Live at EICMA Piaggio has presented the hybrid USB “scooter”. USB in fact stands for Urban Sport Bike, a concept designed by Marco Lambri at Piaggio’s Pontedera Style Centre. The Piaggio USB is another step in the company’s exploration of urban motoring, and attempts to combine ecology with fun and safety in an innovative design.

Piaggio has its roots in scootering innovation, from the Vespa to the latest MP3 Hybrid and this prototype is another development on that hybrid technology. The Piaggio USB combines scooter, motorcycle and automobile technology, in an unusual design form with snug seating for the rider in an almost F1 maxi-scooter mix.

The Piaggio USB is equipped with a thermal two-stroke GDI motor and a rear wheel electric machine. It can run off either hybrid or full electric mode and has plug-in option for zero emissions riding too. Full details after the jump, and more Piaggio USB pics in the gallery.

Piaggio USB hybrid prototype

Continue reading: Piaggio USB hybrid concept at EICMA

The Yamaha T-Max is turning ten and Yamaha has created a T-Max 500 White for 2010 to honour the occasion. The maxi-scooter was a revolution for touring scooters in the two-wheel world, combining a mix of technology and comfort that seemed to be just the right balance in the market.

While large and comfortable, it also has enough agility and manoeuvrability to be classified as a scooter, appealing to the European scootering public in particular. The T-Max 500 White Max 2010 includes the following features:

* TMAX WHITE MAX, 10th anniversary edition
* Great midrange, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder 499cc engine
* Light, easy-handling die-cast aluminium chassis
* Large 15inch wheels for great stability
* Double front disc brakes with 4-piston callipers
* Luxurious finishes for extra comfort and style
* Sporty yet comfortable suspension

Yamaha T-Max 500 White Max 2010

Continue reading: 2010 Yamaha T-Max in white

This is Oberdan Bezzi’s vision of the new BMW maxi-scooter, the SCT 800 Superscooter. The sccoter has a twin cylinder, four valve engine of about 800cc, with power at nearly 70hp.

The scooter shows the tipical BMW attention to detail in the suspension with a front Telelever and rear shcok absorber placed under the engine at the back. The wheels measure 16 inches, the brakes are double disc at the front and single disc at the rear, both with ABS and a semi-automatic transmission.

The BMW scooter includes a GPS unit, showing that the company is serious about producing the most sophisticated scooters at the top end of the market, but with a sporty style.

Continue reading: BMW SCT 800 Superscooter design

This is a video of the elegant Honda SW-T400, updated in 2009 with a new look and new performance which makes this a must-have maxi-scooter in terms of comfort and style. The name “Silver Wing” gives you some idea of what Honda is trying to achieve - like the Top Gun version of scooters.

Continue reading: Video Honda SW-T400

Gilera has also produced a prototype for the Eicma show in the form of a concept scooter. It’s a new Gilera GP 850 Corsa which takes the engine and the GP 800 road chassis of the maxi-scooter, while other elements have been borrowed from the supersports road version.

The GP 850 Corsa has an upside-down fork and rear Ohlins suspension, a double side mounted crome exhaust and radial Brembo calipers which are the same as the Aprilia Tuono models.

The tail is more tapered than the previous GP 800, and has vertically placed lights in the place of the production series horizontal ones. The front is also new and currently has no headlight, but is characterised by a generous air intake modelled on that of the Aprilia RSV.

Continue reading: Eicma 2008: Gilera GP850 Corsa maxi-scooter concept