Aprilia Storm: Same Price, Other Options

Here’s a list of bikes and scooters around the same price bracket that could make for a good alternative to the just launched Aprilia Storm

Aprilia just launched its most affordable scooter in India, the Storm 125. Priced at Rs 65,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), this entry-level Aprilia undercuts the SR 125 by around Rs 6,400. It’s powered by the same 125cc engine as seen on the SR 125 but features fat dual-purpose-looking tyres wrapped around 12-inch wheels, drum brakes with CBS, and two different colour schemes. While it’s easier on your pocket, Aprilia has had to cut some corners in order to keep costs in check. So, would you rather spend Rs 65,000 on a toned down SR 125 with fat tyres or spend that money on one of the following options around the same price? 

TVS NTorq 125:  Rs 59,900

If you’re looking at the Aprilia Storm, it’s pretty obvious that you’re interested in a sporty 125cc scooter. In this case, you could opt for the TVS NTorq 125 instead as it offers a lot more features compared to the Storm, should be quicker off the line and saves you Rs 5,100 while doing so. Its party piece is a fully-digital instrument console which pairs with your smartphone and reads out a host of information over and above the essentials. This includes a multi-mode display - Street, Sport and Ride stats, a lap timer, incoming call and message alerts, navigation assist, last parked location and much more. All of which can be accessed via the company’s rider app.  

And if that’s not impressive enough, the scooter gets an LED DRL upfront, LED tail light and 22-litres of underseat storage along with a boot light and a USB charging socket. 12-inch alloy wheels shod in chunky tyres adds to its stability while a disc brake at the front helps bring the scooter to a stop quickly.  

Hero Maestro Edge 125 FI: Rs 62,700

Granted the Maestro Edge 125 isn’t as sporty as the Aprilia Storm but it features a sharp and angular design language that looks quite appealing in the black and red dual-tone paint scheme. Plus, it’s the only scooter in India that gets fuel-injection as an option, which should make it more refined and help it deliver better fuel-efficiency. With this setup, the scooter is capable of delivering 9.2PS and a class-leading torque output of 10.2Nm.

The Maestro Edge 125 even trumps the Aprilia Storm in terms of features as it gets an analogue-digital instrument console, a nifty 4-in-one key fob, a convenient external fuel filler cap and a mobile charging port with boot lamp. Other notable features include an LED DRL on the front apron, diamond cut alloy wheels and Integrated Braking System (IBS) as standard. To top it all, the top-spec Maestro Edge which offers all this equipment still undercuts the entry-level Aprilia Storm by Rs 2,300.  

Bajaj Pulsar 150 Neon ABS:  Rs 68 250/-

Getting a bike for around the same price doesn’t sound like a bad deal, does it? For a small premium of around Rs 3,200 you could get yourself a brand spanking new Pulsar 150 Neon with single-channel ABS! Needless to say, there’s a lot more power on tap with the assurance of better riding dynamics which gives you the ultimate thrill of owning a bike. To add to its sporty feel, the Pulsar 150 gets strokes of neon yellow or red paint paired with blacked out mechanical components and a semi-digital instrument console. Its 15-litre fuel-tank helps you go the distance without refuelling too often, while its upright riding and mildly rear-set footpegs offer a comfortable riding position. Besides this, its softly sprung suspension setup should soak in bumps better than the Aprilia Storm 125. 

Honda CB Shine SP CBS: Rs 68,460

The CB Shine SP is yet another example of a value-for-money proposition. While it won’t thrill you with its performance, it’s light enough to zip through traffic and packs enough power for quick overtakes at city speeds. In terms of styling, it’s one of the best looking 125cc commuters out there with features such as tank shrouds, split 5-spoke alloy wheels, a digital-analogue instrument console with a service due indicator and low rolling resistance tyres for better fuel-efficiency. The CB Shine SP also gets a better braking setup with a disc and a drum setup at the front and rear respectively with CBS (Combined Braking System). That’s a lot more bike for a minor premium of around Rs 3,500. 

Okinawa Praise: Rs 69,790 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

Alternatively, you could also go green by picking up an electric scooter like the Okinawa Praise. Granted, you’d have to stretch your budget a little at first but the e-scooter will save you a whole lot of dough in the long run. The Praise boasts a company-claimed range of 170km to 200km on a single charge and a top speed of around 75kmph. 

However, in our road tests, the scooter returned a range of 78-110km on a full charge depending on the riding mode (Eco & Sporty respectively). Moreover, thanks to the restrictions laid down by the riding modes in order to extract optimum range, the scooter reached a top speed of just 35kmph in Eco mode and 51kmph in Sporty. A top speed of 61kmph was only achievable using its Turbo Boost feature. Nevertheless, these figures should be fine for your daily commutes within the city. 

What works in favour of the Praise is that fact that the scooter comes packed with features. From anti-theft function and remote locking, keyless start option to front and rear disc brakes, it's got it all.