2008 Kymco People 150

[CraigF]

About 6 weeks ago I bought a scooter--a 2008 Kymco People 150.  It's a fun ride--152cc, gets up to 60+mph and gets 70-80mpg depending on how I ride it. 



The plan was for me to ride this for 1-2 years then move up to something bigger--maxi scooter (like a Burgman 400 or 650 or a Kymco XCiting 250) if I wanted to stay automatic, or a 700-900cc motorcycle.  My wife would then take over the 150 scooter.

I came across the 1984 Nighthawk CB700SC about a week ago and bought it without hesitation after a test ride.  It was a great price and will help me decide which way to go for my next bike--standard/cruiser/sport bike/maxi scooter/etc.

I will say this--the scooter was the gateway drug--and I can't believe it took 16 years of driving to get on 2 wheels. 


I just found out the 2009 Triumph Bonneville is fuel injected.  If I were to buy a new bike, that's near the top of my list.  :)

[detdrbuzzard]

i see some scooters out thati really like, rukus and  big rukus are tops on my list.the reflex and burgman are next in line. but i am comfortable shifting gears , its fun winding out some gears too something you cannot do on a scooter. back when i was in collage i was riding my '71 cb350 to class when a guy pulled up next to me on a helix ( mid '80s ) trying to race. boy was he cutting up and dusting me off from stop light to stop light. i wasn't trying to race him thouigh but when i puled up to the last stop light i would see him at he made negative comments about my old bike. i told him he had a great scooter but...... it still wasn't a motorcycle and a 350 honda was. i was not trying to put down scooters just humiliate him and i did

[CraigF]

i see some scooters out thati really like, rukus and  big rukus are tops on my list.the reflex and burgman are next in line. but i am comfortable shifting gears , its fun winding out some gears too something you cannot do on a scooter. back when i was in collage i was riding my '71 cb350 to class when a guy pulled up next to me on a helix ( mid '80s ) trying to race. boy was he cutting up and dusting me off from stop light to stop light. i wasn't trying to race him thouigh but when i puled up to the last stop light i would see him at he made negative comments about my old bike. i told him he had a great scooter but...... it still wasn't a motorcycle and a 350 honda was. i was not trying to put down scooters just humiliate him and i did

Unfortunately, Honda stopped producing the Big Ruckus (250cc) so only the 49cc remains.   

The Reflex is nice, also 250cc. I could have bought a used 2004 for $3900 but my wife didn't like the look.  Since the plan was to have her take over the scooter it was important that she be happy with what we purchased. :D

[happycommuter]

I've known scooterati, but I still can't figure the things out.  Seriously, you like rotate the left handgrip to shift?  It's very confusing to me.  I have no idea how the wheel is driven, as I'm told there is no chain, belt or shaft.  I have been obliterated in the city by scooters - the 700 has a lot more momentum to deal with.

Guy at work was admitting that if it wasn't for the highway jaunt, he'd get a scooter for commuting - I mentioned the Burgman 650.  Hard storage area, no shifting, no roundhouse kicking to mount...does the ton.

Anyway I'd dress just like a motorcyclist, as the other vehicles are still as big and fast as ever.

[CraigF]

I was going 70 MPH according to the speedo.  Based on a few drive-bys past the roadside radar sign, I think I was going 62-63 MPH.  I don't typically drive that fast.  I've been on the interstate twice, and don't plan on doing that regularly.

My People 150 is an automatic--a CVT transmission, belt driven. 

You are right--even on a scooter, the cars are the same.  I'm still riding 40MPH on my way to work, so I should dress the part.  I mentioned in one of the riding gear threads that I have a full face helmet, full-fingered gloves, and a jacket on it's way (or I'm cancelling and buying something else tomorrow, actually).   I'm researching overpants, too.

[Wizbangboom]

As far as overpants go, I bought a pair of these and love them:
http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/ht_ii_textile_motorcycle_overpants.html
With the lining in they keep me very warm. They also have padding in the knees and hips. Very easy to get on & off too.

[CraigF]

As far as overpants go, I bought a pair of these and love them:
http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/ht_ii_textile_motorcycle_overpants.html
With the lining in they keep me very warm. They also have padding in the knees and hips. Very easy to get on & off too.

I forgot I mentioned overpants in this thread.  I ended up finding a deal on Aerostich A.D.1 pants--directly from Aerostich in their sale section.  Hard to beat Aerostich quality for $150.

[happycommuter]

Hard to beat Aerostich quality for $150.

Half price, nice.  Same knee armor that eases my mind.

[CraigF]

Bump.

The stablemate is gone.  My wife never took to riding the scooter, and it barely got any use since I started this thread.  I sold it last night to a young couple switching from a manual shift Stella.  They are thrilled with the smoothness and ease of twist-and-go.


I already have the itch for a new stablemate.   I may do something about that next year. 

[fishball]

Shame about the loss of the scooter.  KYMCO makes excellent bikes.