Wolf Brand Scooters brings its Jet Classic II forward into the 2018 model year as the big brother to the 50 cc Wolf Jet Classic. It sports the same retro-tastic look as its smaller-displacement sibling, but packs away a 150 cc plant that drives it to speeds up to 56 mph. Unique looks and generous chrome touches give the Jet II an attitude that you just don't see very often on rides of the scooter persuasion, but one that I find appealing all the same. Let's take a look at this little import and see how it stacks up against the competition.

See my review of the Wolf Jet Classic II.

Design

Wolf Brand Scooters, based in Clearwater, Florida, imports products from Chinese manufacturer ZNEN Motor, and folks familiar with the brand will recognize the Jet II as a rebranded Aurora-4. No matter what you call it, this is one charming little ride. A wide, sculpted fender houses the front wheel with lines that tie in visually with the rear end for a nice continuity of design. The fairing/legguard area is kept from being too stark by the V-shaped, chrome accent and recessed turn signals, and that is just the beginning of the bling.

The shiny stuff continues onto the headlight can, handlebars and mirrors before spilling out onto the sissy bar, luggage rack, taillight and rear fender trim. Though the rear of the body cover carries the typical, wasp-like flylines, it lacks the usual side-bulges and so has a look that is paradoxically both sleeker and beefier at the same time. The full step-through leaves the rider with the maximum foot room for mounting purposes and even though there is a tunnel that protrudes slightly into the space, it's probably not enough to interfere with the 'tween-feet storage area.

A pair of chromed J.C. handles flank the p-pad with the luggage rack and taillight-plateholder-turn signal assembly to finish it off. Maybe it's just me, but the black seat and pad with the backrest and all the chrome leaves this ride with an American-cruiser vibe and it's a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous Italian and Asian styles.

Chassis

A proper underframe supports the structure rather than relying on the old monocoque method that uses the skin as a stressed member. Similar to some of Piaggio's products, the Classic has a landing gear-style front suspension system that uses a trailing link and shock absorbers to articulate the front wheel and deliver a comfortable ride.

Out back, the usual swing-mount arrangement uses the engine and transmission as stressed members to replace the swingarm with a shock absorber on damping-and-support duties. True to classic scooter design, the Jet II rolls on a set of 10-inch donuts, and while the front end benefits from a modern hydraulic disc, the drum brake out back is a true relic that somehow just will not die or retire to the history books. No ABS, combined brakes or other fandanglery, just honest anchors.

The factory is tight-lipped on the steering geometry, but the bottom line is: with 10-inch hoops on a 49-inch wheelbase, it handles like a scooter; not like one of these motorcycle-like scoots on the market now. Seat height puts the rider's fifth point of contact at 29.7 inches off the ground, so it should be easily handled by all but the very shortest riders. Tippy-toeing a scooter isn't nearly as problematic as tippy-toeing a full-size motorcycle, so I'm fairly care-free on the Jet II.

Drivetrain

An air-cooled plant drives the Jet Classic II with 9.3 horsepower and 7 pound-feet of torque on tap. Actual displacement measures out at 149.6 cc, and riders can expect something around 56 mph depending on grade, tailwinds and how much they had for lunch. That's fast enough for highway work, but just barely and not really for any distance. Interstate riding is completely out of a question, but if you're looking for simple transportation for leisure activities or a campus commuter, it's plenty fast enough and more. Also, you can look forward to something upwards of 75 mpg, depending on riding style, and again, lunch size, so the 1.3-gallon fuel tank will last longer than you will want to ride at a spell anyway.

Pricing

Looks like you can score a Jet Classic II in black or white with black bench seat and backrest pad for $1,599. Individual results may vary due to destination charges and setup fees.

Competitors

Lance Powersports imports a similar model in the Cali Classic 125. This model comes from SYM, and will have a similar fit and finish quality; which is somewhere in mid-grade territory as compared to the European and Japanese standards. Not trying to be mean, just trying to be fair, and at this pricing point you get what you pay for.

The Cali sports a similar look with an abundance of chrome on the exposed handlebar, instruments and headlight can. Out back, a chrome J.C. handle serves as the Cali's only passenger-retention device, so it falls well short of the Jet's sissy bar in that department. The rest of the Cali is clean with a few chrome accents and a classic wasp-tail rear end. It also sports a full step-through with a flat deck all the way across and J.C. tunnel to break it up.

Lance runs with motorcycle-style, telescopic stems instead of going the aircraft landing-gear route as on the front of the Jet. The Cali sports a disc/drum, just like the Jet, so no advantage to be had here. It surrenders some cubes as well, with only 124.6 cc tucked away in its air-cooled thumper, but it still manages 8.38 horsepower and 6.14 pound-feet of torque no 9.3/7 from the Jet, and it claims a top speed of 59 mph. Definite advantage to the Cali in the engine department. You will pay for that edge at the till; Lance asks $1,999 for a 2018 Cali Classic 125, and the four-bill difference may be a deal breaker for someone on a dead-tight budget. Otherwise, I think the Cali should be on your short list of test rides before you make a decision.

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My husband and fellow motorcycle writer, TJ Hinton, says, “It's really interesting how they manage to capture so much cruiser vibe with just a set of buckhorns and a little chrome. Ditch the handlebar fairing and let everything hang out. You can pencil me in as a fan of the look, for sure. Engine and top speed is too small and slow for my liking, but I can see it as being good, economical transportation around a college town or on campus.”

He Said

“Is it going to be on the same level as a Vespa? Of course not. You won't see that level of fit and finish at this price. So what do you get? It's a very economical scooter. It gives the idea of that cruiser look whereas most other scooters look either very vintage/retro or sportbike-like with angular lines and a fierce entry. The Jet Classic II might be a fit for folks on a budget looking for around-town transportation. Brakes are a little less responsive than I'd like, but then it isn't meant to go very fast, so keep it off the highway and at or under the speed limit and it should be fine.”

Specifications

References

See our review of the Lance Cali Classic.