History and Development

Origin and Background

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, 2000, ZD4PFA) is a scooter produced in 2000 by the Italian manufacturer Aprilia. Founded in 1945 by Alberto Beggio as a bicycle factory, Aprilia developed into a significant producer of motorcycles and scooters under the leadership of his son Ivano Beggio from the 1960s onwards.

Scarabeo Model Range

The Scarabeo 50 (ZD4PFA) is part of the Scarabeo model range, which was introduced in 1993 with the first Scarabeo 50, characterized by an elegant, classic design with large wheels. While Aprilia was known for sporty models like the RS series in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Scarabeo 50 focused on a combination of retro aesthetics and practical everyday usability. Its production year 2000 coincides with Aprilia's acquisition of Laverda and Moto Guzzi, before the company was taken over by the Piaggio Group in 2004.

Technical Details

Engine and Performance

Technically, the Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, ZD4PFA) is equipped with a 49cc two-stroke engine from Minarelli, which is air-cooled and operates with 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.

Chassis and Brakes

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.

Design and Features

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.

Colors and Special Models

The Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (2-stroke, ZD4PFA) was painted in several colors that highlighted its elegant and timeless style. Available paint options included black, white, red, and blue, often in solid or subtle metallic tones that emphasized the scooter's retro character.

Special Models

Regarding special models, there are no clear indications that Aprilia released special or limited editions of the Scarabeo 50 (ZD4PFA) in 2000. The Scarabeo range was later expanded with various engine capacities and technical variants such as the DiTech version, but the 2-stroke version from 2000 remained largely uniform in its execution.