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Post by floridagull on Nov 16, 2015 14:55:30 GMT -5
Well, our courier that goes north from our lab to collect samples didn't come in today, so guess who had to go on the sample collection route? That would be me...  So, to reduce the anger a bit, I decided to stop at Tropical Scooters in Vero Beach as I drove by after picking up the Vero Beach wastewater samples. This dealer is closed Sunday and Monday, so I thought I would just stop and look through their window... Well, as I was looking through the window, the door opens, and the owner says "I'm here doing some paperwork - come on in!" As I was ahead of time on the courier run, I thanked her and did so. In terms of over 50cc scoots, she had 6 in her small showroom - a 2014 and a 2015 Kymco Like 200i (blue/white and black, respectively), a Lance Cabo 150, a Lance Havana Classic 125, a Kymco Super 8 150R, and a used 2009 Kymco People S 200 (on consignment from a customer that had purchased it from her in 2010). The used scoot has about 3000 miles on it, and is in pretty immaculate shape. She said they were asking $1800, but also said she wouldn't let him take any less than $1600 (so, I guess that's the price...)  For reference, she is asking $2499 for both of the Like 200i's, and $2199 for the Cabo 150. Is $1600 a decent/good price for a 2009 Kymco People S 200 with 3000 miles? What are people's opinions of this scoot? I just may go for it...   |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 16, 2015 15:22:25 GMT -5
Floridagull,
I may be able to help.
Two years ago, I traded my Chinese 150 on a well-used Kymco 250 Grandvista (which I still LOVE after 2 years!). In the process, I test-rode the "Like 200" and rode a "People 200" loaner while the dealer changed out my tires.
While I prefer the look of the "Like 200" the "People 200" was much better riding, at least for me. I weigh 230 pounds, and the "People" seemed noticeably quicker, and faster than the "Like". I can't explain it, since I believe the Like was fuel-injected and the People was carbureted.
However, I was more than impressed with the "People 200". Especially since it's not a true 200 cc, but really a basic GY6 air-cooled 163cc motor. I was SO impressed, I got a local cop to check me on top-speed and he verified an honest 68 mph! The little "People" (no pun intended...) had nearly the acceleration of my 250 up to 50 mph, too!
It's large wheels made for a great ride, and the old-school drum rear-brake seemed to stop as well as a disk would. The "People 200" is pretty much what we all WISH a Chinese 150 would be, but never is.
The ONLY minor complaint I had with the People 200 was also sometimes a benefit... It felt "bicycle-light" to me. It almost put itself on the center-stand with no effort, which I loved. Walking it into tight places, it felt like a Schwinn bicycle! But it also was just a tad "light" at 60 and above in strong wind. Nothing one couldn't handle, but not as solid as my quite heavy 250. I could ABSOLUTELY get used to it considering all its other good points.
Some ladies find the People a little tall, especially when on the center-stand, but I have short legs and didn't have any trouble at all. Had I not just bought the 250, I might have opted for the 200 just because of its great all-round riding capability, AND especially, it's ease of "man-handling" in tight places.
I'd try test-riding both the People AND the Like, to see how they compare for your riding. I'd sum them up by saying I prefer the traditional scooter-appearance of the LIKE, but vastly prefer the handling and performance of the PEOPLE.
That said, I still love my old Grandvista 250 for all riding, especially on the highway, but it's "boat-anchor" compared to the nimble "200's".
And... Trust me... Don't test-ride a new fuel-injected PEOPLE 300 unless you are ready to plunk-down a bunch of money... They are REALLY sweet! But a WHOLE lot more "pricey" than the 200... LOL! But if you RIDE one, you're gonna WANT one...
Ride safe, and I hope my experiences may help out...
Leo (a MAJOR fan of Kymco scoots) in Texas
PS: I'm an old-school biker with more than a half-century of riding Harleys; both choppers and baggers. So I am pretty well-versed in what rides nice... And I'm totally sold on Kymco. They are well-made and long-lasting! |
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Post by floridagull on Nov 16, 2015 15:32:43 GMT -5
Thank you for your well-thought-out reply!  This scoot is blue, and it has 16" wheels/tires! Also has a decent windshield and a matching rear case. What do you think of the $1600 price? |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 16, 2015 15:48:53 GMT -5
Thank you for your well-thought-out reply! This scoot is blue, and it has 16" wheels/tires! Also has a decent windshield and a matching rear case. What do you think of the $1600 price?
My loaner was also blue... probably the nicest color on the People...
I liked it so much I snapped a pic while I had it in hand...
I'm not current on the prices today, but 2 years ago, this one was lightly used and $1,800. I thought that was a fair price then, so depending on model year, $1,600 would sound fair to me. Do check around though, just to be sure. That should be a great ride for any use except high-speed freeway travel, and still fast enough to sneak onto the limited-access when necessary.
Any others with pricing knowledge, please chime in!
Leo
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Post by floridagull on Nov 16, 2015 16:00:56 GMT -5
Yep - that's it! And that picture confirms that there is a little blue trim piece missing in the front - the little circle right below the "grill" - it covers a screw, it appears. That's it - a missing trim piece - that's got to be worth a couple of hundred discount, no?  Oh - I'm about 210-215 pounds - and the wife is about 125 - so we "max-out" at around 340... |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 16, 2015 16:02:19 GMT -5
You mentioned a windshield and a trunk, NICE extras costing at least $150. Both good to have! Here's my old Grandvista when I first got her. The WINDSHIELD is a REAL blessing! If yours is anything like mine, it will make riding below 50 degrees MUCH better. It might cut a couple mph off top speed, but worth it.  Also, please note the "radiator" in the nose of the People is fake. It's air-cooled, but that makes for less maintenance and simpler upkeep. Air-cooled is fine. Enjoy! Leo |
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Post by floridagull on Nov 16, 2015 16:07:16 GMT -5
I used to have a 1973 VW Beetle - I like air-cooled - the only car that NEVER broke down on me...  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 16, 2015 16:08:28 GMT -5
Yep - that's it! And that picture confirms that there is a little blue trim piece missing in the front - the little circle right below the "grill" - it covers a screw, it appears. That's it - a missing trim piece - that's got to be worth a couple of hundred discount, no? Oh - I'm about 210-215 pounds - and the wife is about 125 - so we "max-out" at around 340...
Ah... I don't THINK so... LOL!
Put a big reflector there to hide the hole.
Gotta leave the PC and do some work...
You still might want to test the Like also, but I believe the People is a better all-round choice...
Have a great one!
Leo
PS: If you will be riding 2-up, you MAY actually need a little more hp. If so, you might want to try out the People 300... A lot more money, but plenty of power!
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Post by scooter on Nov 17, 2015 3:57:58 GMT -5
I recently got a 2003 Bet & Win 250 in nice condition. Only thing bad is that the candy paint is faded a bit in spots, but the clear coat on top is still in great shape so it's not a big deal. Otherwise it looks very well cared for, the belt is like new, the rollers are barely used with some tiny flats on them, the muffler looks great, the plastics are in great shape too. I have eliminated most any corrosion/rust I found on it. Has about 20K miles on it but it starts and runs well, in a test ride around the parking lot. Seems very strong. I have to say the quality of just the body parts alone and the fit and finish are much nicer than the Chinese bikes I've had, and the gauge cluster has excellent features like engine temp and rpm as well as a battery meter and some other stuff like ambient temp. Also has dual disk brakes. I don't plan on riding it, but it's a nice bike. I don't care for a high seat and open floor design, plus I'm too tall for it, but I can see why people like the Kymcos. I'd say it's in good to excellent condition. It looks pretty much like this picture:  MSRP for a new one is $3,999. I haven't found this year and condition of bike for sale to get a price that's reasonable to ask. How much do you guys think I could get for it? |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 17, 2015 19:34:46 GMT -5
I'm not up on used scooter prices, and they vary a LOT from one bike to another, and from one area to another.
That scoot in the picture looks like maybe the old Kymco "Bet n' Win" 250 (the platform the Grandvista came from). I don't think they were made much past 2008, and the Grandvista/Grand Dink was made up to around 2011 or so. Both now go for only around $2,000 tops. I paid $2,500 for my '07 Grandvista, but that was almost 3 years ago, and from a B&M dealership with excellent service, and also took my Chinese 150 in trade.
You seldom see a "Bet n' Win" for sale. They are really a sporty, shorter version of the later Grandvista with a "semi-hump: floor. They were fast and nimble for their day, and were popular. I don't think there are many around, but if you find one they go cheap. A great ride for the rider wanting a durable, sporty old-school scoot at a bargain-basement price.
The "People 200" is a tall-wheel (16 or 17" wheel scoot that looks Italian) Below is a 2008 which my dealer lent me while changing out my tires on the Grandvista.
My best guess on a really nice used Taiwanese 200 or 250 would be anywhere between $1,500 and $2,000 and with winter upon us, deep discounts might be possible. Dealers don't want them cluttering their small showrooms and owners want them out of their garages... but that's only my guess.
Once they get older, and replaced with newer models, the prices sort of even-out. I see air-cooled 150-200 cc carbureted scoots and 250 cc water-cooled carbureted scoots all around the $1,500 to $2,000 price range.
In the older, carbureted Kymco models, the 163 cc People 200 is a great ride. If you need a little more power, the Grandvista 250 and Bet n' Win 250 are real bargains. Obsoleted by newer fuel-injected 300's and such, they offer great utility and affordable price!
Riders want 4-valve, fuel-injected motors and dual-disk brakes and shell out major money for them. This makes the older scooters more affordable, and they are still great rides.
In this category of scooters, one should also check out both new and used Italian scoots too. I found some super deals on used Vespas, and other members have snagged NEW high-end Italian scoots for "used" prices. For REAL bang for the buck, the Italian bikes somehow seem to always turn out to be right at the top of the heap.
Other, more knowledgeable members please chime in... Pricing is always a major consideration when buying a scoot!
Leo in Texas |
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