Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Scooters were invented at the end of World War II to provide people with cheap transport over roads damaged in battle. They were also designed for women to ride in a skirt and men to ride in a suit. Today they represent both style and function, making great commuters. We preview coming models, attend launches of new scooters and road test scooters for performance, handling, style, practicality, economy and comfort.
Italian motorcycle and scooter company Piaggio has lost a landmark battle with Chinese scooter manufacturer Zhejiang Zhongneng over copycat designs. The case began in 2014 and has just been concluded with Piaggio over their Vespa LX scooter which has been around since the end of World War II. China didn’t decided the winner, either. It was …
Battery swap technology has received a boost with Yamaha unveiling their EC-05 electric scooter with Gogoro lithium-ion battery packs you can easily swap at a convenient roadside vending machine. The Yamaha scooter is a partnership with Taiwanese scooter company Gogoro Global. Taiwan seems to be the epicentre of swappable battery tech with Kymco last year …
BMW’s infamous C1 scooter with a roof looks like it might be back on the drawing board, according to these 2017 patent drawings which have just surfaced. The German company currently has five scooters: the C 650 GT, C 650 Sport, C 400 X and C 400 GT, plus the C Evolution electric scooter which …
A Ducati-branded Chinese-made electric scooter will be imported by Perth-based company Vmoto through Urban Moto Imports, arriving in July for under $5000. When we announced the Italian manufacturer had signed the unusual deal to allow Chinese Super Soco electric scooters to carry their brand, Ducati Australia said they would not be sold here. They also …
The Hartford Classic 250 rides into Australia on a nostalgic wave of small-capacity neo-classic motorcycles appealing to hip young among commuters. At just $4799 plus on-road costs, it’s a bargain way to enter the market or add a second bike to your garage. Hartford motorcycles and scooters are made in Taiwan and imported by Joe …
Whoever thought they would hear the words “Ducati” and “electric scooters” in the same sentence? But now it seems Perth-based Vmoto who manufacturers in China has signed a licence agreement with the Italian manufacturer to make luxury electric scooters under the Ducati brand. They claim they will be sold worldwide through current distribution networks. However, …
The cost of living is driving more riders to smaller motorcycles and scooters, says Hartford Australia who is importing small-capacity Taiwanese machines. Ballina-based importer Joe Fisher says scooters and learner bikes have “gone crazy” despite a slow market. “I come from a time when the industry was formed on XL250s and Belstaff jackets,” he says. …
After several years as a trendy merchandise and clothing brand, Italian-origin Lambretta has returned to our market with a range of scooters, topped by the V200 Special. The range includes V50 and V50 Special ($3590), V125 and V125 Special ($4290), V200 and V200 Special ($4990) and limited-edition Pirelli ($5390). (All are retail prices and do not …
The best thing about the Vespa Elettrica electric scooter is that it is almost a complete mirror of the iconic petrol-powered retro model. And, of course, just like the standard Vespa, it is twist-and-go-throttle so there is one less hurdle among scooter riders crossing over from an internal combustion model to an electric. Vespa Elettrica …
Lambretta scooters has returned to the Australian market and “hit the floor running” with six models and a Pirelli Limited Edition V Special 200 arriving soon. Pirelli V 200 scooters run on their Angel tyres and feature two-tone matte grey/black with red highlights and special badges and numbering. Only 999 are being made and Australia …