History and Development

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, 1998-2006, ZD4PF) is a scooter produced by the Italian manufacturer Aprilia between 1998 and 2006.
Founded in 1945 by Alberto Beggio as a bicycle manufacturer, Aprilia developed into a significant producer of motorcycles and scooters under the leadership of his son Ivano Beggio from the 1960s onwards.
The Scarabeo 50 (ZD4PF) is part of the Scarabeo model range, which debuted in 1993 with the first Scarabeo 50, characterized by an elegant, classic design with large wheels.
While Aprilia was also known for sporty models like the RS series in the late 1990s, the Scarabeo 50 focused on a combination of retro aesthetics and practical everyday usability.
Its production period spans a phase during which Aprilia acquired the brands Laverda and Moto Guzzi in 2000 and was on the verge of integration into the Piaggio Group in 2004, influencing the further development of the model range.

Technical Details

Engine and Performance

Technically, the Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, ZD4PF) is equipped with a 49 cc two-stroke engine from Minarelli, which is air-cooled and operated via a carburetor.
This engine delivers a power output of about 3.1 hp (2.3 kW) and is designed for a top speed of around 45 km/h, in accordance with legal requirements for mopeds.
Power transmission is via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), making the scooter particularly easy to ride.

Chassis and Brakes

The chassis includes a telescopic fork at the front and a single shock absorber at the rear.
The braking system consists of a front disc brake (190 mm) and a rear drum brake, with some variants of the series also equipped with rear disc brakes.
With a dry weight of about 95 kg and a fuel tank capacity of around 8 liters, the Scarabeo 50 is designed for agility and efficiency in urban traffic.
Its design with 16-inch wheels, rounded shapes, and a large round headlight emphasizes the classic look of the Scarabeo line.

Design and Variants

Paint and Style

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, ZD4PF) was painted in several colors that underscored its elegant and timeless style.
Available paint options included black, white, red, and blue, often in solid or subtle metallic tones, highlighting the retro character of the scooter.

Special Models

Regarding special models, there are no clear indications that Aprilia released special or limited editions of the Scarabeo 50 (ZD4PF) during the production years 1998 to 2006.
Although the Scarabeo range was expanded with different engine capacities and later design variations like the DiTech version, the 2-stroke version of these model years remained largely uniform in its execution.