KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- This list also includes two electric scooters.
- The BMW CE 04 is the most expensive and most powerful scooter on this list.
- The Aprilia SXR 160 and the Keeay Sixties 300i are the only scooters in this list with a conventional footwell.
Scooters are an easy means of getting from point A to B without much hassle. However, this shouldn't mean that scooters should be boring or compact, right? Thankfully we live in times where scooters aren't just restricted to the family econo-commuter category. Today, we have maxi-scooters and performance scooters that not only get your daily commutes done, but they also add a dose of fun while you're on them.
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BMW CE 04
Surprised? So was I; an electric scooter taking the top spot in this list was something I had never expected to see on any given day. The BMW CE 04 was launched back in 2024, and it is currently priced at Rs 15.25 lakh (ex-showroom).
With a belt-driven, liquid-cooled electric motor, the CE 04 produces 41.5bhp at 4900rpm and 62Nm of torque at 1500rpm. BMW Motorrad claims the CE 04 reaches a top speed of 120kmph, with a 0-60kmph of 2.6 seconds. Backed by a 8.5kWh battery pack, the CE 04 gets a claimed range of 130km on a single charge.
The CE 04's kerb weight of 230kg and its rather big dimensions make it a tad to cumbersome to move around when you're at parking speeds. The seat is quite unconventional in terms of appearance. While it can seat two people easily, it will be a tight affair and you'll be wishing that the pillion better be a female.
BMW C 400 GT
At Rs 11.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the BMW C 400 GT is the second most expensive scooter on this list. The C 400 GT received an update recently, featuring safety additions such as IMU-assisted cornering ABS, traction control and engine braking control as standard. Not much has changed in terms of design, but the ergonomics have been reworked.
The C 400 GT carries on with the 350cc, liquid-cooled powertrain, producing 33.5bhp at 7500rpm and 35Nm of torque at 5750rpm. Like most maxi-scooters in this list, the C 400 GT also comes with a fuel tank in the middle of the footwell, which stores up to 12.8-litres of fuel. The C 400 GT can reach a claimed top speed of 129kmph, and given that it comes with a list of accessories for storage, highway touring on it will certainly be a stress-free affair.
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Keeway Vieste 300
Let's say you want a 300cc scooter but you aren't keen on shelling out the kind of money that will get you a BMW C 400 GT? Hungarian bikemaker Keeway has the answer for you; the Vieste 300 which can be had from Rs 3.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Vieste 300 is powered by a 278.2cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, producing 18.4bhp at 6500rpm and 22Nm of torque at 6500rpm. It also comes with a 12-litre fuel tank, and the underseat storage capacity is quite generous as well. However, fitting a full-face helmet is not going to be possible.
For its price, the Vieste 300 offers a mixed experience; while it gets things like keyless ignition and heated grips, the digital cluster does not get any form of connectivity. The 147kg kerb weight makes it very nimble and quick on its feet for a maxi-scooter, but the suspension setup is rather unforgiving and your backside will be informed of everything you ride over.
Keeway Sixties 300i
Are you a fan of the original Lambretta and you want something that looks very close to it in the modern age? The Keeway Sixties 300i aims to solve this problem for you, coming in at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom). It shares its platform with the Vieste 300, featuring the same 278.2cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder powertrain with identical output figures.
The Sixties 300i features a semi-digital instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer, further referencing scooters from a time long gone. As such, there are no connectivity features to speak of either. It does pack in a lot of punch and outright acceleration is impressive. However, the suspension setup continues to be extremely stiff here as well, which will impact your ride experience.
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Ultraviolette Tesseract
The Tesseract is the first scooter from the stables of Ultraviolette Automotive, who have also showcased many other products to enter certain segments. The Tesseract looks inspired by another premium electric maxi-scooter in this list, and while it was available at an introductory price of Rs 1.20 lakh, prices have now gone up to Rs 1.45 lakh (all prices ex-showroom)
The Tesseract will be available in three different variants featuring various battery pack options; the 3.5kWh variant with a claimed range of 162km, the 5kWh variant with a claimed range of 220km, and the 6kWh variant with a claimed range of 261km on a single charge.
Yamaha Aerox 155
The Aerox was one of the first scooters in India to feature a fuel tank setup in the footwell, giving it almost motorcycle-like dynamics. Sharing its platform with the R15, it is powered by the same 155cc, liquid-cooled powertrain, producing 14.7bhp at 8000rpm and 13.9Nm of torque 6500rpm.
The Aerox is available in two variants; the base Aerox, and the Aerox S, and prices range between Rs 1.49 lakh to Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom). The Aerox S adds on things such as push-button start and a smart key system with vehicle finder.
The Aerox became a popular choice among enthusiasts, given its high speed abilities and its tight chassis that results in a fun ride experience. However, the pillion will not enjoy themselves due to the tall seating and the stiff suspension setup that will make things a little less pleasant.
Hero Xoom 160
The Xoom 160 is the newest entrant in this list, and it comes in at Rs 1.48 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the first maxi-scooter Hero has ever made, and it packs in a 156cc, liquid-cooled powertrain, producing 14.6bhp at 8000rpm and 10Nm of torque at 6500rpm.
While nothing can be said about its performance or handling just yet, we can expect Hero to go for the kill, given how it has been doing things lately with the Xoom 125R and the Xtreme 250R. In terms of equipment, the Xoom 160 might just have a slight edge with features such as turn-by-turn and remote seat opening.
Aprilia SXR 160
The SXR 160 is possibly the oldest scooter in this list, and it started feeling that way long ago. It hasn't been updated in a long time, and it certainly is long overdue for one. It continues with the same design as before, and the mechanicals have been left untouched as well.
The SXR 160 carries over the same 160cc powertrain, producing 10.94bhp at 7200rpm and 12.13Nm of torque at 5500rpm. While the acceleration continues to be fairly impressive, the engine has a tendency to feel buzzy and unrefined at higher revs. There is not much to share in terms of features either, which makes recommending this scooter difficult to anyone today.
Verdict
These are some of the biggest and most powerful scooters in the Indian market. The fact that scooters are not restricted to just being family commuters shows that there is a segment of people who look for fun even in the simplest of means on two-wheelers.
