uncc
New Puppy Dawg
Posts: 1
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Post by uncc on Jan 28, 2012 19:58:45 GMT -5
Looking to get my first scooter (I’ve kept my motorcycle license current for over 20 years—now I know why); thinking of a used SYM GTS 250 or Kymco Xciting 250 (or maybe a Honda Reflex). Was wondering if anyone has input or comparisons regarding 1)miles-per-gallon 2)storage capability 3)comfort 4)durability 5)miscellaneous. (I intend to use it to commute 15 miles one way to work on city back roads, and sometimes for scenic tours to get away from the city.) Thank you!
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Post by leo on Jan 28, 2012 20:44:10 GMT -5
if you get a chinese scoot be prepared to work on it and know where to get parts.
other than that i hope the wind is always at your back.
last i checked (about 2 years ago) i was getting 52 MPG.
i've changed rollers, belt, and variator since then.
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Post by chaz12 on Jan 28, 2012 21:07:18 GMT -5
I am for the Kymco.. But not the Xciting 250.. For a few hundred more, you can get a Kymco Downtown 300i which is a 298cc engine. Does 94 mph.. It is alot better and looks simular to the Xciting if not exactly the samething.
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Post by algears on Jan 29, 2012 7:53:36 GMT -5
Admitting my bias, I love my Reflex. Gets about 69 mpg, can go over 70 mph (2 up), has great headlights, is very comfortable, and has a large storage space under seat as well as a small glove box up front. No issues other than normal maintenance about every 4000 miles. And it starts up easily in sub freezing temps. Still going strong at 17,000 plus miles.
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Post by Globs on Jan 29, 2012 9:20:14 GMT -5
if you get a chinese scoot be prepared to work on it I agree, but SYM and Kymco are Taiwanese and top quality  . In fact they used to be the same company. I'm biased to the GTS250, I expect it has the 263cc engine so it's the same as the GTS300 I've just ordered. In that case it has the same engine as the Citycom 300i which kiwiscoot was getting around 80mpg from (imperial gallons). I'd advise you see them both in the metal - and then decide. I can't say what the Kymco is like but it's a respected make, the SYM is awesome. |
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Post by humanbeing on Jan 29, 2012 14:51:59 GMT -5
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Post by Globs on Jan 29, 2012 15:08:51 GMT -5
The word on the street is that they started as one: www.scooterdynasty.com/kymco.aspxWhich would help explain why they are such rivals today. A SYM dealer told me of was the heads of Kymco and SYM that had a falling out and started the respective companies. Either way the standard of Taiwanese manufacture is top notch these days. Note however that some of the 50cc models from SYM are made in China now. As my local SYM dealer got burnt with Peugeot stuff that was made in China they won't stock the models that are made there. The main issue with Japan these days (as a sidenote) is that the Yen is very very strong - meaning they are very pricey, and to compete they are now having to use cheaper stuff. A T-Max here for instance retails just under £9k, which is about twice what the new Maxsym 400i comes in at. |
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Post by tinstar on Jan 29, 2012 16:24:02 GMT -5
I LOVE my SYM RV250 (same as GTS250)...great gas mileage, gets up off the line very good, runs up to 65 mph with plenty left in the throttle, ceramic coated cylinder to give engine longer life, never over heats, lots of room under the seat along with a couple of storage areas up front, fantastic lights, brakes that stop you without fail, good bells and whistles, a good looking bike, nice fit and finish, comfortable to ride and easy to get around, good paint, and worth every penny. I can't say enough good about it. Regular maintenance, hit the start button, twist the throttle, and go.
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Post by Kiwiscoot on Jan 29, 2012 21:14:56 GMT -5
Globs good of you to go for the SYM 300GTS. Your experience should be like mine. They are just awesome scoots. I did a 720km trip on Saturday and with 41 000kms on it now it just seems to run better and better. Check out the last 3 fill ups of mine on Fuelly and that was at 70mph on the clock all the way. Our roads here are pretty twisty and with lots of hills and mountains. approx 31km/l - 87UKMPG - 72USMPG - insane! and I had wind on the way too. I did hold her at 110kph steady and resisted overtaking everything in my way.  Resisted temptation. |
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Post by bigphillip79 on Jan 29, 2012 22:40:57 GMT -5
Also look into a Helix. THey are bullet proof , reliable and ultra comfy. I weigh 330 and have no problem staying at about 75mph all day on it. I got about 55 mpg with it. Some one lighter should get more. They were made up to 2007 and should be able to find a low mileage unit for under $2500. They don't have modern looks but you can't go wrong with them.
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Post by roboscoot on Jan 30, 2012 19:58:36 GMT -5
diddo chaz......
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Post by tromper on Feb 12, 2012 23:58:49 GMT -5
Having looked both over (and owning a SYM) overall I think either is a good choice. SYM's ceramic coating makes for some nifty tech; however in the U.S. SYM is struggling for dealers. This means that you can get parts etc, but they're fewer & further between than you may want. My personal experience with SYM was that my dealer was a dweeb, but so far no need for anything warranteeish, so it wasn't a big deal. The current SYM dealer around here is new to them, but is a business with an OK reputation.
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Post by Kiwiscoot on Feb 13, 2012 2:32:12 GMT -5
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Post by jwalz1 on Feb 24, 2012 14:25:54 GMT -5
showroom.auction123.com/got_gear_motorsports/inventory/9012/2008/SYM/RFGBS1TD68SLM0600.htmlThe price says $3,700 but they told me they would take $3500 over the phone if this is in your driving distance for pickup (or within cheap delivery range) New old stock 08 with 2 year warranty. Still several new 08's and 09's around the country for $3500 but none anywhere near me.  I have a couple cheap Xcitings for sale near me, one a bargain used model and antoher brand new for $3500, but I'd agree with what was said before, it would be worth it to pay the extra for a new Downtown. That would be my ideal but I don't want to spend $6k on my first one. The Xcitings are also 400 pound 250's where the Sym is about 40-50 pounds lighter with a tad more power.
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Post by happyoldscoot on Feb 24, 2012 17:58:45 GMT -5
Two years ago, I went through the same existential agony of choice, and I finally settled on the SYM; but it was a close one. What settled me on the SYM was superior lighting (I do a lot of commuting in the dark), cavernous storage space, and the ceramic coating in the cylinder heads.. Also, I sat on both and found the SYM fit me a little better.
So far I have over 12,000 mil;es on the SYM, mostly commuting, and ZERO problems. It has plenty of power for the super-slab and is comfortable on longer rides.
For me, it was the right choice. Friends who ride KYMCO's have had similar experiences to mine, so it probably boils down to "You say 'to-MAY-to'" and I say "to-MAH-to'". Ther both just as red and taste pretty much the same.
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Post by Globs on Feb 24, 2012 18:32:31 GMT -5
I'm not sure how much difference the ceramic on the SYMs makes, but I do know that the lighting is awesome, throwing an excellent beam forward. The GTS LED string at the front is pretty good too, makes you very visible.
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Post by officeboss54 on Oct 1, 2012 9:56:48 GMT -5
For a year now, i have own a SYM 250RV and an Xciting 250. Both 2009. I rotate riding them about every other week. For city and some relatively short highway riding, the SYM is the best. It has a more sporty feel. It will however surpass the Xciting as far as top speed. I am not saying the SYM is bad on the highway.
The Xciting with it's slightly larger body and larger tires...especailly wideth...give it a better highway feel and a little more stability. I fell safer, especially 2-up on the highway with the Xciting. But I redline 2-up or not, at 65MPG...which i do not like at all. I have plans to replace the variator with a racing one that is suppose to increace MPG and top speed. MPG Sym is about 58. Xciting ...I have been getting 69.... almost all city on both ...20% of the time, 2-up. My wife and I together weigh about 410.
Tires last longer on the Xciting.
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Post by frigginjoe on Oct 3, 2012 13:06:47 GMT -5
These are both damned good bikes.
I know it was a while back, but I'm not sure why Chinese scooters were brought up, as Kymco and SYM are not Chinese scooters.
Kymco probably has better dealer support, but SYM's well enough in that regard.
The wide tires and weight of the XCiting makes it a very comfortable highway ride, even though it's not the speediest.
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Post by rockynv on Oct 3, 2012 21:34:04 GMT -5
I know I must sound like a broken record but do not forget about the Italian Aprilia Sport City 250. They are still currently available new for $2,999 and mine hits 90+ mph (GPS). When ridden with a reasonable hand on the throttle they get 75 to 80 mpg at speeds below 65 mph.
The lighting is what got me on the Sport City as to me they are brighter than on my cage. I will regularly drop off a motor home on campsites on the other side of the state and end up riding the Sport City home on the interstate after midnight traversing dark country backroads to get to the highway.
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Resisted temptation.
