Enter the Electric

My biggest problem with electric cars and bikes is that the range is appalling but things are changing fast in terms of the electric motorbike since I sometime ago I posted about the Vespa Elettrica and the BMW CEvolution, and now this…

The Harley Davidson LiveWire

Electrifying isn’t it

Okay let’s start at the baseline the Vespa Elettrica, it has the style but I am not convinced at the performance.

Max Range: 100km (oh and then there is 200km Hybrid version, the Vespa Elettrica X)
Power: 4kW
Top Speed: 45kph
Note: Should be available in South Africa 2019. Piaggio did produce the 3 wheeler in a hybrid form in 2010 but it was not successful. Will the Elettrica make a difference or will it be too expensive?

Govecs GO! S1.2

Max Range: 70km
Power: 3kW
Top Speed: 45kph
Note: A protagonist German brand that is making waves in Europe

Gogoro 2 Delight

Max Range: 109km
Power: 6.4kW
Top Speed: 88kph
Note: With the tons of Chinese scoots already here in South Africa, I am sure this Taiwanese will land shortly although I am not sure about the style

Honda PCX Electric

Max Range: ??km
Power: ??kW
Top Speed: 96kph
Note: Exports from Japan started 2018 but will South Africa be on the list

BMW C Evolution

Max Range: 160km
Power: 35kW
Top Speed: 128kph
Note: I’m praying that the C Evolution will come to South Africa as I want one, pretty please.

Johammer J1 200

Max Range: 200km
Power: 16kW
Top Speed: 120kph
Note: Very odd indeed 

And now to leave the scoots behind and move into the realm of the electric beasts. 

RMK E2

Max Range: 200-300km
Power: 50kW
Top Speed: 160kph
Note: Like the movie this Finnish version of the Tron speedster not my on any of my favourite lists

Energica Ego

Max Range: 149km
Power: 107kW
Top Speed:  240kph
Note: What all Vespa's dream of - the Italian electric gigolo.

Evoke Urban S

Max Range: 200km
Power: 19kW
Top Speed: 130kph
Note: The Chinese super electric contender

Zero SR

Max Range: 359km
Power: 52kW
Top Speed: 164kph
Note: The current king of the hill in terms of range

Lightning LS-218

Max Range: 160km
Power: 149kW
Top Speed: 350kph
Note: Performance of note as the Lightning is the fastest production electric bike

Victory Empulse TT

Max Range: 225km
Power: 40kW
Top Speed: 160kph
Note: The Hog Ruler contender

Lito Sora

Max Range: 193km
Power: ??kW
Top Speed: 193kph
Note: Café racer meets electric avenue

Harley Davidson Livewire

Max Range: 100km
Power: 55kW
Top Speed: 152kph
Note: Still to go on sale in the States but will be an interesting ride pity about the sound (see video above)

Super Maxi Scooters 2016

2016, Scooters have come a long way since the Motoped chugged onto the motorcycle scene in 1915. After the Second World War Piaggio set the standard for scooters with their Vespa which it held for over 40 years. In 1986 Honda raised the bar when they introduced the first touring scooter, the Honda CN250 Helix, Fusion, or Spazio was the first of the maxi scooters and the world hasn’t looked back since.

My posts Vespa 2014, Affordable Scooters 2013, and Vespa 2012 have been immensely popular so in keeping with the trend, in this post we are going to look at the super maxi scooters that are currently available and or are going to be in 2016 as a buyer’s guide. I have been riding the Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Super for just under 2 years so I am going to use it as my baseline. In 2016 the Vespa has many formidable contenders to its throne as more and more good maxi scooters are released onto the South African market. Yes I still would love to test ride most of the contenders and write review articles about them but for now, let the Game of Thrones begin.

(Please note prices are subject to change due to the exchange rate and are in ZAR. Fuel consumption are deduced from real life usesage and not in test conditions. See www.fuelly.com )

Gomoto C5 300
Retail Price: R 20,999
Engine: 300 cc
Dry Weight: 119 kg
Max Power: 12 kw
Top Speed: 125 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l

Big Boy Powerflite 300
Retail Price: R 21,950
Engine: 276 cc
Dry Weight: 157 kg
Max Power: 12 kw
Top Speed: 125 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l





Both the C5 and Powerflite are very similar and does not quite fit into the maxi scooter category if it wasn’t for their engine size as they are not quite in the league of touring scooters. Although I have never ridden any of the two, I have read some damming reviews on their build quality but I am adding them into this article as their price makes them very competitive. I just wish I can compare the numbers that have been sold to date.

Sym Citycom 300i
Retail Price: R 39,995
Engine: 278 cc
Dry Weight: 167 kg
Max Power: 20 kw
Top Speed: 134 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 10 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l

Kynco People GTi
Retail Price: R 48,500
Engine: 298 cc;
Dry Weight: 165 kg
Max Power: 21 kw
Top Speed: 136 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l

Sym GTS Evo 300i
Retail Price: R 49,995
Engine: 263 cc
Dry Weight: 190 kg
Max Power: 17 kw
Top Speed: 128 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 27 km/l

Kynco Downtown 300i
Retail Price: R 53,500
Engine: 298 cc
Dry Weight: 166 kg
Max Power: 22 kw
Top Speed: 144 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 23 km/l





Comparing to the Chinese scooters, the Taiwanese built Syms and Kyncos are competent, utilitarian entry level maxi scooters although also not quite in the maxi scooter class.

Now we get into the real super maxi scooters.

Kymco Xciting 500Ri ABS
Retail Price: R 67,500
Engine: 498 cc
Dry Weight: 200 kg
Max Power: 28 kw
Top Speed: 152 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l

Honda NC750D Integrat
Retail Price: R 84,990
Engine: 745 cc
Dry Weight: 219 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed: 166 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 14 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 28 km/l







The Honda is an interesting hybrid motorcycle / scooter, one that I am keen on test riding in the near future.

Sym MaxSym 600i ABS
Retail Price: R 84,995
Engine: 565 cc
Dry Weight: 237 kg
Max Power: 30 kw
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 14 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l

Vespa GTS 300 Super and Super Sport
Retail Price: R 99,950 and R 109,950
Engine: 278 cc
Dry Weight: 148 kg
Max Power: 38 kw
Top Speed: 140 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 26 km/l

Yamaha TMax 530 ABS
Retail Price: R 105,000
Engine: 530 cc
Dry Weight: 210 kg
Max Power: 34 kw
Top Speed: 177 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l



The TMax is on top of many lists and is a strong contender to the throne running a close second to the much more pricier BMWs.

Gilera Fuco 500 LT ABS
Retail Price: R 119,000
Engine: 492 cc
Dry Weight: 216 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed: 145 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Consumption: 21 km/l

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive ABS
Retail Price: R 122,000
Engine: 638 cc
Dry Weight: 238 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed:  km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.:  km/l





Underrated, the Bergman has been with us for a long time as Maxi Scooters go. I have been told that I must forget all preconceptions when it comes to the Bergman as it runs with the best. Well I need that test ride then.

BMW C600 Sport and C650 GT
Retail Price: R 125,000 and R 135,000
Engine: 647 cc
Dry Weight: 237 kg
Max Power: 44 kw
Top Speed: 175 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 21 km/l





In my books the BMW C650 GT is currently the leading contender for sitting on the Throne of Super Maxi Scooters although the price is a little too steep. It is slightly heavier than the TMax, its closest competitor to the Throne.

Gilera GP800
Retail Price: R 130,000
Engine: 839 cc
Dry Weight: 235 kg
Max Power: kw
Top Speed: 210 km/h
Fuel Capacity: ?l
Ave Fuel Cons.: ?km/l







The last super maxi scooter on my 2016 list is the GP800, still the fastest of scooters with its classic Italian styling.

Not for Sissies

Who says scooter racing is for sissies? Thanks to Yiull for sharing this video compilation of crashes from the 2013 Petronas Cub Prix in Malaysia.

Next the Arctic Circle

I remember doing the Sani Pass in the middle of winter on a Vespa. They said we were crazy, they said it could never be done, well we proved them wrong.

Here is Ed conquering the Arctic Circle on a Honda C90, awesome.

To follow Ed March, see his website C90 Adventures.