2014 Honda Forza Scooter Gets CARB Approval

The Honda NSS300 Forza scooter has received approval from the California Air Resources Board. The 279cc scooter was first announced at the 2012 EICMA show for the European market and Canada, and it looks like it will be available for sale in the U.S. The Forza still needs to get a certificate of conformity from the Environmental Protection Agency, but that should not be difficult after getting the O.K. from CARB.

The Forza is powered by a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 279cc single-cylinder engine based on the engine used in the SH300i. According to Honda, the Forza’s engine produces 25.5 hp at 7500 rpm and 19.2 ft-lb. at 5000 rpm. Honda also claims fuel economy of 72.4 mpg which, with a 3.06-gallon fuel tank, should translate to a range of about 222 miles between fill-ups.

The chassis consists of a steel underbone frame with a lower floating link for the engine mount to improve rigidity balance and reduce vibrations. The Forza has a tw0-level seat with separate fold-out footpegs for passengers. The rider’s seat is positioned at a fairly low 28.2 inches above the ground and lifts up to reveal a compartment Honda claims will hold two full-faced helmets.

Up front, the Forza sports a 14-inch cast aluminum wheel with a 120/70 tire while the 13-inch rear wheel is also aluminum butis wrapped in a 140/70 tire. Twin rear shocks and a 35mm telescopic fork performs suspension duties while braking is handled by Honda’s combined braking system, though combined ABS is also available as an option in other markets. We’ll know more about ABS availability and pricing when American Honda officially announces details.

[Source: CARB]

By Dennis Chung