A scooter (also known by the full name motor-scooter), is a subset of motorcycles with a step-through frame, a seat, and a platform for the rider's feet (as opposed to straddling the vehicle like a conventional motorcycle). Other common (but non-defining) traits of scooters can include: bodywork (so the mechanicals are not exposed like a conventional motorcycle), motors combined with the suspension or wheel (rather than attached to the frame like a conventional motorcycle), leg shields, smaller wheels than a conventional motorcycle, shiftless transmissions, and an alternative to a chain drive.
Scooters can share some traits with mopeds (some models could even be considered both a moped and a scooter). Adding to the confusion between them, in many jurisdictions smaller engined scooters (e.g. 50cc) are road registered in the same legal category as conventional mopeds (often named "Moped" class), leading to scooters being casually referred to as "mopeds" in such areas. Underbones also can share traits with scooters (e.g. small and step-through design), but they are generally not strictly considered scooters in the purest sense as they do not have a platform for the rider's feet, but they are often casually referred to as scooters (especially ones with leg shields).
Scooter brands in production
Manufacturer / brand Nationality Group / notes AS MotorsAlgeria Adiva Italy/Taiwan ADIVA S.r.l. - Maxiscooters (200–400) with a foldable roof; initial scoters in 2000 were collaborations with Benelli. Largely Taiwanese built range. Adly Taiwan Her Chee Industrial Co Ltd; previously US market brands included AMS, Jui Li, and Grycner (using German supplied Sachs 505 engines). Currently Taiwanese built range. Aeon Taiwan Aeon Motor AJS United Kingdom Manufactured in China (from 2002) Aprilia Italy Piaggio & C. SpA. Askoll Italy Askoll Group; all electric range AvanganIranManufacturer of electric scooters Bajaj India Bajaj Auto Ltd; Licensed manufacturer of Vespa scooters (sold as Vespa 150) in the 1960s. Production continued after the license expired in the 1970s (sold as Bajaj); models included the Chetak (until 2006), and the Priya (subcontracted to Maharashtra Scooters Ltd to manufacture). From 2019 electric models also named Chetak, but as its own marque Baotian China Baotian Motorcycle Industrial Co. Ltd, or Jiangmen Sino-HongKong Baotian Motorcycle Industrial Co. Ltd. Benelli (1995 relaunch) Italy Qianjiang Motorcycle (Geely Holding Group) Beta Italy BMW Germany BMW Motorrad Čezeta (2018 relaunch) Czech Republic Project by DEVS that was operated in the now liquidated company Čezeta Motors s.r.o. CFMoto China Partners with KTM Chetak India Electric models built by Bajaj Chicago Scooter Company United States Genuine Scooter Company; US brand of Chinese manufactured scooters Dafra Brazil Itavema Group; assembler of various Asian manufactured scooters Daelim / DNA Motors South Korea Formerly named Daelim Motor Company and Daelim Motorcycle, renamed DNA Motors in 2021; however the Daelim brand name is still used in some markets (e.g. UK). Derbi Spain Piaggio & C. SpA. Di Blasi Industriale Italy Range of folding mopeds Garelli (relaunched) Italy All electric; produced by Baotian Geely / Jiming China Geely Motorcycle/Jiming, a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group Genuine United States Genuine Scooter Company; US brand selling Asian manufactured scooters. Initially with Indian LML Vespa style metal bodied scooters (as the Genuine Stella), moving on to Taiwanese PGO Scooters; includes the Buddy model range. GOVECS Germany/Poland All electric range; based in Germany, manufactured in Poland Gilera Italy Piaggio & C. SpA. Gogoro Taiwan Gogoro Inc. Hero India Hero MotoCorp (formerly Hero Honda). Models include Hero Pleasure and Hero Maestro Honda Japan Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; manufactured in various plants including in Japan and Thailand Italjet Italy Velocifero (1994-2000), Dragster (1998–2003). A rebooted Dragster was put in production in 2022. Junak Poland Kawasaki Japan Kawasaki Heavy Industries KR Motors (Hyosung) South Korea KR Motors Co. Ltd, formerly a division of the Hyosung Group and manufactured products sold as Hyosung brand, part of LVMC Holdings (2014). Kymco Taiwan Kwang Yang Motor Co, Ltd Lambretta (2018 relaunch) Switzerland Lambretta GmbH (joint venture of the Swiss Lambretta Consortium/Innocenti SA. and the Austrian KSR Group); V models designed by Austrian firm Kiska, and produced in Asia based on SYM mechanicals. Later models include the G350, a monocoque steel chassis design. Lifan China Lifan Industry (Group) Co., Ltd.; production facilities in various countries Loncin China Manufactured by Longxin Motorcycle Industry Co., Ltd a subsidiary of Loncin Holdings; uses brand names Italika (Mexico), AKT (Colombia), Viper (Ukraine), Minsk (Russia & Belarus), and Zanella (Argentina) Mahindra India Mahindra Two Wheelers, a division of Mahindra & Mahindra Malaguti Italy KSR Group GmbH (Austria); relaunched 2018 after a 2011 bankruptcy MBK (formerly Motobécane) France Yamaha Modenas Malaysia Began production in 1996. Kawasaki has a 30% ownership, but Modenas also has commercial relationships with many other Asian brands. MZ Germany NIU China All electric range by Niu Technologies. Early adopters of lithium-ion batteries. Peugeot France Joint venture between Mahindra and Mahindra and PSA PGO Scooters Taiwan Motive Power Industry; originally in collaboration with Piaggio until 1982. Models include Bubu, G-Max, and PMX. Manufacturers of Genuine Scooters's Buddy and Roughhouse models. Piaggio Italy Piaggio & C. SpA.; Production facilities in Italy and China Rex Germany/China German brand of Asian sourced scooters made by Baotian and Jinan Qingqi QJMotor China Made by Qianjiang Motorcycle, a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group Rieju Spain Qianjiang China Qianjiang Motorcycle Qingqi China Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle Co., Ltd SFM (formerly Sachs) Germany Scarabeo Italy Produced by Aprilia. Initially an Aprilia model introduced in 1993, Scarabeo is now brand in its own right within the Piaggio group. Range has included 50 to 500cc models. Scomadi United Kingdom Scomadi Worldwide Ltd; UK designed, assembled in Thailand with Asian components SEAT Spain All electric range. SEAT MO 125, white-label product for Silence S01 Singer Bangladesh Singer Corporation. Chinese made scooters for the Bangladeshi market, from 2012 Super Soco China Vmoto Soco group, all electric range. Sinnis China Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle Co., Ltd Solifer Finland Solifer Oy; once a manufacturer (1950s-1980s), scooters are now all Chinese imports SYM Taiwan Suzuki Japan Suzuki Motor Corporation; manufactured in various plants including in Japan, China (including Jincheng Group), and India Tell Switzerland Brand of supermarket chain Landi; scooters are Chinese sourced Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB) Taiwan Originally produced Vespa components, TGB now also manufactures CVTs for Piaggio, Rotax, Peugeot Motocycles, Minarelli, Morini, Polaris and SYM. TVS India Sundaram - Clayton Limited; models include the TVS Scooty Unu Germany All electric range Vectrix USA/Poland USA made electric scooters (2006–2013). Relocated to Poland and back in production in 2015 under GOVECS ownership.VMS IndustriesAlgeriaAlgerian company specializing in the distribution, sales, and potentially manufacturing of motorcycles, scooters, Vespa Italy Piaggio & C. SpA.; engine plant in Italy; bodies built in various locations including Indonesia and Vietnam. Viar Indonesia Yamaha Japan Yamaha Motor Company; Originally made in Japan, but various models are also made or assembled in Yamaha plants in other countries like Indonesia, Singapore or Vietnam, Taiwan, and Philippines. Zongshen China Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Company; has a relationship with Piaggio through Zongshen Piaggio Foshan Motorcycle Co., Ltd Znen / Zhongneng China Zhongneng Vehicle Group Co., Ltd.; petrol and electric scooters. Sold under numerous brands including Qianxifeng, Jinlun (worldwide), Lexmoto (UK), Tamoretti (UK, Netherlands), Dorton (Spain), Mondial (Turkey), and in the USA Paparazzi's, Flyscooters, Lance, and BMS. Owners of Moto Morini. Z Electric Vehicle USA All electric range
Scooter brands and manufacturers no longer in scooter production Accumolli (1950), Piaggio powered — Italy Achilles (1953–1957) — West Germany ACMA (Vespa) (1951–1962), Ateliers de Construction de Motocycles et Accessoires — FranceVespa, Giorgio Sarti, , page 152 Adonis (1949–1952), Société du Scooters Adonis; 50 and 75cc VAP engines — France Aermacchi (1951–1969) — Italy Aermoto (1938–1940), Sachs powered — Italy Agrati (1958–1965), Merged with Garelli in 1961, scooters branded as Garelli Capri from 1965 — Italy Allstate/Sears (1948–1967), Brand of retailer Sears to rebadge scooters manufactured by Cushman, Piaggio and Puch. The Allstate name was replaced with "Sears" for 1966-1967 — USA American Motor Scooter Corporation (1960–1965), Clinton powered folding "suitcase" scooters; Founded by USA Lambretta parts dealer, taken over by American Lincoln Corporation — USA Allwyn (1974—?), the Pushpak model was a Lambretta GP based scooter manufactured by Andhra Pradesh Scooters Limited, who later also made licensed Vespa PL170s (1983–1986) — India Arctic Cat (2000s) — USA Ardent (1949–1954), Manufacture Française des Scooters Ardents; initially motorcycle scooter hybrids; Le Poulain and VAP engines — France Auteco Lambretta / Auteco (1954—1970s), small scale assembly of Lambrettas badged as "Auteco Lambretta"; (1990s), Bajaj importers — Colombia Autoglider (1919–1922) — United Kingdom Autoped (1915–1921) — USA (API) Lambretta / API (1955–1990), models called Lamby Polos after SIL obtained use of the Lambretta name in the 1970s — India Bernardet (1948–1959) — France Bianchi (1960s) Orsetto, also made under licence in the UK by Raleigh as the Roma (1961–64) — Italy BSA (1958–1965) — United KingdomTriumph Tigress/BSA Sunbeam Bitri (1955–1964) — Netherlands Bond (1957–1962), Makers of Bond Minicars; Villiers powered — United Kingdom Bonvinci Marino (BM) (1959–1964), Models included Minotauro (75cc) and Pokerino (50cc) — Italy Brockhouse Corgi (1946–1954), Civilian version of the military Welbike. Built by Brockhouse Engineering Ltd., and sold as brands including Indian Papoose in the USA — United Kingdom Brumana Pugliese (1970–1980), Lambretta models plus its own models — Brazil Busi (1940–1951) — Italy Cagiva — Italy Cazenave (1954–1960), Mistral and Ydral engines — France Centaur (1960–1965), Clinton powered folding "suitcase scooter" made by Alexander Reynolds Co. Folding Scooters — USA Čezeta (CZ), (1957–1964) — Czechoslovak Socialist Republic Concord (1950s), See Manurhin below — France Coaster (1950s), Jet 200cc model, made by Sanko Kogyo (a spin-off from Nakajima Aircraft Company), then briefly by Sankar Manufacturing Inc, and finally by Nippon Motor Co. — Japan CubStar (1950—?), Scooter with moped style bicycle pedals, probably 50cc Honda powered. Made by Ruby Nikken Industry Co., Ltd. — Japan Cushman (1936–1965) — USA Cycle-Scoot (1950s) — USA Danmotor Vespa Indonesia (1970s), Licensed Vespa 90cc and 150cc models — Indonesia Dayton (1954–1960), models included Albatross (powered by 224cc Villiers 1H engine) and Flamenco — United Kingdom DKR (1957–1967), DKR Company formed by Day & Robinson of Willenhall Radiators, and Cyril Kieft. Models included the Dove, Pegasus, and Capella, powered by various Villiers engines. — United Kingdom DKW (1921–1922, 1954–1957) — Germany / West Germany DMW (1957–1967) — United Kingdom Doodle Bug (1946–1948), built by the Beam Manufacturing Company, and sold by retailer Gambles store chain under the Hiawatha name — USA Douglas (Vespa) (1951–1965), licence built Vespas — United KingdomVespa, Giorgio Sarti, ISBN 0-7603-2577-4, page 156 Ducati — Italy Durkopp (1954–1960) — West Germany FAKA (1952–1957), Took over production of Walba scooters — West Germany