulation and bumps through your spine. While a stiffer setting makes it feel sportier when riding at a higher speed on the highway, it will make the city riding experience unpleasant, where it will spend most of its time.
But I thank Aprilia for the great braking hardware – the front disc gets a steel-braided line. Steel braided hoses help contain the fluid pressure, which otherwise tends to expand rubber hoses. Thus, more braking force is sent to the callipers, which on the SXR GT 175 give it an exceptional bite (Pascal’s law at its best). Combine it with the rear drum brake, and you’ve got yourself a pretty short stopping distance. Overall, the riding experience of the scooter is good, but the suspension sticks out like a sore thumb for an otherwise well packaged product.
In my opinion, Aprilia has gotten the recipe right with the SXR GT 175 – a powerful engine, great handling, and braking. But what could have been more sorted is the suspension. We have ridden it on a very smooth highway, and the experience has been good, but for most people, it will be a companion for the city streets, which will give them an unsettling experience. That said, this handsome Italian has a stiff attitude, but I hope Aprilia plans some character development for it soon to make it slightly kinder and more accommodating For ₹1.30 lakh ex-showroom, which is of course a cracker of the price, making a great choice. Considering its rivals (only one I can think of is the Hero Xoom 160), the SXR 175 is already standing on a vantage point.
Words Mrinmoy Choudhury
Photography Tanmay Vartak
