The Honda NSS300 Forza scooter has received approval from the California Air Resources Board. The 279cc scooter was first announced at the 2012 EICMA show for the European market and Canada, and it looks like it will be available for sale in the U.S. The Forza still needs to get a certificate of conformity from the Environmental Protection Agency, but that should not be difficult after getting the O.K. from CARB.

The Forza is powered by a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 279cc single-cylinder engine based on the engine used in the SH300i. According to Honda, the Forza’s engine produces 25.5 hp at 7500 rpm and 19.2 ft-lb. at 5000 rpm. Honda also claims fuel economy of 72.4 mpg which, with a 3.06-gallon fuel tank, should translate to a range of about 222 miles between fill-ups.

The chassis consists of a steel underbone frame with a lower floating link for the engine mount to improve rigidity balance and reduce vibrations. The Forza has a tw0-level seat with separate fold-out footpegs for passengers. The rider’s seat is positioned at a fairly low 28.2 inches above the ground and lifts up to reveal a compartment Honda claims will hold two full-faced helmets. Continue Reading »

Yamaha revealed a maxi-scooter for the European market. The new 2013 Yamaha X-Max 400 is the latest model from the X-Max family which is also available in 250cc and 125cc configurations. The new model uses the 395cc engine from the Yamaha Majesty.

The liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine has been tweaked a bit however, with Yamaha claiming an output of 31 hp at 7500 rpm and 25 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm, both down from the claims of 33 hp at 7000 rpm and 27 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm for the Majesty.

Where the X-Max trumps the Majesty is its lighter weight and bigger front wheel. Yamaha claims a wet weight of 465 pounds for the X-Max 400 compared to 485 pounds for the Majesty. The lighter weight can be attributed in part to the new chassis which Yamaha says is the lightest and most compact in its class. Continue Reading »

BMW‘s maxi-scooters have only just started going on sale in North America and already there’s a recall for the 2013 BMW C600 Sport in Canada.

According to Transport Canada, the fairing side panels on certain BMW C600 Sport scooters can loosen and detach while moving at very high speeds. In such a situation, the detached fairing poses a hazard to the rider and passenger as well as other vehicles and bystanders.

At the moment, only the C600 Sport is included in the recall. The BMW C650GT is not included at the moment. The GT has a different fairing than the Sport, so it may not have any similar issues. The recall is also only announced for Canada, but a U.S. recall may soon follow from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue Reading »

Earlier this week, we revealed six all-new Honda models coming to America for 2013. The American Honda announcement was time to go along with Honda’s presentation at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, for the European market and Canada. But there was one model revealed at EICMA that wasn’t part of the U.S. announcement: a new 279cc maxi-scooter called the NSS300 Forza.

The Forza isn’t a new model designation for Honda. Previous models have bared the name before, and Americans may be more familiar with the previous incarnations under its “Reflex” moniker, last available here in 2007. Absent from the U.S. lineup since then, the NS250 Forza has been available in other markets as a smaller option to the 582cc Silver Wing.

For 2013, the Forza gets a liquid-cooled 279cc single-cylinder engine Honda claims gets 24 hp at 8250 rpm and 19 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm. Honda also claims fuel economy of 72.4 mpg which, with the 3.0 gallon fuel tank, works out to a range of about 220 miles. Continue Reading »

Suzuki introduced an updated Burgman 650 scooter at the 2012 Intermot show, refining the maxi-scooter’s styling and giving a boost in fuel economy.

The 2013 Suzuki Burgman 650 is powered by a 638cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine, the same powerplant used when the scooter first debuted in 2002. Though the engine is essentially the same, Suzuki claims the 2013 Burgman 650 uses 15% less fuel than the previous model due to a refined  transmission system and reduced losses from friction. A new Eco light on the display panel lights up to let the rider know when scooter is being used in a fuel-efficient manner.

The Suzuki Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission returns, allowing riders to choose between two fully-automatic modes and a manual mode. The SECVT has been updated for 2013, with Suzuki claiming a 35% reduction in drag from the clutch plates. Continue Reading »

Piaggio Group Americas announced its 2013 Vespa scooter lineup including a pair of new special edition models and the recently revised LX and S models.

Our European correspondent Tor Sagen already reviewed the 2013 Vespa LX and S scooters, reviewing the 125cc and 150cc versions. U.S. consumers will have the option of 50cc and 125cc engines for both the 2013 Vespa LX and Vespa S. Both models are powered by Piaggio‘s new three-valve engines which are designed for improved power and efficiency. Continue Reading »

Kymco USA announced four new models for 2013, bumping its scooter lineup to 16 models. Joining Kymco‘s offerings are the Compagno in 50cc and 110cc iterations, the Movie 150 and the Xciting 500Ri ABS.

The Compagno 50i and 110i (pictured above) feature a traditional Italian-style scooter design. The 50i version is powered by an air-cooled 49.5cc three-valve fuel injected engine while the 110i comes with a 112cc four-valve fuel injected engine. Both versions feature underseat storage, LCD digital fuel gauge and clock, folding passenger pegs, magnetic key lock and 1.45 gallon fuel tanks. According to Kymco, the Compagno scooters weigh 189 pounds which, combined with the 29-inch seat height, should make it accessible for beginners and smaller riders.

The 2013 Kymco Compagno 50i is priced at $2,599 and will be offered in Black or White, both with silver accents. The larger Compagno 110i is available for $2,999 and will offered in Light Blue or Metallic Mocha. Continue Reading »

BMW has unveiled the a new “near-production” prototype of its electric maxi-scooter. The German manufacturer has produced five operational prototypes of the BMW C evolution scooter which will be showcased at various events around Europe to prepare for the launch of the serial production version.

The BMW C evolution maintains many of the styling cues from the Concept e scooter unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The white side body panels maintain their boomerang shape, though its much more angular and has a rectangular panel on its lower half. A refined split seat and mirrors with integrated turn signals complete the near-production picture.

The scooter is powered by a 14.8 hp continuous output electric motor (as measured by ECE R85 regulations) with a peak output of 46.9 hp. According to BMW, the C evolution has comparable 0-60 kph acceleration to 600cc internal combustion scooters. Top speed however is capped at 120 kph (74.56 mph). Continue Reading »

Piaggio announced a new iPhone connectivity system set to debut on its new X10 maxi-scooter. The Piaggio Multimedia Platform (PMP) will be available as a kit for the 125cc, 350cc and 500cc versions of the Piaggio X10, and eventually may be introduced to other models in the Piaggio Group (which would include the brands Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa.)

Designed by Re:Lab, the PMP system  turns an iPhone into an onboard computer and secondary display. The kit mounts the iPhone over the Piaggio insignia on the center of the X10′s handlebar which, from the rider’s perspective, puts it just below the scooter’s standard instruments.

Using the PMP app, the iPhone display can be set to show a variety of information about the scooter. The display can show the speedometer and tachometer, though that may be useless with the standard dials just above it, but the app can also show engine power and torque output, longitudinal acceleration, instant and average fuel consumption, average speed and battery voltage. Continue Reading »

Aprilia announced it will produce a new version of the SRV850 maxi-scooter with an anti-lock braking system and traction control. The Aprilia SRV850 ABS/ATC is the latest scooter from the Piaggio Group to include both technologies, following the Piaggio BV350 and the Piaggio X10.

The Aprilia SRV850 uses a sensors located in both wheels. The sensors detect wheel speed and, when it senses one wheel is decelerating faster than the other, the electronic control unit adjusts the brake hydraulics to prevent the wheels from locking up.

The traction control system works in similar fashion, only it activates when it notices when the rear wheel is rotating faster than the front wheel, indicating rear wheel slip. The control unit then adjusts ignition advance and injection timing to limit torque and prevent the loss of grip. Continue Reading »