MotorBikes: Road-testing the Aprilia Atlantic 500 The Aprilia Atlantic 500 is one of a handful of big scooters on the Irish market. These big scooters - take "big" as meaning 500cc or more - combine the relative simplicity and user friendliness of the scooter with the performance of at least a middleweight motorcycle.
They are really aimed at those wanting as near "car-type" comfort and convenience as one can get on two wheels but without, as with most smaller scooters, meagre performance. A good big scooter ought to be able to cruise happily all day at the legal maximum and carry two adults.
The Aprilia Atlantic is a typical and good example, and the most competitively priced in this class.
In terms of design and layout it is entirely orthodox: a tubular lattice frame, bolt on body panels, small wheels and with the engine and transmission located under the seat. The single cylinder engine produces a restrained 29kW and 40Nm torque. This, coupled to the automatic transmission makes for ease of riding in heavy traffic and all the performance one needs on the open road. The Atlantic will happily cruise at 140km/h (85mph) given half the chance. Two-up at legal speeds our fuel consumption worked out at 43.2mpg in the city to 56.8mpg on the open road.
The brakes are linked: the left lever operates the rear disc brake and one of the two front discs. The right lever operates the other front disc. Distribution of the braking load is optimised through a distribution valve.
A single key operates the ignition and locks for the front scuttle and under-seat stowage compartments which provide 47 litres of stowage capacity and which contain a 12v charging socket for a mobile phone or laptop.
Interestingly, Aprilia does not claim that its under-seat stowage space can take two full face helmets. Given its shape, one might fit in two open face helmets. We felt it was rather less generous than we would have expected.
Available as optional extras are both a rigid topbox and soft luggage bags which can take the available stowage to 117 litres.
A highly sophisticated integrated communications system for the hands-free operation of FM radio, mobile phone, and intercom systems is available, all controlled by a computer with more power than the first moon lander!
More useful for the all-year-round rider is the optional extra leg cover, a device much favoured in Europe, especially by Parisians and one that adds greatly to rider comfort on a cold winter's day.
Electronic fuel injection, ignition and a catalytic converter combine to keep emissions well within the EURO 2 standards.
The headlight system which employs three halogen lamps is unusually good for this class of machine. The instrumentation is clear and comprehensive with the computer providing a wealth of more information than most would ever need - including a lap timer!
Having a machine with automatic transmission means that in the stop-crawl of metropolitan traffic riding becomes, if not a pleasure then at least less tiring and frustrating than ceaselessly changing gear. On the open road the constantly variable nature of the transmission means that the engine is nearly always working efficiently close to its maximum torque output.
Roadholding on any scooter or smaller-wheeled machine will not be in the sports tourer category. Despite this we found the machine behaved well under a wide variety of conditions and never gave any cause for concern despite being pushed a good deal harder than most riders would contemplate.
The brakes were perfectly adequate, as distinct from impressive but again, this is not meant to be a high performance sports machine.
The pillion, on top of the engine and luggage compartments, is set higher than the rider's seat, so exposing the passenger to a fair deal of wind blast. The seat is very wide, making it difficult for the passenger to get a decent grip.
Taken as a whole, the Aprilia Atlantic is as big a scooter as most would every need. It does everything it is meant to do very well, and in terms of price represents good value for money.