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Post by mrmike on Oct 1, 2012 17:57:31 GMT -5
I currently have a People 150 which I am very happy with. Then I saw pictures of the new People 300GTI and I fell in love. Has anyone had any experience with this model, and what are your opinions. I'm planning on upgrading in the spring, and am looking for feedback.
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Post by inuyasha on Oct 1, 2012 18:04:02 GMT -5
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Post by gregsfc on Oct 2, 2012 5:46:32 GMT -5
I don't know how brand loyal you are or what kind of dealership network you have in your area, or what kind of attitude you have against European bikes, but I've got the BV350 and chose it over the Kymco People 300i. They are very comparable in size, class, top cruising speed, etc. The all-new BV comes in at 32.8 hp and 23.8 peak foot lbs of torque, but is 70-80 lbs heavier, which provides both positive and negatives for a rider. Kymco has better, overall dealership and parts network in the US and has a two-year warranty over a one year. I would expect the fuel economy to be very close. Of course the appearance differences is a matter of personal preference, but when I saw a real-live People, I was turned off. When I saw a real-live BV, I got excited. It was that factor and the all-new design that put me on a BV, however, in a lot of ways, the Kymco is a smarter purchase, so I'm definitely not dissing it.
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Post by jwalz1 on Oct 2, 2012 9:07:32 GMT -5
Massscoot owns a People GT, I own a Downtown 300i with the same engine. So far, I can't say enough about the bike. I would buy it again. Mileage is great, 75mpg and I ride wind it out at every stop. Very solid construction. Starts easy regardless of weather, powerful, etc.
It seems the one common complaint about Kymco is seat hardness. My longest ride was 175 miles and it started to get to me. But almost everything I ride is under an hour and it is just fine for that.
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scoota
New Puppy Dawg
Posts: 3
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Post by scoota on Oct 2, 2012 19:42:35 GMT -5
I picked up a new People 300 last week, replacing a '09 500 Xciting and really like the People for my use.
The seat on the 300 is softer/more comfortable than the 500 was, and I like the more-upright seating position.
The Xciting was just larger than I needed, weighed more than I liked for moving it around, and the ride is nicer (for me) on the People.
If you get a chance, take a demo ride on one.
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Post by massscoot on Oct 3, 2012 19:47:09 GMT -5
As Jwalz1 mentioned...I have own the Kymco GT300i for about 6+ weeks now & have a tad over 1300 miles on her. I really like the scoot, but also have some slight issues.
Positives: Good MPG, Great fit & finish, TONS of HP @ 28.7! Brakes are solid. 2-Year warranty (vs. most @ 1-year) Nice enough ride (fairly nimble) with a above-average suspension. Love the upright riding position as well. The standard "Maxxis" tires are pretty decent (no real complaints) Plus...It comes with a standard appx. 38 liter top-case (color-matched) which is fairly well made.
Negatives: Not "Sporty" enough! I like the looks, but I think the Piaggio BV350 & the SYM Citicom blows it away in terms of aesthetics! In addition, both Piaggio & SYM seats are so comforable vs. the Kymco! Kymco is known for their "rock-hard" seats! You can score a nice gel/memory foam cushion for the Kymco just the same (which I did) One thing that really bothers me is that the instrument panel on the GT300i are fairly lame vs. the competition. No Tach, plus the clock is terrible on the GT300i. It's all military time! Say it's 12:05PM (also..there is no AM/PM) It will show 00:05 & that's it! Price...Kymco is damn near the Piaggio BV350! One other thing is the color choices on the GT300i are pretty bad IMHO. Silver (me), Black & Gold (the worst colored scoot there is)
Upside? Kymco's are so reliable! SYM is in there with Kymco, but their dealer network is being built-up now. Parts are great for Kymco, not so much for Piaggio & SYM.
I purchased the Kymco People GT300i because I owned a People S200 before that & it was bullet-proof! Plus my Kymco dealer is 10 miles away. I must admit....If I had a Piaggio or SYM dealer closer to me, I would have given them a serious look!
In the end...(for me) The Kymco GT300i was the right choice. They took my Suzuki TU-250X in trade as well for $2000.00 whcih made it easy for me! Either way you go....You really can't go wrong!
Good Luck!
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Post by jwalz1 on Oct 5, 2012 10:06:49 GMT -5
I think you can change the clock from Military time, that is for the Europeans. You need to press and hold one of the buttons, it should be in the manual.
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Post by massscoot on Oct 5, 2012 11:51:46 GMT -5
I think you can change the clock from Military time, that is for the Europeans. You need to press and hold one of the buttons, it should be in the manual. JW: I'll take another peek @ it. I love what Kymco did with the instrument panel on your Downtown 300i. It's really sweet. I feel that Kymco really didn't think it thru the GT300i myself on the instruments myself. Feels like it was slapped together quickly. |
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Post by jwalz1 on Oct 5, 2012 17:36:12 GMT -5
I think you can change the clock from Military time, that is for the Europeans. You need to press and hold one of the buttons, it should be in the manual. JW: I'll take another peek @ it. I love what Kymco did with the instrument panel on your Downtown 300i. It's really sweet. I feel that Kymco really didn't think it thru the GT300i myself on the instruments myself. Feels like it was slapped together quickly. I like the GT panel. I think they were just squeezing what they could on a smaller dash. I think the Downtown's is ok. I don't hate it but I am not a red gauge face fan. I could go for more backlit digital LCD guages, but oh well. Might have given you bad info on Military time. I can't find anything in the manual and searches on the Kymco board seem to suggest it can't be changed. I could swear mine is not in Military but I must be wrong. |
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Post by chaz12 on Oct 6, 2012 0:36:15 GMT -5
Ya, mine is a Chinese 250.. But I fell in love with the Kymco Downtown 300... It is cool to see it do topspeed. 93 mph.. It doesn't seem much bigger than the 250cc scooter weight wise.. For sure, Kymco is far better than my Bali 250.. But I paid $1700 for it and the Kymco is $5400.. But more reliable and better brand name is the Kymco.. Attachments:
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Post by mymomwantsatrike on Oct 6, 2012 3:57:09 GMT -5
for the People / Downtown 300 owners posting......how are these scooters for TALL people? 32in inseam, here. and 6 foot 3 in height
the scooter would have to be comfy for regular riding. i have sat on the BV350 and Xciting500. they are no go for me. how are the Kymco's in this regard, and if similar could you envision an easy seat mod to make more hip and knee room?
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Post by chaz12 on Oct 6, 2012 15:50:30 GMT -5
I am 6' 2" tall and the Kymco Downtown 300i is as big as my Bali 250... Bali 250 hit 73 mph the other day and the Downtown 300i hit 170 km or 105 mph on youtube. Basically the Downtown 300i is size wise to the xciting 500...Major difference is the exciting 500 has a huge cvt cover that nearly scrape the ground when cornering and the Downtown 300i cvt doesn't stick out as far nor goes so low to the ground in a turn.. The Downtown 300i was doing 105 mph on the Autobahn in Germany, than we watched cars drive super fast on the autobahn.. Sort of, no speed limit, no police, ect..
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Post by jwalz1 on Oct 6, 2012 19:54:19 GMT -5
At 6'2" you will probably like the People GT more. Too big for me at 5'6" The Downtown fits me great but complaints on the Downtowngo up as height passes 5'10". Not sure about knee room on the People as I have only been able to tippy-toe straddle it at the dealer. And Chaz, my dealer knocked $1,000 of the sticker, but charged $200 prep or $4,600 which is what several people seem to be paying for Downtowns at southern dealers (although my dealer was Minneapolis). Still pricey, but not quite as bad. I'd like to add a new Ninja 300 motorcycle next year if I can get that by the wife. (doubtful)  |
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Post by mymomwantsatrike on Oct 6, 2012 20:10:48 GMT -5
yeah thats what i figure. "fit" is important. i mean i can "sit" on some of these scooters and be OK. and i know position changes with riding dynamics. but if when just sitting on a scooter you feel as if it would be a challenge to change position a bit and the regular sitting position isn't great to begin with? well, that is not the scooter for me
unfortunate because i like the lightweight and small wheels of the DT300. the People 300 is big wheeled scoot. i mean the DT is by no means a 12in rider, but its smaller wheels to lend to its nimbleness. at least i have read that, and thats what i imagine, too. the DT feels more "scooter like" to ride, apparently
BUT, the People is not out of the game. and that flat floor is promising so far as fit is concerned. i bet i would like the People very much. certainly looks like a scooter
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scoota
New Puppy Dawg
Posts: 3
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Post by scoota on Oct 6, 2012 21:16:31 GMT -5
yeah thats what i figure. "fit" is important. i mean i can "sit" on some of these scooters and be OK. and i know position changes with riding dynamics. but if when just sitting on a scooter you feel as if it would be a challenge to change position a bit and the regular sitting position isn't great to begin with? well, that is not the scooter for me unfortunate because i like the lightweight and small wheels of the DT300. the People 300 is big wheeled scoot. i mean the DT is by no means a 12in rider, but its smaller wheels to lend to its nimbleness. at least i have read that, and thats what i imagine, too. the DT feels more "scooter like" to ride, apparently BUT, the People is not out of the game. and that flat floor is promising so far as fit is concerned. i bet i would like the People very much. certainly looks like a scooter The People GT is actually a lighter scooter than the DT, check out the Kymco site and go to the comparison option shown at this link on the left side of the page: www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peoplegt300i/index.htmlI am 5'7", previously had a Xciting 500 and now a PeopleGT 300 and the 300 with the larger wheels is more "nimble" than the Xciting was and one would think it to be better than the DT? When I looked at a DT300, sitting on it, the seating positon was lower and tighter than an Xciting, legroom was less. One thing to consider is wind protection, as on a People, you would need to get a handlebar mounted windshield, whereas the DT has a fixed windscreen. Depending on your use this may be something to look into. Underseat storage is much smaller on a PeopleGT, but a top case is standard. Best advice is if possible, see about a demo ride on the models you are interested in. |
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Post by gregsfc on Oct 7, 2012 15:17:51 GMT -5
for the People / Downtown 300 owners posting......how are these scooters for TALL people? 32in inseam, here. and 6 foot 3 in height
the scooter would have to be comfy for regular riding. i have sat on the BV350 and Xciting500. they are no go for me. how are the Kymco's in this regard, and if similar could you envision an easy seat mod to make more hip and knee room? The BV350 fits me fine but the design is odd, because it's got a rather high seat height (which favors a tall rider), and, since I can't flat foot it with a 31" inseam, it took a while for me to feel comfortable on it. On the other hand, the seat position is rather cramped for one's legs while riding (which favors a short person), and if I were taller than 5'10", I'm sure that I would have been turned off immediately. |
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Post by mrmike on Jan 11, 2013 20:51:10 GMT -5
I did it. Bought a new (2012) silver GTI300 today. $4644.00 + registration. Can't wait for spring!
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