Scooter News

Melbourne Expo Wrap

Quick snapshot of the latest scooter news at this years Melbourne Motorcycle Expo.

Scootersales.com.au

The Melbourne Motorcycle Expo celebrated its 10th year since its inception.

All the majors were in attendance, with press and public alike treated to a host of new releases. Let's take a quick snapshot of what was making news when it comes to scooters. 

Other Quick- Links from Melbourne.

Yamaha Release new Vity 125

Yamaha Release new BWS 125

Kymco 

Kymco's investment in the Melbourne Expo obvious through the use of a two level stand. Kymco customers, media and others were entertained across the weekend on level 1.

Displaying every model from what is now an expansive range, Kymco launched a number of new and exciting models for 2011.

The new Like 200i was front and centre and is due 1st quarter 2011. The Downtown 300 with ABS was also on-hand, great early indicators are that the public want a good value mid capacity scooter with ABS.

The replacement for the Vibe 50, the Kymco Super 8 50 was also on display. Kymco will use this machine to update the aging Vibe, the super 8 will be powered by a 2 stroke motor and offers numerous enhancements. The Super 8 has some nice features, 14 inch wheels for dynamic handling, a powerful waved disc brake up front. Up to date ergonomics should make this one a real winner. Certainly has it all over the vibe.

A naked version of the Quannon will take up commuter duties, the Quannon Naked. This is a variant of the fully faired Quannon that has been on sale for some time now. Otherwise the Kymco motorcycle range remains unchanged for 2011.

ATV wise, Kymco have made huge inroads into the Australian market. On display was the all new MXU 500i IRS with fuel injection and independent rear suspension.   

Vespa Piaggio Gilera 

Vespa

Always a classy affair. The Italian brand was out in full force at the Melbourne Motorcycle Expo.

Vespa had the full range of product on display including the tasty limited edition GTV 300 "Via Montepelone".

Up front was the all new GTS 300 Super Sport. This matt colour scheme has just arrived and is now on-sale in dealers.

Vespa also had on display the LX "Rosa Chic" colour scheme. This colour looked stunning under lights, a real stand out.

2011 for vespa will hold pretty much the same format, no need for changes here, the model range is at the top of its game. Look out for some colour changes and limited release models. See recent price revisions on Vespa.

Piaggio

For Piaggio it will be business as usual for 2011. The Piaggio Fly has remained one of Australia's top selling models since it was released. Recently Piaggio has introduced the Piaggio Zip 50 2T and the X7 300 i.e.. Both models offer class leading performance.

The Piaggio MP3 300 has also just been released and sales are going great guns. Obviously the increase in capacity, along with updated styling and ergonomic features has been what everyone has been waiting for.  

Gilera

Just the one model from Gilera, the mighty Fuoco 500.

Mojo Motorcycles  - Sachs / Daelim / TGB / CF Moto

Mojo motorcycles made its largest investment yet in an Australian Expo. Spread out across 4 stands, each of the Mojo brands showcased the Australian range.

Mojo Motorcycles now imports and distributes 4 major brands, TGB, Sachs, CF Moto and now Daelim. Each brand has something happening.

Dealim, in caretaker mode for the last few years, has now been given a new lease of life under Mojo. Displaying for the first time the B-Bone, S4 50 and the VJF 250i sports commuter. See more on the B-Bone from the show, and also see a quick B-Bone walk-around video.

Sachs also introduced the X-Road. A trellis framed commuter that looks very cool, offering a point of difference from the regular sports motorcycles now found on the market. This model looks set to hit the ground running with plenty of interest in the models "motard-type" appearance.

Sachs popular Amici was on display in all 5 different colour combos. The classic 125 cc scooter has spent this year as one of the top ten selling scooters in Australia.

And last of all TGB. Recently introducing the Bullet 150 and the 50 cc Tapo, the TGB range just keeps on getting better. Currently TGB are offering a 5 year warranty on both the Bullet and the Tapo.

Associated websites are:

www.cf-moto.com.au
www.tgbscooters.com.au
www.sachsbikes.com.au

Daelim Website soon to follow.

Aprilia 

For 2011, Aprilia will build on what has been a good year in 2010. Sticking with the current range, just the introduction of the Sportcity 50 2T. 

And nothing wrong with this as Aprilia has now aligned price with product. Sporty or classic, Aprilia has you covered.

The budget segment headed by the Sportcity range which is now available in a 2 stroke 50 or 125 cc 4 stroke. Dynamically a class above most budget contenders, this model has just been given a face-lift. The Sportcity 300 is fast, practical and price competitive, one of the best scooters on the market today.

Scarabeo sure is one classy range of scooters. Available from 125 through 500 cc. City commuter or highway tourer, Scarabeo has it all. Free top box on Scarabeo 200 at the moment.

Finish that off with the SR50 or the classic Mojito 125. The entire range was restructured price wise in 2010 and will remain this way for 2011.

2011 should play a significant year for Aprilia. The big bikes are firmly the best they have been for years and the scooter range offers significant value given the performance.

In Melbourne it was great to see Max Biaggi's Aprilia RSV4 Superbike prior to him testing at Phillip Island.  On the other hand the limited number of Biaggi Replica SR50 scooters that made it to Australia have all but sold out. Plenty of Max fans out there!

See more @ www.aprilia.com.au

Honda 

Honda was on hand at the Melbourne Expo with an impressive display of the all new PCX 125. Impressive because we saw a number of units suspended from the ceiling.

Other then that Honda had the rest of the scooter range on display, Today, Lead, SH150 and 300. Look out in 2011 for revised colours.

As seen before at this years Moto GP, Honda also had the tricked up Repsol PCX 125 on display.

California Scooter Company

Something new was the California Scooter Company. Based on the iconic Mustang, the California Scooter Company is a model that revolves around the mission of good looks, great fuel economy and the ride of your life.

A blend of mini chopper and scooter; well not really...... These are fully assembled and designed in America and have just passed ADR requirements for Australia.

The California Scooter Company will be offered in a number of individual colours with a whole host of accessories allowing you to enhance the performance or the look. These are not Chinese replicas and great care has been taken to make sure quality is very much up to scratch.

Prices look to be in the $7000 range. You can find more information @ www.californiascooterco.com

Locally in Australia these models are available through www.magnumperformance.com.au

Tonelli

Tonelli was another new face at the Melbourne Expo, introducing a range of monkey bikes, delivery scooters and a maxi scooter called the C-250.

The monkey bikes are available in two styles, a 50 and 110 cc configuration .

See more @ www.tonelli.com.au

published 29/11/2010