Riding the SXR 125 feels like getting the practicality of a scooter with a bit of Italian flair and some thoughtful engineering under the sheet metal. Its heart is a 124.45 cc, single‑cylinder, 4‑stroke, SOHC engine — simple, air‑cooled and fuel‑injected — which gives a modest but reliable amount of power. On paper it makes around 9.6 PS at about 7,500 rpm and about 10.2 Nm of torque at around 5,400 rpm. In everyday traffic and city commutes, that translates into smooth, manageable acceleration: not a rocket, but enough to merge confidently into traffic, overtake slower vehicles, or cruise through busy streets without feeling underpowered. The automatic CVT transmission with belt drive and dry centrifugal clutch adds to that convenience — you don’t worry about shifting gears, you just twist the throttle and the scooter takes care of the rest, which makes daily stop‑and‑go riding effortless.
What stands out is how the scooter balances its compact design with comfort and practicality. The frame is a tubular single‑cradle chassis, with a hydraulic double‑telescopic fork up front and a hydraulic shock absorber at the rear. Coupled with 12‑inch alloy wheels wrapped in 120/70‑12 tubeless tyres front and rear, the suspension‑tyre set‑up gives the SXR 125 a stable and planted feel for a 125 cc scooter. On good roads it rides with composure — not floaty, but controlled and predictable. On rough patches, broken tarmac or potholes, the ride can feel a bit firm, but that firmness also helps the scooter stay stable under load or when cornering. It’s a practical compromise between comfort and handling.
When it comes to braking and safety, Aprilia opted for a 220 mm front disc brake and a 140 mm rear drum brake, linked by a Combi Braking System (CBS). That front disc gives reassuring bite, and the CBS helps distribute braking force to ensure stability when you need to stop quickly — useful in chaotic city traffic or when a pedestrian or vehicle suddenly crosses your path. While it doesn’t offer dual‑disc or ABS, the braking setup is decent for the scooter’s performance envelope and gives enough confidence for everyday use.
Dimensionally, the SXR 125 strikes a balance between being compact enough for narrow lanes and roomy enough for comfortable rides. The length is about 1,963 mm, width about 803 mm and height about 1,205 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,361 mm. Seat height sits around 775–780 mm, which tends to be manageable for most riders, making it easy to flat‑foot at signals or in traffic. The kerb weight is roughly 128–129 kg — light enough for easy manoeuvring in tight traffic or parking spots, but with enough heft to feel stable at moderate speeds or when carrying a pillion.
Fuel tank capacity is 7 litres (with a small reserve), which might sound small, but given the scooter’s modest engine and claimed fuel efficiency of about 40 km/l (actual mileage depends on riding style and traffic), a full tank still gives you a decent city‑range before needing a refill — handy for daily commuting or short errands.
Aprilia has entrusted the SXR 125 with a set of practical yet modern features that make ownership smoother. The instrument console is fully digital, showing speed, fuel level, trip‑meter/odometer, and low‑fuel warning. There’s a USB charging port for devices — thoughtful if you rely on your phone for navigation or music — and other useful touches like a passenger footrest, grab‑rail and under‑seat storage that can fit daily‑use items. Lighting is all LED (headlight, tail / indicators), improving visibility during night rides and giving the scooter a more premium appearance. Starting is via both electric self‑start and kick‑start, which adds flexibility and reliability, especially in city conditions or if the battery is low.
In real riding conditions, the SXR 125 feels like a practical, everyday machine that doesn’t ask for much from the rider. It’s easy to live with — easy to ride, easy to park, and easy to maintain. For a rider doing daily commuting, office runs, college rides or city errands, it covers the essentials: smooth engine, manageable power, stable handling, reliable brakes, decent fuel economy, and comfort. What you lose in high-speed grunt or heavy-duty touring capability, you gain in convenience, simplicity, and urban friendliness.
If you’re someone riding through congested roads, tight parking spots, mixed-quality streets — perhaps overlapping with the kind of roads and traffic you’d find in many Indian cities — the SXR 125 feels well-suited. It doesn’t pretend to be a sports bike, but it offers a balanced package: easy to ride, practical to use, and dependable enough for daily use, with a bit of European styling and feature-level polish to make it stand out in the scooter crowd.
