Scooter an efficient hybrid alternative
Fuel economy plays a vital role in times of high oil prices. Already the market has shown a marked shift towards the advantages offered by hybrid vehicles, while that underlying technology continues to develop.But there’s another route to high fuel economy, and it’s more traditional - lots of speed and low weight. And the best examples of this are motor scooters, which have easily achieved the high fuel economy of hybrids through persistent investment in materials and engines.
Honda, the world’s top motorcycle maker, prides itself on the new SCR 100, which gets a fuel economy of 45 kilometers per liter (106 miles per gallon) when traveling at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour). Its tiny four-stroke 100 cc engine generates just 7.1 horsepower, and it costs 2.25 million won ($1,800).
Another Honda model, the Today, has an engine capacity of 49 cc and runs 73 kilometers per liter at 30 kilometers per hour.
The scooter’s fuel economy is achieved through its light weight - just 75 kilograms (165 pounds). Because of its cute design the scooter is popular particularly among female customers, and sells for 1.95 million won.
Suzuki’s sporty Address V125G boasts a fuel economy of 63.3 kilometers per liter. Its four-stroke 124 cc engine generates 11.4 horsepower, and the scooter itself weighs just 85 kilograms. Its price is 3.25 million won.
The GSR 125 Nex, which is part of Suzuki’s super sports GSX-R series, travels 62.8 kilometers on a single liter of gas. Although it looks similar to the Address V125G, it’s designed to appear larger and bolder, with a wider compartment under the seat. The Japanese automaker charges 3.45 million won for this bike.
The GTS Evo, developed by the Taiwanese motorcycle maker SYM, is a follow-up to the company’s best selling scooter the GTS. Equipped with a four-stroke 124 cc engine, the scooter is a known as a good long-haul vehicle thanks to its two seats and a large compartment that can store two helmets. The scooter travels 43 kilometers per liter and it retails at 4.19 million won.
Another Taiwanese model, the X-Motion 125 from TGB, has 12.2 horsepower thanks to its four-stroke 124.6 cc engine.
The company developed its technology supplying parts to the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Piaggio. The X-Motion, which gets 40 kilometers per liter, sells for 3.99 million won.
By Kim Tae-jin [ojlee82@joongang.co.kr]
The SYM GTS Evo [JoongAng Ilbo]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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