Aprilia SR Max 300 Make Model. | Aprilia SR Max 300 | Year | 2012 - 13 | Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves | Capacity | 278 cc / 17.0 cu in | Bore x Stroke | 75 x 63 mm | Cooling System | Liquid cooled | Lubrication | Wet sump | Induction | Electronic injection | Starting | Electric | Clutch | Double cradle trellis in high strength steel tubing | Max Power | 16.4 kW / 22 hp @ 7500 rpm | Max Torque | 23 Nm / 2.3 kgf-m / 17.0 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm | Clutch | Centrifugal dry clutch | Transmission | Automatic (CVT) with torque server | Final Drive | Belt | Front Suspension | ?35 mm Hydraulic telescopic fork | Rear Suspension | Double hydraulic shock absorber with preload adjustment | Front Brakes | Single ?260 mm disc | Rear Brakes | Single ?240 mm disc | Front Tyre | 120/70-15 | Rear Tyre | 140/60-14 | Seat Height | 815 mm / 32.1 in | Dimensions | Length: 2110 mm / 83.1 in Width: 780 mm / 30.7 in | Wheelbase | 1515 mm / 59.6 in | Fuel Capacity | 15.5 liters / 4.1 US gal | Fuel Reserve | 2.8 L / 0.7 US gal | Average Fuel Consumption | 4 L/100 km / 25 km/l / 59 US mpg | Reviews | Motorcycle News /Cars Guide |
Aprilia’s new SR Max 300 fits neatly into the overcrowded maxi-scooter class, but with a less than subtle difference from its rivals – the Aprilia actually looks exciting to ride.
With styling allegedly based on the RSV4 superbike – a little far-fetched, although the black/red colour scheme is eye-catching and the angular layout of the bike is striking – it follows in the tyre tracks of the Gilera Nexus 300, a same-spec maxi-scoot that has just been dropped from the Piaggio line-up.
As Piaggio is the controlling parent of Gilera and Aprilia (amongst others) it’s safe to assume the Aprilia’s engine is from the same development/production line as the Gilera’s Quasar engine. Which means the Aprilia is just as frugal and will cruise happily at motorway speeds in exactly the same way.
Testing showed the highest speed figure achieved was 91mph, although it took a while to get there after the initial zippy burst up to 57mph. Overtaking from 60mph into a headwind needs to be weighed up very carefully before the throttle is turned in anger, because it can be a slow process.
The best fuel economy figure of 64mpg came with town use interspersed with A-road lunacy. So the 15.5 litre tank could secure a theoretical 220 miles between fill ups. And in this age of forced meagerness, the SR Max looks tempting. |