Ather 450X vs Aprilia SXR 160 - Performance, Acceleration, Braking Compared

The one area where the Ather falls behind is braking. Even though 450X has got disc brakes at both ends (as opposed to a disc/drum setup on the SXR), the Aprilia’s big advantage here comes from its fatter 120-section tyres and single-channel ABS. In fact, the SXR is one of the only three scooters in India offering ABS as standard (well, they kinda have to).

The 450X, in contrast, only offers combined brakes, and the skinny 90-section tyres have a tendency to lock up under hard braking (especially the rear). That’s why the SXR stops from 80kmph almost 10 metres shorter than the 450X. In fact, the SXR 160 manages the best braking distances among all BS6 scooters we’ve tested so far.

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So, in most performance parameters, the Ather 450X still remains the scooter to beat. Although, we wish Ather provided it with ABS, at least as an option. Of course, we’re talking purely in terms of performance numbers. When it comes to living with it, an electric will have its set of downsides over something like an Aprilia SXR 160. But that’s a story for another time.