2023 Recap: Top 10 scooters & mopeds launched in Malaysia

As 2023 comes to an end, it’s time to rewind and explore the major highlights of the Malaysian automotive landscape. We have already covered the top 10 car launches and top 10 EV launches of the year earlier this week, and now it’s time to know the major scooters & mopeds that hit the Malaysian streets this year. 

Honda ADV160

At the start of the year, Honda launched the all-new ADV160 in Malaysia. It is an evolution of the ADV150 and is touted as the brand’s finest road-cruising scooter. The ADV 160 is powered by a 156.9-cc 4-valve with an eSP unit which kicks out 15 hp of maximum power and 14.7 Nm of peak torque. It is offered in three hues namely, Force Silver, Vivacity Red, and Mat Charcoal Grey Metallic. Boon Siew Honda Malaysia retails the ADV160 at RM 12,999.

Yamaha EZ115

Yamaha added a new Kapchai to its lineup this year, called the EZ115. It replaces the Lagenda 115Z and features a sporty appearance with the right amount of performance and utility features. Priced at RM 5,598, the Yamaha EZ115 comes equipped with a 115-cc SOHC air-cooled fuel-injected engine that generates a maximum power of 8.7 PS at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 9.5 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The power is sent to the wheels via a 4-speed automatic clutch gearbox linked to a multi-plate wet clutch. It is available in three colour choices -Red, Cyan, and Blue.

SYM Tuscany 150 

The Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer SYM introduced its new scooter, the Tuscany 150, at the Kuala Lumpur Bike Show 2023. It comes equipped with an LCD digital metre panel, LED lights, and a USB charger. Powering the SYM Tuscany 150 is a 149.6 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which generates 8.5 kW at 8,000 rpm and 11.4 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Priced at RM 8,888, the scooter is available in three colours - Red, Grey, and White. 

Aveta VADV150 Hybrid 

Malaysia welcomed its first-ever Smart Hybrid Scooter, the Aveta VADV150, in March this year. It is an innovative and advanced scooter that features advanced technology and a sleek style to woo urban commuters. The hybrid setup comprises a 149-cc single, 4-valve, SOHC, liquid-cooled engine that makes 16.22 hp at 8500 rpm (with electrical assist) and 14.6 Nm at 6500 rpm. It comes mated to a “Hybrid Assist” system that offers acceleration assistance up to 50 kmph. Priced at RM 13,980, the new Aveta scooter comes in three colour options - Yellow Topaz, Blue Sapphire, and Red Ruby. 

New Yamaha XMax 250

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor also rolled out the new XMax 250 in Malaysia this year. The refreshed scooter boasts a distinctive X-shaped LED headlight, a new LED tail light, and a new 4.2-inch TFT-LCD console with Yamaha Y-Connect and Garmin StreetCross connectivity. It is powered by a 249.8-cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder mill tuned to produce 22.8 PS at 7,000 rpm and 24.3 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The engine comes mated to a V-belt automatic gearbox. The new Yamaha XMax 250 price tag reads RM 23,998, and its colour palette includes two options - Icon Blue and Max Silver.

Honda Vario 125

One more brand-new product was added to the Honda lineup in 2023, called the Vario 125. It is a compact scooter that features the same bodywork as the outgoing Vario 150 but with a slightly updated package that includes full LED lighting and a fully digital instrument cluster. At the core of the new Vario lies a 125 cc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, Enhanced Smart Power engine delivering 11 hp at 8,500 rpm and 11.74 Nm at 5,000 rpm. With a price tag of RM 7,080, the scooter is available in three tones - Yellow, Blue, and Red.

Modenas Elegan 250 EX

Modenas’s popular maxi-scooter, the Elegan 250, received a significant upgrade this year. The latest model boasts several cosmetic tweaks and advanced features making the scooter even more desirable. Powering the Elegan 250 EX is a new 250-cc fuel-injected single-cylinder SOHC engine that kicks out 22.4 hp at 7000 rpm and 22.4 Nm at 6500 rpm. The power is transmitted to the wheels via a CVT gearbox and a belt drive. It is available in two colour choices - Matte Silver Crystal and Petroleum Blue. The price tag reads RM 16,997. 

Zontes 350D and Zontes 350E

Zontes Distribution, part of Eurotech Wheel Distribution, introduced two new Zontes maxi-scooters in Malaysia this year, the 350D and 350E. Targeting middle-class riders, the new Zontes models come powered by a 349 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled EFI engine that makes 36 hp and 38 Nm. Both come equipped with state-of-the-art features such as an electronic adjustable windscreen, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Traction Control System, 3.0 keyless entry system, and 18W dual fast charging port. The 2023 Zontes 350D comes in Silver and Black, and the 2023 Zontes 350E is available in White and Black. The former retails for RM 23,800 while the latter is priced at RM 25,800. 

Blueshark R Series

The subsidiary of Shark Gulf Technologies Group, Blueshark, launched the R1 and R1 Lite fully electric scooters in Malaysia this year. The base-spec R1 is priced at RM 7,190 while the top-spec R1 Lite retails for RM 9,390. While the features set the two variants apart, their electric drivetrain and battery specifications remain the same. The rear hub-mounted electric motor generates 6.7 horsepower and 201 Nm of torque. It is mated to a set of battery packs with a total capacity of 2,880 kW, offering a driving range of 110 km. The battery pack juices up in 3.5 hours and is capable of more than 2,000 full charging and discharging cycles. It can also be exchanged for a fully charged pack at the BlueStation.

New Honda Wave Alpha

This year Honda Malaysia also upgraded its highly-popular underbone scooter, the Wave Alpha. The model gets a number of upgrades such as a new tail light, a much bigger under-seat storage area, a new instrument cluster, and an upgraded engine setup. The latter comprises a re-tuned 109.2 cc Euro4-compliant single-cylinder PFi SOHC mill which delivers 8.7 hp at 7,500 rpm and 8.67 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The power is sent to the wheels via a four-speed gearbox linked to a centrifugal clutch. Priced at RM 5,179, the new Honda Wave Alpha comes in three hues -Nightfall Blue, Vivacity Red, and Clipper Yellow. 

Some other prominent launches of 2023 include - Aveta Ranger Max Explorer, Brixton CrossFire 150 XS, SM Sport 110E, WMoto WM110, Yamaha Y16ZR Doxou ‘Tech Art’ Edition, Yamaha Y15ZR Special Edition, Honda RS-X Repsol Edition, and Vespa 946 10th Anniversario special edition

Also read: Top 7 SUVs coming to Malaysia in 2024