This Chinese Maxi-Scooter Wants To Take On Honda And Yamaha, But There's A CatchThe ARIIC 318GT-S has impressive specs and plenty of touring tech. Now we'd like to see more of the actual scooter.It's pretty easy to dismiss unfamiliar Chinese motorcycles as cheap knockoffs of something already on the market. And when a company you've probably never heard of rolls out a maxi-scooter resembling a Honda Forza or Yamaha XMax, the temptation is to do exactly that. But every once in a while, something deserves a closer look. The new ARIIC 318GT-S might just be one of those machines. Assuming, of course, it lives up to the marketing material.The 318GT-S is an upgraded version of the 318GT, ARIIC's midsize touring scooter. And while the name sounds like somebody mashed together a random collection of letters, there's actually an established manufacturer behind it.ARIIC was established in 2015 by Jinlang Science and Technology, a Chinese manufacturer whose roots go back to 1998. Jinlang spent years building scooter and ATV engines before expanding into complete motorcycles. The company lists annual production capacities of 800,000 engines and 300,000 motorcycles, so it's hardly a newcomer to manufacturing.This Chinese Maxi-Scooter Wants To Take On Honda And Yamaha, But There's A CatchThe 318GT-S replaces the existing 318GT's 330cc engine with a larger 369cc liquid-cooled single featuring dual balancer shafts. Claimed output climbs to approximately 33.5 horsepower and 28.2 pound-feet of torque, representing substantial gains over the original. ARIIC says the improvements should make highway cruising smoother and overtaking easier.And here's where things get interesting. Europe's maxi-scooter market is packed with established options, particularly the Honda Forza 350 and Yamaha XMax 300. The Honda produces approximately 29 horsepower, while the Yamaha makes around 27 horsepower. That puts the ARIIC ahead in claimed peak output, although actual performance and refinement remain entirely different questions.The equipment list is impressive, too. There's an electrically adjustable windscreen, heated grips, twin air-spring rear shocks, ABS, traction control, and a TFT display with connectivity. Front and rear cameras are included, along with a system that displays the corresponding side view when the turn signals are activated. That's something we've come to see in many modern cars, and quite frankly, I find it pretty annoying. I can only imagine how much more annoying this will be on two wheels.Coming To A Dealership Near YouTriumph Introduces the Most Accessible Bonneville Ever. And A Menacing SiblingKTM 450 Rally Replica Hits US Dealerships for the First Time in HistoryThis Chinese Maxi-Scooter Wants To Take On Honda And Yamaha, But There's A CatchThis Chinese Maxi-Scooter Wants To Take On Honda And Yamaha, But There's A CatchPhotos by: ARIICBut there's something worth pointing out. Despite the launch announcement, there's surprisingly little clear photography of the actual 318GT-S circulating online. Much of the promotional imagery consists of low-resolution renderings and digitally enhanced visuals. That doesn't mean the scooter isn't real, especially since its predecessor is already sold internationally. But it does make objectively drawing first impressions the new model rather difficult.That said, like most Chinese offerings, value is the 318GT-S' strongest play. In China, the it launched at 25,980 yuan, or approximately $3,650. That's an attractive domestic price, although European pricing and availability remain unconfirmed.Ultimately, the 318GT-S has the specs to compete with established Japanese maxi-scooters, at least on paper. But impressive numbers are one thing. Proven refinement, durability, and real-world performance are another. Until more production examples and independent reviews surface, there's good reason to approach ARIIC's ambitious claims with cautious optimism.Source: Mega China Motor, ARIIC