KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 125 to 300 => People 250 => Topic started by: pahillbillybear on December 27, 2009, 12:57:09 AM
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I e-mailed my local dealer today looking for a scoot to haul my butt (255 lbs.) down the road. I love the Buddy. Hands down my favorite for the kind of riding I do. But this dealer more or less convinced me that 150 cc may not bring home the bacon, and I like bacon. I also liked the Vespa until I came to the realization that maintenance costs (such as a rear tire change) would eat up much of my savings by riding a scooter. So I am left with the Sym HD 200 and the Kymco 250 People S. Does anyone own both of these bikes, this allowing a direct comparison? The SYM is less money and has less weight. The Kymco is water cooled and has better braking. And that is about as much as I know. What of SYM's parts availability? I've always heard that Kymco is the best in parts. Does that hold true or is that just someone trying to sell a bike? Thanks in advance for all responses.
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My experience with both lines, working at a dealer who carries both lines: Kymco parts generally arrive in 3-4 business days. SYM in 3-14 business days.
The HD200 is also liquid-cooled, btw. Rumor says the next model year will have rear disc brakes, like the Euro and Asian model has had all along. It will also probably go up a couple hundred in MSRP, but it's been a little underpriced for what it has been, IMO. A great bike for the money.
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don't have s sym 200 but I do have an Aprilia 200 Scarabeo (made in China)and I ride my ps250 the majority of the time. It's like a rocket ship compared to the 200.
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...dunno what kinda riding you do...and I own none of the afore mentioned scoots...
..but what I do know from over 40,000 km of experience on an '08 Agility 50 that I bought new...
...you just can't beat the KYMCO for longevity...
..i've seen too many chinese scooters drop bearings after a few thousand miles...
peace
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both are Taiwanese and I have only read good things about both of them. I am still voting for the 250 over the 200. Only down side is about 10 mpg decrease in the 250, but the zoom factor overcomes that handily!!
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..yeah both the SYM and Aprilia are really good scoots...
..I think SYM and KYMCO were once a part of the same company???
..i think...lol..
..down here in the 50t ranks were always trying to get that "one more mph"...mpgs just don't seem to matter so much...lol..
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I'm pretty impressed with my lack of mpg's. I got mine down to about 30, sure is quick though! ;D
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...lmao...i nearly ran outta fuel on my way to work yesterday...
..didn't know the gauge would go that far past E...
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Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)
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Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)
..dang...70mph on these little tires....
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The Avon Viper is rated at 78 mph, Shaka saw another rating at 93 for the same tire.
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...luv my vyper..
..sssssss....
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...luv my vyper..
..sssssss....
..oh wait...that sounded like air leaking....dammit...
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Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)
LOL! Guess that could be some type of performance standard! ;D I did end up ordering a set of the Avon Vipers this evening. I sure hope they fit! Zombie, I'm taking your word on the fit. I did the 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear. Now I just hope my rear tires holds together in the mean time!
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LOL! Guess that could be some type of performance standard! ;D I did end up ordering a set of the Avon Vipers this evening. I sure hope they fit! Zombie, I'm taking your word on the fit. I did the 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear. Now I just hope my rear tires holds together in the mean time!
..thats what i run on my scoot....those sizes...coool...
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Now I just hope my rear tires holds together in the mean time!
...jou gots some cajones chaka....biiig cajones... ;D
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I don't really have much choice! It's wearing through those layers quick! I went through another layer of threads in just the 3 miles I rode today!
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I don't really have much choice! It's wearing through those layers quick! I went through another layer of threads in just the 3 miles I rode today!
...sh*t..fu*k..damn...
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If those are the Chen Shin tires BE CAREFULL. Mine was down to the first threads, an they are PAPER THIN when you take them off. There is NO meat under the skin. In fact I think they are only 2 ply nylon. (might be 4 ply but no more). The only trick to installing the rear is DO NOT SET THE BEAD until the rim is back on the scoot. Then set the bead, and inflate. I also bought bolt on valve stems for 3-4 bucks each locally because of the higher pressure in the Avons. Happy New Year Bro, Hope the Tire gods are willing...
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If those are the Chen Shin tires BE CAREFULL. Mine was down to the first threads, an they are PAPER THIN when you take them off. There is NO meat under the skin. In fact I think they are only 2 ply nylon. (might be 4 ply but no more). The only trick to installing the rear is DO NOT SET THE BEAD until the rim is back on the scoot. Then set the bead, and inflate. I also bought bolt on valve stems for 3-4 bucks each locally because of the higher pressure in the Avons. Happy New Year Bro, Hope the Tire gods are willing...
..what pressure do you run in your front avon?
..and I can testify to the thin skin of the chein shins...
..dang..that kinda rolled off the tongue....
:P
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Dang, that's not very confidence inspiring! I can attest to the the fact they have to be more than 2-ply thick at least, that really just means I don't have anything left though! I just hope the tires gods will my tire to last till the new ones show up!
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Dang, that's not very confidence inspiring! I can attest to the the fact they have to be more than 2-ply thick at least, that really just means I don't have anything left though! I just hope the tires gods will my tire to last till the new ones show up!
..well, i ruined my original C/S rear tire by running it low of air...but I checked it out after I replaced it, and it was a verry thin tire...
..safe riding...maybe it won't "blow-out" on u...a slow leak ain't so bad, 'cept you still gotta push the damned thing...
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The scoots outside but I think it was 42-48 psi. Be Carefull shaka... Slinger are you typing with your tongue?
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..i reckon i just dont get as many tonguing opportunities as i usta...
..every chance i get....well...
:P
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..I think SYM and KYMCO were once a part of the same company???
No, although I see people claiming this in various forums.
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No, although I see people claiming this in various forums.
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..that's where i got the info from...here...
..I saw a SYM that looks a LOT like my A50....
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You see a lot of Chinese bikes that look like a lot of Japanese bikes, but that doesn't mean they were once in any way affiliated.
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Hey jpres., I also thought Sym was a subsidiary of Kymco, when Kymco was a Sub. for honda! "Back in the day" Do they have an affiliation today? My Bad. I should have started with a Very Happy New Year to you Bro! I thought today Sym assembles the kymco scoots for some markets... Just curious. On a ps note. Thank you to all the posters here that put up with Hijacks. A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! One more to Turnbuckle, and his extended family for giving us all a place to play. From Carribelle with love...Zombie
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If SYM and Kymco have ever had any affiliation, there's not a trace of official evidence on the Intarwebs about it, is all I can say with any authority.
IIRC, SYM and Honda were affiliated in the past (and SYM built a great many of the best-selling bikes ever -- the Honda Cub and Super Cub), and went through a very messy "divorce," with bad feelings that continue to this day.
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I have read in many places online that Sym and Kymco both split from Honda Taiwan. I'll try to find some reputable sources to post on here tomorrow to back that up. I know that MRP states it on their website.
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I realize I will sound ignorant... Who is IIRC? Honda seems to be the hub of all these companies. Funny thing is I have 2 NC/50s that are still my go-to bikes when the Kymco has trouble. (they are a '78, and an '80 that I have NEVER bought a part for except for points, and 1 stator) Original piston, and rings in both!
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IIRC = If I Recall, Correctly.
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Ahhhhh. Computer lingo! I still can't figure how to use the smiley faces! Thanks. Oh Ps ttygiekl? Thought I would start a new one.
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I have read in many places online that Sym and Kymco both split from Honda Taiwan. I'll try to find some reputable sources to post on here tomorrow to back that up. I know that MRP states it on their website.
I could be totally wrong, but (I'm a dancin' fool!) I think both Kymco and SYM have, in the past, built bikes or sub-assemblies for bikes that were badged as and sold as Hondas.
This does not make either company part of Honda, or part of one another. Kymco is building engines for BMW bikes right now, but as far as I know, BMW has no ownership stake in Kymco.
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You might also give a look to the Aprilia Sportcity 250. I love mine, gets 80 mph (with a windshield) and about 60 mpg.
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Piaggio customer service is the sucks. Been there - done that!
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I thought I read that one or both built Honda engines at one time. Perhaps Mr. Kwang Yang could set us straight on that.
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I thought I read that one or both built Honda engines at one time. Perhaps Mr. Kwang Yang could set us straight on that.
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I'm pretty sure they both have. However, that doesn't mean that Honda owned either one, or that any of the companies had an ownership stake in any of the others.
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