American market overview, Summer 2005

[prester_john]

To the best of my knowledge, the following scooters are DOT/EPA OK and are presently available in the USA:

Aprilia Mojito 150, Scarabeo 150, Atlantic 200, Atlantic 500, Scarabeo 500
Bajaj Chetak 150
Bandit DC150, EC150, RC150, SC150, UC150, XC150
Baron R150, S150, VLA150, SX150
Derbi Boulevard 150
Genuine Stella 150
Honda Elite 80, Helix 250, Reflex 250, Reflex ABS 250, Reflex Sport 250, Reflex Sport ABS 250, Big Ruckus 250, Silverwing 600, Silverwing ABS 600
Kymco People 150, People 250, B&W 250, Grandvista 250
Malaguti F-18 150, Ciak 150
MZ Moskito 125
Piaggio Vespa LX150, Vespa PX150, BV200, Vespa GT200, BV500, X-9 500
Suzuki Burgman 400, Burgman 650
TGB 303 150
TN’G Del Ray 125, Milano 125, Milano 150, Baja 150, Verona 150
United Motors Matrix 150, Powermax 150
Vento Phantom 150
Yamaha Vino 125, Majesty 400

In the next six months or so, the following models are rumored to be entering the USA market:
Kymco B&W150, Xciting 500
Piaggio Fly 150, BV250, Vespa GTS 250
A Honda Elite 80 replacement and fuel injected Reflex
250’s from one or more of Bandit/Baron/TN’G/UM/Vento
Suzuki Burgman 650 ABS
SYM scooters

It’s possible in America in 2005 to purchase an imported scooter that does not comply with EPA/DOT requirements (technically illegal for road use). They are available both on the Internet and at local dealerships; I was looking at a line-up of new non-compliant scooters in my town just a few days ago. After purchase, you may or may not be able to acquire local registration (title and state license tag) on these machines. The EPA and Customs Bureau have recently started a crackdown on these black market importations, seizing containers full of scooters and shutting down dealers. This is a work in progress.

The only true gray market imported scooters I’ve seen are some European Vespa ET4-125s that were brought up to US-specs.

The “vintage” scooter industry is booming. When imported motor vehicles are over 20 years old, many emission and DOT requirements no longer apply. There are numerous companies that are importing restored/refurbished ~1960s-era Vespa and Lambretta models. These importations are usually legal, but there can still be problems getting a title/license. The quality and value of these machines from their various sources is wildly uneven.

The 50cc scooter market is about to undergo a sea change with the new emission requirements that will begin to apply to this displacement category for the first time in January, 2006. Almost all of the two strokes will be swept away, and even companies that have machines that will meet the requirements are questioning whether they can make money given the new additional cost of bringing these low profit scoots to market. There have been no corporate announcements, but it is anticipated that at least Honda, Yamaha, Kymco and Piaggio/Vespa will still be selling in the 50cc displacement category in 2006.


Scoot safe,
Tom

[Diane_N]

The Kymco Xciting 500, looks, well, exciting... I'd like to see one "in person", the pics on the website look awesome...

[Bandit_Scoots]

For including our 'Bandit' scooter models in your list of legit products for the US market Summer 2005. It seems like a lot of options for the common consumer, but the largest portion of the brands currently avail do not meet either NHTSA or EPA standards...

I thought I would include this link from the EPA's website... not sure if members have seen it yet but it offers some insights as to what the EPA and US Customs are trying to do to stem the flow of illegal bikes into the country...

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/roadbik...ooteralert.pdf

And FYI, Bandit Motorsports does plan to import and offer a few scooter models in 250cc liquid-cooled configs. They should be avail in late July or early August...

Plus, the changes expected Jan 06 with EPA and emission stds will eliminate the largest portion of the people bringing in 50cc scooters at will... plus a lot of other importers who are bringing in ATVs, go-karts, and those dreaded 'pcoket-bikes' and 'mini-choppers'. Most of these are brought in as 'off-road' vehicles and then consumers try to register them for road use. And now the individual states are reluctant to register any off-brand scooters at all...

Lastly, I'm here to help the community and promote the sport... not my sales. Sure, I will say the brand or company name always, but will never say someone should buy my models over a Tn'G or anything else. I don't believe that is what the forum is for... so I hope to provide worthwhile information about products and issues.

Just my opinion on some things... I could be entirely wrong... ( - ;

Jim J...
Bandit MotorSports

[Oldbamaboy]

Hi Jim. Welcome to the forum. Nice to have someone who may have a little more inside knowledge than the average consumer. I for one welcome your comments and insights and feel sure others do as well.

Lou

[Bonnie]

Yamaha has its 06 models on it's website. No more 2-stroke. Even the Vino is now a 4-stroke like the Vino 125. The Zuma is gone. They're supposed to be available in September, but the stores I've talked to all said November. I'm looking forward to trading in or selling my Zuma for Vino 125.

[x_cuesme]

Hi Jim-

Welcome! I'm one of those 'uninformed' who basically only knows the really 'big name' scoot brands, so info on others is welcome!

I'm just glad to see scoots taking off the way they are right now..although I'll work hard to see the new ones around here. They don't sell real well in So. MO, so a lot of our dealers won't carry the new ones....

There's a Big Ruckus here that's going to go on sale cheap soon....I just know it....hehehe...