Baotian Manila CG - Specifications & Review

Company History

Baotian became a familiar badge across Europe’s cities in the 2000s, shipping vast numbers of 50–125cc scooters that prioritized price and simplicity. The formula—air-cooled singles, CVT drivetrains, straightforward bodywork—suited students and commuters who needed dependable, inexpensive mobility. As distributors matured, Baotian improved baseline quality with better wiring looms, EFI introductions where required, and plastics that held up to daily abuse. The brand’s success hinged on local partners who stocked spares, trained mechanics, and honored warranties; where that support existed, ownership proved smooth and economical. Critics often compared early models unfavorably to Japanese or Taiwanese rivals; over time, the gap narrowed enough that for many buyers the arithmetic favored a new, warrantied Baotian over a tired used scooter. Historically, Baotian demonstrates how volume and modular manufacturing can meet urban mobility at scale. The scooters may not inspire posters on bedroom walls, but they move cities—quietly, cheaply, and with surprising durability when maintained. For countless riders, a Baotian was the first taste of independence: a set of keys, a top box, and the knowledge that the whole city was now within reach.