Took Delivery of a Kymco GT300i Today!

[massscoot]

Hi All: Took delivery @ 9:00AM sharp this morning (that's when they open) The GT300i had 7 miles on her. I put on a total of 88 miles on her today. Just an FYI...I sold my Suzuki TU-250X here:

www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250X/2012/TU250X.aspx#Overview

It is a good retro 70's motorcycle, no question. My issue is that @ 19.3HP & small frame, the fun just whore-off within 2 years. I bought her for $3599.00 @ retail price three years ago (now the retail is $4099.00!) Not worth it now IMHO. It's super reliable & easy as hell to maintain, but the "fun factor" went away qucikly!

Ok...Before I owned the Suzuki, I owned a Kymco People S200 (air-cooled GY6 163cc that was carb.) that I purchased new in 2005. I loved it! Should have never have sold it! Anyway...The dealer took my TU-250X in trade for $2000.00 & I went ahead & purchased the Kymco GT300i.

I know another poster mentioned recently he purchased a Kymco Downtown 300i (same engine) but a completely different frame (much lower seat height) The DT isn't for me, as I'm 6'0 with a 32" inseam. As of the likes of a Honda Helix etc. My guess is if you're a tad shorter, then the DT 300i is more for you.

Considering...I only have 80+ miles, this will not be but a quick review.

Positives: Sheer power. At 28.7HP is insane! You feel it right away with it's tourge from the jump. Fit & finish is A+ Plastics meet each other perfectly. The instrument layout is simple & effective. As it's still not broken-in yet, I did take it on the highway @ 70+MPH fo a 6-7 minute cruise & it was great. I didn't feel like I had to "hang-on" as it's frame did a soild job. I do need a windshield next year (I live in New England, so scooter time is limited) The supplied rear-rack storage case (color coded to match my silverl) is not that bad. It can hold a decent amount & will take a half-faced helmet no problem.

Negatives: The brakes seemed a tad "soft" too me. I'm sure that can be fixed with a quick adjustment. Seat is too firm! Why can't Kymco make a seat that has some "play" to it? Maybe I'm a fat-ass, but I installed my "Airvent" scooter seat cushion & it makes things better. I would have liked a tad wider floorboard. I have size 12 feet & it would have been nice if I had an extra 1/2" in width. Length is fine. Again...This isn't a "deal-braker"

All-in-all, I'm happy. It's a very quiet 300cc scooter as I forgot to mention. I can be doing 65+mph & I can barely hear the GT300i!

I'll post a few pics when I get a chance. Here is a link fo the GT300i here:

www.motorcyclex.net/tag/2011-kymco-gt300i

[dudley]

Good choice!
I will be following your reviews!

[justdon]

I hear nothing but good things about kymco..Looks like a nice scoot..Enjoy it..

[260orbust]

I've never seen one in person but the pix make it look too small to be riding on the freeway.

[massscoot]

Aug 22, 2012 21:59:19 GMT -5 260orbust said:

I've never seen one in person but the pix make it look too small to be riding on the freeway.

Trust me...Those pics don't do it justice! It's a pretty large up-right scooter. Maybe not as long as the Downtown 300i, but hefty just the same.

[jwalz1]

Massscoot,

Congratulations! I know you are going to love it, I just was sitting on one yesterday because I had my first scheduled service.

About your initial impressions, I have a fairly similar complaint about the seat on the Downtown. It is not horrible but after a couple hours of riding, I am hoping for a little more cushion. I suppose I could go on the Donut diet and that would solve that problem.

As far as the brakes go, I was not to keen on the Downtown's brakes initially, but people told me the pads have to seat, and after a few hundred miles they were worlds better.

It may feel quick now, but mine really opened up a bit after about 600 miles. From what I understand there is some slight difference in the transmission bettwen the Downtown and the People that makes the People quicker on the bottom end and the other more at highway speed although the difference is slight. The two bikes weigh within a few pounds of each other.

I am almost always at full throttle just for kicks when accelerating and I still get low to mid seventies per gallon. You are really gonna be impressed. It is a fantastic little engine.

Your TU250 was the bike I took the safety course on. I know nothing about bikes but thought it was an old model and was surprised to find that it was fuel injected and no choke when I started it.

Enjoy the new ride. I was hesitant to spend as much as I did on a scooter and thought I was crazy, and that it would be a dust collecting toy, but I look for excuses to ride it and don't regret the expense.

I am told 50,000 plus miles without any engine problems is pretty common on a Kymco.

[massscoot]

Jwalz1: Yes...The Suzuki TU-250X is FI. Great little bike, but I got tired of shifting gears etc. With the dealer taking it in-trade, it made it so easy for me to buy the GT300i. Plus I got 1.9% rate for 36 months. My payment is like $110.00 a month! I'll have it paid within a year.

Doesn't the D/T 300i come with a matching top-case? I noticed in your pics, it didn't have one. So...I guess you're really digging your D/T 300i! Good for you! I have also heard that the GT300i is a tad quicker off the line & the D/T has a higher top-end. Makes sense too me because the D/T is more of a highway scoot vs. mine.

I'll give the brakes a few more miles & see how they react. I put on like another 50 miles today. The problem is my wife & I are boaters & just purchased a new boat & our mooring is two blocks away from our home. Do a quick "google" for Magnolia, MA. You see where I live. So... The scoot is just a side toy for me. I may put on maybe 1300-1500 miles a summer & that's it. If it's nice out....Joyce & I are boating.

I didn't even tell my wife that I was trading-in the Suzuki & buying the Kymco GT300i. She would take the TU-250X out for a 20-30 minute burn every now & again. So...It's fair to say she wasn't happy! She thinks scooters are too "Silly-Looking" I laugh & say...."Honey we are 47 years old, why would you care what other people may think!" Scooters rock I told her! I doubt she'll ever ride the Kymco. Not to mention that it's has almost 10HP ponies!

I've been taking notes on every cruise. I'll follow-up with a soild review. So far...Aside from the hard seat, everything looks good (fingers crossed)

Alex

[jwalz1]

No top case on the Downtown, although I may add one. You get the top case because the underseat is small on the People. The Downtown will store a full face XL helmet plus a three quarter under the seat, so there is some good space but it is oddly shaped, and I want a top box so if I decide it is time for a small grocery run, I can just throw a couple bags in where now I have to unbag and organize it under the seat to avoid smooshing.

I can put a twelve pack of coke and close the seat but it will mush the corners of the box a little.

[massscoot]

Ok...Now I understand. Makes sense that the D/T would exclude a top case. I have never seen or sat on a D/T yet. I love the fact that it has that much storage! Bought a few items @ the market this morning & used the front clip to hold a bag between my feet & it worked well. The supplied Kymco case isn't bad @ all, but I think next season I'll purchase a 48 liter Shad case.

I'm up over 230 miles @ this point. I'll be posting a review after my 600 miles service. I think I'll go with dinosaur oil on my 2nd pass, then all-synthetic after that.

[gregw]

Cool thread... I was looking at the Kymco 300, nice! I just bought a 2009 kymco Xciting250cc (fuel injected also, only 680 miles) off of E-Bay just two days ago. My girlfriend loved riding on the back my hopped up Zuma [like Dumb and Dumber (I'm Dumber)], she's really looking foward to riding around on the back of the Kymco...
And scooters do rock!

[massscoot]

Aug 25, 2012 16:04:15 GMT -5 gregw said:

Cool thread... I was looking at the Kymco 300, nice! I just bought a 2009 kymco Xciting250cc (fuel injected also, only 680 miles) off of E-Bay just two days ago. My girlfriend loved riding on the back my hopped up Zuma [like Dumb and Dumber (I'm Dumber)], she's really looking foward to riding around on the back of the Kymco...
And scooters do rock!

Gregw: You're correct! Scooters do ROCK! I sold my motorcycle to go back to scootering! I had a little TGB "Key West" 50cc 2-Stroke scooter for a couple of years & I loved it! The Zuma was/is the "Cadillac" of the 50cc line-ups.

Best of luck with your new Xciting 250 (nice scoot) plus it only has 680 miles on her! You always do so much better buying a lightly used scoot vs. new. I always take the hit & buy new myself.

[gregsfc]

I'm hoping to res-erect this old thread to learn more about modern 2-wheelers.

I'm new to riding 2-wheelers, with only a brief stint at trying a small scooter (Honda Elite 80) back around 2000. That purchase didn't work out, because I didn't research enough to learn that one can't use such a small scooter for mostly highway use and enjoy it, even if the highways are not interstates. The traffic laws in TN have changed nowadays, due to the growing popularity of scooters, and now one can't legally register a scooter that size for use on any road with a posted speed limit of 45 or higher.

Recently, I purchased a Piaggio BV350, but the choice got down between the BV and the People. I chose the BV only because it had an all-new engine design with rave reviews, and I preferred the looks and fit-finish over the People. The prices were almost even, so that was not a factor. The top case was not a big deal for me. I've put an E26 on my BV for less than $100 total, which meets my storage needs. The People had the advantages of a better and more local dealership network and parts distribution. Both brands had good reputations as far as I could ascertain.

Got the BV350 from a dealer in Marietta, GA for MSRP ($5495)+shipping ($350) out the door, plus the added cost of having to go pick it up from middle TN. I don't know what price I could have got out the door with regards to the People, but I could have got one from a dealer only 85 miles away (my local dealer didn't have any), however, the dealer had already told me there was a set up fee, plus MSRP, plus shipping.

I'm very happy with the performance, ride, looks, size, and the mpg I'm getting with the BV. I'm also happy with the way I've been able to use it as a work horse, even down to 40 degree weather, and I stay comfortable even in drizzling rain. Even though the BV doesn't seem to have much front protection like the Downtowns, Majesty, Burgmans, etc., it is much, much better than the Honda was, so the way I'm able to use it comfortably everyday has been a nice surprise.

This time I did alot of research, but still, not having a lot of experience with different size PTWs, I wasn't sure what type and what size PTW would best meet my goals, needs, and wants. Unlike most riders, the fun factor is way down on the list for me. I was looking for safe, comfortable, reliable, low maintenance transportation that I could ride eight to nine months out of the year and use very little fuel. When shopping, I was quickly turned against small motorcycles, because there seemed to be an attitude by motorcycle owners that these things aren't serious bikes, and that they have inferior quality that would break constantly. Since that time, however, I've noticed on these scooter discussion boards, that some people are saying that these 250 machines are rock solid and require much less maintenance and will go far further on a set of rubber than any scooter. I've also learned since owning my BV that these small 250s can easily cruise the desired speeds that I require, and that, if ridden conservatively, will far exceed the mpg that I'm getting. I've never ridden a motorcycle, so I don't know how I would like having to change gears and not having two brake handles, but if I could have chosen a 250 that met my needs and exceeded 80 mpg at a lower price, I would have gladly learned how to ride a motorcycle and back packed by storage needs for an extra 10-15 mpg. The only question left for me with regards to a small motorcycle versus a highway-capable scooter is how comfortably I could have ridden one of those eight to nine months out of the year versus the BV or a similar scooter?

Those of you who have owned a 250, please respond and share your experiences with me. I would like to know what I've missed out on and if I should choose a small motorcycle next time around. Since I'm riding 265 miles per week and I'm now hooked on 2 wheels, I'll probably be purchasing a new ride every three to four years.

Also, please elaborate on the "fun" factor of a scooter versus one of these small motorcycles. I do want to enjoy my ride but a sporty ride is not an absolute necessity for me.

[WarrenS]

A scooter has more wind protection for the lower part of your body as well as storage. The difference is in the seating position. You sit on a scooter like you sit on a chair. You straddle a motorcycle. The new Honda 250 is nice. It is lower in price than a scooter. I was more comfortable on the highway with a motorcycle but it probably depends on what you are used to.

I have been riding scooters and cycles for 58 years and have 3 scooters now. They are easier to handle for an old guy.

[scoota]

Oct 2, 2012 5:36:37 GMT -5 gregsfc said:

Also, please elaborate on the "fun" factor of a scooter versus one of these small motorcycles. I do want to enjoy my ride but a sporty ride is not an absolute necessity for me.

Motorcycles will have a manual transmission, where as a scooter has the automatic. Less maintenance with the scooter as it has an enclosed belt rather than most cycles with an exposed chain drive.

Scooters like the Xciting, Downtown, Burgman, Majesty, etc. have a more relaxed seating position, where those like the Kymco People are more upright.

I find after having a Kymco Xciting and now a People GT300, the People is more fun to ride & more comfortable. The Xciting had more weather protection, but not enough to stay with it.

Best advice is to take some test rides on bikes that yo may be interested in.

[gregsfc]

Thanks for the feedback. I do prefer scooters, because I like the ease of mounting/dismounting, the storage, and, it sounds like from the feedback given, that a scooter may be more comfortable and rideable in cooler/wetter weather.

However, I think during my shopping experience I was misled into believing that small motorcycles are junk. This attitude came from motorcycle folks; not scooter folks, and I think what they don't like is the lack of race-inspired performance. I wasn't looking to go 120 mph or accelerate 0-60 in 5 seconds, and I think that must be the basis of their biases.

Anyway, I'm on a BV350 for a few years now unless I crash it and total it, but it'll be something to consider moving forward.

What I would really like to see is a diesel or an electric scooter at an affordable price. There is an electric scooter on the market from Current Motors, but it is a little too slow (max cruising speed of 60); does not have the range I'll need (only about 35 miles hwy); and is way, way too expensive--$12,000. But the potential of electric is amazing with over 200 mpg-equivalent on the highway with a fuel cost of no more than 2 cents per mile.

With regards to a diesel scooter, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. There is actually a 667 cc diesel motorcycle that is sold only to military units all over the free world. The frame is provided by Kawasaki (KLR 650), and the drive components by Hayes Diversified Technologies. Although this bike is dual purpose, with not the lowest drag characteristics, it comes in at 30 hp and 35 peak foot lbs of torque @ 3000 RPM, is purposely naturally aspired and mechanically injected to keep compression low, engine weight light and cost low; it still garners 102 mpg @ 55 mph. Imagine a turbo-charged diesel at about 380 cc that is well engineered. It could conceivably come in at about 24 hp and a whopping 35-40 foot pounds of torque with real-world fuel economy above 100 mpg. I'm sure, however, even at great expense and effort, that it could not meet CA emissions. Cutting Nox to an acceptable level is possible for a diesel but too cost prohibitive compared to a gas-powered machine..

[WarrenS]

This is an interesting electric scooter. There are also some electric motorcycles that perform well and have good range.
zelectricvehicle.com/19.html

[rockynv]

The biggest draw back on most motorcycles for me was the heat from the engine coming straight up at you where you were straddling it. On the aircooled motorcycles it was unreal especially on a 110 degree Florida roadway waiting at a stop light. Scooters blow the engine heat away from you off to the side or out the back so they are much kinder.

I have the Sport City 250 from Aprilia and the expressway is my friend. I will jump on the Sport City and take a hop across the 75 mph interstate to St Augustine from Tampa without hesitation.

When you step up to this class of 250cc + bike such as the Piaggio, Kymco and Aprilia there are very few limitations. Didn't check the Kymco but the Aprilia is rated for 460+ lbs which blows away most of the 250cc motorcycles.

[gregsfc]

Oct 3, 2012 9:52:37 GMT -5 WarrenS said:

This is an interesting electric scooter. There are also some electric motorcycles that perform well and have good range.
zelectricvehicle.com/19.html

Good link. I had not found that one when shopping. Here are the e-bikes and scooters I had found that could meet or come close to meeting my speed and range needs.

www.brammo.com/enertia-plus/ - Motorcycle

www.brammo.com/empulse/ -Motorcycle

www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s/ -Motorcycle

www.currentmotor.com/ -Scooter


If you looked at any of these, you'll see that they've got a ways to go to compete on price.

Alot of people are disregarding or poking fun at e motorcycles and scooters, but I think the technology is great and if you use a vehicle mostly for a specified range, i.e. daily commute, they would really work for you, because you just charge it up every night for the next day. If you're one to just hop on a PTW and go at any given moment, they might not be such a good choice.

They've just got to find a way to get the cost of the batteries down though, because that is killing the market potential. For instance, the Zero S ZF9 has about $9000 in battery cost built into it and about $4000 worth of bike. That's a big problem for consumers including myself who might be willing to pay an extra $2K or so to go electric, but not an extra $9K.

[WarrenS]

I think battery prices will come down as production increases. I only charge mine about once a week. Most of my riding is short hops. Getting over 400 eMPG or just about $.01 per mile.

[fshfindr]

The People 300gti will be my next bike. I have a Kymco Yager now and love it but I want a little more power. I'll try to buy a used one but there are none on the market yet. I just hate paying $1000 for dealer prep.

[rockynv]

On the electrics don't leave out the E-Tracer electric cabin bike. Does 0 to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and 60 to 120 mph in less than 3 seconds.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvOwlaL2TEs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzK012GjjX4&feature=related

[mrmike]

Just bought a new(2012) silver GTI300 this afternoon. $4644.00 plus registration. Can't wait for spring!

[scootnwinn]

Why wait gear up and ride. You can sissy out if there is snow on the road. No other excuses.

[mrmike]

Scootnwin

I can dress for the cold. My concern is the road salt they use around here. When I had my Harley a friend told me not to ride until a few good rain showers cleaned the road in the spring. I took his advice and when I sold my 13 year old Harley, it looked brand new. I can keep busy changing my top box, adding a windshield and putting on some graphics. I also have to build a platform for my lift so I don't damage the bottom of the scoot.

[alscompute]

Congrats! It looks like a fine scooter!
Al