Keeway Vieste 300 vs QJMotor Fort 350: Photo Comparison

Which of these two maxi-scooters has more of the wow factor? Let’s find out in these images

The past year has borne witness to the rising popularity of the maxi-scooter segment in India. Keeway recently threw their hat into this pool with the Vieste 300. While Keeway is a Hungarian brand, it is owned by a Chinese manufacturer named QJMotor. Well, QJMotor too recently unveiled a sub-400cc maxi-scooter called the Fort 350. So let’s take a look at how these two compare in pictures.

The Keeway Vieste is a proper maxi-scooter thanks to its aggressive styling and dimensions. Its sleek aerodynamic design and muscular bodywork gives the scooter a proper premium appeal. 

The QJ Fort 350 on the other hand has a very aggressive looking fascia coupled with boomerang shaped integrated indicators, which absolutely nails the futuristic theme. Also featuring a large windscreen, this scooter looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.

The Vieste 300 is powered by a 278cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 18.7 PS and 22 Nm, making it the most powerful scooter in the sub-300cc segment in India. On the other hand, the Fort 350 draws power from a 350cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine developing 34.3 PS and 35.2 Nm. The output figures make the Fort 350 a direct rival to the BMW C 400 GT and Honda Forza 350.

The Vieste 300 has an analog-digital instrument console that looks like it's borrowed from a car. This console is equipped with an ambient temperature gauge, tripmeter, fuel gauge, engine temperature gauge and maintenance indicator. It also comes with a keyless fob.

On the other hand, the Fort 350 gets a 7-inch TFT display with Bluetooth for smartphone connectivity. It also features a tyre pressure monitoring system, navigation, phone call and messages alerts, music control and ambient temperature gauge. While this scooter is also keyless, as ignition is taken care of by a NFC card, the lack of electronic aids like traction control is disappointing. 

Underpinnings of the Vieste 300 include a telescopic fork and a single rear shock absorber, while it is anchored by front and rear disc brakes equipped with dual-channel ABS. The 147 kg Hungarian maxi-scooter sits on 13-inch wheels, wrapped with 110/70 and 130/70 tyres. 

The Fort 350 is equipped with a similar suspension setup as the Vieste 300, and braking duties are shared by a double disc setup at the front coupled with a single disc at the rear, which is equipped with dual-channel ABS. This 195 kg behemoth comes equipped with a 15-inch wheel at the front and 14-inch wheel at the rear, wrapped in premium Pirelli rubber. 

The Vieste 300 is available in three colours - blue, black, and white, which are priced at Rs 2.99 lakh, Rs 3.10 lakh and Rs 3.20 lakh respectively (all prices ex-showroom India). While it does not have a direct competitor, it slots right between the Yamaha Aerox 155, Aprilia SXR 160 and the much more expensive BMW C 400 GT.

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The Fort 350 is priced at 35,000 yuan, or Rs 4.03 lakh. This translates to good value for money when compared to its German counterpart, the C 400 GT, which is priced at 75,000 yuan, or 8.62 lakh in China. Unfortunately this scooter is unlikely to find its way to our shores anytime soon.