KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Moto scooters usually come with a bigger body, more power, and larger components.
- Maxi-scooters in India can also be considered as moto-scooters.
- The moto scooter category seems to be picking up slowly in India.
It's no surprise that a scooter is among the top-selling two-wheelers in our country today. A lot of us people continue to rely on scooters for personal transportation, to help us getting from point A to B, carrying groceries, or even joyrides in some cases.
The term 'moto scooter', however, is fairly new to us, even though we have had some examples in the 2000s. We will now be looking at what is a moto-scooter, what makes them different from regular scooters, and even some examples. However, before going further, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
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What Is A Moto-Scooter?
There really is no official definition of what a moto-scooter is (believe us, we Googled it multiple times!). To make things simple, a moto scooter is essentially a scooter with some traits and components that are similar to those of a motorcycle, making them more engaging to ride and delivering a more enthusiastic experience.
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How Are Moto Scooters Different From Regular Scooters?
Moto scooters usually come with a fuel tank in the middle of the footwell, resulting in a riding position similar to that of a motorcycle. This does mean that the floorboard cannot be loaded up with groceries and stuff. However, an upside is that in most cases, moto scooters benefit from additional underseat storage space, along with lockable cubbyholes in the front.
These scooters usually tend to have a low seat height, making them fairly accessible for a wide range of riders. The rider triangle is usually more relaxed and comfortable, there's plenty of space to move your feet around. With larger, more powerful engines, these scooters can also be considered for touring purposes should the need arise, due to the extra comfort and the power advantage. The possibility of adding top boxes further adds up to the advantage of hauling luggage over longer distances without a fuss.
Moto scooters also usually come with larger wheels, fatter tyres, disc brakes, high-end suspension bits, and an extensive features list.
Some examples in the global market include the Suzuki Burgman 400, Burgman 200, BMW C 400 X, Honda PCX, Honda ADV 350, Honda Forza 750, and the Yamaha XMax 300 Tech Max+
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Examples Of Moto Scooters In India
Even though the Honda Dio was a 102cc scooter when it was initially launched back in 2002, the Japanese two-wheeler maker labelled it as a moto scooter. While it definitely packed in a sharper design and snazzier graphics, the Dio has always been identical to the Activa underneath the skin.
India got its first real moto scooter in 2006, in the form of the Kinetic Blaze; a scooter that was quite ahead of its time. Born out of a partnership between Kinetic and Italiano, the Blaze was one of the first products to arrive. While more products were also promised to come from this partnership, not much is known about how or why it came to an end.
The Blaze was powered by a 165cc, four-valve engine, producing 11.6bhp and 12Nm of torque. It also came with things unheard of for scooters back in the day; telescopic front forks, a front disc brake, twin shock absorbers at the rear, a massive windscreen, and a seat that was no less than the couch in your living room.
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Today, some examples of moto scooters in the Indian market include the Yamaha Aerox 155, the Hero Xoom 160, Aprilia SXR 160, Keeway Vieste 300, and the BMW C 400 GT. While the Aerox 155, the Vieste 300, and the SXR 160 have been around for quite a while, the Xoom 160 is the newest entrant here, and considering it is Hero's first product in this segment, it is a big deal.
The TVS Ntorq 125, Aprilia SR 160, and to some extent the Hero Xoom 125R can also be considered as moto scooters given their sporty intent, even though their highway touring abilities will be limited compared to the maxi-scooters we have mentioned above.
Verdict
Moto scooters are a perfect pick for enthusiasts looking for the convenience of a scooter but without giving up the fun traits of a motorcycle. It goes to show that a format as simple as scooters can also be made thrilling and fun.
