2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500
User Reviews
-
Loyal fan of my Aprilia Atlantic 500
By (I am an Owner) on Jun 19, 2017I have owned this Touring Scooter since I bought it from the original owner.
Which was well over a decade ago.
The original owner used it to commute to college and back home.
He decide to sell after graduation to help pay student loan.
I purchased it to commute to work ... and home.
I have owned and ridden motorcycles since I was 13, I am now 58.
I quickly learned I got a lot more than just a commuter bike here.
This Aprilia Atlantic 500 is amazing. It's quite powerful, very comfortable to ride for hours and miles on end.
It's a very smooth ride, very reasonably quiet exhaust, belt drive, no tire to pavement noises, engine purrs and handling that inspires my confidence.
Even for the time period today, this vehicle is still advanced technology to many other bikes.
Love the on board computer (mpg usage, trip meter, ambient weather temperature, speed record, etc, etc.)
Glove compartment with AC plug in to charge cell phone or I pad when needed.
The fuel mileage is great. It saved me a ton of money riding during the economic and fuel price supply crisis of 2008.
When the local price of gas was between $4.50 to $5.00 a gallon. Many places were just usually out of gas... period.
I could commute at two lane black top speed of 55 all day at 75 mpg. Versus my old Land Rover SUV average of 14 mpg.
And due to the higher performance compression ratio I restrict myself to using premium fuel only and 100% ethanol free gasoline when and where I could find it.
Now that prices are more reasonable, I even spoil my bike with a 104 octane boost fuel (helps keep the fuel injection system at it's best). So I ride even more.
The bike is obviously older now. Still doesn't look dated, and I still get lots of compliments and interests from strangers at fuel stops and other places.
And I am renewing her looks and replacing what I think deserves replacing or upgrading.
New paint job, going from solid dark blue (hard to be seen in low light), to bright Sunburst Metallic Orange. (paint shown in photos) Matching helmets with mirrored UV protection face screens.
Four wheelers, yeah tell me 'you didn't see me on that bike'.
I saw this color on a later model Aprilia Atlantic 500 Sprint, and thought 'Yeah, I really like that'. It gets your attention. (picture of the inspiration bike I posted as well the color mine came in. You can see the factory service manual cover). I have four manuals with the bike, owners, motor service, body and chassis parts including electronics, and the bike's over all service manual.
All well detailed with lots of information.
Windscreen, old one from factory, faded a bit and developed a crack after an impact from a chunk of truck tire recap exploded on the interstate in front of me.
Glad the windscreen was there. Otherwise I would have caught it in the chest and might have lost control.
But it bounced right off with out hardly any noticeable control wobble. I was just speeding up to 80 mph to pass him.
His tire was howling and I know what that means... bad tire and trouble.
Replaced with a few inches taller and several more inches wider (covers the hand grip areas), better GIVI windscreen. (Comparison photos of original and GIVI included).
The curvature at the top disperses the rain over my helmet. I am 6'1" tall. It keeps it off my helmet face shield.
it $154 delivered free. And don't let people try and convince you factory parts availability is difficult for these, it's NOT true.
Very comfortable large seat, cover worn so being replaced with a marine grade vinyl white with contrasting orange piping.
Yeah, alright I am a Tennessee Vols fan, Orange and White, okay.
Bike handles well straight up or on 'the twisties'. I locally ride "The Dragon's Tail" a lot, just because it's there and it's fun.
This bike makes me want to take the curvy scenic routes, see 'out of the way' sights I might never have seen otherwise.
Other upgrades including adding the extra 'European' lighting that was omitted on the export models to America.
Evidently, from what I found out. These were omitted not because it was illegal here, but because U.S. regulations didn't require them.
So they were left off for the additional cost savings.
These bikes are factory recommended for certain type tires. I use what the factory issued Michelin City Grips (reinforced side walls and 'S' speed rated). For up to 112 mph, and the bike can do that. I'm not going to do that. Perhaps why I have rode for 45 years and I still can ride.
That work very well, grip in dry or very wet conditions.
But do note these are what I call soft composition rubber. So expect replacing the rear tire more often than the front tire.
But prices are reasonable. I have paid $69 for the rear 140/60 64S 14" and priced front versions 120/70 56S 15" at $65 to $69 (delivered free Fed-Ex Two-Day) (sample photo included)
I read some owners have had some issues with electronic coils, sensors etc. I find these not to be the makers of the vehicles faults.
I have had them happen to me in brand new autos and trucks soon after purchase. I love the new technology of computer chips, electronic sensors.
These are improvements. And they can save your engines by shutting down operation if a serious condition threatens damages.
But these chips and sensors and such can have a malfunction. A defect unseen or detected by the vendors who supplied the parts to the vehicle makers.
And there are improvements coming along with things like this all the time.
I discovered a newer upgrade in electronics for my Aprilia.
It increased my horsepower 15% and my fuel economy even more than the best (75 mpg) I had been getting by 6%, so getting closer to (80 mpg) now at 55 mph.
Works for me, and that's how I roll.
Rating breakdown
-
Steve C
By (I am an Owner) on May 01, 2013I have a 2003 Atlantic 500...I was unable to ride for over a year so my husband took it to-from work every day, even in 38 degree weather. Ran like a champ. Then one day it quit on him on the way home. It would get hot and not restart. We took it to the dealer, it spent from May to Feb in their ... shop. The first estimate was close to $1000-said it was the throttle body and had to come from Italy, they replaced it, died while idling when my husband was paying for it. They kept it longer and replaced the coil. same price no break for the ride time I missed. We have had problems with it since. The battery was bad. Replaced it, worked great for a few months, now it starts but dies when you let the back wheel touch the ground. It has 17k on it. I am trying to sell it-cheap!!!
Rating breakdown
-
Can an Aprilia Atlantic have a birth defect!
By (I am an Owner) on Apr 21, 2013I went into the motorsports store to buy a Burgman 650, but the 2004 Atlantic 500 looked like an even better value. I loved this scooter's power and accelleration, until one day in the first month of ownership it didn't start.
After 3 months in the shop in the first year of ownership, ... technicians had not found the problem. It took 3 years for the dealer to listen to me and drive the scooter until it totally heated up, then Finally it wouldn't startfor them either. The problem was a faulty thermal coil. It has run great ever since, until the last month of my extended warranty... It wouldn't start hot again. The dealer was gracious enough to simply replace the coil again without diagnosis, as it took them 3 years to find the original problem. I wonder if any other Atlantic 500 has had the same problem, and has it reoccurred? This has been a huge negative impact on my confidence in my scooter
Rating breakdown
-
The magnificant Aprilia Atlantic 500
By (I am an Owner) on Oct 03, 2008I own a 2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500, and they are amazing supercooters! I have driven mine from tricities Tn, all the way to Birmingham, Al. I was very comfortable the entire 6hr trip. These scooters are true touring scooters. And the power is amazing, going from 0 to 80 in a matter of seconds. Bottom ... line, this is one of the best on the market today.
Rating breakdown