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Post by scootnwinn on Oct 3, 2013 12:53:49 GMT -5
Good for you I don't think you'll regret it...
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Post by spandi on Oct 3, 2013 13:13:24 GMT -5
Man Leo ya done good! Let's see.... all the critical parts replaced? Check. High visibility White finish? Check. Super coverage for next to nothing? Check. A dealer who actually CARES!!? Check. Free "Goombah" Pizza for all your scooter buddies? (I like mine with garlic, onion, and Jalapeno peppers!) Not Yet!  BTW, Have no fear about using the "big" road. I had no trouble running my CHINESE "car berated" 250 scoot on the freeway!  |
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Post by shalomdawg on Oct 3, 2013 14:59:32 GMT -5
howdy leo, i think that is perfect and i'm pleased fer ya. remember though what i suggested about the seat. that little piece in between the passenger and rider section of the seat can be removed and may give ya a little more room to move around. most cycle shops have plastic rivet things that are about as big around as a nickle and you can use those to plug the three holes left after that piece is removed..
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 4, 2013 2:38:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement one and all!
I've only had this one day, but this morning I removed the seat pan (a LOT more work than the old 150...). Cheesh, all the parts are considerably heavier-duty than the old scoot. Built much more like a modern car. I tightened all the accessible nuts and bolts and checked the engine mounts. All was tight, EXCEPT for the clamp holding the carb into the intake manifold. It was a little loose, and sucking air around the carb/manifold joint. A couple of turns on the clamp screw and it was good to go.
The water hoses are all recent, and in general it seems to be in really good shape. The one and only complaint I have is that the old gal has very little storage. No "glove box" in the dash, the under-seat storage is VERY shallow (but has a courtesy light... LOL) and the aftermarket trunk is no bigger than the one on my 150. So... If I carry minimal tools under the seat, that leaves only the trunk for anything else. The rack the trunk is mounted to is SUPER-STRONG with a REAL backrest (unlike the flimsy rack on my old 150) and has tabs for bungee cord attachments. So I suppose I can carry a few items that way. I may get a pair of "throw-over" saddlebags. I may even make a trailer. This one has the cajones to pull one.
After 6 seasons of riding the old 150, I'm truly amazed at the differences in drivability. I can hardly imagine that only 100cc extra engine size can make THAT much difference. After making sure the wheels wouldn't fall off, I took her down the freeway to see if she could cut it. "Lil' White-Trash" (probably NOT her final name... the Wife's idea... LOL) sailed down the entrance ramp to the 65 mph limit freeway and blended as easy as the average car. I settled into the fast lane, then checked the speedo: It showed 82 mph. It was checked, and is 4 mph "optimistic" so the real speed was 78 mph, BUT at a manageable 7K rpm. Looks like cruising 75 on level road IS possible. Hard for me to believe! Although I'd prefer to stay under 70 if traffic will allow. Those little 12" wheels must be turning a mighty fast rpm... But, she's smooth as a field-mouse backing into a pussy-willow.
I'm already comfortably used to riding it, and around town in tight places, she's not much different from the 150. DEFINITELY not a maxi-scoot. But still PLENTY highway-capable if desired. THAT "multi-tasking" capability is what I've been wanting all along. Happy surprise: even acceleration is decent... actually good enough for safe passing in the 40-65 mph range! I don't know how they get all that giddyup out of a little wheezer like this! Must be partly due to the water-cooling allowing some performance tweaking not possible on fan-cooled engines. By the way, the new 4-valve, fuel-injected 300's and 500's are REALLY performers!
Obviously, I can't give an honest opinion until riding a good number of miles, both city and highway. But... I'm REALLY liking this new type of ride. Things like proportioned front/rear braking off the left lever, and front brake only on the right lever with SERIOUS braking power on both levers is nice. The stiffer, heavier frame and steering geometry have a very good feel (I can actually ride at a "slow-walk" of 2 mph with narry a bob or weave). And I couldn't induce ANY high-speed wobble even at 70 mph. Even by snapping the throttle shut, jerking the bars left and right, and kicking the floorboard sideways, it would NOT wobble. THAT is amazing on a flat-floor step-through.
Please note: THAT little test is not a really smart thing to do... I'm just a fanatic against wobbles, and want to see just how sensitive a bike is to such things... I do NOT recommend trying it unless you're as close to the big parking lot in the sky as I am... LOL! If you DO succeed in producing a high-speed wobble, it can really test your deodorant.
I'll get some daylight pix soon. Of course, it looks about like any old 150 with a swollen nose... I don't really mind the big "shnoz" though, since it houses the radiator, putting up-front in the wind. The new GTi300's have the radiator behind the front wheel, where it gets plastered with whatever the tire throws its way. I like the clean-air to the radiator setup on the Grand Vista.
It looks like moving into a 250 can be done without losing the "scootability" of the 50's and 150's if you stop short of a maxi. And, if you stick with a used Taiwan, Japan or European-made scoot (or a new Chinese-made one) you can keep the cost around $2,000 or so. Maybe a little less, maybe a tad more, but not outrageous.
I'll keep posting as I put miles on...
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 4, 2013 2:57:52 GMT -5
howdy leo, i think that is perfect and i'm pleased fer ya. remember though what i suggested about the seat. that little piece in between the passenger and rider section of the seat can be removed and may give ya a little more room to move around. most cycle shops have plastic rivet things that are about as big around as a nickle and you can use those to plug the three holes left after that piece is removed.. lotsa miles and smiles to ya ken I know these seats were designed for smaller Asian folks, but it fits me to a tee! I just slump back and "groove"... Now, the windshield is another story. IT was definitely made for a giraffe... LOL! I haven't decided whether to cut it down to look over it, or, get used to looking through it and riding totally wind-free. Never had that experience before! Kinda like driving a car, except it falls over when you stop unless you remember to put a foot down... So much to remember at my age... Hope I don't end up in Wisconsin, on my way to Wally World... LOL!Leo (doing mind exercises) in Texas |
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Post by spandi on Oct 4, 2013 3:05:15 GMT -5
Big Schnoz huh? Must be a Grand Durante. "Goodnight Mr and Mrs Calabash, wherever you are"  |
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Oct 4, 2013 8:02:25 GMT -5
Nice buy. I gotta keep my eyes open for a 250+ deal
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Post by spandi on Oct 4, 2013 11:10:15 GMT -5
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 4, 2013 12:58:10 GMT -5
Ah, good ol' "Lambchop"! We ARE dating ourselves... LOL!As a little nipper back in the Stone-Age, I had an awful crush on Sherry Lewis... She had this aura of innocence that captivated the kiddies. Years later I caught her nightclub act... CHEESH! Little Sherry, Lambchop, Hushpuppy and Mushmouse had a truly RAUNCHY side... LOL! Even made Johnny Carson blush on national TV. Who knew? Lotsa names out there. Love the white cat names... I'll have to ride her a while and see what irritating habits surface to really come up with the "just right" moniker. Leo (makin' a face on my white sock) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 4, 2013 13:18:30 GMT -5
Nice buy. I gotta keep my eyes open for a 250+ deal Jeepsteve92xj, I'd recommend that. I searched the Internet and found many, MANY nice 250's. Lots of Honda Reflexes, lots of Kymco Grand Vistas. BUT... If you DON'T need a flat-floor, your options are limitless! I almost went with a Kymco Exciting 500 but I just couldn't manage the "hump". It was also a "maxi" and MUCH larger and heavier than the 150. I found for MY use, the Grand Vista, and a few Italian scoots were about all that were available used and affordable. Below is a just-ended eBay listing for a swell Kymco GTi300. I almost went for this one! E-mailed them, and they were very nice about getting the scoot shipped and titled out of state. THIS one was the buy of the century! $2,000 opening bid, and NO bids!!! This IS the time to BUY! Not to SELL! This bad boy step-through will nudge 100 mph and give 70 mpg in town!
2012 Kymco GTi300 KYMCO GTi300 SCOOTER / MOTORCYCLE 300cc UNDER 3000 miles GREAT SHAPE Item number: 331032538800 Top-rated seller Member id eroyalpawn ( Feedback Score Of 1772Red star icon for feedback score in between 1,000 to 4,999) You really might want to contact them. This IS a $4,000 used scoot, for $2,000 plus shipping. The ONLY reason I did not bid was the local dealer made it SO convenient and affordable to get the Grand Vista. Right now, the online dealers are REALLY dealing on brand-new Chinese 250's. Under $2,000 delivered! As with the 150's, I'm sure you get your money's worth and more, but I'm just a little gun-shy about Chinese. If I were younger, pain-free, frisky and "ready to wrench"... I might have tried a Chinese 250. But a buy like that GTi300 for $2,000 is mighty tempting! "Seek, and ye shall find"... Yup!Whatever you decide, definitely DO ride both the smaller, AND maxi-scoots to see if you prefer the heavy road bike, or the lighter, more nimble versions. All depends on how much city and highway use you will have. The "scooters" and "maxi-scooters" are totally different animals. Ride safe!Leo |
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Post by spandi on Oct 4, 2013 15:53:00 GMT -5
Dating ourselves? Right Leo, like the Jimmy Durante and Jack Webb references didn't do that already!  |
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Post by shalomdawg on Oct 4, 2013 21:58:26 GMT -5
howdy, leo, yup the grande nosed vista will take the freeway. i rode mine on a 320 miles stretch of freeway, and 320 miles back. that's when i noticed the seat was uncomfortable. the point is , take some trips and enjoy. i put 8,000 trouble free miles on mine before upgrading to the piaggio bv500. the lady i sold it to was tickled to get it---in white---.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by shalomdawg on Oct 4, 2013 22:00:09 GMT -5
hmmmm i didn't try to put those emoticons in there---something is taking control of my "set"---resistance may be futile
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Oct 4, 2013 22:04:48 GMT -5
Nice buy. I gotta keep my eyes open for a 250+ deal Jeepsteve92xj, I'd recommend that. I searched the Internet and found many, MANY nice 250's. Lots of Honda Reflexes, lots of Kymco Grand Vistas. BUT... If you DON'T need a flat-floor, your options are limitless! I almost went with a Kymco Exciting 500 but I just couldn't manage the "hump". It was also a "maxi" and MUCH larger and heavier than the 150. I found for MY use, the Grand Vista, and a few Italian scoots were about all that were available used and affordable. Below is a just-ended eBay listing for a swell Kymco GTi300. I almost went for this one! E-mailed them, and they were very nice about getting the scoot shipped and titled out of state. THIS one was the buy of the century! $2,000 opening bid, and NO bids!!! This IS the time to BUY! Not to SELL! This bad boy step-through will nudge 100 mph and give 70 mpg in town!
2012 Kymco GTi300 KYMCO GTi300 SCOOTER / MOTORCYCLE 300cc UNDER 3000 miles GREAT SHAPE Item number: 331032538800 Top-rated seller Member id eroyalpawn ( Feedback Score Of 1772Red star icon for feedback score in between 1,000 to 4,999) You really might want to contact them. This IS a $4,000 used scoot, for $2,000 plus shipping. The ONLY reason I did not bid was the local dealer made it SO convenient and affordable to get the Grand Vista. Right now, the online dealers are REALLY dealing on brand-new Chinese 250's. Under $2,000 delivered! As with the 150's, I'm sure you get your money's worth and more, but I'm just a little gun-shy about Chinese. If I were younger, pain-free, frisky and "ready to wrench"... I might have tried a Chinese 250. But a buy like that GTi300 for $2,000 is mighty tempting! "Seek, and ye shall find"... Yup!Whatever you decide, definitely DO ride both the smaller, AND maxi-scoots to see if you prefer the heavy road bike, or the lighter, more nimble versions. All depends on how much city and highway use you will have. The "scooters" and "maxi-scooters" are totally different animals. Ride safe!Leo Wow, That is a nice deal. I could see a road trip for that. A good reason to hit the Wheels through Time museum and Tail of the Dragon! IF I had 2k for the bike and another lump for road trip gas. I saw a Sym HD200 in TX for $2k last spring on ebay. I think it had 1500 miles. I sure like the flat floor - it is handy when bring home groceries. And the 16" wheels. Now If I could get a few weeks of overtime to buy something... |
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Oct 4, 2013 22:07:05 GMT -5
thirtytwo = 32
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