Produced until the mid-Seventies, the Scarabeo was presented in various versions with engine sizes of 50 and 125 cc, with aesthetic features at times truly unique and innovative (starting what was to become a tradition for Aprilia products), as in the case of the 1971 model, with its metallic gold paintwork.

The first true cross bike was born in 1974, and was handed over for testing to Maurizio Sgarzani, a driver in the cadet class who did not fare badly during the initial races. The signals were encouraging.

From that bike the Aprilia technicians created the RC 125, which was presented at the Milan Salon, starting that insoluble combination of sports and standard production that has always been a characteristic of the Noale factory.

In 1975 the first racing Aprilia with an ambition for victory was presented. Ivan Alborghetti, a Milanese driver who had already shown himself to have the stuff of a champion, was chosen to ride it, and it was not long before the results started to arrive.

Under 21 and Partner 50 presentation.

The first titles arrived in 1977 in the Italian championship, in the 125 and 250 classes, while the following year Alborghetti ended the season with two third places in races and a sixth place overall in the world championship: the best position ever achieved by an Italian rider.

In the meantime, the Noale factory's name had extended outside the boundaries of Italy.
Foreign markets, which absorb 20% of all production, and in particular the American market, show great appreciation for Aprilia bikes.
The decade ended with a constant growth in production, which was divided into mopeds and cross bikes.
In ten years the company grew considerably: from 1969 to 1979, annual production of mopeds went from 150 to 12,000 units, whereas for bikes in just four years production had exceeded 2,000 units per year.

MX 250

In ten years the company grew considerably: from 1969 to 1979, annual production of mopeds went from 150 to 12,000 units, whereas for bikes in just four years production had exceeded 2,000 units per year.