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To be young, female and mobile
You don’t know a good thing until you have it and the power of mobility that a scooter gives is one of them. For many girls and women, this two-wheeled vehicle is a symbol for independence without having to compromise on being feminine. Take a ride with y
by PRERANA MARASINI
| FROM ISSUE # 117 (September 2005) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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Men began to use Vespas as a means of transport, squeezing into tight spots in crowded parking places. But for women, Vespa was freedom. It was a symbol of lifestyle, fashion, and mobility. Women who rode them were considered spunky, chic, and independent. The Vespa allowed them to wear tight skirts and ride without compromising on femininity. Everybody began riding the Vespa, including Hollywood actors on the silver screen. When Audrey Hepburn rode sideways on the back of a Vespa erratically driven by Gregory Peck in 1953 movie Roman Holiday, people sat up and took notice. Gene Kelly, Henry Fonda, and Marcello Mastroianni also rode Vespas in films from the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1979 film Quadrophenia, Vespas turned up everywhere in the story about British mods travelling on scooters to the English seaside where they clashed with the rival Rockers, who rode motorcycles. Quadrophenia cast a new light on Italian scooters and along with the movie soundtrack recorded by The Who, Vespa riding and mod music was manifested in a new kind of fanaticism. Since then, scooters have scooted a long way in terms of design, brand and functions. Understanding the danger of riding on an empty tank with reserve fuel is crucial. "The tires won't budge if there's no fuel, you must appreciate how the engine works and carry a few essentials," she tells us tapping her toolbox. Knowing your machine is important especially if you don't want to be stranded on some deserted road with a scooter that's conked out on you. "Scooters don't have gears so you mustn't speed too much," cautions Barsha, "that way if you hit the brakes, you can still maintain your balance." What Barsha loves best about her scooter is the feeling of fierce independence it gives. "I don't have to stand around awkwardly waiting for microbuses," she says with a smile of genuine relief, "and roadside Romeos may as well talk to the wind." Dio
Symbol of freedom 
It was the summery, romantic look of the Vespa promoted by Hollywood style icon Audrey Hepburn that made the scooter image all the rage. The first Vespa was designed by Corradino D'Ascanio and let loose in 1946 after World War II. Cheaper and easier to manoeuvre, it was an instant hit with the masses. But believe it or not, Vespas were originally meant for married couples.
Biker gurlz 
Barsha is scooter savvy and her bike is as stylish. She's been riding Dio for a year now. Every time before she starts it, she checks to make sure the tires have sufficient air. "These are tuffup tubes which do not puncture easily but then again, prevention is better than cure," she says.
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC
Displacement: 102 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 145 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 6 ltr
Mileage: 40-45 kmpl
Price: Rs 1,22,500.
Special features: Tires with special tuffup tubes that seal air leakage if punctured, convenient lift-up independent cover
Shanti loves speed and used to be a rough rider but skidded on her scooter too many times, barely escaping by the skin of her teeth. Now, she's a changed rider altogether. "I don't want scratches on my scooter anymore," she says. 
As a rider who takes the trouble to understand the art of scooter maintenance, she has some tips to share: "If your start button doesn't work, give your bike a solid kick. Don't pull the choke, it'll only consume more fuel. Also, clean your bike often." Adulterated engine oil can land your scooter in bad shape, so Shanti makes sure only the right amount of right oil goes into the engine. She believes in learning from experience and says, "I had a puncture once but the tube was tuffup so I wasn't worried but I found this nail stuck inside. You have to be really careful when taking such things out. I rolled the wheel till the nail faced the ground and pulled it out."
Shanti rides her scooter to college and to hangouts with friends. "Girls don't have to pillion ride behind boys anymore," she says with a matter-of-fact smile. She's been riding Activa for just six months but it has changed her life so much that she wonders how she ever did without it.
Activa
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC
Displacement: 102 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 145 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 6 ltr
Mileage: 50 kmpl
Price: Rs 1,05,500
Special feature: Tuffup tubes which seal air leakage if punctured, convenient lift-up independent cover
Dealer says:
"It's the design (wedge-shaped, futuristic) that attracts ladies and moreover, it's feminine. Most ladies below 30 years like Dio, and Activa is popular among those above 30. Within three years, Kathmandu has had 1,200-1,500 Dio riders. We have a brand trust which our customers value more than anything else."
Laxman Ratna Tuladhar, Honda Company
Love at sight 
"It was love at first sight," says Sujana, rolling her eyes, "the sporty design–I just had to have it." She loves riding her 135 cc Nova at an average speed of 55 km/hr and reasons, "It's no big deal as long as you are careful."
Before the scooter, Sujana's route was home-college-home. She had to wait for the bus, ask friends if they would pick her up or just take a taxi. "My life has changed tremendously," she says. "Now I can go anywhere I please; all I have to do is press the start button and hit the road. And I don't have to think twice about what to wear." Sujana loves her Nova and calls it her new best friend.
Kinetic Nova
Engine: 4-stroke air cooled
Displacement: 135 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 150 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 6.5 ltr
Mileage: 40 kmpl
Price: Rs 1,06,220
Special feature: Mileage indicator which helps optimise mileage, mobile phone charger
Dealer says:
"In two years time, we have sold about 1,000 scooters. The ride on a Nova is smooth. It uses a nine A battery that starts easily even in the dead of winter. If your Nova gives you a problem, call us and we'll send someone to fix it."
Suresh Bahadur Shrestha, Kinetic NOVA
Pep ride 
Pallavi is a VJ at Image Metro and riding Scooty Pep peps her up with confidence before she starts her workday. She learnt to ride a bike in grade eight but ever since she met with an accident while showing off her riding skills to her brother, Pallavi became a careful rider.
"I like my Scooty, especially its colour and it gives me the freedom to dress like a girl. I can wear saris, kurtas, skirts or pants and still ride with ease," she says, "anyway, bikes were too heavy for me." What she likes even more is the fact that her scooter is gearless. "You don't have to worry about changing gears," she smiles.
The compartment under the seat is always handy and Pallavi stuffs her bag and other girlie things there. Like most girls, she keeps her Scooty squeaky clean. And as a parting shot, adds, "Kicking it when angry gets you nowhere. Just keep it clean and maintain the engine, you'll have no worries."
Scooty Pep
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled
Displacement: 74.6 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground Clearance: 150mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 5 ltr
Mileage: 50 kmpl
Price: Rs 85,880
Special features: Power/Economy mode for extra mileage, auto reserve fuel tap, puncture resistant tyres
Dealer says:
"We've got essentially feminine scooters, light in weight (89 kg) in nine colours. And we've sold about 1,500-2,000 in a period of two years in Biratnagar and Kathmandu. Features like auto choke for instant start, pull-out bag hook, helmet hanger, easy-reach glove compartment are additional benefits."
Rahul Sachdeva, TVS Motor Company
Made in Nepal 
"I'm proud of riding a bike partly manufactured and assembled in my country," says Anita Wagle who works at Hamdard. She's been riding Cosmic for seven months and is impressed by its mileage, 75 kmpl in average. "It's very economical," she says, "plus I like its design and body."
Anita loves the feel of speed and dislikes irksome male riders who try to ride her into the gutter and call names. "If guys think they are the only ones who can ride, I challenge them any day," she says infuriated. Anita is careful about maintaining her bike and checks the oil and engine often. "You can tell if your engine is ok by the way it sounds," she says."I'm proud of riding a bike partly manufactured and assembled in my country," says Anita Wagle who works at Hamdard. She's been riding Cosmic for seven months and is impressed by its mileage, 75 kmpl in average. "It's very economical," she says, "plus I like its design and body."
Anita loves the feel of speed and dislikes irksome male riders who try to ride her into the gutter and call names. "If guys think they are the only ones who can ride, I challenge them any day," she says infuriated. Anita is careful about maintaining her bike and checks the oil and engine often. "You can tell if your engine is ok by the way it sounds," she says.
Cosmic Yingang
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled
Displacement: 97 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 160 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ltr
Mileage: 60 kmpl
Price: Rs 75,000
Special features: SS technology with auto clutch in addition to a fuel saving device, mobile phone indicator and digital clock in speedometer
Dealer says:
"It's made in Nepal and people have patriotic sentiments attached to this bike. It's reasonably priced and has attractive features. Spare parts are easily available too. In one year, we've sold about 500 in Kathmandu."
Adhir Kumar Shrestha, Cosmic Yingang
Anna Lifan
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled
Displacement: 97 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Minimum ground clearance: 133 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ltr
Mileage: 55 kmpl
"I'm proud of riding a bike partly manufactured and assembled in my country," says Anita Wagle who works at Hamdard. She's been riding Cosmic for seven months and is impressed by its mileage, 75 kmpl in average. "It's very economical," she says, "plus I like its design and body."
Anita loves the feel of speed and dislikes irksome male riders who try to ride her into the gutter and call names. "If guys think they are the only ones who can ride, I challenge them any day," she says infuriated. Anita is careful about maintaining her bike and checks the oil and engine often. "You can tell if your engine is ok by the way it sounds," she says.
Cosmic Yingang
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled
Displacement: 97 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 160 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ltr
Mileage: 60 kmpl
Price: Rs 75,000
Special features: SS technology with auto clutch in addition to a fuel saving device, mobile phone indicator and digital clock in speedometer
Dealer says:
"It's made in Nepal and people have patriotic sentiments attached to this bike. It's reasonably priced and has attractive features. Spare parts are easily available too. In one year, we've sold about 500 in Kathmandu."
Adhir Kumar Shrestha, Cosmic Yingang
Anna Lifan
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, air cooled
Displacement: 97 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Minimum ground clearance: 133 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ltr
Mileage: 55 kmpl
Price: Rs 66,670
Special features: Shock absorbers designed for roads in Kathmandu, mobile indicator
Dealer says:
"We've been selling Chinese Lifan bikes for two years. But now, we have our own Nepali model, assembled in Kathmandu. Anna Lifan was launched three months ago, we've sold 60 bikes already. In the Nepali Lifan, shock absorbers and carburettors are designed so as to assure smooth rides and great mileage. Besides, it's affordable."
Prem Lama, Annapurna Lifan Company
Wave 
Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder
Displacement: 109.9 cc
Ignition: Self and kick
Ground clearance: 145 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 5 ltr
Mileage: 47-48 kmpl
Price: Rs 99,900
Special features: DTS-i engine with ExhausTEC for optimum engine performance, i-CVT transmission, lightweight and low turning radius
Dealer says:
"Wave is the first scooter to use technology like twin spark DTS-i and CVT transmission. It also has the shortest wheelbase of 1,225 mm. Only eight days have gone since we launched it and we've already sole 44 Waves. We've worked on every small thing since we are bringing a scooter after two years and the response has been overwhelming."
Radheshyam Lamsal, Bajaj Company
Bajaj Company is also giving a Samsung DVD player (DJ 550) worth Rs 27,000 with each Wave scooter as a token of appreciation during its initial phase. They also have a five-year free servicing offer and exchange opportunity for first-hand Saffire users.
Tips for riders
• Avoid extra weight. Overloading your scooter reduces fuel efficiency. Around 170 kg maximum weight including rider, pillion rider, cargo and all accessories is ok.
• Do not use petrol that contains more than 10 percent ethanol.
• If 'spark knock' occurs at a steady engine speed, change petrol brand.
• If your scooter coughs or wheezes, check your fuel. It may contain water.
• Read the Owner's Manual, which comes with your scooter, carefully. Knowing safety measures will always come in handy.