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The scooter world shows signs of vitality with many new models

Two-wheelers: vehicles for all tastes

26 November 2024

3' min read

Motorbikes are growing, but there is also ferment in the scooter world with growth in Italy exceeding 4% per annum. In the halls of the Eicma show in Milan, signs of vitality with announcements of new models.

Honda, the best-selling brand in Europe, updates the PCX125, and the two models assembled in Italy, the SH350 and ADV350. The PCX125 now has new fairings, LED lights and a new, more powerful rear disc brake. The SH350 has only undergone minor cosmetic retouches, such as a new split-beam LED headlamp and a larger glove compartment, while the ADV350 now has a 5-inch colour screen, smartphone connectivity, automatic turn signals and new rear shock absorbers with preload adjustment.

Staying in Japan, Yamaha updates its workhorse Tmax (also the sportier Tech Max version), which now offers a more aggressive front end and a more advanced instrument panel. The 560 cc twin-cylinder engine delivers a maximum power output of 48 hp and is updated to Euro 5+ regulations. The Japanese manufacturer also extends the sports scooter concept to the new lightweight Nmax 125 and Nmax 125 Tech Max scooters, which will arrive in January and May 2025 respectively. Designed for city use, they feature 13-inch rims, front and rear disc brakes with abs, traction control, a connected LCD display and exploit a 125 cc Euro 5+ engine with start & stop.

The Taiwanese Sym has a huge offer: it has nearly 30 models, and after having presented a few weeks ago the new ADX 300 with Euro 5+ engine, it showed the new ADX TG 400, one of the few scooters that is not afraid of off-road. It is powered by a liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with 35 hp and 37 Nm of maximum torque, equipped with a phase shifter, a double countershaft to dampen vibrations, and a double oil pump. With 15-inch alloy wheels at the front and 14-inch at the rear, it features a 41 mm upside-down fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. Rear abs and traction control can be excluded for off-road use.

More and more Chinese manufacturers are growing: in addition to already well-known names such as Keeway, Lifan, Qjmotor (which also owns the Benelli brand), Niu, Tailg and Voge, today LetBe is joining the ranks. LetBe has presented four models among which the Island, with 125 cc and 160 cc engines with front brakes (with abs) and rear disc brakes, boasts a weight of just 137 kg.

Returning to the old continent, Piaggio renews its high-wheel scooters and announces the Vespa Gts 310. The Liberty, available with 50, 125 and 150 cc displacements, adopts new lines and a richer set-up that includes digital colour instrumentation and a new handlebar. The Medley family expands with the 200 cc, capable of delivering 18 hp and 16.5 Nm of torque, and with abs and start & stop as standard. Also updated is the Beverly, now available with the new 310 cc engine and 28 hp maximum power.

Year after year, Piaggio manages to improve on the iconic Vespa without distorting it. This time the Pontedera-based manufacturer has intervened on the engine, with a new 310 cc (previously 278 cc) liquid-cooled engine that makes the new Gts 310 the most powerful, snappy and fast Vespa ever made in almost 80 years of history. With over 70 per cent new components and a longer stroke, it now delivers 25 hp while reducing fuel consumption and emissions and meeting Euro 5+ standards.

Although they represent just 5% of the circulating fleet, the spread of electric scooters in our country is inexorably growing (+29% in October). Tailg announced the S96Max, which reaches 120 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.5 seconds, while Honda presented the new 'CUV e' the EV Urban concept, reiterating its goal of 30 EV models by 2030 (scooters and motorbikes). The new e-scooter, designed for purely city use, thanks to two removable batteries and a side-mounted 6 kW (9 hp) motor, is able to reach 83 km/h, and has a range of over 70 km. The time for a full recharge is 6 hours, but it only takes half that time to reach 75 per cent.