Seven best performance scooters in India
Scooters have come a long way from what they used to be. Earlier seen and used merely as tools for commuting, we now have scooters that also cater to the enthusiasts as well. Some of these scooters in this list are rather exorbitant when it comes to their pricing but they do deliver in spades when it comes to the #ThrillOfRiding quotient. So, with that said, let’s take a look at the seven most powerful and fastest scooters in the Indian market.
BMW C 400 GT
The BMW C 400 GT is by far the biggest and the most expensive scooter in this list, with prices starting at Rs 10.75 lakh ex-showroom. For that money you’re getting a 350cc, single-cylinder, water cooled engine which is good for 33.5bhp and 35Nm of torque. In terms of features you get all the bells and whistles you could expect from a middle-weight premium motorcycle. It gets multiple storage spaces one of which is large enough to accommodate any full-face helmet and then some. The scooter is rather large and also has a fairly long wheelbase. But despite that it is quite agile and light on its feet. You can comfortably sit at 110kmph on highways and have a fair bit of fun in the twisties. All of this is provided you can digest the price tag.
Keeway Vieste 300
The Keeway Vieste 300 is a proper maxi-scooter with all the required ‘maxi’ dimensions. This scooter uses a rather modern 278.2cc liquid-cooled engine which is good for 18.5bhp and 22Nm of torque. Performance wise it is equivalent to a 200cc motorcycle and can comfortably sit at 100kmph all day long. The only major complaint we had with the Keeway when we had it for our road test was its build quality. Now, Rs 2.99 lakh for a scooter might seem like a lot but after seeing the price tag of the first scooter it is a lot easier to digest.
Keeway Sixties 300i
The Keeway Sixties 300i is a retro looking scooter that has a bunch of different elements from vintage scooters and cars even. It looks stunning and you certainly wouldn’t mind getting one just for the looks. Powering it is a 278.2cc single-cylinder, liquid cooled engine that is good for 18,5bhp and 22Nm of torque. Essentially the same mill as the one on the Vieste. Performance is also quite similar while handling on this bike feels a smidge sharper than the maxi-scoot. Like its sibling, this too gets the same Rs 2.99 lakh ex-showroom price tag.
Yamaha Aerox 155
As soon as we rode the Yamaha Aerox 155 we fell in love with it. With the same engine as on the R15 barring the gearbox, it instantly became every enthusiast’s dream scooter. The liquid-cooled VVA enabled mill makes 14.75 bhp which is less than the R15 because this uses a CVT gearbox instead and is running a slightly different tune. In terms of performance, it certainly can keep pace with most 160cc naked bikes not just in terms of acceleration but in terms of handling as well. The 14-inch wheels and fat ribber make for a scooter that loves to absolutely tear it up in the twisties. This handling is also down to the stiff suspension setup which on the flip-side is a bit uncomfortable for everyday use. At Rs 1.41 lakh ex-showroom, it certainly feels more value-for-money than the scooters before this.
TVS Ntorq 125 Race XP
The TVS Ntorq 125 Race XP in my opinion is the best avatar of the Ntorq. With its 125cc engine churning out 9.25bhp and 10.5Nm, it is the most powerful and quickest scooter in its segment. Considering that it is a TVS product it is certainly the best handler as well. As is the case with all TVS products, it is well built with high levels of fit and finish and also gets a lot by way of equipment and connectivity features. With an ex-showroom price of Rs 96,491 it is also the most affordable scooter in this list.
Ola S1 Pro
Now the Ola S1 Pro is by no means an enthusiast scooter. But with its 4kWh battery that powers a motor that is capable of 5.5kW nominal and 8.5kW peak power, the Ola S1 Pro can do a claimed top speed of 116kmph. But in all other aspects like handling and agility, the Ola is a more conventional scooter. Prices for the S1 Pro start at Rs 1.3 lakh ex-showroom.
Ather 450X Gen 3
The Ather 450X Gen 3 is certainly not the fastest scooter in this list. But like we said earlier, this list covers the fastest and best performing scooters. In that regard, the Ather 450X is certainly an enthusiast scooter. It is amongst the sharpest handling EVs and with the Gen 3 update, Ather has added more stability to the scooter with a slightly wider rear tyre. Though it doesn’t have a high top-speed, the way the Ather delivers power and the noises it makes in the process is sure to put a smile on your face. At Rs 1.58 lakh ex-showroom, the Ather is definitely not affordable.
These are what we think are currently the fastest and best performing scooter (both ICE and EV) in India right now. What do you think and which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
