Aprilia Rally 50.

Hi.

I have owned a 2nd hand Aprilia Rally 50. Even though this is a discontinued model, a few other scooters are probably the best replacement for this.

The Rally is a very reliable scooter, but the electrics are not that good. The engine is amazing, it will continue and continue going, if it is treated well.

Its not easy to modify because of lack of aftermarket parts, and the very second the front plastics shatter or the forks bend, instant write off. It is impossible to get aftermarket parts for these.

I recommend the Yamaha Neos (uses the same engine) or the Yamaha Aerox (uses the same engine, but L/C instead of A/C), as these have Japanese reliability, plus the same strong engine which my Aprilia uses.

Here are the things that have gone wrong so far....

1. Exhaust cracked (within 2 months of owning it). I replaced the origional exhaust with a Technigas Next exhaust. It cost, from the main aprilia dealer, £118 including fitting.

2. Crashed - it was my fault. I got 2nd hand parts from the Aprilia dealer to repair it. After this work, i boycotted that place from then on forwards, or did my best to. Cost £210 to fit 3 panels.

3. Indicators stopped working - I took my scooter to the Aprilia dealer, they put a 5watt bulb in a 10watt bulb slot. There £1 mistake cost me over £30 to work out went wrong. (The relay wouldn't let the indicators flash correctly)

4. Indicators (AGAIN!) stopped working - Another £15.

5. Centre Stand - My centre stand starting rubbing on my rear wheel. It only got fixed a week ago. I replaced it with an extra long chrome side stand (Cost £26 for the side stand, plus £50 fitting and removal of the old stand.) Being an Aprilia, it was a b!tch to fit, hence why it cost so much to do. (local garage, NOT dealer this time, but the main dealer would probably charge me £100+ for labour so..)

6. Exhaust welding - The exhaust started to crack about 1cm away from the gasket. It was fixed at the local garage for £30.

7. Exhaust welding (2) - The exhaust formed a small hole around the first bend in the exhaust, it got welded, but by a friend this time because i could not afford to pay £30 for the repair again. Cost me £15 this time.

I have been told that my exhaust is basically gone, and when the rear tyre needs replacing again, then i will need to replace the exhaust at the same time too. I think my new tyre, which i have only got should last until about late-summer, so i am okay for now. (You have to take the exhaust off to change the rear tyre, and he said that it was lucky that the exhaust managed to get back onto the bike.

My advice is to get a brand new scooter, or get a Yamaha Aerox or a Aprilia SR 50 di-tech. Both are fast, both are tunable, both are a lot more fun and both have better looks and both are more reliable.

Rob