Best value for a new scooter

[Dodsfall]

What make and model would you consider the best value for a scooter?

My wife is considering one for around-town driving. 150-250 CC is the area she would be interested in.

The main concerns would be dependability, availability of parts, and price.

[primalmu]

The only 200cc+ scooters I've seen cost $4k+ (not counting the cheap Chinese scooters). Honda's cheapest 250cc is over $5,300.

From what I understand, Kymco makes some pretty good scooters. They are a Taiwanese company, so while they may not be built as well as the Japanese bikes, they're better than the Chinese ones. Their 150cc scooters start at MSRP $2,299.

[loudest143]

Kymco.

loudest143

[Maico Shark]

Taiwan built a great rep with their Hodaka brand back in the day. It was as good as anything out of Japan.

[loudest143]

It's probably easy to bet that anything coming out of Japan is solid. Taiwan is putting out the most innovative new stuff, obviously the Italian stuff is the H-D of scooters.

It depends on what 'look' you like.... What does the wifey fancy? The classic Italian Vespa look, or the new sporty sportbike look?

loudest143

[thamil]

aprilia sr50.... faster than any 125cc scooter, and as fast as most 250 scoots, yet handles WAY better than any 125cc and 250cc, and most stated dont require insurance and license on it cuz it's 49cc

[thamil]

...dont buy a cheap scooter that can break down cuz it's crap....

the aprilia is made by Piaggio which makes Vespa(the best built scoot made imo)

[Coney]

Dodsfall I see you never followed up on this with your wife's possible purchase. I read through a lot of the replies and I agree if you want a 250 sized bike look for KYMCO, solid Taiwanese bike with great support. A People 250 starts around $4k and they also offer a small touring Grand Vista and a sporty and kind of large Xciting 250. A new one that is showing itself everywhere is SYM, check out the SYM RV250, fantastic bike.

If you were looking for a smaller bike KYMCO is another great source. Other makers to look for are Yamaha Zuma/Vino, Genuine Buddy 125/150 (If she likes neo-retro she will love this bike). And Thamil is right the Aprilia is sweet as is the Piaggio Fly but waiting on parts for anything Piaggio can be a hassle.

[SteveM]

I like the Kymco People 125S or the 200S models. Two year warranty and use larger diameter wheels.

[Coney]

KYMCO's are great and we own one. Nice bike the fit and finish is first rate. However the KYMCO two-year warranty has limitations. The coverage of the warranty changes after the first year. I forget if there is also a mileage limit.

[Steve Young]

Taiwan built a great rep with their Hodaka brand back in the day. It was as good as anything out of Japan.

I thought Hodaka was Japanese. I had a Wombat in 1977.

[BH121869]

It's probably easy to bet that anything coming out of Japan is solid. Taiwan is putting out the most innovative new stuff, obviously the Italian stuff is the H-D of scooters.

It depends on what 'look' you like.... What does the wifey fancy? The classic Italian Vespa look, or the new sporty sportbike look?

loudest143

That is quite a compliment for Vespa. Are they really that good?

[endurodude]

I purchased a nice 2006 Honda Elite for the wife to start . She loves it and it will go 40 mph on a flat road. Plenty of power and it says Honda on the side of it so parts are not a problem.
You might want to consider a good used one for her first bike. Things happen and she wont feel as bad if they happen to a thousand dollar scooter as opposed to a big dollar vespa.

[bdavison]

What about these?
www.bobbertime.com or www.kikker5150.com

There are a couple of guys around here that have them. They come in pieces so you have to build it. I cant think of a better starter...build it so you learn about the bike, and then ride that puppy till the wheels fall off. Not to mention they are sweet looking bikes.

On the other side of the spectrum...Yamaha Zuma is probably the nicest factory scoot out there IMO ROCK solid motor, I miss mine.

[wingedone]

aprilia sr50.... faster than any 125cc scooter, and as fast as most 250 scoots, yet handles WAY better than any 125cc and 250cc, and most stated dont require insurance and license on it cuz it's 49cc

After some modifications, not out of the box from my reading:

To sell these vehicles as "mopeds", the bikes are mechanically restricted when imported to approximately 48 km/h. However, the restrictions are easily removed using simple hand tools and a software programmer available at the dealership. Once de-restricted, top speed is 95 - 125 km/h.

Just so they know.