Top 6 future-proof scooter features

USB charger

In this age of smartphones, a ‘low-battery’ indication on the cell phone can be considered to be one of the leading causes of panic attacks. Okay, I might be exaggerating this a bit. But nevertheless, considering that the youth and college going-kids are one of the biggest consumers of scooter, a USB charger would definitely make things easier for them. A few scooters sold in the Indian market do come with 5V power outlets, though as a majority of these would be used to charge mobile phones, it would be better of manufacturers to start offering a USB charging point instead.

Linked braking systems (Combi brakes)

You cannot downplay the role of ABS (anti-lock brakes) in avoiding accidents, though it might be a while before we get to see this technology on scooters. Thankfully, a few scooters in the country are offered with the next best thing - linked braking system. Linked brakes or combi brakes apply braking force on both the wheels whenever you actuate the rear brakes. This ensures a shorter braking distance as well as stability under heavy braking. While Honda was the pioneer of this technology in India, other manufacturers now have their own versions with fancy terminologies. Either way, the important thing is that linked brakes are a really useful safety feature and more manufacturers need to add it in their lineup.

Telescopic forks

While a few scooters continue to use dated bottom linked suspension setup for the front wheel, telescopic forks are fast becoming the norm for modern scooters. And boy, are we glad! Telescopic fork suspension plays a big role in improving the ride quality on pothole-ridden city roads as well as improving stability on the highway. And while we are on the topic of better ride quality, we don’t mind seeing more scooters being offered with 12-inch front rim either.

External fuel lid

Getting off your scooter and lifting the seat whenever you need to refuel can seem like a completely unnecessary inconvenience. The solution to this is an external fuel filler cap. While it might seem like a very easy solution, it is actually a very complicated feature to implement in a scooter which has been engineered with the fuel inlet below the seat. As such manufacturers have now started to design modern scooters around this requirement. A few scooters nowadays also allow you to remotely open the fuel filler cap by turning the key in the ignition key hole, which is also a really useful feature.

Multi-information display

With the evolution in the design and styling of the scooters, there has also been a marked improvement in the design of the instrument consoles. The latest advancement in this area is the integration of multi-information displays. A multi-information display is a digital screen which not only integrates important functionalities like the fuel gauge, odometer and trip meters, but also enhances the overall flair of the console. Not a necessity, but definitely a good feature to boast about.

Start-Stop system

There might be just one motorcycle in the Indian market which comes with a start-stop system, but this doesn’t stop us from wishing it was offered in scooters too. What a start-stop system does is automatically power off the engine whenever the vehicle has been idle for more than a few seconds. In scooters, this system will not only improve the efficiency, but also prove very convenient for the rider, who won’t have to keep using the ignition to turn the scooter on and off and at traffic signals.

Photography by Kapil Angane