Aprilia Storm 125 Review - Better Than The Sr125

By Author: Rushil Kumar
Total Articles: 2
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The Indian scooter space has matured, and how. There are various offerings in the 125cc segment and Piaggio had been missing because of its premium pricing. However, that hasn't stopped the Italian brand from coming out with a product that appeals to a larger audience, and that brings us to the entry-level model Aprilia, the Storm 125. What it is, in essence, is a smaller, more affordable version of the SR125.

SR looks

Piaggio first unveiled the Aprilia Storm 125 at the Auto Expo in 2018, and the final product looks different. Aprilia Bikes have done away with some of those design elements to help achieve an affordable price. The Aprilia Storm 125 is available in matte yellow and red colour themes with stickers around. The vibrant colours on the scooter help it stand out from the rest of the range. The wheels on the Aprilia Storm 125 look very small and somehow don't match the cutting-edge look of the scooter. However, the bloated tyres look quite nice. The rest of the scooter is untouched, including the under-seat storage, analogue instrument cluster ...
... and the grab handle at the back.

Punchy performer

Aprilia Bikes have equipped the Storm 125 with a 124cc, single-cylinder, three-valve air-cooled engine producing 9bhp and 9.9Nm of torque; the engine is the same unit that does duty in the SR125. The engine sounds a bit gruff but feels smooth and doesn't feel like it's running out of steam. Now while the Storm may not be as quick as its siblings, it is definitely faster. It reaches a top speed of 120kph with ease; in fact, you'll see the needle climb even further, but we think the reading isn't true. Up-front, the scooter gets a 120/80-12 tyre and a 130/80-12 tyre at the back. The diameter makes all the difference when you're riding. The 12-inch wheels come with their advantages and disadvantages. The Storm steers quickly, and it goes where you want it to; it feels agile in urban conditions, but begins to get a bit uncomfortable at high speeds, and this is mostly down to the smaller wheels. Uneven roads unsettle the scooter even further, unlike the SR siblings. However, the scooter remains stable because of its long wheelbase. The suspension setup is the same; it soaks in ruts well thanks to the tall sidewall tyres. If ridden over very rough patches though, you do feel the hits filter through from the front fork. The monoshock features pre-load adjustability and feels quite soft. The seat is reasonably comfortable and that means it can do distances without a hassle.

Buy one?

We think that, by deleting the option of having disc brakes on the Storm 125, Aprilia is bound to put off many buyers. Instead, it features CBS-equipped drum brakes. The brakes bite well, but it cannot be compared to that of a disc brake, since discs provide more confidence, particularly in wet conditions. The Storm 125 isn't exactly affordable. If compared to its competition, the Aprilia rules the roost because of its quality and overall performance. And of course, if you can't resist the brand and its significance, then there's nothing else we can suggest. While the Aprilia SR125 is for someone who's willing to fork out that bit more for the bigger wheels and stance, the Storm 125 will cater to those who don't feel the need for big wheels, or rather, don't want something that reminds them of the Hero Winner. Either way, you will be shelling out a premium over other scooters in this segment.