The 300 Kymco is Here By kz1000st (Read 1,428 times)

[kz1000st]

If you're building something for performance you don't think about people moving their legs around. Ever see a Kawasaki ZX-10R? If you want room to move your legs all over the place buy a Grand Vista or one of the Xcitings. I'm figuring this People is their version of a Sport Bike Scooter. Which is why I compared it to a GS500-F with soft saddlebags.

[89newbie]

May 18, 2011 18:46:04 GMT -6 kz1000st said:

I'm curious. What happens when the warranty is up? Which is the better scooter then?

LOL the one that doesnt break. rofl

[mauiboy]

Very well said 89

KZ, only it isnt a bike is it Its hugely naff compared to a tvr, both of which you could pick up in the same price bracket (very) used. I just think there range cannot figure out what its supposed to be, they have a sporty city scooter with plenty of storage and big wheels for freeway riding? and they have a touring maxi scoot with less storage than you get flying to the Okavango Delta and mid sized wheels. People get a scoot because of what makes it a scoot right? no gears, riding position, storage etc. Yes you can add bags to a bike, and there are classic riding position bikes to be had an even auto box bikes, but intrinsically people are saying I want a tool to get from a to b, not I want a toy for scraping pegs. Yes bikes make more sense to some people, they are the better choice for some people, but not everyone.

One thing that I saw in the reviews was that there were some more subtle improvements (braking?) over the 250, so perhaps the price increase is not solely limited to the increased displacement, just how the burger 400 is substantially different under the skin than the 600 burger?

I get the no leg room, I just dont get it paired up with a scoot that can't decide if its a tourer or a sports scoot as it has traits of each, just like their actual touring scoot? Perhaps its the weight or wheel base suggesting the need for the bigger wheels? It just seems they have some schizophrenic scoots in their lineup.

[jct842]

mauiboy says it, "it isn't a bike." both are good gas mileage examples, but if you want scooter......... with storage with out bags, better foot placement the lower cost of a bike doesn't even come into play. I believe there should not be lower initial cost with a motorcycle for the amount of materials in each, and it probably has to due with the amount of units produced of each in that particular engine size/. no where as many large scooters as the mid sized bikes made/ john

[kz1000st]

If you get leg room, you get length. You don't get handling from a long wheelbase, you get the ladder through a revolving door syndrome. They make plenty of ladders. I've heard this complaint about the 150 Super 8 against the 150 People S. I'd take a Super 8 any day. Maybe because I'm a motorcyclist and I'm used to putting my feet in one place all day. If I feel the need to move my feet around, I take the car. If I want to have fun I take the Big Ruckus (a scooter you can't move your feet around on) or the Kawasaki (foot pegs). Frankly I don't get this issue at all. When I ride the Bashan I slap my feet in one place and leave them there. Maybe it's because I'm old and set in my ways.

I'll tell you one thing. Saying that all scooters should be the same is a dangerous thing. If this arena is to grow it has to have vehicles that do different things. If excellent handling means feet in one place, so be it. Plenty of long wheelbased scooters out there to slide yourselves around on.

The reason bikes are way cheaper size for size is because they outsell scooters 10-1. Because they sell so many they offer a variety. Standards-Sportbikes-Cruisers-Touring Bikes-Baggers-Dual Purpose.

[mauiboy]

Who said they should all be the same?

But of course as always you are right...

[kz1000st]

I'm not trying to sound like a "Know-it-all" but what would you infer from this statement?

but if you want scooter......... with storage with out bags, better foot placement the lower cost of a bike doesn't even come into play.

[mauiboy]

I was being genuine, you were right, but I think we are discussing different things, not to mention comparing a 1000 cc sports bike to a scoot

What would I take away from that statement (given I didnt make it I think lol) was that on a scoot you have more variable foot placement? You can ride frank spencer style knees together or knees out wide and feet forward or feet back. You can get some of that on different style bikes but not all.

It's valid to compare a bike to a scoot, but each has qualities that may rule the other out so if you ask is x worth it you wont get a unanimous reply as each reply is tailored to each persons need. If you want an auto box and to spend under 5k you are buying a scoot. If you want to scrape pegs with ton up cornering you want a crotch rocket. If you want to replace everything in your life with merchandise from your bike maker you want hd Scoots make no sense for some people, bikes make no sense for others and nobody is wrong, just different.

I stand by my comments re not understanding the wheel choices on their range. The extra $ may not be justified by the small displacement upgrade for everyone but for some it may just be. The relative lack of 400's out there no doubt has helped them be able to price like that. The answer is because they can it will most likely sell well. I also think some of the price reflects refinements in the design.

[kz1000st]

not to mention comparing a 1000 cc sports bike to a scoot

Well I wasn't really. I was comparing a 500cc sport bike to a 300cc scoot.
www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/GS500F/2009/GS500F.aspx?category=sportbike#Specs

I've known people with GS500s, they're sweet bikes. In that arena the Kymco looks pretty bad.
But, as some have said, those who want only a scooter don't see a bike as an option. I still see both sides of the coin. It's the ride and how much it costs that counts with me.