Escape Module

Look, I don't mind admitting there's room in the Smith garage for a scooter. These days scooters bear little resemblance to the roundy pregnant looking things of old. There are sexy angles and fast looking shapes, coupled with race replica style headlights, proper comfy seats and more groovy colours than you'd find in a dance party.

The Bug Escape is just one of thousands from around the world finding its way into the hearts, minds and garages of urbanites Australia wide. They make sense, with traffic increasing and the time spent going nowhere increasing at the same rate, the ability to nip through the gridlock for a fraction of the costs and time is priceless.

Besides being practical for the day- to-day commute, they're fun to ride too. The Escape 90 has enough power delivered by the 83cc single cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke engine to make 90km/h on the freeway a reality. Press the electric starter and with a quick puff o' smoke that clears almost instantly, the little urban commando is ready for the morning skirmish or the cruise to the first espresso of the evening.

Once you settle into the deep and comfy seat it's twist and auto go. The power builds steadily rather than energetically, duck and dive, check the buzzy mirrors, crack the gaps and before you know it the thing's powering along the two lane at 85. At that speed the steering head has a weird oscillation backwards and forwards. Nothing scary as it all but disappears with a firm hand on the controls. Corners are dealt with flat to the stop as the fat and grippy looking tyres inspire grins and confidence in equal measure -unless.

Unless that is, there are any half way serious bumps that have to be dealt with. As the little 12" wheels hit the ridges the hydraulic forks struggle to absorb the shock and the energy finds its way back to the rider's hands with a clunk. Sound worrying? It's not really, at 85kg the Escape is light enough to hold on to and light enough to coerce into doing whatever you want it to. The unremarkable looking single shock at the back seems to cope without drama.

When it comes to pulling the Escape up the equipment looks good. Brakes are 190mm disc up front and 110mm drum at the rear. In reality it's the rear that gets to do most of the work as despite its looks the disc lacks a bit of bite.

Remember when I said a fraction of the cost? Running costs for the Escape are small. Time it right and filling the 5.5 litre tank will see change out of five bucks. A ten dollar bottle of two stroke oil would last for weeks. Mind you with all the flat out freeway work I was a bit disappointed when the fuel disappeared at the rate of a litre every 35 kays.

If you like the idea of owning a scooter then the Escape 90 is a good way to get into it. The equipment is a bit basic but it's everything you need and at $3699 plus on roads it's not expensive. Sure a 50cc would be cheaper but the extra power the added capacity delivers is very welcome. Details of dealers and other products including junior ATVs can be found at www.bugscooters.com or 0500 505 284.

What we liked:

Not so much:

By Rob Smith

TRANSMISSION:
Type: Automatic CVT.
Front suspension: Hydraulic telescopic fork.
Rear suspension: Single coil spring adjustable for preload.
Front brake: Single 190mm disc.
Rear brake: 110mm drum.

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES:
Claimed wet weight: 83kg.
Fuel capacity: 5.5 litres.
Average fuel consumption: 35km/lt.

PERFORMANCE:
Top speed 95kmh.

OTHER STUFF:
Price: $3699 plus on road costs.
Colours: Blue, Red, Black, Charcoal, Orange, Musk, Purple, Yellow.
Test bike supplied by Frankston Motorcycles.