Kymco People 250 opinions?

[brianwheelies]

There is one for sale that looks to be an ok deal and I am considering snagging it.

Seems it needs oil and valve adjust about every 2000 kms which is very frequent.

Anyone have personal experience? Should I just find a cheap car and go after a better model?

Really want to try one of these bigger scoots as long as I am not always wrenching.

[hexnut]

Mine has been very solid. Not one problem. Oil changes are easy. I adjusted the valves one time. One of them was .001 off. They hold a long time. Much longer than 2000 km. I've heard of people checking them at 5000 mile intervals with no adjustment needed.

[brianwheelies]

I am also looking at an X9 Piaggio. Depends on the best deal.

Thanks for the info.

[Canned Soup]

solid reliable scoots,

I picked up a "basket case" '05 with 20k on it needed new gas and plug, and clutch and down the road we went. About the same time I found a new '09. faster. Good bikes. Running the '05 on errands until it gets sold.

not the sporty est handling but a work horse

dave

[brianwheelies]

And that is all that I am looking for. If it can cruise an honest 70mph as well, it is all good.

If the Piaggio comes at the right price it is my preference. Road tripping scoot sounds great.

[allstateclub]

Sold my '04 People 250 this spring. No issues other than normal maintenence items. Did the valves only once during my time with it and sold it with 28k on the odometer. Clock digits stopped working a while ago. Solid bike that could cruise on the interstate all day long. Did the Scootercannonball on it in '06. There were 2 others on that ride as well. If the price is right, buy it.

[brianwheelies]

How often were you changing oil and what type of range?

Time clock stopped working? Lol

[JerryH]

Solid reliable scoot. I believe the valve adjustment is supposed to be every 2000 MILES but it will not need it. My Yamaha Vino 125 has 2000 mile valve adjustment intervals, and it has had it's valves adjusted once in over 24,000 miles (yes, thats 24 thousand miles) It was also made in Taiwan. I do change the oil in it every 1000 miles, but I also ride it at WOT 99% of the time, and it holds under a qt. You will not find a better quality scooter than a Kymco no matter how much you pay. Vespas are solid metal and the finish is better, but they don't last any longer and are not any more reliable.

[allstateclub]

I'd change the oil every 2,500 to 3,000 miles. Used regular dino oil, never used synthetic or blended stuff. As for the clock, the digits on the clock were those bars that light up to tell the time. One at a time the bars stopped lighting up. One annoying thing was the fuel gauge. It would read full for a very long time, then it would drop like a rock. A bit irritating, but something you quickly get used to.

[brianwheelies]

Does this have the same engine as the bet and win? Curious if there performance parts for this bike.

I see a stainless muffler listed and possible tranny parts.

[conchscooter]

Go with the Kymco if you want a reliable daily rider. The X9 is discontinued and is even more of an orphan than it was previously. The Kymco will last for years and give no trouble.

[brianwheelies]

Found a nice gray P250 with less than 4000 miles with a givi top box but it would take a couple of days to ride it back. Or just get the bike which is an hour away in the color I don't like that has scratches and a replacement carb. Hmmm

[JerryH]

Get the one you actually WANT. I would avoid anything that has been modified, especially exhaust and CVT. Kymcos are great scooters, but anything can be destroyed. I have a 100% stock Zuma 125, and have had absolutely no problems with it. I also have a 100% stock (except for removal of the emissions crap) Vino 125 that has not had a single issue in 24,000 miles. If you go to the forums for these scooters, they are all about performance modifications, and then wondering why it breaks down all the time. Get a scooter that will meet your performance needs to start with. Seems most people get the smaller scooters purposely to modify rather than ride. And a Zuma 125 with a 155cc kit on it is still a Zuma 125, so it is still not freeway legal. The cop goes by the registration. A 250cc scooter should be perfect for a combination of city, rural road, and freeway riding.

[Warney]

The People 250S should be similar money to a standard People 250, and imo a better Scooter. Hold out for a People 250S if you can. Better brakes, more power, lighter weight.

[brianwheelies]

I have been checking those as well. Dual disks sound nice. Is the power That significant?