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The Best Maxi Scooters (2021)
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Maxi scooters are a great option for two-wheeled transport which costs less than the annual train ticket. Whether it's for commuting, fun or deliveries we've picked ten of the best.
They feature modern styling, twist and go ease of use, excellent storage capacity and maximum protection from the elements. What is a maxi scooter?
What Is It?
The TMAX is the daddy of maxi scooters with all the sportiness and tech of a motorbike in maxi scooter form. It has been slowly evolving since 2001, gaining more power, LED indicators and new ride modes in 2020. For 2022 there's a huge TFT dash, Spin Forged wheels and sharper styling.
Equipment levels are pretty epic with cruise control, connectivity, heated grips, heated seats and an electric screen. It has a cavernous storage area under the seat for two helmets and is super pillion friendly.
Now the Suzuki Burgman 650 has been discontinued it's the most feature packed maxi scooter you can buy and it's also A2 licence friendly.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £TBC
- Engine: Parallel Twin
- Capacity: 562 cc
- Power: 47 bhp / 35 kW
- Top Speed: 110 mph / 177 km/h
- Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
- Range: 160 miles / 257 km
- Seat Height: 800 mm / 31.5 inches
- Wet Weight: 220 kg / 485 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.214 bhp/kg
What Is It?
One of a kind, the X-ADV differs from most other maxi scooters in two ways. First it has genuine off-road potential, which could also read as pothole proof in the UK and second it doesn't have a conventional scooter CVT gearbox with belt final drive.
Instead it uses Honda's fancy Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology, like an automatic car, then the power reaches the rear wheels via an enclosed chain drive more like a motorbike. You can just think of it as a good looking, go anywhere, maxi scooter and possibly the only bike you will ever need.
For 2021 it gains a touch more power, a modern TFT dash, more storage, ride modes, traction control and a handful of tweaks.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £10,950
- Engine: Parallel Twin
- Capacity: 745 cc
- Power: 58 bhp / 43 kW
- Top Speed: 110 mph / 177 km/h
- Economy: 65 mpg / 4.3 L/100km
- Range: 190 miles / 306 km
- Seat Height: 820 mm / 32.3 inches
- Wet Weight: 236 kg / 520 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.246 bhp/kg
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What Is It?
The MP3 is a bit of a technical marvel, with two front wheels which both tilt when cornering to the ability to lock them upright at slow speeds, so there is no need to constantly put your foot down at the lights.
Two wheels up front adds to the weight of the scooter but gives you almost twice the surface contact with the road aiding stability, cornering and braking. The large front end also keeps most of the wind off you.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £9,500
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 492 cc
- Power: 40 bhp / 30 kW
- Top Speed: 90 mph / 145 km/h
- Economy: 55 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
- Range: 150 miles / 241 km
- Seat Height: 790 mm / 31.1 inches
- Dry Weight: 244 kg / 538 pounds
What Is It?
BMW is fairly new to the maxi scooter party and for 2018 they are offering a smaller capacity C400 X. It could prove a more popular size / price point in the UK, going up against the A2 friendly Suzuki Burgman 400 and Yamaha X-MAX 400.
Everything about the C400 X is cutting edge from the optional 6.5" colour TFT dash, to the LED lighting, the edgy styling, the incredibly low wet weight and the amazing engineering behind the expandable Flexicase storage system under the seat.
For 2019 the C400 GT improves the weather protection, seat comfort and looks so it's probably the one to go for. A small update for 2021 adds Euro 5 compliance, peak torque now arrives 250 rpm lower at 5,750 rpm, there's a new electronic throttle grip, a new EMS system and updated traction control. They have also swapped the front calipers to J.Juan, added a USB socket to the right glovebox and the underseat lighting is now top down.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £6,545
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 350 cc
- Power: 34 bhp / 25 kW
- Top Speed: 90 mph / 145 km/h
- Economy: 70 mpg / 4.0 L/100km
- Range: 200 miles / 322 km
- Seat Height: 775 mm / 30.5 inches
- Wet Weight: 204 kg / 450 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.167 bhp/kg
What Is It?
A three wheeled A2 licence friendly maxi scooter which can be ridden on a car licence if you are over 21 and which has the ability to stand up on its own at the lights. The perfect alternative to public transport!
The extra wheel makes it more stable, more planted in the corners and improves the braking performance.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £7,800
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 292 cc
- Power: 28 bhp / 21 kW
- Top Speed: 90 mph / 145 km/h
- Economy: 75 mpg / 3.8 L/100km
- Range: 210 miles / 338 km
- Seat Height: 795 mm / 31.3 inches
- Wet Weight: 239 kg / 527 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.117 bhp/kg
Gear
What Is It?
Re-designed for 2018, the X-MAX 125 is arguably one of the best premium 125cc maxi scooters you can buy right now. For a 125 cc model it's rammed with modern tech such as keyless ignition, traction control and the highlight of the bunch is the LED headlight set up.
Both sides light up for low beam, avoiding that wonky look many bikes are rocking, with the high beam emanating from another LED light in the centre of the cluster.
To save fuel it also has an idling start / stop system and the large storage area under the seat will swallow two full face helmets.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £5,000
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 124 cc
- Power: 14 bhp / 10 kW
- Top Speed: 65 mph / 105 km/h
- Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
- Range: 230 miles / 370 km
- Seat Height: 795 mm / 31.3 inches
- Wet Weight: 175 kg / 386 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.080 bhp/kg
What Is It?
At the premium end, going head to head with the Yamaha X-MAX is the new Forza 125. For 2021 it gains traction control, 40 mm extra screen travel and a new USB socket in the glovebox.
It features Honda's idling stop / start system, which is also found on the PCX125, full LED lighting, keyless ignition and even an electrically adjustable screen.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £4,900
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 125 cc
- Power: 15 bhp / 11 kW
- Top Speed: 75 mph / 121 km/h
- Economy: 100 mpg / 2.8 L/100km
- Range: 250 miles / 402 km
- Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 inches
- Wet Weight: 161 kg / 355 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.093 bhp/kg
What Is It?
It doesn't need an introduction. The PCX125 has topped the monthly sales charts for what seems like forever and defines small budget maxi scooters much like the Yamaha TMAX defines large and expensive maxi scooters.
Honda have been continually refining the model since 2010 and there is a brand new version for 2021 with sharper bodywork, keyless ignition, traction control, more underseat storage and larger wheels.
The idling stop / start system is still there to boost fuel economy and it can be turned off from the handlebars to suit your situation.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £3,300
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 125 cc
- Power: 12 bhp / 9 kW
- Top Speed: 65 mph / 105 km/h
- Economy: 120 mpg / 2.4 L/100km
- Range: 210 miles / 338 km
- Seat Height: 764 mm / 30.1 inches
- Wet Weight: 130 kg / 287 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.092 bhp/kg
What Is It?
The Italjet Dragster is new for 2020 and should be on your shortlist if you fancy the X-MAX or Forza, but want more performance and don't mind the extra attention you'll get.
It not only looks sweet but is bristling with loads of tech like the independent front steering / suspension, adjustable piggy back front shock, super light exposed frame, sculpted seat and indicators integrated into the lever guards.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £4,800
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 125 cc
- Power: 15 bhp / 6 kW
- Top Speed: 75 mph / 121 km/h
- Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
- Range: 120 miles / 193 km
- Seat Height: 770 mm / 30.3 inches
- Dry Weight: 108 kg / 238 pounds
What Is It?
An awful lot of scooter for the money. If you fancy a Honda PCX125 with sharp Yamaha X-MAX looks, but for a fraction of the price then it's worth a look.
The engine is a bit down on power but you get LED lighting, keyless start, a full dash and even a USB socket up front for charging.
More info, pics, prices and videos →
Key Specs
- RRP: £2,300
- Engine: Single Cylinder
- Capacity: 125 cc
- Power: 10 bhp / 7 kW
- Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
- Economy: 90 mpg / 3.1 L/100km
- Range: 190 miles / 306 km
- Seat Height: 810 mm / 31.9 inches
- Wet Weight: 134 kg / 295 pounds
- Power to Weight: 0.075 bhp/kg
Want To See More Scooters Like This?
Head over to the Choose & Compare Tool to see them all.
How Did We Rank Our Top Ten?
We looked at all the maxi scooters you can buy and picked the top contenders at each price point taking into account style, power, technology, uniqueness and value for money.
What Is A Maxi Scooter?
Traditional scooters tend to have a flat central floorboard for your feet and a clean empty space above it to easily "step through" the scooter when you get on it. Check out our top ten step through scooters for that sort of thing.
Maxi scooters on the other hand fill in much of this space, allowing for more storage and generally more equipment to be packed into the machine, but as such you have to mount them in a manner not too dissimilar from a motorbike.
They also tend to be larger overall with a longer wheelbase, much better pillion provision, car style dashboards and better wind protection.
Honda arguably kicked it all off with the US based Helix, the forerunner to the Forza models, shortly followed by Suzuki in 1999 with the better known Burgman 400 and the other manufacturers soon followed suit when it became clear these designs were simply more capable and practical for day to day use, with many even fitting two full face helmets under the seat.
Traditional scooter designs still exist but they tend to be split between 100% retro styling exercises and models only intended for short trips around town centres.
Check out the other types of motorbikes.
FAQs
What is the fastest maxi scooter?
In the UK the fastest maxi scooter is the BMW C650 Sport, achieving 112 mph from its 647 cc and 60 bhp. The Suzuki Burgman 650, Yamaha TMAX and Honda X-ADV aren't far behind though.
Which is more comfortable a bike or scooter?
Generally speaking maxi scooters are more comfortable than motorbikes, because they offer a neutral riding position with decent protection. Some less sporty naked bikes, adventure bikes and cruisers also offer a degree of comfort.
Which is the best scooter for a long drive?
Many consider the Suzuki Burgman 650 to be the best scooter for covering great distances but we've also heard reports of the Honda X-ADV being quite capable of going the distance.
Source: https://www.thebikemarket.co.uk/top-ten/maxi-scooters
