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Post by floridagull on Jun 8, 2017 7:35:36 GMT -5
There is a 2012 SYM HD 200 available at Tropical Scooters in Vero Beach - 17,567 miles, $1500 - and a 2012 Kymco Yager GT 200i on my local Craigslist - 1116 miles, $1400. SYM is 171cc, liquid cooled, carb, 16 inch wheels. Kymco is 175cc, liquid cooled, FI, 13/12 inch wheels. Which should I pick?   If I can afford one...  |
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Post by floridagull on Jun 8, 2017 7:37:47 GMT -5
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Post by floridagull on Jun 8, 2017 7:39:35 GMT -5
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Post by tortoise on Jun 8, 2017 8:39:30 GMT -5
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Post by w650 on Jun 8, 2017 18:39:25 GMT -5
The HD 200 has always had a sterling reputation. It's been around for ten years and has a reputation for speed and reliability. Heck, it won the 2008 Cannonball Scooter Run. The Yager, not so much.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jun 8, 2017 21:29:33 GMT -5
The Yager has fewer miles on it.
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 9, 2017 6:25:57 GMT -5
The Kymco sounds like the better deal--WAY fewer miles, fuel-injected, newish battery, case + cover + trickle charger. All that, and a little cheaper too.
Only thing is 13" instead of 16" wheels, but at least they're not 10s!
>'Kat
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Post by w650 on Jun 9, 2017 7:51:30 GMT -5
The miles don't mean much if the scooter has been maintained. The HD is faster and has a ceramic liner in the cylinder. It will do highway speeds easily and be better all around. It's the motorcycle of scooters. People have used it as a daily commuter. The Yager is a scooter. Yes, it has fuel injection but it won't perform like the HD.
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Post by floridagull on Jun 9, 2017 8:45:43 GMT -5
I have seen the SYM. It has a bent right brake lever from "being blown over once by the wind". Looks like a nice bike - supposedly has maintenance records, too. I asked about the mileage - the store owner said "as long as you change the oil regularly, you can get 100,000 miles out of these" - optimistic?
I would ask for the brake lever to be replaced, the belt changed, the oil and gear oil changed, before I would buy it...
Do you good people think the mileage is OK - or excessive?
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 9, 2017 19:22:50 GMT -5
Out of that selection, I guess I too would lean toward the SYM. Before buying one though, I would check out used 250/300cc rides from Taiwan and Italy. Not a lot of difference, but probably a tad faster than the 175-200's and about similar prices. Just me... As a benchmark, my '07 Kymco Grandvista 250 has adequate acceleration up to 60 for most but the friskiest traffic. Although "Minnie Mouse" will hit 80+ on the level with no wind, she is "marginal" on the highway, with an honest cruise up/down- hill and with wind of only 65-mph. Not enough for safe cruising in local 80- -mph freeway traffic.with 19.5hp and curb-weight of 260 pounds, it should be just a tad quicker than most of the 175-200cc bikes, but only a little.There is not much difference between the 200 and 250 class scoots, and they all are pretty affordable used. When you get bigger than the 250/300cc class, the scooters begin to get mighty large and heavy, and lose some of the nimble scooter appeal. That kept me in the old 250 class even though I'd like another 10-mph. That little bit extra speed adds too much size and weight for my taste.
Do try to test-ride any scoots you think of buying. I rode 500cc bikes I did NOT like all, AND 160cc little Kymcos I like a WHOLE LOT! I think scooters ARE one of those rare cases where SIZE doesn't matter all that much... LOL! It's how well they ride for YOU that counts. All the ones you are considering are good rides. Take your time, get the one that suits your riding best... And many happy miles and smiles to you! Leo in Texas
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Post by cyborg55 on Jun 9, 2017 19:26:58 GMT -5
It's the sym for $1100
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 9, 2017 19:30:58 GMT -5
Yeah... What cyborg55 said... Lotta scoot for the bux! |
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Post by w650 on Jun 9, 2017 20:18:37 GMT -5
Do you good people think the mileage is OK - or excessive? In the year 2017 I can't fathom why people think 17,000 miles is excessive. I absolutely howl when I hear certain Italian scooter owners calling 30,000 miles "The Holy Grail". Metallurgy today is so sophisticated cars do 300,000 miles regularly. Why should two wheelers be so less durable? Is the mileage excessive. No. The 1983 Kawasaki I bought last year had 42,000 miles on it. I didn't flinch at buying it. One night I did 300 highway miles without a hiccup. Guess how far designs have come in 34 years. Buy the SYM. |
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Post by cyborg55 on Jun 9, 2017 21:12:57 GMT -5
Yep,,, I will add this tho,,, Rich Carman had a sym and loved it,,, parts acquisition was a bit of a chore,,,, if you get the sym I'll search thru my notes for Cams website,,, sorry I only remember Cam not his parts company's name,,, it's the only place to get sym parts,,, every part for every model
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 9, 2017 22:50:37 GMT -5
w650 has a good point...With bikes from major manufacturers you can expect a LOT of miles before the ride is worn out. Obviously, Italian and Japanese brands have had a strong rep for longevity, and, SYM and KYMCO look to me to be made just as well. My old Kymco Grandvista 250 is an '07... It had around 16K miles on her clock when I got her 3 seasons ago. She now has 18K miles and has been 100% trouble-free. The original owner rode her HARD for approx. 7 years, "two-up with wife, loaded down with luggage and mostly WOT, from New York to Los Angeles and Canada to Mexico". The only repairs done were by the dealer before putting her on the lot. These included a new belt, tires, brake-pads, battery and muffler.
All electronics are original, as are all fuel lines and water hoses. All are supple and feel like new. Everything still works perfectly including the "Darth Vader digital dashboard". Speedo can be changed from KM to miles, clock, fuel gauge, tach... Even the electric folding "mouse-ear" mirrors open and close smooth and tight.She doesn't use a drop of water or oil and fires up instantly even if she's sat for 2 months. If the battery has ANY juice at all, she starts right now. I think my experience is pretty typical for old, used Taiwanese scooters. The frame and suspension is built like a tank. Even the itsy-bitsy 12" rims run smooth and sure as my old Harley big twins at 70-mph. (So long as they are shod with GOOD speed-rated tires, and are well-balanced)...Big-wheel Italian made scoots are likely the very best choice for higher speeds and highway travel, but the Taiwan made little guys are MORE than adequate. Old Minnie Mouse is nearly as nimble in tight traffic at 10-mph as a Chinese 150, yet is stable and comfy on the highway up whatever speed hills and wind will allow... Sometimes, on a flat highway with no wind, that's near 80-mph!I'm a BIG fan of "things Taiwanese"... They make 'em to last, and the older ones used are getting more and more affordable as newer models emerge. My ratty old mouse uses the archaic 2-valve, single-cam carbureted 250 still found in many ATV's. And even though she'll turn a decent speed, she still gives OVER  -mpg gas-consumption with over half the miles in-town at 50-mph or less. Better than my old Chinese 150, with double the power and performance. I've heard nothing but good reports about both SYM and KYMCO scoots, and mine seems to be no exception. These venerable old grocery-getters are FANTASTIC alternatives to $7K new rides. Enjoy whatever scoot you choose, and do keep us posted with results and pix! Like "Red Green" used to say, "Keep yer' stick on the ice... we're pullin' for ya'... after all, we're all in this together!"
Ride safe!Leo PS: I just looked up the SYM HD on the net... Doggone if it doesn't look as "Italian" as spaghetti! 17" wheels, performance near that of modest 250's like mine... Looks better all the time! Bet Kat would like it too! Just her style!
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-mph freeway traffic.
-mpg gas-consumption with over half the miles in-town at 50-mph or less. Better than my old Chinese 150, with double the power and performance.