Team-BHP > Motorbikes


Reply
  Search this Thread
38,086 views
Old 1st November 2018, 20:49   #16
BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Thane - MH04
Posts: 589
Thanked: 2,264 Times
re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FourWheelDrift View Post
Considering the high numbers....I find it surprising that some enterprising spare parts stockist, with old stocks of new scooter parts, hasn't combined with a bike re-builder to bring back to life desirable geared scooters like the Bajaj Chetak or the LML Vespa NV..
There is another angle to it ... most of the trademarks and brand names are still owned by the parent companies and I believe they are unlikely to allow anyone else to use them. Smaller potential market for something that was a budget mode of personal commute (for the common man) back then is unlikely to allow the re-builder to fetch a high premium and hence they can't really negotiate with the parent company and agree to pay a high royalty. Lower royalty is of no interest to the parent.

I have seen folks getting their (or their parents') old scooter and motorcycles completely revamped or redone and kept in running condition for the nostalgia/childhood memories factor.
sunilch is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 1st November 2018, 21:05   #17
BHPian
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Tamil Nadu
Posts: 649
Thanked: 1,839 Times
re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Great View Post
I wonder why there are no gearless Motorcycles yet.
TVS launched a gearless (or rather clutchless I think) motorcycle named Jive back in 2009 or 2010 I believe. It was not very well received and was discontinued soon after.

Believe it was too early for the time and there might be a market for similar motorcycles now. Riders who might not want to deal with harsh riding experience of scooters and also don't want to give up convenience of automatics might prefer these motorcycles.

Last edited by Yieldway17 : 1st November 2018 at 21:06.
Yieldway17 is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 1st November 2018, 21:52   #18
BHPian
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 247
Thanked: 451 Times
re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

What a time to bring up this thread? Even though I learnt to ride a bike first, Chetak holds a special place in my heart. My uncle owns a Chetak and it is now sitting and gathering dust in his shed for the past 8 years.

Only yesterday I was telling my dad I am planning to get that and make it road worthy again and wanna drive after coming to India. Very next moment he told me to shut up as getting spares is too difficult and also driving a Chetak in today's traffic is not easy. He also told me that my uncle thrown it away because he met with lot of accidents with the scooter . When my mom and wife also came to his support, conversation ended there.
hema4saran is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 04:05   #19
Senior - BHPian
 
IshaanIan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hyd
Posts: 3,538
Thanked: 6,996 Times
re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

If you really want to experience the feel of riding a two wheeler, why muck about with puny-wheeled scooters? A bike is the obvious way to go and there's no better time than today to be in the market for a motorcycle. With excellent commuter bikes like the Gixxer150, entry level performance bikes like the R15 and Duke 200, sub 400cc bikes like the RC390 and Duke 390, Kawasakis parallel twin 650cc family of bikes and even exotics like Daytonas, MV Agustas and CKD built ZX10rs. With all these excellent focused motorcycles available, why bother wanting gears on a scooter?
IshaanIan is offline   (4) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 09:26   #20
Senior - BHPian
 
SJM1214's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Anand(GJ23)
Posts: 1,572
Thanked: 5,948 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

I used manual scooters extensively during my early teenage. One thing I hate about manual scooter was the rotary shifter. It was always annoying and hard to shift gears. I remember I used to use both of my hands to shift the gear when it was jammed or not-responsive. The only thing I liked about this scooters was foot brakes. Foot brakes always give confidence to the rider.

IMO, there is no need of manual scooter in current time. Two-wheeler industry has moved ahead. They are coming up with more reliable and comfortable designs. A scooter with manual gear shift is out of the question now.
SJM1214 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 10:17   #21
BHPian
 
FourWheelDrift's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mumbai/PNW
Posts: 629
Thanked: 555 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunilch View Post
There is another angle to it ... most of the trademarks and brand names are still owned by the parent companies and I believe they are unlikely to allow anyone else to use them. Smaller potential market for something that was a budget mode of personal commute (for the common man) back then is unlikely to allow the re-builder to fetch a high premium and hence they can't really negotiate with the parent company and agree to pay a high royalty. Lower royalty is of no interest to the parent.
This is not what i meant to say. The re-builder will be more in line with a good friendly neighbourhood workshop, with no requirement to connect with the OEM.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunilch View Post
I have seen folks getting their (or their parents') old scooter and motorcycles completely revamped or redone and kept in running condition for the nostalgia/childhood memories factor.
This is what I meant to say.

Cheers,

FourWheelDrift
FourWheelDrift is offline  
Old 2nd November 2018, 10:37   #22
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Trivandrum
Posts: 1,123
Thanked: 794 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

When we bought a kinetic Honda long long back, the first comment from my neighbor was "Automatics are not for Indian roads"
jinojohnt is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 14:39   #23
BHPian
 
sumathindra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 762
Thanked: 492 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

Why would one want to ride a "manual scooter" now? I can understand bikes however scooters especially in todays times are considered to be hassle free. It is seen as a multi purpose vehicle used to carry "stuff" and also take the family. The fact that 3 out of your 4 limbs are free gives the rider as sense of freedom and maneuverability as against geared scooters.

I still see the chetaks and priyas on the road however it definitely does not compare with the advanced ones that are available today.

These gear less scooters are a hit with the young crowd and complicating that would mean playing with your share of sales in the market. Who would want to take that risk?
sumathindra is offline  
Old 2nd November 2018, 17:20   #24
Senior - BHPian
 
vinit.merchant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Pune
Posts: 1,230
Thanked: 1,234 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

Got me nostalgic. I have a Bajaj Super myself. 2 stroke, 150 cc, a rocket till it reaches 50 kmph and then, meh. Although it will tug along on 4th even at 20 kmph when the pocket and fuel tank both are dry.
All my bachelorhood travel to classes, jobs, etc happened on it. I just loved it.

I still have it. Had restored it couple of years back and started using is again as well. But alas, there is no one willing to work on a scooter anymore.
One fine day on my way to office, the gear cable snapped and I asked at least 5 mechanics pushing on my way back to my residence and no one was willing to work on it. Their answer "scooter ka kaam nahi karte".

I parked it at its place and then havent got the time to hunt for a mechanic, although I sourced the cables for the gear.

Let see.

But as compared to an automatic scooter, these geared scooters dont stand a chance, more so because traffic has increased multi-fold in last decade. Its no longer convenient to ride in city.

Last edited by vinit.merchant : 2nd November 2018 at 17:23.
vinit.merchant is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 20:15   #25
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Kosfactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: COK\BLR\MYS
Posts: 3,589
Thanked: 10,109 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

A few years back (Before Vespa was re-born) i used to see Vijay Super (whichever has the tiny wheels), Lambretta etc quite frequently a bit further down town from where I live. They were resto-modded to perfection, incredible paint quality and color combinations, a treat to watch.

Combi-Brake system has ensured that potential scooter buyers want the ability to be able to drive with just one hand if possible. Manual scooters then have limited market now, I would love to see a retro style scooter with modern drive train, possibly full metal.
Kosfactor is online now  
Old 2nd November 2018, 22:16   #26
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,983
Thanked: 6,851 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

I don't think so. Simple reason: Our traffic has become such a mess that safely getting to your destination is the challenge, not shifting gears and driving.

The scooters are simple, utilitarian tools to get from point A to point B. Case in point: If you check avenue road and the Chickpet area (old market) in Bangalore- the streets are narrow, people continuously walk and you encounter all kinds of carts hauled by men and animals. In such a street, I don't think one wants to buy anything other than a CVT scooter like the Activa. Also, the gearless scooter appeals to the youngsters, especially the female folk (sorry not being sexist) who've just started driving/riding.

If you want riding pleasure, you can always get a bike. The market for performance machines is now better than ever before with affordable choices like the Pulsar, Dominar and KTM dukes.

With electric scooters hitting the market, I think they'll dominate the market in 4-6 years.
landcruiser123 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 22:37   #27
BHPian
 
itsmb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Palwal
Posts: 53
Thanked: 265 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

My family operated one of the oldest 2W dealerships in our city. From Hero Puch to Bajaj Chetak, Super, Sunny, LML NV, Select and Trendy we have had a close relationship with all the icons. LML Select has been my personal favourite, oh boy it was a looker in those days. The gentlemen among the boys.
BHPians who have grown up with these mean machines would agree that the torque, sound (read music), acceleration and smoke (errr!!) of these classics cannot be replicated by modern day machines. I am sure most of us(myself included) must be having that memory of using both hands to engage a gear at times. Believe me when I say this, presently we have a generation of scooter riders who would not be able to comprehend the meaning of lines scribbled below-

1
N
2
3
4

Modern-day scooters are practical, light and ideal for a nuclear family. Ultimately, customer is the king and King demand convenience, so the market moved from iron to plastic, spare wheel to no spare, split seat to single seat and most importantly from the clutch lever to brake lever.
I feel happy when I see someone still using his NV or Chetak nowadays.
Happy Motoring
itsmb is offline   (6) Thanks
Old 2nd November 2018, 22:51   #28
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,353
Thanked: 5,687 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

I can't imagine a world without scooters! It's so convenient with its CVT gearbox! All you gotta do is twist the throttle and go from point A to point B with zero stress! Who even wants to shift gears in today's mad and stressful traffic? For an engaging driving experience, I always prefer driving a manual on a two lane highway away from the city- something scooters aren't designed for!

In fact, I love my Suzuki Access so much for it's ease of use and stress free nature that I wax the scooter every 2 months and apply dashboard polish on the plastic trims to keep it looking new!
Turbohead is online now  
Old 3rd November 2018, 01:25   #29
Senior - BHPian
 
mail4ajo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,957
Thanked: 330 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

I dont think manuals are coming back as they is simply no demand. I have some experience with scooters like the Chetak, original Lamby (imported) and the Indian version Vijay Super and the LML NV. Although they were a pain to start and handle, was convenient for short rides.

Anyone remember the Bajaj Sunny. We modded one when in college.

I later owned a Suzuki Access which was simple and easy to use.

Last edited by mail4ajo : 3rd November 2018 at 01:26.
mail4ajo is offline  
Old 3rd November 2018, 11:36   #30
BHPian
 
charanreddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 728
Thanked: 2,189 Times
Re: Will Manual Scooters ever return?

I learnt riding in my dad's old Chetak.. the scooter was 21 yrs old then.. was made of metal and was heavy and could still do a wheelie.. mileage was a pathetic 30 kmpl. But it could haul a lot of luggage.. dad used to open it up and clean the carburettor and plugs himself... And maintained in good condition for almost 20+yrs..

We then moved on to a later version of the Chetak.. it was fiber/plastic body panel and none of that awesome torque but still better than the lifeless auto scooters we get these days.


Current gearless scooters are a royal pain in traffic as folks weave in and out due to short turning radius.. and less I speak of the lifeless engine the better..

IMHO, the old two stroke scooters will still find takers in the rural villages and markets, but Bajaj single handedly killed this market when it decided to stop manufacturing geared scooters..
charanreddy is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks