Retro scooters are no longer niche products.
Buyers today want classic styling without sacrificing modern conveniences, reliability and daily usability.
After spending time with the Royal Alloy Gran Turismo (GT)160S, I can see exactly why Royal Alloy believes it has found that sweet spot.
The first thing that struck me was the design.
At a glance, I could easily have mistaken the GT160S for a scooter that had rolled straight out of the 1960s.
The sharp-edged bodywork, exposed front suspension layout and metal-bodied aesthetic pay obvious tribute to classic Lambretta scooters.
Unlike many retro-inspired scooters I have tested over the years that merely borrow styling cues, I found the GT160S fully committed to the heritage theme.
Meanwhile, at night, the GT160S comes to life. The illuminated front grille and backlit Royal Alloy badge simply look fabulous.
Every time I rode the scooter after dark, it attracted attention and drew plenty of second glances from other road users.
The backlit switches are genuinely useful, making it easier to locate the controls without taking my eyes off the road for too long.
The GT160S looks absolutely fantastic at night and arguably more striking than it does during the day.
Yet when I looked beyond the vintage styling, I discovered a thoroughly modern scooter underneath.
I had keyless ignition, a TFT display, ABS, traction control, LED lighting and a liquid-cooled 158cc four-valve engine at my disposal.
Around town, I found the GT160S delivered more than enough performance for daily commuting.
The engine responded eagerly when I pulled away from traffic lights and I never felt short of acceleration when filtering through city traffic or making quick overtakes.
I particularly noticed how the torque arrives relatively early in the rev range.
That helped the scooter feel responsive in everyday riding without constantly needing to chase maximum revs.
It is not a performance scooter and I never expected it to be, but at no point did I feel it was underpowered for its intended role.
Taking the GT160S onto the highway revealed another side of its character.
During my ride from Kuala Lumpur towards Genting Highlands, I found it comfortably capable of maintaining typical cruising speeds expected of a 160cc scooter.
What surprised me most was its stability. Despite its retro looks, the GT160S felt planted and reassuringly secure on the Karak Highway.
Crosswinds that often unsettle lighter scooters had far less effect here, and I found myself appreciating the scooter's weight rather than viewing it as a disadvantage.
The climb to Genting Highlands remains one of my favourite real-world tests for smaller-capacity motorcycles and scooters.
On the ascent, I found the GT160S coped better than its classic appearance might suggest.
The liquid-cooled engine maintained consistent performance throughout the climb, and I felt confident tipping the scooter into Genting's tighter corners thanks to its balanced chassis and approachable seat height.
That said, I did notice the limitations when I attempted more ambitious uphill overtakes.
The engine has enough performance for recreational touring and weekend rides, but I would advise buyers to keep their expectations realistic.
If you are expecting the effortless thrust of a larger maxi-scooter, you may find yourself wanting more.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the suspension.
Royal Alloy has fitted double hydraulic front shocks and dual rear shock absorbers, and from the moment I encountered the first rough urban roads, I could tell the setup had been carefully matched to the scooter's intended purpose.
Around town, I found it absorbed bumps, expansion joints and imperfect road surfaces with impressive composure.
Even at higher speeds, I never felt the chassis become unsettled or nervous.
The 12-inch wheels inevitably mean I could still feel sharp-edged potholes more than I would on a larger-wheeled scooter, but overall I came away impressed by the comfort levels.
During my time with the GT160S, I found the brakes easy to modulate and unintimidating.
Rather than delivering an aggressive initial bite, they offered a progressive feel that I think many riders will appreciate, particularly those moving up from smaller scooters.
I was also pleased to see both ABS and traction control included as standard.
Features like these are still not guaranteed in this price category, and during wet-weather commuting I appreciated the additional safety net they provide.
After spending time with the Royal Alloy GT160S, I believe its greatest strength is that it offers more than just nostalgia.
While the styling will undoubtedly be the reason many buyers walk into a showroom, I found a genuinely capable modern scooter beneath the retro bodywork.
SPECIFICATIONS
Royal Alloy Gran Turismo 160S
Engine: 158cc, single-cylinder, four-valves, water-cooled
Power/Torque: 16hp at 8,500rpm/ 13.5Nm at 5,500rpm
Front Suspension: double hydraulic preload front shock absorbers
Rear Suspension: dual rear shock absorbers
Front Braking System: Hydraulic disc brakes, ABS
Rear Braking System: Hydraulic disc brakes, ABS
Fuel Capacity: 9 litres
Wet Weight: 152kg
Price: RM12,800 (without registration, road tax and insurance)
