Author Topic: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo  (Read 4100 times)

oldbike54

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500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« on: June 06, 2016, 10:40:53 PM »
 Anyone have any long term experience with the Scarabeo ? I have ridden one just a little , curious about reliability , and parts availability .

 Dusty

Offline rodekyll

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2016, 11:30:29 PM »
No, but my dog had it bad.  Took almost a year to clear it up.

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2016, 11:36:33 PM »
What year and model is it?  I have an `04.

oldbike54

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2016, 11:50:46 PM »
Quote from: Arizona Wayne link=topic=84009.msg1326589#ms :grin:g1326589 date=1465274193
What year and model is it?  I have an `04.

 Uh 500 Scarabeo lol. 04.

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2016, 11:50:46 PM »

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2016, 11:54:09 PM »
Uh 500 Scarabeo lol. 04.



Have you seen/ridden it?  Does it have  a top case, detacheable saddlebags, how many miles on odo?

oldbike54

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2016, 06:32:54 AM »



Have you seen/ridden it?  Does it have  a top case, detacheable saddlebags, how many miles on odo?

 20,000 miles reading on the odo . It has a touring windshield , and a removable top case . Just heard about it , and was curious about the long term costs associated . Thanks Wayne , anymore input ?

 Dusty

pete roper

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2016, 07:07:33 AM »
Early Scarabeo's are generally seen as better than post-Piaggio Scarabeo's. My experience is limited but the ones I've ridden have been a ton of fun.

Yeah, yeah, girls ride scooters, no *Real Man* would be seen dead on one. Please go and sit in the corner and rant at the wall, I'm not interested.

Pete

oldbike54

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2016, 07:10:41 AM »
  :laugh: :laugh: Pete , I always figured that it takes a "real" man , or woman , to ride a scooter , no need for , er , well , you know  :evil:

 Dusty

Offline vstevens

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2016, 08:12:57 AM »
Dusty,
  The folks over at Modern Vespa forum surely have a lot to say about all things scooter related.  I do know the 287 (GTS 300) cc Vespa motors from Piaggio will top out past 80 and cruise all day over 70+. The variator-belt transmissions are dead easy to work on and the motors reliable.

oldbike54

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2016, 08:17:34 AM »
Dusty,
  The folks over at Modern Vespa forum surely have a lot to say about all things scooter related.  I do know the 287 (GTS 300) cc Vespa motors from Piaggio will top out past 80 and cruise all day over 70+. The variator-belt transmissions are dead easy to work on and the motors reliable.

 No doubt the performance is adequate , the 500 Scarabeo I rode back in 2005 was pretty healthy. Really more interested in what it will take to see 80,000 miles on the odo . Do the Vespa and Apilia models share any components ? What about tires ?

 Dusty
 
 

Offline not-fishing

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2016, 02:40:09 PM »
My son's got a Scarabeo 150 that has 23,000 miles on.  We do all the maintenance.  The one thing I've noticed is that the regular maintenance is more expensive than my Griso 1100.

Oil 1qt or so every 5,000
Valves checked and screw adjusted but gasket is reusable
Rear end oil is nothing
Big cost is $80 belt, $25 rollers and $35 glides every 7,000 miles.  I had to make a tool  (wood) to take the belt off.
Eventually I'll have to replace the variator pulley for a $150 or so.
I did replace the fuel pump / auto-petcock for $150 but just pulling off the charcoal canister and replacing all the vacuum lines was probably the fix.  rotten EPA evap system
You have to mess with radiator fluid, $30, every so often and I'm probably going to have to replace the water pump soon $150+

We did upgrade the front suspension with progressive springs and heavier oil.  ($180)

Brakes and tires are easy enough although Aprilia has the same habit as Guzzi of using "discovered" parts on their bikes.  We have older year rear brake on newer bike which I found out after I got a set of new pads

Parts I get from AF1 racing or Holland.

We purchased it (17,000 mile) used and it had lived a hard life carrying a 350+ lb rider.  My baby boy weighs 195lbs and takes the 'Prllly 20 miles each way to school at up to 55 mph, stop-n-go.  He gets about 60 mpg.  He loves splitting lanes in the heavy traffic we have here in California.

I keep thinking my commute would be nicer on a Scooter I could split lanes with.  My choice would be the Aprilia Mana, the Convert is a little to wide.  like my Griso

Griso 1100
Rosso Corsa Lemans
1/2 a V50 III (with my son)
V65 SP - Finished but the Dyna died so it's non-op'd
'75 850T with sidecar - a new project and adventure

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2016, 10:27:53 PM »
My `04 500(really 460cc) GT has been down more than on the road, I'm sorry to say.  When it's running it's great.  I have a weird issue with the starter motor.  Only have 16K miles on mine so far.  They have nigusil cylinders, 4 valve heads and the valves are adjusted just like Guzzis about every 25K miles, EFI.  Some have had voltage regulators go out and replace them with aftermarket brands for reliability.  They have 16" rims so you can use MC tires on them.   Carry 4.5 gal. so I can go about 220 mi. between fillups.  I get 50-55 mpg with mine on 87.   Corner clearance is about like a cruiser.  They can cruise @ 80mph all day.  Top speed is 95 mph and seats are comfy for 2up.  Have to lift the seat to add gas.   Great weather protection.   Some replace drive belts every 15K miles but Steve Ford has gone a lot more miles with his GT 500.  Changing belt, rollers(clutch) is easy peasy compared to doing same on a MC.   Some times you can find used saddlebags for sale.

If I get mine running good I might ride it to the Guzzi National this month.  Right now I have it 1/2 torn apart to get to the starter.  Have had this scooter for 8 years.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2016, 10:51:13 PM by Arizona Wayne »

Offline Waltr

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2016, 11:05:51 AM »
No, but my dog had it bad.  Took almost a year to clear it up.

Now lets keep this serious here don't you know life and death decisions are being sorted on this forum.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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oldbike54

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2016, 11:34:14 AM »
Now lets keep this serious here don't you know life and death decisions are being sorted on this forum.

  :laugh: Yeah , world leaders and heads of industry are reliant upon us for guidance  :rolleyes:

 Dusty

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: 500 CC Aprilia Scarabeo
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2016, 12:12:58 PM »
In `03 the 500GT came w/o saddlebags.  In `05, '06 the 500GT had some improvements like more rollers on the clutch and built in intercom.  Steve Ford has 1 of these + a donor.  His 500GT has been pretty much bulletproof far as I know and has a lot more miles on it.  Maybe he can chime in here.  :smiley:  You need at least a 30" inseam to touch the ground with both boots due to the wide seat.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2016, 12:14:57 PM by Arizona Wayne »

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