KASEA | 1989-2006 | USA
Steve Leighty founded Kasea Motorsports in 1989. His original idea was to import affordable, quality-built, street-legal scooters from China into the US, enabling enthusiasts to own and ride them at a lower cost. He described himself as the first to design and import motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, dune buggies, and scooters from China into the US. The company was founded with his brother Ken Leighty in Seattle, Washington, when the two brothers saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the youth ATV market. The name Kasea is an acronym for “Ken And Steven’s Excellent Adventure.” The company’s stated goal was to build high-quality, safe, and affordable street-legal all-terrain vehicles for youth and adults.
When Kasea scooters were introduced to the US market they attracted considerable attention, and Kasea became one of the most sought-after lines throughout the country. The company soon diversified into other motor vehicle categories including ATVs for both youth and adults, followed by motorcycles, dirt bikes, and buggies.
Kasea’s early product was the Mighty Mite kids’ quad. Over the following years the company built out a full lineup of youth models and branched into the entry-level sport quad market. With factories in mainland China and Korea, Kasea produced ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, and all-terrain karts. The company weathered criticism, supply-chain problems, and manufacturing anomalies over its history, working with ISO 9002-certified factories and maintaining constant communication with its assembly lines.
The Skyhawk Mini 50 became the introductory ATV in the range, aimed at younger and first-time riders, with safety features including a rear tether, wrist lanyard, and covered footrests. The Skyhawk 90 was powered by an 83cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine with automatic variable transmission, capable of 30 mph. The Skyhawk 170 used a 169cc single-cylinder four-stroke motor with a top speed of 45 mph. The Skyhawk 250 featured a 249cc two-cylinder four-stroke engine mated to a five-speed transmission.
The 2004 model year introduction, held at the Washougal Motocross Park in Washington state, showcased a lineup of seven ATVs, four buggies, three motorcycles, two scooters, and one shifter cart. Kasea also expanded into Europe, a market it entered around 2001, introducing both off-road versions and street-legal Skyhawk models after meeting EEC certification requirements including the addition of a horn, turn signals, updated plastics, fuel tank, and brakes.
Kasea was described in the industry as a pioneer in the youth ATV and scooter business, enjoying years of industry-leading business. During the peak period the company was selling over 30,000 vehicles per year.
After over 15 years of operation, Steve Leighty decided to retire Kasea and shift his focus to electric vehicles. Kasea officially ceased operations in 2006. Leighty, who had grown up in north Seattle and based his office there throughout the Kasea years, went on to work in the electric vehicle sector, drawing on his more than 25 years of experience designing and producing motor vehicles in China, Korea, and Taiwan.
