The Aprilia Area 51 is a scooter made by the Italian maker Aprilia from 1998 to 2002. It was presented at the Munich Motor Show in 1998 and is powered by a single-cylinder 49 cc two-stroke engine.
Aprilia Area 51 at a glance
| Production | 1998–2002 |
|---|---|
| Presented | Munich Motor Show, 1998 |
| Engine | single-cylinder 49 cc two-stroke |
| Transmission | centrifugal clutch and belt CVT to the rear wheel |
| Wheels | 13 inch, 130/60 |
| Brakes | disc brakes on both wheels (two discs, one on each wheel) |
| Frame | aluminium structure |
| Front suspension | single-sided swinging arm mounted low in the frame, in place of a fork |
| Instruments | electric dashboard with digital indicator instead of a speedometer; LED fuel and engine temperature gauges |
English and Italian Wikipedia describe the scooter in the same terms.
History of the Aprilia Area 51
The Area 51 was presented at the Munich Motor Show in 1998. It is a scooter with a single-cylinder 49 cc two-stroke engine, and its name refers to the US military base of the same name in Nevada.
The power goes to the rear wheel through a centrifugal clutch connected to a belt-driven continuously variable (CVT) gearbox. The wheels are 13 inches, 130/60, and the braking system has a disc on each wheel.
The frame is an aluminium structure with a single-sided oscillating front suspension, mounted in the lower part of the frame in place of the classic fork of traditional scooters. Other special features are the electric dashboard with a digital indicator instead of the speedometer and LED gauges for fuel level and engine temperature. The design and the shape of the fairing were developed in the wind tunnel.
Design and features
- Engine: a 49 cc two-stroke single.
- Front end: a single-sided swinging arm instead of a fork.
- Frame: aluminium.
- Instruments: a digital dashboard with LED gauges.
- Aerodynamics: the fairing was shaped in the wind tunnel.
Aprilia Area 51 versions
- Area 51 (1998–2002): the only version described in our sources.
More Aprilia scooters are in our Aprilia collection, for example the Scarabeo, the SR and the Habana.
Aprilia Area 51 questions and answers
When was the Aprilia Area 51 built?
From 1998 to 2002.
Why is it called Area 51?
The name refers to the US military base of the same name in Nevada.
What engine does it have?
A single-cylinder 49 cc two-stroke.
What is unusual about its front end?
A single-sided swinging arm mounted low in the frame replaces the usual fork.
How does the power reach the wheel?
Through a centrifugal clutch and a belt CVT.
Video: Aprilia Area 51 70/50 Stage6 streetrace Top performances Nardo
Video by Przemek Borkowski on YouTube.
Sources
- Aprilia Area 51, English Wikipedia: history, engine, frame
- Aprilia Area 51, Italian Wikipedia: description, transmission, instruments
