20 Forgotten Scooters That Were Once Common On Indian Roads
People in India have had a deep-rooted love and admiration for scooters. Over the years, we have seen numerous different scooters launch and vanish in India. Some of them have become legends, and some of them have been forgotten. To refresh your memory and take you back to the glory days of Indian scooters, here is a list of 20 of those fantastic scooters which have now become extinct in today’s cutting-edge world.
Bajaj Cub
The first scooter on this list is the Bajaj Cub. This scooter was launched as a limited-edition model, making it a collector’s item today. It was one of the first few scooters to introduce an electric ignition system and an engine kill switch. As for the powerplant, it came equipped with a 100cc, 2-stroke, single-cylinder engine. It made 5.6 bhp and came mated to a 3-speed manual gearbox.
Bajaj Spirit
Easing drivability, Bajaj launched its first gearless scooter, the Spirit, in India back in 1999. This scooter helped Bajaj shift its strategy to capture the growing market for automatic scooters. It was powered by a small 60cc, 2-stroke engine producing 3.5 bhp and 4.3 Nm of torque. It came mated to a CVT automatic transmission. Its overall compact size and lightweight build were targeted at a younger audience.
Bajaj Bravo
In 1999, Bajaj also offered the Bravo. It came with transparent indicators and was one of the first scooters to feature clear indicator housings, which were new in the market. Powering this scooter was a 145.5cc, 2-stroke engine featuring reed valve technology, which helped the scooter achieve better throttle response. It managed to generate a maximum of 8 bhp and 13.2 Nm of torque. For transmission, it was offered with a 4-speed manual gearbox.
LML Supremo
LML, or Lohia Machines Ltd., was one of the most renowned motorcycle makers of the 1990s. In 1995, they offered the Supremo, which was a stylish yet reliable scooter. It was powered by a 149.5cc, 2-stroke engine which made 7.5 bhp and 8 Nm of torque. It came mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
LML Sensation
Another very popular scooter from LML was the Sensation. This model focused heavily on a stylish design that appealed to young people living in cities. It came equipped with a 125cc, 2-stroke engine producing 6.5 bhp and 7 Nm of torque. It was launched to compete with Bajaj’s offerings in the 100-125cc segment.
LML Trendy
The LML Trendy was another successful scooter launched by the brand in India. It came equipped with a spare wheel at the rear, which made it stand out in the market. This lightweight scooter came with a small 60cc engine that made 3.4 bhp and 3.5 Nm of torque. It was specifically designed to compete with the Bajaj Sunny.
Bajaj Stride
The Bajaj Stride became popular in India as it departed from the traditional round headlamp design. This made the Stride look very modern, and combined with its 145.5cc, 2-stroke engine (the same one used in the Bajaj Super), it became a success in India. It produced 7.1 bhp and 10.8 Nm of torque.
Bajaj Super
The Bajaj Super is easily one of the most successful scooters ever launched in India. It became one of the best-selling models in the 1970s and 1980s. It was powered by a 145.5cc, single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine that made 7.1 bhp and 10.8 Nm. The combination of its simple yet timeless design and its reliability made it one of the most popular scooters in the country.
TVS Spectra
The TVS Spectra was designed to offer a sporty yet practical scooter to the Indian masses. It was powered by a 145cc, 4-stroke engine with 8 bhp of power and 8 Nm of torque. It featured a 4-speed manual gearbox. It became popular due to its decent fuel economy.
LML Star Xpress
One of the very few scooters that managed to become a success in developed international markets like the USA and UK was the LML Star Xpress. This scooter, however, was sold under different names in international markets. It came equipped with a 149.56cc, 2-stroke engine producing 9.5 bhp and 13.2 Nm of torque. This motor was mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
Lambretta
Even after so many decades, when someone hears about old scooters, the name Lambretta immediately jumps to mind. This scooter boasted an evergreen design and remains a style icon even today. It was powered by a 148cc, 2-stroke engine with a top speed of around 80 kmph. Many people still collect old Lambretta scooters and have restored them to look like brand-new models.
Vijay Super
Another icon of the scooter world is the Vijay Super. It was produced by Scooter India after taking over Lambretta’s Indian operations. It came equipped with a similar 148cc engine as the Lambretta. However, the company made a few minor modifications. It was even exported to a number of different international markets as the GP150.
Bajaj Sunny
Launched as a fun-to-drive lightweight scooter, the Bajaj Sunny managed to lure in many young adults. This scooter was powered by a tiny 50cc, 2-stroke engine producing 1.2 bhp. Despite its low power, its marketing with the tagline of “Ride the red-hot super looker teen machine” helped it succeed in India.
Kinetic Honda
Everyone who knows a little bit about Indian scooters definitely knows about the Kinetic Honda. It was the first 2-stroke automatic scooter in India. It was powered by a 98cc, 2-stroke engine producing 7.7 bhp and 9.8 Nm of torque. Despite being aimed at youngsters, the Kinetic Honda, due to its ease of use and lightweight design, was well-received across various age groups.
Royal Enfield Fantabulous
Many people might not know about this, but the iconic motorcycle brand Royal Enfield once attempted to make a scooter. It was aimed at capturing the geared scooter market segment. The Fantabulous was powered by a 175cc, Villiers 2-stroke engine producing 7.5 bhp. It featured an electric starter, which was a novelty for scooters back then.
Bajaj Chetak
When it comes to one of the most iconic scooters ever launched in India, the Bajaj Chetak tops the list. This legendary scooter got its name from the horse of Rana Pratap Singh, one of India’s greatest warriors.
It became especially popular in India due to the marketing campaign of “Humara Bajaj,” which gave people a homely feel. This scooter was powered by a 145cc, 2-stroke engine producing 7.5 bhp and 10.8 Nm of torque.
Bajaj Legend
Following the success of other Bajaj scooters, the company launched the Legend in India. It was the brand’s newest 4-stroke engine model, which gained recognition for its bold appearance. This scooter was offered with a 145cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine producing 9 bhp and 10.8 Nm of torque.
Bajaj Saffire
When it was introduced for the first time, the modern and futuristic look of the Bajaj Saffire enticed a lot of buyers. Its design was very sleek and beautiful. It was powered by a 92cc, 4-stroke engine mated to a CVT transmission. It was launched as a premium option in Bajaj’s automatic scooter range.
Kinetic Pride
Based on the already popular Kinetic Style, the Pride was launched by the brand to lure in more young buyers. It was offered with sporty and modern styling (as per the 1990s). The Kinetic Style was also given a 72.86cc, 2-stroke engine.
Kinetic Blaze
Many people might not be aware of this fact, but the Kinetic Blaze, launched in 2006, was India’s first maxi-scooter. At the time, it boasted a larger frame and sportier design compared to other scooters on the road. The Blaze was offered with a 165cc engine capable of making 11.5 bhp and 12 Nm of torque. It also came mated to a CVT gearbox and could reach a top speed of 100 kmph.