Ungeared scooters to be the next big thing?

Bajaj Auto has already decided to move out of the entry-level 100cc motorcycle segment, which has shown a negative growth of 15 per cent over the year. But the impending death of the 100cc bike market may trigger a resurgence in the ungeared scooter segment.

Research agency Crisil says it expects the ungeared scooter market to grow at a CAGR of 25 per cent. Half-yearly sales of automobiles showed a negative growth of 5.91 per cent. Motorcycles registered a negative growth rate of 15.2 per cent. But mopeds and scooters grew by 22.37 per cent and 20.13 per cent respectively.

The urban two-wheeler market is moving towards more powerful bikes. The space occupied by 100cc bikes, soon to be vacated, may become the domain of ungeared scooters.

To take advantage of the trend, two-wheeler major Kinetic Engineering is planning to launch five new gearless scooter models in the next 12 months. It will shortly launch its second scooter from Italjet Moto, the 135cc Euro. Then there will be two new electric two-wheelers and two variants of Flyte.

Other Indian gearless scooter makers include Honda, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and TVS.