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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 3, 2012 18:18:59 GMT -5
Hi guys....new here
I got into scooters when I purchased my 2011 Honda PCX125 while I was living in Denver, CO. I recently moved back home to Baton Rouge, LA and brought my bike with me but I believe I want to sell it for a bigger bike. Living in metro Denver was no problem, but I have a 25 mile commute on my bike where I have to go 55mph regularly. I'm loosing a great deal amount of gas mileage and surely putting strain on the engine.
So I decided to sell it and get a bigger bike and I have brought my choices down to these.
-2013 Piaggio BV350
-2012 Vespa GTS300 Super
-2012 Yamaha Majesty400
-2012 Kymco People GT300i or Downtown 300i
Things that I really would like from my bike....
-Be able to go around 55-65 VERY comfortably
-Have a reasonably comfortable seat for myself and sometimes a passenger
-Be extremely reliable and have good support from company
I believe these bikes have the reliability, power, features, and comfort that I'm looking for in an everyday commuter but I would love some feedback from the forum on which one to get.
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Post by WarrenS on Jun 4, 2012 8:37:04 GMT -5
I don't have any first hand knowledge but they sound like very good choices. Since they are different brands I would check out the dealers in your area to see which scooter fits you the best and the quality of the dealership.
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Post by russ69 on Jun 4, 2012 12:39:29 GMT -5
I have or have owned a Burgman 650 and 400, and I also have a Kymco Downtown 300i. My first question would be, how tall are you? The Vespa fits shorter riders, the Kymco Downtown has a little different seating position and the Yamaha would have the best storage. Any of your picks are fine scooters.
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Post by ronlee on Jun 4, 2012 13:04:32 GMT -5
I have a Lihai 300 that I purchased from viper motor sports and can say I think it will do all you are asking a scooter to do and at a real fair price. Mine runs at a GPS 60 mph real easy, that is 68 on the scooter speedometer. Now it has a carb. not fuel injection so I suspect the fuel mileage is less then a fuel injected would be.
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 4, 2012 16:43:02 GMT -5
russ69 I'm a big guy at 6'1 and 220lbs....I have actually been around all the bikes except the BV and People. I found the Downtown seat extremely comfortable but the bike was really big. I would be worried that it would ride more of a motorcycle cruiser than a scooter. ronlee I did a fast search on the Lihai 300 but it didnt turn up anything useful...again it was very fast cause im at work ;P But im more of a scooter person than a motorcycle person, I don't discriminate though, we all ride on two(sometimes 3) wheels 
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Post by doomsday on Jun 4, 2012 19:06:42 GMT -5
I believe that was a typo. I think he was telling you to look up Linhai 300, not lihai 300.
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 4, 2012 19:56:57 GMT -5
They are cool lookin but I wouldn't trust any scooter that size for 3000 bucks.....also, all the online dealers have very bad reps. It is just too risky for my main form of transportation :/
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 4, 2012 20:29:35 GMT -5
They are cool lookin but I wouldn't trust any scooter that size for 3000 bucks.....also, all the online dealers have very bad reps. It is just too risky for my main form of transportation :/
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Post by mjhoward on Jun 4, 2012 21:38:16 GMT -5
I would personally get the KYMCO People. I've had two KYMCO's so far and have had zero problems with either. They're also more affordable than the others and VERY reliable. A lot of people don't realize that KYMCO actually made Honda engines for over 40 years and are currently making BMW engines. I also prefer the large 16" wheels the KYMCO has. They really provide more stability at higher speeds.
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Post by mjhoward on Jun 4, 2012 21:41:54 GMT -5
BTW, if you want support from the company, take the Piaggio immediately off your list. I know a guy that got in a VERY minor accident and only needed a few plastic pieces for his. It took 2 MONTHS just for his dealer to get a quote from Piaggio... no parts in hand at that point. He made sure they were on top of it by calling every other day too.
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Post by imagesinthewind on Jun 4, 2012 23:59:24 GMT -5
I like the
Kymco
Yamaha
Vespa
Pia
in that order.
I've actually sat on all these at the local scoot shop. I like the larger tires on the Kymco.
Doesn't feel like a motorcycle, but is nicely balanced like one.
The Yamaha was wide in the seat, and I have a 32in inseam, but it was too wide for me to hold it up stable.
Vespa is too small to be taken seriously at 65mph. Not heavy enough to defeat a good wind.
Good luck!
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 8:33:53 GMT -5
Kymco seems like the best way to go financially. If I could get the Honda or Vespa dealer to work on it I would be in business Until I move.....I'm sure Portland has good Kymco support :-o |
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Post by torque on Jun 5, 2012 8:51:11 GMT -5
I traded my Linhai 300 in on my Majesty. My reasons:
1-larger dealer network (I'm not much of a mechanic.)
2-The Majesty has been around a LONG time -- tried and true
3-LONG service intervals. 3k oil changes, 12k belt change, 26k valve adjustments. So low maintenance costs.
4-Top speed around 92mph -- cruises easily between 55+65
5-I'm 6'1" so the higher seat and increased legroom are a plus.
6-INCREDIBLE LIGHTING -- probably the brightest lighting of any bike I've seen -- TWO 55w headlights at ALL times. (hi beams may be 65w)
7-Large storage space -- 16gal if I remember correctly.
8-Manual calls for regular gasoline. No increased gas costs.
9-mpg runs between 50mpg and 62mpg depending upon conditions.
Good hunting. I couldn't be happier with my Majesty. Commute on it regularly.
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 9:20:22 GMT -5
Thanks torque....if I could get approved for the very expensive Majesty I will get it. Seems like a good long term choice bike with tride and true support from the many Yamaha dealers.
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Post by torque on Jun 5, 2012 10:05:12 GMT -5
Good prices can be found for used ones too. Given their track record, I wouldn't be afraid to buy used.
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 10:11:37 GMT -5
I wouldn't hold my breath for a used one around my area....I moved back to South Louisiana last from Denver, CO where I bought and used my current bike and scooters are virtually extinct where I live. Lots of Harleys and crusisers, some street bikes, but all the scooters are usually around the New Orleans area. They like their 50cc to scoot around the French Quarter  |
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Post by torque on Jun 5, 2012 10:15:21 GMT -5
KNow what you mean. I've been working in a new area -- scooters very rare here too.
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Post by hanilanzi on Jun 5, 2012 10:42:32 GMT -5
ronlee +1. I am 6'1" and 215lbs and have a Linhai Turista 300 also. i upgraded the clutch, variator weights, kevlar belt, air intake and exhaust. LOVE IT! mounted a GPS on it for speedometer purpose and can get to 72-75 mph, cruising at 60+ to work and back and I put $9.xx / week of gas in it, that's $40 / month which is better than $350/month in my Audi when i drive it to work and back in the winter. What a savings!
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Post by jwalz1 on Jun 5, 2012 11:01:56 GMT -5
I own a Downtown and love it. I think you can find a couple other bikes on your list used cheaper, not many used Downtowns out there. But if you don't mind spending the money and plan on keeping it a while, its a good buy. (hold out for at least $1k off sticker ;0 )
My buddy is getting a People 300 next week.
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 11:56:56 GMT -5
Just got rejected for a single financing application for the Yamaha Majesty.....oh well :/
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Post by torque on Jun 5, 2012 13:12:38 GMT -5
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 13:15:19 GMT -5
Its too bad.....I make good money at my job but I just got it a month ago. I'm to unpatiant to wait for another bike  |
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 13:29:47 GMT -5
too*
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Post by torque on Jun 5, 2012 17:40:58 GMT -5
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Post by karpata on Jun 5, 2012 18:20:46 GMT -5
Sorry about the Majesty. I have a preowned Kymco GrandVista and it is awesome. I used to live in the New Orleans area, the Piaggio folks there are good people, sometimes they have trade-ins. Anyway, good luck with your quest, a good pre-owned scoot can be a good value.
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Post by jwalz1 on Jun 5, 2012 18:29:47 GMT -5
Its too bad.....I make good money at my job but I just got it a month ago. I'm to unpatiant to wait for another bike Kymco offer their own financing so you may want to give them a shot. It would be a less expensive bike than the new Majesty too. |
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 18:40:19 GMT -5
thanks torque....I will see how things plan out
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 5, 2012 20:26:47 GMT -5
jwalz1 I love the design of Kymco scooters but im still not too sure about their quality and the lack of support around my area is also an issue :/
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Post by mjhoward on Jun 5, 2012 23:30:19 GMT -5
Kymco quality is top notch. Like I said, they made Honda engines for more than 40 yrs and out of all the manufacturers to choose from, in 2008 BMW chose KYMCO to make their engines. They've also been making scooters almost exclusively since 1970. I've had 2 Kymco scoots now, an Agility 125 and now the PS250 and I've never had to do a single thing to either other than change the oil (which drained looking like new oil).
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Post by joshuajohnson11108 on Jun 6, 2012 5:15:48 GMT -5
I definitely will try for a Kymco....see how the paperwork comes out |
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