KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 125 to 300 => People GT 300i => Topic started by: MassScoot on August 16, 2012, 06:10:07 PM
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Hi All: New to the forum. I decided to sell my 2009 Suzuki TU-250X & go back to a scooter. I owned a 2006 Kymco People S200 (Air-Cooled 163cc) & loved it! For some reason I thought I wanted a motorcycle & that wore-off after 2 seasons. I got tired of shifting gears & plus the bike rusted (a lot of chrome) like nobody's business. I do live in a seacoast town (Magnolia, MA.) & the sea air does take it's toll. I just wanted to jump on a scoot again with some sandles & cruise 15 miles to the market & come home. I never take my scooter more then 60-70 miles in a round trip.
The dealer gave me $2000.00 for the Suzuki, but socked me with a $375.00 freight/set-up & doc fee. I complained & whined & they gave me $200.00 off the $5399.00 retail price. I have never taken her for a test-spin as they had one Gold colored GTI300i w/ a "sold" tag on her. They pulled my Silver GT300i from another dealer about 45 miles away. I'm sure I'll take delivery sometime mid-next week & I'll follow-up after I tally-up some miles on her. My bet is that the GT300i will be so much nicer then my People S200! Only complaint I had with the People S200 was the seat was so damn hard on my ass! I still have this "Air Vent" seat cushion here from 2006:
http://airventusa.com/lt2003test.htm (http://airventusa.com/lt2003test.htm)
Still on the GT300i @ the shop & couldn't get a feel if Kymco decided to softer their seats a little. I'm glad I'll be back in the scooter world very soon!
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Welcome aboard.
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..that 300 looks like a japanese hornet...
..my dream-scoot.....
8)
..welcome to th' forum, Mass Scoot!
..hope you find you times here informative and enjoyable!!
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Thanks everyone! Pretty excited about taking delivery of the GT300i mid-next week. Quick question.....Looks like the Downtown 300 furums are much busier. Did the D-T 300 get released before the GT300i? Or simply more people have purchased a D-T vs. the GT?
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Quick question.....Looks like the Downtown 300 furums are much busier. Did the D-T 300 get released before the GT300i? Or simply more people have purchased a D-T vs. the GT?
Both, in most markets.
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Thanks for the reply. Can anyone give me some insight on which scooter cover you're using? I usually by Dowco covers. Just wondering what size?
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I got an Aprilia Atlantic 500 scooter cover that fits great. It has a nice extra section in the back that fits the top box perfect. Of course they don't make this bike however I got this. Over for $25.00 because of this. Fits great And well made if you don't mind an Aprilia name on it. Of course I Also own a Mana GT 850.
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Grats on the purchase. You will enjoy long trips on it, although I would recommend a windscreen for highway jaunts. I am probably going to get an Air Hawk seat pad also...Those round trips to Newport RI leave my legs with a slightly numb feeling....
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Leo: Thanks! I on the ropes about the windshield. I will do very little highway cruising too be honest. I much prefer 55 & lower secondary roads myself. I live on the seacoast north of Boston & we have some of the best 55 & under roads that hug the coastline going up to New Hampshire & Maine. I use the highway if I'm in a hurry, but I don't feel as comfortable.
I went with this scooter cover here:
http://www.empirecovers.com/detail.aspx?p=EMPSCW&source=search (http://www.empirecovers.com/detail.aspx?p=EMPSCW&source=search)
Short coin, waterproof & 3-year warranty. I hope it holds-up well enough from the summer months. $39.00 & change (including shipping)
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Cover came in today. Stopped by my local Kymco dealer to drop-off the insurance binder. One thing I do like, is that my dealer can register, apply new plates all @ their location without having to go to the registery. We all know what a PITA that is! Bike looks good! Went thru to see if it had any issues on the plastics, pass w/o an issue. I'll be picking her up tomorrow around 11:00AM! Sat on her for a few minutes today. Feels like a good fit IMHO for my frame. Good thing tomorrow will be perfect up here in MA. I think I'll put on 75 miles @ least tomorrow! I'll follow-up!
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Grats on the Bike. Only 75 miles??? lol I take rides to Newport every weekend and put on about 100+ just cruising around. You will enjoy it! BTW I just ordered an Biondi Windscreen and look forward to installing it next week. Enjoy the ride!
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Guys...I picked her up @ 9:00AM this morning. Put about 40 miles on her & took her home. 1st thing I did was take off the four bolts holding down the exhaust shield & used some Loctite Hiigh-Temp 266 & reinstalled. Should keep it on there nice & tight. 2nd was installing a Deltran Battery Jr. pigtail. This took me a little longer then I thought as it is so tight in the battery compartment. Had just enough room to push/hide the wires inside the box itself. The pigtail length was perfect! I didn't even need to use a twist-tie to hold it place. Just snaked it back inside.
Some very quick thoughts here:
Positives: The ride is so damn nice & she isn't even close to being broken in! Took her out of the highway for about 6-7 minutes. Got her up to 70 for a short burst. Feels very soild! Suspension feels nice. I may bring her down 1 slot to soften her-up a tad (we'll see on that later) Love the "upright" riding position. I thing she is pretty nimble all-in-all, but I need to give it more time.
Fit & finish is A+ (Kymco Standard) Like the instrument layout. Simple & effective. So quiet vs. my 250cc motorcycle I sold (good thing) The standard storage box provided isn't that bad! I need to grease-up the lock a little more as it's fairly stiff to open up @ this point.
Negatives: Underneath storage is much smaller then I thought it was going to be. I'm 6' 230 lbs. & have a size 12 shoe. I have just enough room for my feet, I would have like maybe 1/2" more in width (no a deal braker) Braking seem a tad "soft" too me, not horrible. Needs a little adjustment maybe. Hard seat! When will Kymco ever make a seat that isn't so stiff! No worries...I have an "Airvent" scooter cushion that I'll be installing in a few minutes.
I like the Silver, Dark Grey, Black look myself. Never been a real big fan of black rims, but they are already growing on me. Ok....enough writing. Need to get on her & loosen her up more! I'll follow-up with some pics soon.
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Well...I need to chime-in again. WOW....What a great piece of machinery! Put on a total of 88 miles today. 7 were on the speedo when I purchased her. I need to score that Biondi windshield ASAP! It's looks nice & it will help on the highway. Maybe the guys @ Scooterville in MN. have them in stock now. The GT300i is so, so more polished then my older People S200 (which was a great scoot) The power alone is over-the-top. I don't do too much highway riding, but even on secondary roads it's really nice to have the extra "umph" I just made myself a cocktail, so no more cruising the scoot for tonight. The only thing I need to do is adjust my digital clock! Maybe I'll get a little loaded & just look @ my new GT300i fo an hour or so!
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..i still want one.......
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Hey Massscoot,
I am the guy with the Downtown on the other board. I was in Scooterville in Minneapolis getting my service and they had a Biondi windshield on a Downtown on the showfloor, did not see one on display on a People GT, but they do keep a good selection of parts in stock.
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I looked at a Gold GT 300i today. I liked it. Didn't ride it though. It was marked down to $4799. How much better is the GT 300 compared to my People S 250.
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Hey Massscoot,
I am the guy with the Downtown on the other board. I was in Scooterville in Minneapolis getting my service and they had a Biondi windshield on a Downtown on the showfloor, did not see one on display on a People GT, but they do keep a good selection of parts in stock.
Jwalx1: Ahh....Now I notice you're in a couple of forums! I think Scooterville in MN. has an imported windshield for my GT300i that I can purchase. Thanks so much for keeping "tabs" on me brother! I'll give them a call on Monday to see if they have my "goodie" on hand. Just came back from boating & I'm going to put a quick 25 miles on her right now! BTW....I did a google imagine search for the Downtown 300i & I must admit.....The instrumentation panel is so much nicer! The GT300i is so bland IMHO! Still love her just the same!
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I looked at a Gold GT 300i today. I liked it. Didn't ride it though. It was marked down to $4799. How much better is the GT 300 compared to my People S 250.
Wow...That's a great price! Is it a demo with miles on her for that price? Considering retail is $5399.00, that's hefty discount. One thing that's not on subject, is I don't care for the spartan speedometer. Kind of plain looking, plus no tach. If you look @ a Downtown, it has a real nice instument flaceplate vs. the GT300i. Not a deal breaker, but they could have done better IMHO.
Old Geexer...If you're in the market for a GT300i, I would really look hard @ that discounted scoot.
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No thats a new scooter no miles.. They have others marked down as well.
I have bought two Kymcos from this dealer and never had to pay shipping or set up fees. They are a really good dealer. I may end up with it. Who knows.
http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=05478174X8K26K2012J7I52I06JAMQ4059R0&veh=246765&pov=2738823 (http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=05478174X8K26K2012J7I52I06JAMQ4059R0&veh=246765&pov=2738823)
http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=05478174X8K26K2012J7I52I06JAMQ4059R0&veh=246767&pov=2738837 (http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=05478174X8K26K2012J7I52I06JAMQ4059R0&veh=246767&pov=2738837)
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I noticed that both bikes were gold/orange color. Probably not a popular choice for color, so they marked them down to cost to sell them.
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Nothing to do with color. They have several scooters and motorcycles on sale. They sold three high dollar motorcycles while I was there yesterday.
Selling things orange is not hard here. Out State college football team colors is orange.
http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_inventory.asp (http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_inventory.asp)
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I wish that the GT300i came in better colors. I took Silver, because I hate Black & I really don't dig the Gold color (just my preference) Red, Black, Blue & Silver or even White would have been the colors to make the masses happy! It will kill me if Kymco decides to come out with a Red GT300i! I don't mind Silver that much, but not my favorite choice either!
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All the promos showed the white one, which I thought was pretty sweet in the photos. Then, they didn't offer white in the U.S. The black and silver, when I saw in the showroom, were disappointingly chintzy-looking, to my eyes. The fit and finish were not what I've come to expect from Kymco.
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I wish that the GT300i came in better colors. I took Silver, because I hate Black & I really don't dig the Gold color (just my preference) Red, Black, Blue & Silver or even White would have been the colors to make the masses happy! It will kill me if Kymco decides to come out with a Red GT300i! I don't mind Silver that much, but not my favorite choice either!
Actually black would be my favorite.
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Black tends to shows a lot more scratches...BUT it looks the nicest when its clean and waxed. I like brighter colors in order to be seen on the highway...but the gold(in my opinion) is one of the crappiest colors i have seen on this scooter. Living in Rome for almost eight years as well as owning 4 scooters(Gilera and Aprilia and 2 Hondas), Black/Silver/White seem to be the most popular colors in the city. I have seen some european Kymcos with a gun metal grey and powder blue which didnt look too bad. They also had a deep red color which i liked. It would be nice if they offer some of these colors for the 2013 model year. I bought a silver one and have had it outside all spring and summer and the fit and finish are holding up very well.
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I like white the best!
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To the ones who have ridden both a People S 250 and a GT 300i. How do they compare in handling.
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To the ones who have ridden both a People S 250 and a GT 300i. How do they compare in handling.
I have ridden both. It's been awhile since my last ride on a People S250 (@ least 3 years) As I recall, they are similar is some ways (i.e. ride itself) Both are failrly nimble, but the power difference is huge. Also...If my memory serves me well....I thought the S250 had twin disc brakes. If you don't use the scoot on the highways that much & you can pick-up a S250 for short coin, then I would consider it. I know that's kind of a lame review, but again, my memory sucks @ this stage in my life.
BTW...The always liked the "look" of the People S250 vs. the new GT300i myself.
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All the promos showed the white one, which I thought was pretty sweet in the photos. Then, they didn't offer white in the U.S. The black and silver, when I saw in the showroom, were disappointingly chintzy-looking, to my eyes. The fit and finish were not what I've come to expect from Kymco.
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I disagree. The plastic body is soild & the seams fit perfectly! I owned a People S200 (made in Taiwan as well) Fit & Finish is the standard "Kymco" we all have come to love.
One thing as I already mentioned, is the instrument panel could have been given a little more polish. It's very plain looking too me. Other then that, GT300i is all Kymco!
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I have ridden both. It's been awhile since my last ride on a People S250 (@ least 3 years) As I recall, they are similar is some ways (i.e. ride itself) Both are failrly nimble, but the power difference is huge. Also...If my memory serves me well....I thought the S250 had twin disc brakes. If you don't use the scoot on the highways that much & you can pick-up a S250 for short coin, then I would consider it. I know that's kind of a lame review, but again, my memory sucks @ this stage in my life.
BTW...The always liked the "look" of the People S250 vs. the new GT300i myself.
Thanks, I have a black 2010 People S 250 now. I have not rode a GT 300i. I was just wondering.
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I disagree. The plastic body is soild & the seams fit perfectly! I owned a People S200 (made in Taiwan as well) Fit & Finish is the standard "Kymco" we all have come to love.
One thing as I already mentioned, is the instrument panel could have been given a little more polish. It's very plain looking too me. Other then that, GT300i is all Kymco!
Don't pay him any attention. Its sour grapes with him and Kymco (his loss) The little scooter shop he liked so well could not get along with Kymco USA and they pulled the franchise. He has had a hard on for Kymco ever since. The scooter shop sold other brands but went out of business a while after that.
Other Kymco dealers in the area like Kymco and do well. They have no problem getting reimbursed for warranty work.
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Don't pay him any attention. Its sour grapes with him and Kymco (his loss) The little scooter shop he liked so well could not get along with Kymco USA and they pulled the franchise. He has had a hard on for Kymco ever since. The scooter shop sold other brands but went out of business a while after that.
Other Kymco dealers in the area like Kymco and do well. They have no problem getting reimbursed for warranty work.
Old Geezer: If I was you, I would hang onto the People S250 if you like her & has been somewhat trouble free. I think the S250 has 19.5HP vs. the GT300i @ 28.7HP. Carb. vs. FI. FI is nice, but I never had an issue with my People S200 carb. The styling of the S250 is my all-time favorite @ least to me. Although they are similar looking, I think the GT300i looks a tad "Japanese" too me. The S250 looked more European.
http://www.motorscooterguide.net/Kymco/People-S/People-S-Series.html (http://www.motorscooterguide.net/Kymco/People-S/People-S-Series.html)
I always loved my dash on my People S200.
So...He is crying that his favorite scooter dealer doesn't have the Kymco line anymore? Oh...Boo Hoo for him! I suspect you're correct, it's either they weren't selling enough units & or they carried too many lines. So why is it Kymco's fault? As you mentioned, I never had an issue with Kymco warranty work or parts for that matter. I did have a Kymco speedometer cable fail after warranty & it did take a tad over 2 weeks to get the part, but other then that they have been rock-soild.
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My S250 runs really well. The only problem I have had is the battery went bad and was replaced under warranty.
Acording to my factory Kymco service manual the horse power of the S 250 is 20.1. The HP of the regular People 250 was 18.3.
Kymco still makes the S 250 and the S 300i. We just don't get them in the US.
I ran across a country in Europe selling the S 250 a while back but can't remember who it was.
http://www.amsler-feuerthalen.ch/195 (http://www.amsler-feuerthalen.ch/195)
http://www.kymco.nl/modellen/motorscooters/people-s (http://www.kymco.nl/modellen/motorscooters/people-s)
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My S250 runs really well. The only problem I have had is the battery went bad and was replaced under warranty.
The horse power of the S 250 is 20.1. The HP of the regular People 250 was 18.5 or 19, I can't remember.
Kymco still makes the S 250 and the S 300i. We just don't get them in the US.
I ran across some one in Europe selling the S 250 a while back but can't remember who it was.
http://www.amsler-feuerthalen.ch/195 (http://www.amsler-feuerthalen.ch/195)
http://www.kymco.nl/modellen/motorscooters/people-s (http://www.kymco.nl/modellen/motorscooters/people-s)
Good Luck with your People S250! Do you use a battery tender? I highly sugguest you do. It's a small investment @ $25.00. I have had one for @ least 12 years now. Worth every penny!
Just install the pigtail to you battery & run it thru.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346103953&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+tender+jr (http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346103953&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+tender+jr)
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The reason I was asking about the handling on the GT 300i is when I was at the dealer Saturday the owner was telling me how much better the GT 300i handled than my S 250. Of course he wanted to sell it to me.
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The reason I was asking about the handling on the GT 300i is when I was at the dealer Saturday the owner was telling me how much better the GT 300i handled than my S 250. Of course he wanted to sell it to me.
I wished that I cruised on a People S250 as of late. I must admit, the suspension on the GT300i is very nice. But I thought that as well of the S250 (as I recall) A buddy of mine owned an S250 for a few years, then purchased an Xciting 500. Keep your S250 for a couple of years & trade her-in for another Kymco.
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Don't pay him any attention. Its sour grapes with him and Kymco (his loss) The little scooter shop he liked so well could not get along with Kymco USA and they pulled the franchise. He has had a hard on for Kymco ever since. The scooter shop sold other brands but went out of business a while after that.
Other Kymco dealers in the area like Kymco and do well. They have no problem getting reimbursed for warranty work.
Come look at this new Honda PCX and compare it to any of the new Kymcos. If you can't tell the difference in fit & finish, you'll want to schedule an eye exam, as you can't see well enough to be riding. :)
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I believe his Honda PCX is a 125.
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I believe his Honda PCX is a 125.
It is. :)
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Other Kymco dealers in the area like Kymco and do well. They have no problem getting reimbursed for warranty work.
You have rock-solid knowledge of this, then? Dealers are telling you this as a confidant, and not as a dealer-to-customer small-talk situation? I've told you what happened on the other side of one counter; I don't know why it would be different, elsewhere, even if it is.
I mean, I look around the streets of Nashville... ain't seein' too many Kymcos. That's not to say they aren't being stored in garages in the dead of summer, but...
I could count on one hand the number of Kymcos that showed up for Blue vs. Grey 2012 (and sure, there were FAR more Vespas -- P200Es, even -- than anything else... that's the crowd that rallies draw), and my Bad Penny was one of those. There were about 150 riders that showed up for that, with about half being locals.
On the usual scootnashville meetups and rides, we occasionally see an Agility 125 rider and one People 150 rider. Everyone else is on Genuines (Stellas or Buddys), Vespas (modern and not), Hondas, Yamahas and the very occasional China scoot. A SYM, here and there.
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The owner of Castle Powersports told me personally how much he likes Kymco and what a good relationship he has with them. I've had conversations with him on this subject on several ocassions.
The sales people and the maint dept say the same thing. They have sold several Kymcos over the summer.
You need to get the bad taste out of your mouth and move on. Kymco is the future for scooters in the US. Honda does build quality machines but its obvious that Honda is not that interested in the US scooter market. Just look at their scooter line up.
Kymco has 600 dealers and are going to add 500 more. Kymco USA is raising the bar.
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The owner of Castle Powersports told me personally how much he likes Kymco and what a good relationship he has with them. I've had conversations with him on this subject on several ocassions.
The sales people and the maint dept say the same thing. They have sold several Kymcos over the summer.
I have no doubt that what you say here is true, of course -- that the owner told you this -- and maybe what he said is also true. I have no way of knowing if ESS's experience was par-for-the-course, or an anomaly. That owner wouldn't be the first one to tell a customer about how rosy and wonderful everything was, no matter the topic, though, and with a handle like yours, I'm guessing you've been around long enough to understand how that goes. :)
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I've been riding two wheels for 54 years. :)
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I've been riding two wheels for 54 years. :)
... and I'm guessing the number of dealer/owners who have bad-mouthed a current line for any reason approaches... zero? ;)
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I've been riding two wheels for 54 years.
..hey j, th' man knows..
:-*
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... and I'm guessing the number of dealer/owners who have bad-mouthed a current line for any reason approaches... zero? ;)
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No I have heard my share of bitching from owners about certain lines. One of my long time riding buddies from the 60s/70s was a dealer.
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No I have heard my share of bitching from owners about certain lines. One of my long time riding buddies from the 60s/70s was a dealer.
Some dealers shoot straighter than others (and depending on the depth of the relationship, that probably had something to do with it, too, yes?).
I worked for the dealer whose situation I've described; I was working there when all this was happening, and saw almost all of it with my own eyes, heard with my own ears. I've watched their kids. I've had dinner at their house. We've loaned each other tools, money, and lots of one another's labor.
I'm not saying you aren't that close with the owner of Castle's, of course. I'm just saying that I'm not running down the product (and saying that I won't be buying another isn't to say that they aren't good scooters; it's saying I want nothing to do with the company), and I haven't made up anything about the dealership I worked for, of what happened to them, vis-a-vis KymcoUSA.
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Also, old geezer, if I may impose... would you ask the owner of Castle's if he'd be interested in being involved in the Nashville scooter community (scootnashville.com, mostly, as that's the closest thing to a "club" around here, other than the Dead 'Peds moped guys)?
With the closing of ESS, we have a lack of, um... dealer interest, in keeping scootering out there in people's minds. A shop that did outreach right now would likely garner some loyalty... none of the dealers I know of are sponsoring any rides, get-togethers, events or anything like that specifically for scooterists.
Thanks.
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I'll run it by him the next time I am down there.
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Love to hear reviews from owners of the GT300.
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I must admit...That the Piaggio BV350 is a much better looking scooter then the GT300i. Has a few more ponies as well. I took a long cruise into Boston yesterday (I'm over 700 miles @ this point) I'm going in for my 600 mile service today. Anyway...I went into the Piaggio dealer (Vespa Boston) & looked @ the BV350. I must admit, I'm having semi-buyers remorse (not really), just that the BV350 has so much spit & polish to her. The BV350 costs $100.00 more then the GT300i, but wait...They charge like $600.00+ in freight & dealer prep!!! That's insane, plus only a 1-year warranty. What is nice is that it comes with a nice windshield as stock.
They had a Silver & Red BV350 there & it's a real looker. The problem for me is that the dealer is 45+ miles away from my house. My Kymco dealer is under 10 miles. My local dealer took my Suzuki TU-250X in trade (They are also a Honda, Suzuki & Yamaha dealer) which made it easy. I think Kymco is a tad more reliable them Piaggio myself, but it is one very nice scooter just the same.
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MassScoot,
When I lived in Rome, I used to have work done on my Honda SH150 in the Porta Portese area where there are a ton of mechanics and shops for scooters. My mechanic told me that the Honda/Kymco were the most reliable and easiest to fix. The Piaggios were more likely to have problems even though they looked nicer and had bigger engines. I prefer reliability over a few HP and some shiny plastic parts. The other issue with Piaggios in the US is finding the parts you need if ever anything breaks on them. They are expensive to boot. The BV 350 is known as the Beverly 350 in Italy. I would wait in see in a few years to see the reliabilty results of this scooter. I am willing to be that Kymco will respond in a year or two with the People GTI 350. We shall see...
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MassScoot,
When I lived in Rome, I used to have work done on my Honda SH150 in the Porta Portese area where there are a ton of mechanics and shops for scooters. My mechanic told me that the Honda/Kymco were the most reliable and easiest to fix. The Piaggios were more likely to have problems even though they looked nicer and had bigger engines. I prefer reliability over a few HP and some shiny plastic parts. The other issue with Piaggios in the US is finding the parts you need if ever anything breaks on them. They are expensive to boot. The BV 350 is known as the Beverly 350 in Italy. I would wait in see in a few years to see the reliabilty results of this scooter. I am willing to be that Kymco will respond in a year or two with the People GTI 350. We shall see...
Leo: I always heard "Horror Stories" about Piaggio & parts here in the US. Also...That Kymco is more reliable then Piaggio. Already having owned a Kymco People S200 in the past, had almost zero issues with her. My local dealer is "rock-soild" & that's one of the reason why I went back to Kymco. Too bad the Honda SH150 only made it to the states for one year (2010?) & that the SH300i will never make it over. I was reading a few articles that "most" Americans prefer smaller-tire scoots to the 16" wheels, so Honda yanked it! Not to mention the price was around $4500.00! So...I went to Kymco's Italian website & it's true! Most Italian scoots have the larger wheels! Check it out here:
http://www.kymco.it/ (http://www.kymco.it/)
The BV350 is still a real nice looking scooter!
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I must admit...That the Piaggio BV350 is a much better looking scooter then the GT300i. Has a few more ponies as well. I took a long cruise into Boston yesterday (I'm over 700 miles @ this point) I'm going in for my 600 mile service today. Anyway...I went into the Piaggio dealer (Vespa Boston) & looked @ the BV350. I must admit, I'm having semi-buyers remorse (not really), just that the BV350 has so much spit & polish to her. The BV350 costs $100.00 more then the GT300i, but wait...They charge like $600.00+ in freight & dealer prep!!! That's insane, plus only a 1-year warranty. What is nice is that it comes with a nice windshield as stock.
They had a Silver & Red BV350 there & it's a real looker. The problem for me is that the dealer is 45+ miles away from my house. My Kymco dealer is under 10 miles. My local dealer took my Suzuki TU-250X in trade (They are also a Honda, Suzuki & Yamaha dealer) which made it easy. I think Kymco is a tad more reliable them Piaggio myself, but it is one very nice scooter just the same.
MassScoot,
You made the right choice with the GT300i (over BV350).
Like with your S200, you probably will never have a problem with your GT300i.
I saw both at a dealership and it's true that the BV350 is really a beautiful bike (big underseat space, powerful engine) but the People GT300i is IMHO a better deal and scooter overall (reliability, engine, MPG, 2 years warranty, top case).
Add a windscreen, a bigger topcase and you have probably the best scooter (not maxi) sold in the US!
I love my Yager but if Kymco slightly lowers the price of the GT300i.... it will be my next scooter ;-)
Btw, post some pics of your GT300i!!!
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Well, I just have to add my 2cents here. I'm the recent owner (less than 2Kmls) of a Gold (more people like it than don't...me included) GTi300, 20+ other scooters, and over 40 bikes. And I ride the s**t out of all of them. I absolutely love this scoot, it just keeps getting FASTER and FASTER! I'm having as much fun (maybe more..less work...automatic) on the GTi as I have on my tricked-out Suzuki SV650. Decent (not great) rubber, great grunt, +/- 29 horse, and a respectably stiff chassis make for an AWESOME Urban Assault vehicle! If I rode ANY of my bikes like I stealthily RIP around on this I'd soon lose my license. I've (6'2" 230 lbs) had this to an indicated (I know) 96mph and it's nicely planted (385/390 lbs) at those speeds. There's a nice comparison of the BV350 vs the GTi300 at justgottascoot.com and a link to the Biondi windscreen for this. I hope the BV DOESN'T fit me...that's the scoot I wanted. There wasn't a dealer here when I bought the GTi and now there IS...of course.
Mr jprestonian, maybe you should have YOUR prescription checked. I believe YOUR PCX was made in Italy, the new PCX150 is made in China and their seemingly sweet CB250R is made in Thailand. I looked at all of them and my old vision deciphered "not quite a Honda". I'm a fair "wrench" and I find the Kymcos to be just as nice (and sometimes nicer, than the Jap stuff...which I own a ton of). My2c...Ride Safe!
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Duh...and, BTW, I rode a late model People 250 about a year ago and found it to be a nice, capable runabout but I believe the new-from-the-ground-up GTi 300 will ANNIHILATE the 250 almost everywhere... My2c...Ride Safe!
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Guys....I trying to post some pics, but I cannot get it under the 172KB footprint this forum wants. The smallest I can get is 640x480 that =254KB!
Any insight?
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Ok...I think I found a way. It will only allow 192K total! So I may post several times.
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Another one....
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Here goes....
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Last one for today....I think Silver is somwhat boring myself, but better then Black or Gold IMHO. Red would have done it for me! I must admit the Silver metallic paint is well done just the same.
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MassScoot,
You made the right choice with the GT300i (over BV350).
Like with your S200, you probably will never have a problem with your GT300i.
I saw both at a dealership and it's true that the BV350 is really a beautiful bike (big underseat space, powerful engine) but the People GT300i is IMHO a better deal and scooter overall (reliability, engine, MPG, 2 years warranty, top case).
Add a windscreen, a bigger topcase and you have probably the best scooter (not maxi) sold in the US!
I love my Yager but if Kymco slightly lowers the price of the GT300i.... it will be my next scooter ;-)
Btw, post some pics of your GT300i!!!
BTW....My dealer gave me $200.00 off list without much of a hassle. Maybe you should look for a 2012 in the middle of the Winter months (not sure where you live) Plus Kymco is giving out 1.9% finance @ the moment as well. Makes it so easy to score one!
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Last one for today....I think Silver is somwhat boring myself, but better then Black or Gold IMHO. Red would have done it for me! I must admit the Silver metallic paint is well done just the same.
Thanks for the pics!
Beautiful scoot!
Silver boring? I would say "classy" especially with the black panels and wheels.
By far, it's my favorite color of the 3 offered.
Kymco should bring a white and red at least... maybe yellow too.
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Ludo: I don't "hate" Silver....just that I would like Red (my fav), or even White as you mentioned. It's a "clean" looking scoot with Silver for sure. I'm going to post higher-resolution pics very soon. I'm over 800 miles @ this point & she has really opened-up in the last 100 miles. Simply a great scoot!
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Hey Mass,
Nice pics of MY bike...lol
Great shots!
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Hey guys, how big is the topcase that comes with the GT? 37, 40 liters?
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Leo: Ha....I hear you! You & I are the Silver tandem!
Ludo: Good question & I don't have an answer for you. I have read several GT300i reviews & nobody mentions the size of the topcase. The more I use it, I'm fine with it. My Biondi windshield from Scooterville in Minnesota is coming in today via UPS. I have an appointment next Monday for the install @ my local dealer. I'm sure I could put it on myself, but I don't want to mess anything up.
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I love my Yager but if Kymco slightly lowers the price of the GT300i.... it will be my next scooter ;-)
Me too but I will never again pay $1000. for dealer prep. I'll look for a second hand GT300i
Richard L.
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@ MassScoot: Looks like a 37 (40 liters max). Can't find photos online but it seems to be big enough for a FF helmet and gloves
@ fshfindr: I know, right? ;-)
The GT300i should be priced at the GT200i price ($4899).
$5K+ is "Vespa territory" (not worth it IMHO).
That reminds me of the SYM CityCom 300i; MSRP was $5399 but it didn't sale well, dealers around here lowered it to $4600 and ....magically, they started selling fast ;-)
Kymco needs to offer discounts like in Europe for short period of time.
Also, the "other" dealers fees are just another BS.
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@ MassScoot: Looks like a 37 (40 liters max). Can't find photos online but it seems to be big enough for a FF helmet and gloves
@ fshfindr: I know, right? ;-)
The GT300i should be priced at the GT200i price ($4899).
$5K+ is "Vespa territory" (not worth it IMHO).
That reminds me of the SYM CityCom 300i; MSRP was $5399 but it didn't sale well, dealers around here lowered it to $4600 and ....magically, they started selling fast ;-)
Kymco needs to offer discounts like in Europe for short period of time.
Also, the "other" dealers fees are just another BS.
Ludo: I agree with you in the price of the GT300i. It should be lower, no question. But...Keep in mind that Kymco does cover you for 2-years vs. Piaggio's 1-year. I asked my dealer for $200.00 off retail as I was buying my scoot so late in the summer (late August) & they said no problem! Plus...They needed to pull my scoot from another delaer in Rhode Island that's 70+ miles away from my local dealer. So, I paid $5199.00 & got 1.9% financing from Kymco/Sheffield (I was going to pay cash for the difference for my Suzuki TU-250X trade-in) Then I said to myself...Geez @ 1.9% I might as well take out a small loan & keep my coin in my savings account. My monthly payment is $108.36 a month (36 months) & I just got my 1st statement from Sheffield last week. Made 4 $108.35 payments already. I'll have it paid off before summer starts next year!
Kymco does "try" & get you into on of their scoots. Looks like SYM is bringing back the Citicom 300i this month & the word on the street is a $4600.00 retail price. SYM really needs to do something after their terrible dealings with Carter Brothers (i.e. fire @ the warehouse) SYM fell off the US shores for a couple of years.
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Good for SYM if they price the new Citycom at $4600!
Let's hope it will also come with a newer "300cc" engine though.
In Europe, the 300cc is actually a 278cc with 29HP.
If so, I hope that Kymco will match that price.
Not sure if it's the case everywhere in the US but quite often Kymco dealers are also Vespa dealers.... that may not help so much with lowering MSRP prices (just my opinion)!
I am glad you are happy with the price you got.
I am aware of the financing but I don't find it very enticing.
Some Japanese brands offer 0% financing!
For info, on CycleTrader.com, you can find some 2012 People GT300i for $4200-4800 (brand new) and I am pretty sure that no dealer is losing any money ;-)
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Around here most Kymco dealers are also Honda dealers. My dealer sells the GT 300i for $4799 with no add-ons except tax title and license.
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I would have to concur with MassScoot that I, also, have found the medium size top-case to serve my purposes. I like a bigger trunk but I'm not really touring with the GTi. I found a thrift-store backpack with the straps cut off (they all seem to have a little "hook" on them) makes for great extra storage and I have a motorcycle "roll" bag I can put on the seat behind me...but have hardly ever used it. If you're going to "tour" on this you'll probably want a Shad, Givi, or CooCase. Give the stock case a chance before you s**tcan it...I think it "completes" the lines of the bike.
My2c...Ride Safe!
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Hi Everyone! First reply here! The 300 GTI will be my next scooter (at least right now!)
Love this thread!
Ken
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Just picked up a new (2012) silver GTI300 this afternoon. I paid $4644 + registration. Will pick up when weather improves. I live in central New York.
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I owned a Vespa 300 GTI and a Kymco GT 300i. I sold the Vespa and kept the Kymco because, among other things, I believed that the Kymco would be a more reliable (and less expensive) bike in the long run.
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Your probably right, I was watching a Vespa wrenching video the other day and they said
the dealer charges $120 per hour to work on those things! To check the valves you need to
strap down the front of the bike, disconnect the shocks and lower the wheel until you can
get to head bolts so your $6000 bike is balancing precariously the whole time! I think that
was done on purpose to get you to spend the $120 per hour...
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You got a nice one.
Good power to weight ratio.