Aprilia Havana custom 50

The name itself suggests that this is a scooter that should smell like thick cigars and nights in Latin rhythms. Why Havana? Old American cars from the mid-50s are still in use in Cuba, with more chrome than sheet metal. As on the new Aprilia.

A custom style scooter that will no doubt be the property of those older people who know how to embrace all the charm and wit of a moped designed in this way. The youth will continue to ride racing replicas, so you can be sure that Haban will not be very much on the roads. The Habana Custom is a nostalgic design engine that pairs stylishly with high-end custom motorcycles.

However, Aprilia has also prepared a Habana with the Retro label for all those for whom the Habana Custom has “modern” shapes that look even more dusty with minor tweaks around fittings and other details and color combinations.

Habana, of course, hides completely modern technologies under its nostalgic mask, which today are the godfather of almost every Italian scooter. Well, it's true that the transmission is cooling air, not water, but who cares. The Habana is not a car that seems to be done away with this or that hairstyle. Or what?

The position of the rider on the scooter is comfortable. The space is generously proportioned, and this is sometimes even problematic, as the deliberate exaggeration of the designers in the design can confuse the driver. Habana's trademark is a bulky and wide steering wheel, which even Harley would not be ashamed of. However, the chrome horns can be a major handicap when cutting through the city crowd or storing the scooter on the front porch. Hey, it's a scooter after all. City bike, huh? Its length is also unusual for this class.

The first impression is similar to driving an extended limousine through the streets of Manhattan, but in fact, the Habana drives quite well as its wheelbase is not that different from other scooters. The engine seems very long due to the rather elongated rear end, which, like a tail, boldly makes it jump backwards over the rear wheel. The ride is a bit unusual at first due to the handlebars already mentioned, which cause the scooter to assume a rather unusual sitting or hand position.

So habanita is definitely something special. This is again one of the products that mixes the emotions, tastes and sayings of passers-by. Half half. For or against. Undoubtedly, Habana leaves no one indifferent and does not go unnoticed. Is there just something that doesn't cross my mind? Why the Custom is painted nostalgic blue and the Retro is black. It would make more sense to do the opposite!

Technical information

engine: 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled, Keihin carburetor 12 mm, bore and stroke 41 × 37, 4 mm, displacement 49, 38 cm3, CVT, V-belt, sprocket, wheel gear, electric and kick starter

Tires: front 120 / 70-12, rear 130 / 70-10

brakes: front: disc f 190 mm, rear: drum f 30 mm

Wholesale apples: length 1900 mm, wheelbase 1110 mm, fuel tank / stock 7l / 7l, factory data for a dry motorcycle, weight 2 kg

dinner: 1.919, 13 EUR (1.752, 21 EUR Retro) Avtotriglav, dd, Ljubljana

Gaber Kerzhishnik

Photo: Urosh Potocnik.

• Basic data

  Base model price: € 1.919,13 (€ 1.752,21 Retro) Autotriglav, dd, Ljubljana €

• Technical information

  engine: 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled, Keihin carburetor 12 mm, bore and stroke 41 × 37,4 mm, displacement 49,38 cc, CVT, V-belt, sprocket, wheel, electric and kick starter

  brakes: front: disc f 190 mm, rear: drum f 30 mm

  Weight: length 1900 mm, wheelbase 1110 mm, fuel tank / stock 7,7l / 2l, factory data for a dry motorcycle, weight 90 kg