Emerging British scooter brand, Scomadi chose the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan to launch their production range in 2013. This year they were back with a stand of their own and a new scooter to wow the crowds.
NEW Scomadi 400 unveiled in Milan
For the first time sine the launch in Milan three years ago, Scomadi had a stand-alone display at EICMA, a sign as to how well the brand is growing worldwide since their launch. This is compared to the last few years where they have shared stand space with the Asian scooter manufacturer that also produces the Scomadi scooters for them.
Euro 4 changes
Regarding the current range of Scomadis, like other manufacturers in Milan, Scomadi have had to make changes to their scooters to comply with the Euro 4 regulations that come into effect on 1 January 2017. These new rules include emissions and braking systems, the former being ever more stringent and the latter meaning that motorbikes and scooters over 125cc will need to have anti-lock ABS brakes, while smaller capacity bikes must either have ABS or a linked brake system.
As such the next batch of Scomadi 200 scooters will be Euro 4 compliant and will include an ABS braking system developed by Bosch. For the record, while touring the show over a few days in Milan, Bosch seemed to be the manufacturer of choice for those companies looking to an external source for an ABS system.
The Scomadi 125 will also become Euro 4 compliant, with added fuel injection and a Combined Braking System, rather than ABS, a less expensive option available due to the engine capacity being less than 125cc.
All these modifications will of course add a cost to the price of a Scomadi, so expect a price rise in the new year, as not only do these extras have to be paid for, but also of course we’ve had the recent fluctuation of currency exchange rates, which will also have an effect on things.
Other news is that a pearl white finish may be introduced in 2017, but by now you’re probably bored with the EU regulation and stuff like that and want to know more about he Scomadi 400 you’ve heard talk of, right?
Well Scomadi have purchased the design, intellectual property rights, tooling and moulds for a 400cc scooter engine from Moto Morini (previously known as Morini Franco Motori) that had in the past been used by Malaguti and Benelli amongst others. The engine is basically a shorter version of the motor used by Suzuki in their Burgman 400 engine, and over the years I’ve tested it a number of times in various guises. While it sadly didn’t get utilised enough in my opinion, one scooter it was fitted into was the Benelli Velvet 400, which unlike the Burgman was a far more compact scooter rather than a feet-forward maxi-type machine. I like the Benelli a lot; not only was it stylish in a sporty kind of way, but it was agile around town and a lot of fun to ride and fast too. Yes it didn’t have as much storage space as a maxi, but that wasn’t the point – and that is the same ethos that Scomadi have towards creating a similar 400cc scooter today.
Five minutes with Paul Melici
Speaking exclusively with Paul Melici of Scomadi, he told us; “The engine is just going through evaluation, we plan to squeeze a little more power out of it and obviously we’re going fuel-injection for Euro4 regulations etc., and ABS with Bosch. It should be putting out roughly between 28hp and 32hp by the time we’ve finished with it, at the back wheel. The torque is just so sublime, and because of the weight of the engine being so low down in the chassis the scooter just feels so balanced you can almost come to a standstill and the bike doesn’t topple over, it almost stands up on its own!”
So it fits in nicely then? “It has a 13″ wheel rim and we’ve fitted a lower profile tyre than the one Malaguti fitted when this engine was used in their Madison scooter. In fact it’s actually a shorter engine than the Vespa GTS300 is. And because of its use in the Burgman and other 400s, it’s a proven engine with regards to reliability and performance.”
Will the Scomadi chassis be changed for the 400? “Although it’s a similar layout to the current Scomadis, it will be much stiffer. It will have a different configuration of rails on the front to stiffen it, it will have wider forks, twin discs, basically all beefed up to remove any flex that the more powerful engine is going to make.”
We understand Scomadi have set up a new company, Scomoto, to produce your own engines now, so when will we be able to buy a Scomadi 400? “We anticipate the scooter will enter production in 2018, exactly when I can’t say just now but we hope the early part of the year. It’s still got a year of prototype stages to go, testing, evaluation, and of course Euro 4 regulations. It all takes time. For example the engine in this prototype still has carburettors fitted. Once we’ve fitted a fuel injector to meet Euro 4, there will also be more space to make the fuel tank a little bigger too.”
I’ve said for a while now that the modern scooter market needs exciting machines to keep the market alive, and the attitude of Scomadi does just that. Yes it would be easy to produce a run-of-the-mill 400 with a large underseat storage capacity and build the front end wide enough to protect the rider from all weathers, but here we have the potential of a fine handling, fast and fun scooter that could really get the juices flowing. For me scooters have never been simply about from getting from A to B, and the Scomadi 400 will hopefully encourage more people to enjoy the ride.
Andy Gillard
Gears. it’s all I want on a scooter like that tbh
send one to brazil where i live the 400cc it it can take the roads there it will take them anywhere lol
Put me down for one! Never giving money to Piaggio ever again for poorly put together machines and poor aftersales service.
As for gears…after 37 years and 14 geared scoots my left wrist is shot. Stop start urban traffic is agony. My P200 is up for sale as I write. Reluctantly but realistically autos are the way forward for an aging skelington 😉
32 BHP….vroooom….can I have a go please Mister?
were can I view them please
maybe not so good for scootering. at least 50% of riders are on the 125’s they’ll get sick of being left behind these big 300/400 lumps and pack in.
and how come in spain 125’s are selling for 2000 euros and even the chrome one 2200 euros? cash cow brits?
asking 4300 for chrome 125 on ebay, ffs
PS. Because of the Brussels Sprouts all of a sudden, in January 2017, all the machines we have been happily riding without linked brakes or abs will be deemed too hazardous and new bikes must have said features, as high and mighty prestige limousine passengers Monsieur Fuqewit and Herr Flick have decreed it. Putting a fecking £500 premium on ordinary peoples commuters.
You meddling buttwaffles! Cannot wait until we leave your control freak little club and we can import and produce machines as we see fit. Allowing riders to ride and judge road conditions for themselves. Bah!
@Theraphim Hebraeorum all hail the Brexit! Haha
agree
The UK DoT has always been one of the main drivers (NPI) within the EU to introduce compulsory safety features into new vehicles such as ABS but don’t let that awkward fact deter you from blaming Johnny Foreigner for all the UK’s woes.