KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 50cc => People 50 => Topic started by: alpha300 on February 24, 2011, 11:31:50 AM
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Hi Everyone!
I just bought a brand new 2009 Kymco People 50 4 stroke scooter. It was an impulse buy... I bought the scooter, but I haven't even test driven it yet as it is winter. Which brings me here for some information from knowledgeable and experienced scooter enthusiasts.
I wanted the scooter for two reasons:
1) Take little leisurely scenic rides with the wife.
2) Use if for errands and small journeys to save fuel and be environmentally responsible.
Im sure the scooter will fulfill reason number 2.
However, I am starting to doubt the viability of number 1.
Can I successfully carry myself and another passenger ( total of 2 people ) on the People 50 4T 2009? Or will it just be an exercise in frustration, sucking the joy out of scootering?
I weigh 175 lbs while my wife weight 120 lbs.
What do you think? I look forward to your comments.
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Hi Everyone!
I just bought a brand new 2009 Kymco People 50 4 stroke scooter. It was an impulse buy... I bought the scooter, but I haven't even test driven it yet as it is winter. Which brings me here for some information from knowledgeable and experienced scooter enthusiasts.
I wanted the scooter for two reasons:
1) Take little leisurely scenic rides with the wife.
2) Use if for errands and small journeys to save fuel and be environmentally responsible.
Im sure the scooter will fulfill reason number 2.
However, I am starting to doubt the viability of number 1.
Can I successfully carry myself and another passenger ( total of 2 people ) on the People 50 4T 2009? Or will it just be an exercise in frustration, sucking the joy out of scootering?
I weigh 175 lbs while my wife weight 120 lbs.
What do you think? I look forward to your comments.
2 up on 50 cc 4 stroke -> more like an emergency measure than scootering.
You might do it once or twice on short distances and if it is flat all the way without major hills.
Up the hill (>15 %), with only driver it will go probably 20-30 km/h. Two up might even stop.
On 125cc it is quite possible (although cramped up).
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In Tennessee, it's illegal to have more than just the operator on a 50cc bike.
Yeah... pretty pointless, I say. Potentially dangerous, even.
.
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Thanks for the replies. I was hoping for some positive feedback...but it is what it is... :-\
Can anybody else restore hope? I rode 2up on a 50cc 2t before and it was great. I didnt realize that 4t was so much less powerful. No more impulse buys!!!
I don't want to move up to 125 cc's because I don't want to have to get a motorcycle license. I can drive 50cc with my car license.
I'm not looking for blazing speed and acceleration. Just a usable machine for 2-up. If I am set on keeping the People 50 4t, what options do I have?:
1)A dealer mentioned that they could install an 80cc big bore kit. But from what I have seen from several posts, this may not be very good for long term reliability? Also, it is relatively expensive $1000.00. Any thoughts?
2)I have seen mention changing roller weight to 6 gram for better acceleration. Is this effective for what I want to achieve and does this affect longterm reliability?
3)What else can be done? Besides getting a new scooter?
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I had a 50cc vino classic in the past and I would double up with my wife on it a handful of times. Granted it was really cramped but we didn't mind. We would get it to about 30mph with the two of us. But this was in a small town where most roads have a speed limit of 25-35. I would not dream of doing that now that we live in the San Francisco area where most speed limits are 45.
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Thanks for the info NewKymcoFan. Out of curiosity, was the vino 50cc classic a 4 stroke or 2 stroke?
In any case, it seems that 2-up on a stock 50cc 4t is not recommended in anyway, shape or form.
I am committed to keeping this People 50 4t.
I've started another topic to help me find the best 80cc big bore kit: http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3686.0 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3686.0)
That should allow me to PUTT around a little more effectively. I hope!
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Thanks for the info NewKymcoFan. Out of curiosity, was the vino 50cc classic a 4 stroke or 2 stroke?
In any case, it seems that 2-up on a stock 50cc 4t is not recommended in anyway, shape or form.
I am committed to keeping this People 50 4t.
I've started another topic to help me find the best 80cc big bore kit: http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3686.0 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3686.0)
That should allow me to PUTT around a little more effectively. I hope!
It will be cheaper AND more reliable to switch to 50 cc 2 stroke.
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Probably... :-[
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ive done it on a 4 stroke .... this is a gy6 engine right? 1000 for a big bore kit!!??!!! wow.... id swear i saw the 80cc cylinder and pistons on ebay really cheap. you know anything about engines?
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Dreflu,
How did your experience go with an 80cc kit on a 50cc 4t? Was there a major performance increase? Did you have reliability issues afterwards?
I have to admit that I dont know anything about engines at this point. I am starting to understand a little more now that I've been surfing the net and the forums. The reality is that I have no experience myself, so I find it difficult for me make decisions.
I don't have any details on what parts and work will actually be done for a 1000.00 cdn dollars. I have just been told that it is a 80cc upgrade that would be fully installed by a dealer. I will enquire.
I don't know if it is a GY6 engine. All I can tell you is that it is a People s50 4t, 2009 in Canada. Can anyone confirm or deny that this scooter has a GY6 engine in it?
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I had an agility 50 for a while and going big bore and lighter weights didn't help with my 2 up riding very much. Even solo i only gained about 20% increase in performance.
$1000 for an upgrade? How about hitting craigslist and turning that grand into a used scooter? You'll both move quicker and you double your storage if you run errands together.
Used to ride 2 up with the gf on the a50... Once she rode it solo she wanted her own so we could ride together.
Good luck mate, and either way I'm sure you'll have some fun.
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Dreflu,
How did your experience go with an 80cc kit on a 50cc 4t? Was there a major performance increase? Did you have reliability issues afterwards?
I have to admit that I dont know anything about engines at this point. I am starting to understand a little more now that I've been surfing the net and the forums. The reality is that I have no experience myself, so I find it difficult for me make decisions.
I don't have any details on what parts and work will actually be done for a 1000.00 cdn dollars. I have just been told that it is a 80cc upgrade that would be fully installed by a dealer. I will enquire.
I don't know if it is a GY6 engine. All I can tell you is that it is a People s50 4t, 2009 in Canada. Can anyone confirm or deny that this scooter has a GY6 engine in it?
ive done it meaning rode with someone on the back... not kitted a gy6.. sorry about the mix up
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Dreflu,
Thanks for the clarification. Can you describe your experience with riding 2-up on the 4 stroke?
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My vino was a 2006 model so it was a 4 stroke.
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I had a 50cc vino classic in the past and I would double up with my wife on it a handful of times. Granted it was really cramped but we didn't mind. We would get it to about 30mph with the two of us. But this was in a small town where most roads have a speed limit of 25-35. I would not dream of doing that now that we live in the San Francisco area where most speed limits are 45.
This might be ok for me after all... 30 mph equates to 48.3 km/hr. All the streets that I would be going are posted as 50 km/hr max.
Thanks!
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Dreflu,
Thanks for the clarification. Can you describe your experience with riding 2-up on the 4 stroke?
the best thing i can tell you is to ride it and try!! 6 gram rollers would make you pull better tho..
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Sell the 4t and get a tandem bicycle (if you want to be environmentally responsible) or man up, get your motorcycle license and get a bigger scooter.
Personally I don't like to ride two up on a scooter or a motorcycle.
Oh, sure it is cute and all, but wonky.
I may change my mind if I get to ride a Goldwing.
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Sell the 4t and get a tandem bicycle (if you want to be environmentally responsible) or man up, get your motorcycle license and get a bigger scooter.
Personally I don't like to ride two up on a scooter or a motorcycle.
Oh, sure it is cute and all, but wonky.
I may change my mind if I get to ride a Goldwing.
i like my lil scooter!!!
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You haven't ridden it yet? Trade it in for the 2 stroke model. It will cost you but it will be less than the thousand dollars your dealer wants to charge. Besides, 2 stroke is more fun.
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You haven't ridden it yet? Trade it in for the 2 stroke model. It will cost you but it will be less than the thousand dollars your dealer wants to charge. Besides, 2 stroke is more fun.
two strokes do have more power!!
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Hi Everyone!
I just bought a brand new 2009 Kymco People 50 4 stroke scooter. It was an impulse buy... I bought the scooter, but I haven't even test driven it yet as it is winter. Which brings me here for some information from knowledgeable and experienced scooter enthusiasts.
I wanted the scooter for two reasons:
1) Take little leisurely scenic rides with the wife.
2) Use if for errands and small journeys to save fuel and be environmentally responsible.
Im sure the scooter will fulfill reason number 2.
However, I am starting to doubt the viability of number 1.
Can I successfully carry myself and another passenger ( total of 2 people ) on the People 50 4T 2009? Or will it just be an exercise in frustration, sucking the joy out of scootering?
I weigh 175 lbs while my wife weight 120 lbs.
What do you think? I look forward to your comments.
I have had a chance to think things through...
In my opening post, I said that I wanted the scooter for two reasons:
1) Take little leisurely scenic rides with the wife.
2) Use if for errands and small journeys to save fuel and be environmentally responsible.
This is still true but the priorities are reversed. A practical and economical mode of transportation that doesn't pollute as much as a car or a 2 stroke is actually the first priority. I just got excited and nostalgic about spending the summer days with my chick on the back of the scooter. :) Those were such carefree days.
I have decided to keep the People s50 4t and keep it stock (maybe change rollers for fun!). I really like the "adult" conservative and classy styling of it. If the wife can get on the back for a few miles along the river on the flats... then I'm happy. Its for the wife to drive on her own too... so the People s50 4t will be just fine.
And I just saved myself 1000.00 dollars. We are in a recession after all. ;)
If I really want to get into scootering, I'll install the big bore kit myself during the next year - or get something else.
Thank you for the advice - and the sanity check! LOL
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I have finally had a chance to ride my new Kymco People S50 4t. My girlfriend is away, so I decided to test the scooter with another passenger - someone heavier! My ol'man. I weight 175 lbs and he weighs in at 165 lbs.
Performance:
By myself (175 lbs), I was able to keep up with traffic easily. The area in which I drive has speedlimits of 30-50 km/hr. I was able to go up hills, no problem and maintain at least the posted speed limit. On flats, I was able to achieve 65 km/hr and 70 km/hr with a little wind behind me.
With a passenger (175 +165 lbs), I was still able to keep up with traffic and maintain at least the posted speed limits on flats. On the hills, the scooter slowed quite a bit. But those sections are short and infrequent - So I feel that it is acceptable performance.
I suppose it all depends on expectations. I got wound up with all the "performance talk" and " tweaking" that most people who own (relatively) low cost, modifiable machines often do. I began to have unrealistic expectations myself!
The Final Verdict:
This 4 stroke 50cc scooter has "enough" power to get me and a passenger from point A to point B in an enjoyable and leisurely fashion. It does not have agressive acceleration in anyway - but I don't really care about that - it's a 50cc scooter ! Not a full blown motorcyle! It will have somewhat better performance when I ride 2-up with my GF as she only weighs 116 lbs. At the end of the day, I am happy with my purchase. it performs well enough, looks like a quality product, inexpensive and is relatively environmentally friendly. Those three "adequate" characteristics make this scooter a winner.
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Yeah good call. Glad it worked our for you. Like I said earlier I rode two up with my wife on our old 2006 vino classic in the past and in the small town we lived in at the time we didn't have any problems and it was a blast. Enjoy the ride and be safe.
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I went for a ride with my wife today... Wonderful. It was a beautiful spring day. The scooter got us from point A to point B in style and comfort. It easily got up the small hills and was even able to tackle a few steep ones. I dont feel that performance has changed significantly between just me and the both of us on the scooter. I am quite amazed. I very pleased with my purchase. As I said, I had a wonderful day out, and that's what its all about. :)
Could it use a little more ooomph? Sure, but when is it ever enough? I'll content myself with this bone stock People s50 4t and ride the hell out of it for as long as I can.
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I've racked up 1000 km so far on the People s50 4t. More than half that mileage was done 2-up.
I've changed the oil at 200km and at 500km.
My wife and I are enjoying the scooter a lot. We intend to continue using the scooter as often as we can. However, it just occurred to me that the little engine/transmission is going to suffer from the extra load of 2-up riding. I know the rear shock is going to take a beating, but that it easily replaced. Brakes pads and tires will have to be replaced more often too... It's the heart of the scooter (the engine/transmission) that I am concerned about.
Should I be concerned?