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Post by guzziknight on May 31, 2013 7:26:57 GMT -5
Hi all,
I'm looking for a first scooter for my wife and have possibly narrowed it down to the following:
New Kymco Like 200i, from dealer, $3600
2009 Kymco People S200, 5600 miles with trunk, asking $1800
2004 Vespa ET4, 2300 miles with trunk, asking $2200
Any preference? Any issues to be aware of? Any to avoid? Anyone have experience with either, or all of them?
I'm a motorcycle rider and have no real experience with scooters. Money is a factor since this will likely be a short term ride, I think she'll want to upgrade to a bigger one later this year or next.
I live in Atlanta, GA if that makes a difference.
Thanks!
Yaniv
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Post by lykos23 on May 31, 2013 8:17:25 GMT -5
I would personally go for the scooter that is easy to repair and already broken in. The used kymco. I got my used 2009 scooter and it already had a thousand miles on it so the engine was already broken in which saved me the trouble of laying off WOT for a while.
Though, the Vespa is like the classic scooter, they're reliable, and high quality, durable, etc. I don't know the first thing about repairing or maintaining a vespa though I'm sure other members on the forum could help you with that.
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Post by scootnwinn on May 31, 2013 9:57:10 GMT -5
If its a short term buy get the Vespa. If you have $1000 to through away at the end of the year when you upgrade to the next one the Like is perfect (please note the dripping sarcasm there) The People is a nice scoot but the Vespa for $400 more is a no brainer in my opinion. Anyone will take one in on trade and the are not all that hard to sell. Oh and they are sooo nice to ride...
Oh maintenance will not be a huge deal on any of those bikes. All of them are well built enough to be held wide open all day everyday...
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Post by scootnwinn on May 31, 2013 10:00:51 GMT -5
One more thing. The Vespa is the style the other 2 are trying to capture. In my opinion (quite biased opinion) only the Italians do Italian styling right. That ET4 at that price might go quickly...
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Post by guzziknight on May 31, 2013 10:35:22 GMT -5
One more thing. The Vespa is the style the other 2 are trying to capture. In my opinion (quite biased opinion) only the Italians do Italian styling right. That ET4 at that price might go quickly... I'll agree with you there! I ride a Moto Guzzi, so I have a thing for Italian rides. I like the styling of the Like, not so much on the S200. Ultimately, it's my wife's call since it'll be her ride. We're going to look at the S200 on Monday, and the ET4 this weekend. I mainly wanted to make sure there aren't major issues with either that I need to be aware of. |
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Post by scootnwinn on May 31, 2013 11:23:09 GMT -5
All decent bikes.
I have always wanted a Guzzi. I rode a couple and they are sweet... We humbly request pics of the final decision...
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Post by guzziknight on May 31, 2013 11:29:02 GMT -5
All decent bikes. I have always wanted a Guzzi. I rode a couple and they are sweet... We humbly request pics of the final decision... Will do. Hope to have it in hand within a week. Thanks for all the good info from everyone. These forums do make it easier! |
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Post by rockynv on Jun 1, 2013 6:15:21 GMT -5
You are in the price ranges of new Aprilia 200cc to 250cc scooters here. Piaggio, Vespa and Aprilia parts are easily obtainable as are the $50 worth of Buzetti tools for working on the CVT without requiring air tools. Check out AF1 Racing in New Bunsfeld Texas.
One thing that the Piaggio engined bikes give you that are leaps and bounds ahead of the GY6 is an outer bearing on the clutch shaft that is supported by the CVT cover which takes most of the stress from any belt slap off the gear box along with a guide wheel between the clutch and variator that limits belt slap and prevents the belt from winding up in the clutch sheeve during decelleration.
Plenty of servicing videos on the Piaggio engines too. Check out what is offered by Modern Vespa.
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Post by guzziknight on Jun 1, 2013 8:58:16 GMT -5
You are in the price ranges of new Aprilia 200cc to 250cc scooters here. Piaggio, Vespa and Aprilia parts are easily obtainable as are the $50 worth of Buzetti tools for working on the CVT without requiring air tools. Check out AF1 Racing in New Bunsfeld Texas. One thing that the Piaggio engined bikes give you that are leaps and bounds ahead of the GY6 is an outer bearing on the clutch shaft that is supported by the CVT cover which takes most of the stress from any belt slap off the gear box along with a guide wheel between the clutch and variator that limits belt slap and prevents the belt from winding up in the clutch sheeve during decelleration. Plenty of servicing videos on the Piaggio engines too. Check out what is offered by Modern Vespa. Thanks for the advice. I have several goods shops by me for Vespa/Piaggio. The closest Aprilia dealer is 70 miles away. The biggest issue is price. Since it'll be her first bike, and in all probability be a short term ride, we want to spend as little as possible. Aside from the ET4 I've found, there isn't much in the Vespa line around that's in our price range. |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 1, 2013 11:11:02 GMT -5
I have to agree that if you KNOW you'll be getting rid of this one and buying a bigger bike fairly soon, then go for the cheapest used one you can find. That way you don't take as big a hit when you resell it.
Then again, no reason why she can't keep this bike. I'm perfectly content with my 200cc. Strong enough to keep up with traffic, can even hit the highway if I was brave enough.
>'Kat
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Post by guzziknight on Jun 1, 2013 12:43:22 GMT -5
I have to agree that if you KNOW you'll be getting rid of this one and buying a bigger bike fairly soon, then go for the cheapest used one you can find. That way you don't take as big a hit when you resell it. Then again, no reason why she can't keep this bike. I'm perfectly content with my 200cc. Strong enough to keep up with traffic, can even hit the highway if I was brave enough. >'Kat If I could find a true 200, or 250, I'd agree. Both bikes we're looking at, in our current price range, are really 150 and 163. Also, she has her heart set on getting an Aprilia Mana 850 at some point. She needs to build her confidence since the Mana is very big and powerful and a bit much for her at this point. Hence the short term ride with this scooter. If we get the Vespa, I may keep it when she's done since I've been wanting one to go along with my Moto Guzzi! |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 1, 2013 21:33:30 GMT -5
Wow. That is indeed a WHOLE lot more bike than what you're looking at!
And reading your last sentence, that should make it a no-brainer, unless you really don't need/can't afford the extra scooter after upgrading. Get the Vespa. For $400 extra, and you wanting one, get it. They're good solid bikes.
>'Kat
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Post by domindart on Jun 2, 2013 3:25:37 GMT -5
Good luck in the search from a fellow atlanta georgian ! What part of atl you comin' from?  |
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Post by guzziknight on Jun 2, 2013 4:18:30 GMT -5
Wow. That is indeed a WHOLE lot more bike than what you're looking at! And reading your last sentence, that should make it a no-brainer, unless you really don't need/can't afford the extra scooter after upgrading. Get the Vespa. For $400 extra, and you wanting one, get it. They're good solid bikes. >'Kat Very true. She's ridden one, and likes it, but it's just too top heavy for her, especially since she's has little experience. We want to work up to it, but I'm kind of hoping she loves the scooter so much, she'll stick with that. |
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Post by guzziknight on Jun 2, 2013 4:19:20 GMT -5
Good luck in the search from a fellow atlanta georgian ! What part of atl you comin' from?  We're currently in Dunwoody. Going to check out the Vespa in Midtown tonight, then checking out Kymco tomorrow. |
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