Introduction of Maxi Scooters in Vietnam
What is a maxi-scooter?
A maxi-scooter or touring scooter is a large scooter, with engines ranging in size from 150 to 850 cc
Source Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_(motorcycle)#Maxi-scooter
In Vietnam, you can easily buy a few maxi-scooters in a range from 125cc to 175cc, but the choice is a lot more limited than in other countries of the region or the world. Large size maxi-scooters have always been around as individual imports and very rare since each required a big shipping fee and import taxes, for example the Forza 300/350. Only recently, Yamaha has brought to the local market the popular Xmax 300 and the Tmax 560.
Wikipedia also tells us that:
- maxi scooters have been around since 1986 and it is Honda the pioneer manufacturer (like for many bikes).
- they became popular because they were easier to drive; due to the engines being fixed to the frame.
- drivers liked it because a maxi-scooter was offering the power of a motorcycle but the comfort of a step-through scooter with fully automatic transmissions.
What is the difference between a maxi scooter and a normal scooter?
Maxi scooters are larger versions of regular scooters, equipped with a bigger engine within a scooter frame. They offer more comfort, storage space, and are designed for longer rides. The engine size in maxi scooters typically ranges from 250cc to 850cc.
Are maxi scooters good for beginners?
Yes, they are easy to ride. Scooters, in general, are more beginner-friendly than motorcycles because they have automatic transmissions. This means you don’t need to worry about shifting gears, making them accessible to a broader range of riders.
For Vietnam roads, should I consider riding a maxi scooters?
Definitely. A maxi scooter comfort will allow you to reduce the discomfort of bumps on Vietnamese roads, even in the city (and its never ending constructions). And if you are taller, it will brings you more space for your legs than a regular scooter.
What driving license is required to drive a maxi-scooter in Vietnam?
The maxi-scooters we introduce here are all under 175cc so you can ride them with an A1 driving license or equivalent international driving license. Full details on that legal question in our dedicated article for driving licenses in Vietnam; here.
Why maxi scooters are more and more popular?
As motorbike experts in Vietnam, The Extra Mile has observed over the past decade the increasing demand for maxi scooters among expatriates and locals compared to normal scooters or bigger displacement motorcycles.
This growing demand for maxi-scooters can be explained with a very simple reason: with the expansion of Ho Chi Minh City, it is not rare to see people driving 30+ minutes to go to work everyday. And a maxi scooter offers more comfort than the usual semi-automatic bike (still as of today the most popular choice for locals, mainly because of the affordability of this bike type) or automatic step-through scooter. Worldwide, maxi scooters have the reputation of being perfect for longer commutes, blending the convenience of a scooter with the comfort of a motorcycle.
So, The Extra Mile decided to introduce to you our top-5 selection of maxi-scooters models you can find in Vietnam and that we have available for rent at our Thao Dien ward shop in Ho Chi Minh City.
The top-5 best maxi-scooters to ride in Vietnam
The Honda PCX series! <3
The Honda PCX has been available in Vietnam since 2010. It was first introduced to the Vietnamese market as a premium scooter option, and it has since become popular due to its stylish design, advanced features, and fuel efficiency.
The Honda PCX series offers a range of scooters that combine style, comfort, and performance, making them ideal for both urban commuting and longer rides.
Currently, you can find 3 different displacements:
The Honda PCX 125 is equipped with a powerful 125cc engine, delivering a smooth and comfortable experience for city commuters. Known for its elegant design and ultimate comfort, this model is a top choice for both drivers and passengers, making it suitable for both commuting and road trips. It’s a high-quality Honda scooter that’s also popular in the European market, offering a perfect riding position for executives.
Moving up, the Honda PCX 150 (2019-2020) enhances the experience with a 150cc engine, providing even greater comfort and smoothness. Known as the most comfortable maxi-scooter under 175cc, the PCX 150 feels like driving on a cloud, setting a high standard for maxi sport bikes in Vietnam with its impeccable build quality and Honda’s signature perfection.
The latest in the series, the Honda PCX 160 (2022), features a robust 160cc engine and a modern design, offering enhanced performance and comfort. This model continues the legacy of the PCX series, providing a stylish and smooth ride for those who value both performance and elegance.
The Aprillia SR GT 200
“The Aprilia SR GT is a perfect mix of performance, technology designed to adapt to any situation”. This maxi scooter is 174 cc. Sporty looks and feel. This maxi-scooter is the least present in Vietnam streets among our selection presented in this article but it has the potential to become a praised scooter here.
photo credits: aprilla.com
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2020)
At this stage in the article, we enter a highly demanded selection of motorbikes among expatriates because these maxi-scooters are already “famous” abroad (in Europe or other Developed countries) and are a pure bliss to ride and super convenient.
The Yamaha NMAX 155 (2020) offers a powerful 155cc engine with stylish design and advanced features, delivering a sporty and efficient ride for urban commuters. The Yamaha NMAX 155 was first introduced in Vietnam in 2015. It has been available for sale in the country since then.
Honda SH 150i ABS
Vietnamese status-symbol by excellence. If you want to impress locals, this is the bike! 😉 The Honda SH 150i ABS is an elegant and efficient scooter with a 150cc engine and advanced ABS braking (both front and rear brakes), offering a refined and comfortable urban commuting experience. The Honda SH 150i ABS was introduced to the Vietnamese market around 2016.
The SH is Honda’s flagship maxi-scooter in the < 175cc class and they really put all their efforts and abilities into the design of this iconic scooter to reach the best quality in every aspect of this fine machine.
The famous and powerful SH 150i is now available for rent at The Extra Mile. Stock however, is very limited, expect waiting lists for this one. Once a scooter rider has driven an SH there is very little chance of them wanting to ride any other model again.
Honda ADV 150 ABS
The Honda ADV 150 ABS was first introduced to Vietnam market for sale in 2020. This maxi scooter is a rugged and stylish scooter designed for both urban and off-road adventures, featuring a 150cc engine and advanced ABS braking.
The ADV is a ground breaking Indonesian import scooter optimized for rough roads. Impervious to potholes and other common road irregularities in Vietnam. The ADV 150 came to Vietnam to take over the maxi-scooter market and stocks are depleted as fast as they come in, as it’s getting more and more popular. Honda’s ADV offers the best comfort for both driver and passenger as well as safety with full ABS braking. This impressive scooter is loaded with technology and functional features.
Key takeaways
- Maxi scooters offer the comfort and power of bigger motorcycles and convenience and maneuverability of normal scooters.
- Maxi scooters recommended for Vietnam road conditions, traffic intensity will be the models ranging from 125 cc to 175 cc. Also because the A1 license, that is the easiest to obtain, is allowing drivers to ride vehicles <175cc.
- These types of bikes are loved by expatriates in Vietnam because it resemble to what they know of scooters back home and they offer a great experience.
- Maxi scooters can be rented monthly at The Extra Mile. And we also provide short term and for both city rentals and road trips deals.
This is a selection of our top-5 maxi scooters that are available for purchase and for rent in Vietnam. The Extra Mile offer them for rent at our office in Thao Dien, in Ho Chi Minh City. Feel free to contact us using the form below for a test ride or any question.
As we mentioned, we have limited stocks of these highly demanded maxi scooters so you might want to inquire online before walking in to our store. But in any case, we offer more than 40 different models so you have great chances to find motorbikes suitable to your taste and needs when choosing our motorbike rental company.
These 5 maxi scooters are part of two larger families:
To find a motorbike for rent on our website, please follow these steps:
- Go to our Motorbike For Rent page: https://theextramile.co/our-motorbikes/
- Use the search function or browse categories
- Read the motorbike descriptions and contact our team. We reply during working hours, within 48 hours.
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