In the new release movie, “Penelope,” a startled Reese Witherspoon asks Christina Ricci, “Haven’t you ever ridden on a Vespa before?” There was a time when Vespa was the only well known name in scooters, but not any more.

According to Statistics Canada, in 1996 the average Canadian was 35.3 years old. Fast forward to 2006 when the average Canadian is almost 40. While the outcome of the Baby Boom has been prophesied to death, the reality is that those babies born from 1946 to 1960 have money and are retiring while still young enough to have fun. They were “Born to be Wild” and they’ve still got the “get up and go” except, they want to “get on and go,” but stay safer at the same time.

With the scooter trend well established in North America, we are hot on the heels of the other continents, where people have been in love with these great little machines for decades. Enter the maxi-scooter: from 250 cc to 800cc, these bad boys have power like their motorcycle cousins, but have the ease of a step-through mount and an automatic transmission. They head out on the highway, taking cruisers from Vancouver to Alaska, or Halifax to Toronto.

Of course, the City of Toronto “gets it.” They understand that people need to commute and, with gas prices skyrocketing to a projected $1.50 per litre, they need to ride cheap.

Scooters, even the maxi scooters, are gas efficient compared to a car. And, they take little space to park, which is why Toronto gives all two-wheel vehicles a free ride on parking spaces. They are also in the first phase of allowing motorcycles and scooters to use all HOV lanes. Currently, motorcycles are only allowed in some HOV lanes in Vancouver, but no where else in Canada. But Vancouver makes very few special arrangements for parking the two-wheeler. Perhaps these are areas where dealers could have an impact with their local municipalities.
So, is it commuters or is it joy riders who are buying the maxi scooters?

At Yamaha, they know exactly who is buying their 2008 400 cc Majesty. “In Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia, 85 percent of all two-wheel vehicles are scooters,” says John Bayliss from Yamaha Canada. “Baby Boomers who already rode motorcycles are opting for the ‘gas it and go’ options of a maxi-scooter.”

Yamaha has honed the details on the Majesty, adding a larger front apron that keeps airflow moving around the bike to protect it from road spray from the car ahead. While all manufacturers caution that posted speeds should always be the maximum on roads, they are quick to boast about the top ends of their maxi scooters.

“The Majesty is quiet and fully highway capable with top speeds of 150 – 160 km/h with a single passenger,” says Bayliss, “and 100 – 120 km/h with two-up seating.”

For the most part, men are the primary buyers of any two-wheel vehicle but, says Nathan Naslund from Suzuki Canada, women's share of the market is expanding.

“Our Executive 650 sells 92 percent to men,” he says, “with only eight percent to females. But, trends have changed for the Burgman 400 cc with women making up 23 percent of the buyers.”

The Burgman 400 went through big changes in 2007 that really got people looking. Now, the Executive has added ABS for more safety, and they also offer a Lo/Hi Range push button transmission for city or highway driving.

“Commuters often need that instant power burst in city traffic,” said Naslund, “but want an overdrive out on the highway.”
Almost half of Yamaha's maxi riders have over 20 years experience with motorcycles so they appreciate the added features like fold-in mirrors for parking in tight garage areas and adjustable windshield height.

One of the things about cruising the open road is overnight stays. All the manufacturers say there is plenty of room for gear under the seat plus some have “glove” compartments. For those who don’t pack light, after market add-ons like a tail trunk allow you pack a tent, sleeping bags and more.

Scooter lovers are becoming a breed unto themselves. It’s not just a mode of transportation; it’s a way of life. You can buy special scooter coffee mugs, pins, patches, posters, calendars and clothing. If you have it, they’ll buy it or want it for Christmas.

Maxi scooter clients tend to be trendy, fun-loving people. For those who are new to two-wheel travel, there are some other extras that might interest them. Draggin’ Jeans has a line of products that reduce injuries from spills. The jeans are lined with Kevlar,® which is one of the toughest, strongest materials in existence and used for a variety of applications that require high strength-to-weight ratios (bullet-proof vests, aerospace construction, driver’s helmets, etc.). Five times stronger than steel yet soft and pliable, Kevlar® fabric lines the knees and seat of their jeans, providing superior protection where the motorcycle rider most needs it. While leather is great, even in Canada our summers can reach some sweltering conditions where cow skins need not apply. The company's latest invention, to balance out their line of jeans and jackets, is the Draggin’ Liner that, like a pair of long underwear, goes inside your favourite pants.

Now, with your body a bit more safe and sound, let’s talk about insurance.
“Every province has different licensing and insurance regulations,” says Sabina Heilman, Director of Communications for KYMCO Canada. “And that affects all buyers.”

Is that difference enough to keep the average commuter from buying a maxi scooter?

"Generally, scooters travel at low speeds, with no passengers for short distances,” says Kathy Taylor from Insurance Corporation of BC. "Lower speeds mean a reduced risk and that is reflected in the premiums." However, as scooters increase in power, so do the premiums. In Vancouver, a 50cc scooter with a 42-year-old rider who has had a motorcycle license since age 16, would pay $444 per year assuming s/he has no accident claims. That same driver would pay $1048 for a 250cc one.

Heilman also confirms that the maxi scooter buyer is a mature rider who loves the feel of the wind in their hair (and the bugs in their teeth) but want something more manoeuverable and lighter weight. While the difference in weight isn’t huge, it can mean the difference for an older rider.
For the rider with a need for speed and a love of cornering, the latest offering from Europe is the Fuoco 500ie. From its innovative dual wheel front it resembles an insane black or red grasshopper. From the road, it’s just pure cornering luxury. There isn’t much of a step-through mount, but the fun more than makes up for that. Available in a few dealerships in Canada, it’s already taking Europe by storm. Its maximum speed is over 150 km/h pulling 40HP from its 492.7 cc motor. With an MSRP of $10,000+, it’s a serious toy for the serious enthusiast, but still with a CVT transmission. The three-wheeler also comes in a 400 cc and a 250cc for those who still like the stability in the corners with a little less oomph.

If anyone's looking for another hot Italian model, look no further than the SCARABEO 500, a lightweight scooter, tourer and urban commuter with the maximum expression of Aprilia's ingenious automatic motorcycle concept, rolled together into one technological machine. It combines all the advantages of a conventional motorcycle, including safety, riding satisfaction and performance with those of a scooter, characterized by comfort and protection.

Remember, Paul McCartney, Gene Simmons and Neil Diamond are all baby boomers. They are as diverse as any group out there, but they will do their research and walk into a store knowing what they want. They'll be pre-approved for credit and, for the most part, be ready to buy. And, the smart salesperson won't treat them as old but instead, as second childhooders!

CPT