History and Development

Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, 1994-1997, Type 81)

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 is a scooter produced by the Italian manufacturer Aprilia between 1994 and 1997. Aprilia, founded in 1945 by Alberto Beggio as a bicycle factory, developed into a significant producer of motorcycles and scooters under the leadership of his son Ivano Beggio from the 1960s onwards.
The Scarabeo 50 (Type 81) is part of the Scarabeo model range, which was introduced in 1993 with the first Scarabeo 50 and stood out with an elegant, classic design with large wheels, differentiating it from the sporty or functional scooters common at the time.
While Aprilia was also known for sporty models like the RS series in the 1990s, the Scarabeo 50 was aimed at riders looking for a stylish and practical scooter for everyday use.
Its production period falls into a phase when Aprilia solidified its reputation as an innovative manufacturer, long before the acquisition of Laverda and Moto Guzzi in 2000 and the later integration into the Piaggio Group in 2004.

Technical Details

Technically, the Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, Type 81) 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 4 hp and is designed for a top speed of around 45 km/h, in accordance with legal requirements for mopeds.
The power transmission is via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), making the scooter particularly beginner-friendly.
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 a dry weight of about 95 kg and a tank volume of around 8 liters, the Scarabeo 50 is designed for agility and easy handling in urban traffic.
Its design with 16-inch wheels, rounded shapes, and a large round headlight gives it a timeless look reminiscent of classic scooters.

Design and Variants

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, Type 81) was painted in several colors that emphasized its elegant and classic style.
Available paint finishes included black, white, red, and blue, mostly in solid tones that highlighted the minimalist and refined character of the scooter.
Regarding special models, there are no clear indications that Aprilia released special or limited editions of the Scarabeo 50 (Type 81) during the production years 1994 to 1997.
The Scarabeo range was later expanded with various engine capacities and design variations, but the 50 cc version of these model years remained largely uniform in its execution.