KymcoForum.com

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: 0BARK4322 on May 02, 2015, 10:02:07 PM

Title: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 02, 2015, 10:02:07 PM: I was considering purchase a scooter today so i looked up kymco.usa to find the nearest dealer to me. I found three within 60 miles so i go to the first one and what the #@#@#@ they only had three scooter (super 8, like 200 and a used Honda something) then I went to the second and two kymco's (super8 and an agility). I just went back home to really think of my next purchase. I guess if you are a dealer a sell a couple of scoot's you are consider a dealer. :'(
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Mscmkr on May 03, 2015, 01:58:42 AM: I'm in Phoenix and there kinda like that around here as well. Some dealers have several but nothing over 200cc. If you want something in the 300cc range or higher your probably going to have to order it. It usually doesn't take long for it to come in and you are guaranteed it will be right out of the crate when you get it.
It does seem to be getting harder to give people your money lately. People just don't want to be stuck with inventory they can't move. I'm looking into buying another scooter as well and I'm going to have to order the one I want.

Good luck with your new scooter and ride safe, mscmkr
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 03, 2015, 10:09:54 AM: Well i'm going to try one more time at this shop that's 101 miles away and see what happens
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: GLV55 on May 03, 2015, 03:46:20 PM: Once again, this makes me realize how lucky we are in Boise to have a great local scooter shop, Scooters of Boise, that is dedicated to the scooter riders of this area.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 03, 2015, 03:52:14 PM: LUCKY YOU.....LUCKY 8) YOU....
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 2wheelfun on May 03, 2015, 05:21:02 PM: What's a Boise? Sounds like sumtin from Joisy.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 03, 2015, 05:26:53 PM: New scooter sales are terribly slow right now, we had a '13 GT300 sitting on the floor with $1000 off OTD price and it still took two years to sell, and we're the only Kymco dealer actually inside the Portland metro area. Even 50cc-150cc bikes are talking forever to sell. I can't blame dealers for not stocking more than a few bikes, not many dealers can afford to outright purchase scooters and free flooring is only 30 days, after that interest is a bitch. We've had a MyRoad for two years and only maybe two test drives on the unit, have it marked down $2000 still nothing. Too many used scooters at super cheap prices for people (most) to want new bikes. Back in 2009 we would setup two or three new bikes a day.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: CROSSBOLT on May 03, 2015, 06:32:03 PM: Many "dealers" wanted on the "bandwagon" when gasoline was near 5 bucks a gallon. None could keep any model of scoot in stock anywhere. Now most of the public is in some kind of car or light truck. Kymco policy used to be that dealers would be 100 miles or more apart, now they are signing up everyone interested. We have traveled far and wide to get what we want at a price we wanted. The next one will be in a crate and either I will assemble or will supervise. Additionally, I think it would be tough for a dealer to be "scooter only" except in areas like Denver. Even Kymco says they prefer motorcycle dealers to take on scoots because they already have competent techs and service areas and parts organizations and so on (yeah, yeah, blah, blah..). The big sale item is a 2-year warranty. The big fake is Kymco is too cheap with warranty time and funds that no dealer seems too interested in doing warranty work. Techs are not interested in learning the details. Finally, for the motorcycle dealers handling scoots, the motorcycles, I THINK, are on a floor plan but the scoots are not: the dealer has to buy each scooter he THINKS he can sell (GE Finance). The motorcycles come on a "floor plan" which will be a pretty good selection of models each manufacturer makes. That is probably the reason the selection of scoots is so limited. Zombie and B&L can fill in the details and set me straight, if necessary.

Karl
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 03, 2015, 06:44:00 PM: I get the point but if a person have just two kymco's in a motocycle shop does that make them an authorized kymco dealer ???
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 03, 2015, 06:44:41 PM: Quote from: CROSSBOLT on May 03, 2015, 06:32:03 PM
Many "dealers" wanted on the "bandwagon" when gasoline was near 5 bucks a gallon. None could keep any model of scoot in stock anywhere. Now most of the public is in some kind of car or light truck. Kymco policy used to be that dealers would be 100 miles or more apart, now they are signing up everyone interested. We have traveled far and wide to get what we want at a price we wanted. The next one will be in a crate and either I will assemble or will supervise. Additionally, I think it would be tough for a dealer to be "scooter only" except in areas like Denver. Even Kymco says they prefer motorcycle dealers to take on scoots because they already have competent techs and service areas and parts organizations and so on (yeah, yeah, blah, blah..). The big sale item is a 2-year warranty. The big fake is Kymco is too cheap with warranty time and funds that no dealer seems too interested in doing warranty work. Techs are not interested in learning the details. Finally, for the motorcycle dealers handling scoots, the motorcycles, I THINK, are on a floor plan but the scoots are not: the dealer has to buy each scooter he THINKS he can sell (GE Finance). The motorcycles come on a "floor plan" which will be a pretty good selection of models each manufacturer makes. That is probably the reason the selection of scoots is so limited. Zombie and B&L can fill in the details and set me straight, if necessary.

Karl

You hit the nail on the head. Although the dealer distance is ruled by state laws, here in Oregon it's a 10mi rule. Maybe your state changed its law? I mostly saw pop up shops selling China shoots during the boom, we were still the only kymco specific shop, and still are. The other shops are big lot motorcycle dealers, whom don't give a damn about customer service after the sale for scooters,and frankly don't now how to fix them correctly. It says a lot if almost every Kymco dealer is having to mark down the big bikes almost $1000, the market is flooded with used bikes at the moment and if anyone wants a new larger cc scoot they also know good enough to work out a very low otd price. We do great right now on used scooters, and people seem stoked to purchase used these days.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 03, 2015, 07:58:14 PM: We do great right now on used scooters, and people seem stoked to purchase used these days.
[/quote]
B&L - tough times for scooter sellers.
I wasn't aware of scooters in '09 - hadn't been in a cycle shop in decades - but I've seen the aftermath of the big scooter buys of '09. Local dealer bought out a KY shop's entire inventory of scoots - most of them were '09's. (came THAT close to buying a really pretty 125 Vino!)
I never really considered buying used - until getting invloved in 2 wheel transport - and saw how many scoooters and bikes are being sold with so few miles!
Just one example was a superb BV500 Piaggio with 853 miles, an '09 I think. Pretty good price.
However - after reading of so many fueling issues with scoots that have sat unused - or too little used, for lengthy periods I walked away from that 5 yr old BV.
In shopping bikes with my son, for months - we looked at all kinds of deals, incl. many used bikes - with some of the same concerns about buying a little used, but older unit. But when we found a good sized bike with very few miles and only a few months old we jumped in the car to give it a look, very quickly. Finding a pristine looking motorcycle that still had several months of factory warranty - and that it had not missed that initial valve clearance check and oil change - my son closed the deal with a purchase. (he's put several hundred miles on it to date - and says it is essentially a new bike.) $1600 less than new.

Several years old with very low miles (under 1000) - that is not something you come across when shopping used cars....but I'm seeing it around here all the time with motorcycles and scooters. Crazy. They buy them and then don't use them!
From forum readings - I will continue to stay away from scooters which have very low mileage but are several years old.
I've had my battles with fueling/driveability issues and do not want to go through that again.
You are a mechanic, and can deal with these fairly simple driveability issues - but when you have very spotty mechanic support for a scooter - it is not good to buy into certain troubles.
Cars - can be fixed.....scootering is a whole 'nother world in too many parts of the USA.
Still, having a blast here in Ohio on a scooter.
Stig
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: CROSSBOLT on May 03, 2015, 09:07:46 PM: Obark, a prospective Kymco dealer MUST apply and be approved by Kymco USA and establish a $100,000 US line of credit with GE Financial, SUPPOSED to stock a minimum of parts, purchase a Kymco analyzer and buy a couple of bikes to sell. There is NO tech school for his techs to attend since they figure they are pretty smart at repairing his other brands (ha, ha!). The parts requirement has been waived since not much goes wrong with most models of Kymcos (really!). Most regional reps do not get all huffy if his dealer does not have an analyzer (go figure..). The only real requirement is the 100k buck line of credit and put the signs in the window. There are many dealers of lots of things that get a couple of things and tout themselves as "dealers." The only way to know if they are a bonafide dealer is if they are on the Kymco dealer locator so beware. Beware anyway because even real, approved dealers can be so indifferent to your problems. Not to worry, since any Kymco scoot made in Taiwan is pretty darn reliable and ANY problem may be trouble shot on THIS forum. These guys and gals have either experienced your problem and fixed it or have figured out how to fix someones problem with feedback. Most of us have service manuals for just about any model and some know which models are essentially the same.

Pick one and ride!

Karl
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 03, 2015, 09:20:38 PM: That's how I found the two dealers so far. I did a dealers search on kymco.usa and I think they were a Kawasaki dealer (well at least they had two new kymco's and a Honda scooter). Well i'll be taking a journey soon to a shop who has load of kymco's :D
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: GLV55 on May 04, 2015, 01:06:13 AM: Quote from: 2wheelfun on May 03, 2015, 05:21:02 PM
What's a Boise? Sounds like sumtin from Joisy.
Hey, hey, now, that's MR. BOISE to you! ;)
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Mscmkr on May 04, 2015, 01:17:50 AM: I have to say, I don't understand why someone would buy a scooter and never use it. Then 6 months down the road they sell it. I bought my scoots to ride. When I bought my GT it became my only transport on weekends and I have 4 days off every week. I was going to plan trips around riding. When I get my new GT I'm definitely going to get up north with it and everywhere else I can go with it.

Ride your scoots people and ride safe, mscmkr
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: kingkymco125 on May 06, 2015, 04:57:40 AM: Guys:
I believe this is more of status and cultural thing. I was at one of my friends condo for the fight I mean bust of the century last Saturday and everyone who knew kept asking if I was still riding my old scooter. I told them I had a car at this time as well as a 125cc scooter. They did not want to hear the part about the scooter. They were only concerned with whether I had a car or not. Last week I am over at Wal Mart and there some kids outside the store raising money for their local high school football team. From the beginning I am getting on my scooter they call it a moped. I told them it was not a moped, but a scooter. I even told them it could go for 55mph with no problems at the all. The young man did not believe me. He thought I was full of sh**. The bottom line is that here in the States scooters will always be consider low status symbols instead of high status symbols which is sad. I love riding my 125cc kymco Agility bike as much as I can. I even save on gas every time I go out.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Mscmkr on May 06, 2015, 07:32:06 AM: I have experienced this same thing. When I tell someone I ride a scooter they immediately chuckle like it's some kind of a little bike that only goes 25 mph. When I tell a lady I ride a scooter I might as well have 3 heads or something. Women DO NOT like guys who ride scooters. At least this has been my experience. I just don't understand why they have such a negative connotation to them. It's a motorcycle with an auto transmission and a step through floorboard. THATS IT!! Damn near just as fast, gets better gas mileage and it's just as fun. So there!

Ride safe everyone and be proud to be a scooter rider!! Mscmkr
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 06, 2015, 08:28:39 AM: Girls seem to like scooter around here( they always want to go for a ride) but i'm guessing this because they think it's safer then a motocycle. The guys on the other hand tell me if I am going to deliver pizza or something(LOL)
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 2wheelfun on May 06, 2015, 05:13:15 PM: I think most folks have the idea/experience of scooters all being Honda metros, and having the memories of following one in traffic and cussing up a storm.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 06, 2015, 05:32:12 PM: Quote from: Mscmkr on May 06, 2015, 07:32:06 AM
I have experienced this same thing. When I tell someone I ride a scooter they immediately chuckle like it's some kind of a little bike that only goes 25 mph. When I tell a lady I ride a scooter I might as well have 3 heads or something. Women DO NOT like guys who ride scooters. At least this has been my experience. I just don't understand why they have such a negative connotation to them. It's a motorcycle with an auto transmission and a step through floorboard. THATS IT!! Damn near just as fast, gets better gas mileage and it's just as fun. So there!

Ride safe everyone and be proud to be a scooter rider!! Mscmkr

I met my girlfriend working at the scooter shop, and she loves scooters!!! I'm a lucky scooter guy!!!
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: kingkymco125 on May 06, 2015, 08:00:59 PM: Thinking about the impression of scooters I believe they fall in the category of the special needs kid in school. Everyone sees us ride these machines and they automatically think they should feel sorry for us. It is as if scooters are not cool, but they are for those who never wanted to get a car, or motorcycle. They think we are crippled and cannot possibly do anything without being dependent upon someone else for our well being which is just pathetic. We can educate those around us until we we take our last breath, but nothing will get through to those precious rocks of theirs which is a shame.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: kingkymco125 on May 06, 2015, 08:04:28 PM: In other words we are the Timmy's of South Park. Everyone consider us the retards on two wheels because we refuse to not conform to the rest of the crowd. This is my opinion.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 06, 2015, 08:23:02 PM: Quote from: BettinANDlosing on May 06, 2015, 05:32:12 PM
I met my girlfriend working at the scooter shop, and she loves scooters!!! I'm a lucky scooter guy!!!
Hold on here.....she was working at the scooter shop, and you wandered in bothering everybody. Or you were working there and she came in to brighten everyone's day.?
Or you both were working there and she saved your bacon from being fired for crossthreading a plug?
Which was it?
Stig
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 2wheelfun on May 06, 2015, 10:49:47 PM: My money is on the GF being a used vespa that sat in the corner for years and is named Gertrude.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 06, 2015, 11:02:26 PM: Quote from: kingkymco125 on May 06, 2015, 08:00:59 PM
Thinking about the impression of scooters I believe they fall in the category of the special needs kid in school. Everyone sees us ride these machines and they automatically think they should feel sorry for us. It is as if scooters are not cool, but they are for those who never wanted to get a car, or motorcycle. They think we are crippled and cannot possibly do anything without being dependent upon someone else for our well being which is just pathetic. We can educate those around us until we we take our last breath, but nothing will get through to those precious rocks of theirs which is a shame.

I just laugh as I pass by all the suckers stuck in their cars during rush hour before and after work, laughing all the way home!!!! You know what I've always said to people who don't like something? f*** EM'!!!!!!
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 06, 2015, 11:03:09 PM: Quote from: Stig on May 06, 2015, 08:23:02 PM
Hold on here.....she was working at the scooter shop, and you wandered in bothering everybody. Or you were working there and she came in to brighten everyone's day.?
Or you both were working there and she saved your bacon from being fired for crossthreading a plug?
Which was it?
Stig

LOL I was working here, and she came in with her VESPA ET4. She now works here, and it is very interesting at times.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 07, 2015, 08:19:43 AM: From a vespa to a kymco ???
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: SUPER 9 MANN on May 12, 2015, 12:09:52 AM: i checked out Vespa's=====way too high on price
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: wkreps on May 12, 2015, 04:39:02 PM: Quote from: SUPER 9 MANN on May 12, 2015, 12:09:52 AM
i checked out Vespa's=====way too high on price
And I believe . . . there in lies the problem. americans are willing to pay for something they "believe" isn't real transportation but a leisure toy. Then if it's a toy well you know how that goes. Buy it, use it a season and then go find a new toy. With that mentality potential scooter riders aren't willing to pay for quality when they think they are just buying a toy. I believe it is part of the dealers responsibility to "sell" the scooter. I've been to a half a dozen scooter dealers, looked at the scooters and never been approached to answer questions, talk about the lineup, advantages/disadvantages, etc. I had to be the initiator. Maybe that's how it is with two wheeled sales but if they want to get that old stock off the floor maybe the dealers should be a little more proactive (IMO).

Took a couple different paths there, hope you get the drift.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 12, 2015, 08:45:39 PM: When I come tooling back into the drive on my scooter - my wife says , "You look very European".
...
You know -
Riding inside my white full face helmet - wearing a full hi viz safety vest over an armored jacket - and good Icon gloves - and my hideous Slider Mom Jeans w/knee armor - I don't give a rat's patoot what folks think, as long as they see me. Because I am a very happy scooter rider.

As an American, I do not ever expect to be lauded for riding a scooter - and if kids see me they probably wish they had one. I have 3 neighbors who bought Kymco scooters just becasue they thought I looked like I was having a Hellofa good time when I went by their house. They ea. stopped me in my yard and told me so.
Small town rural Ohio.
Go figure.
The guy across the street just bought a Harley - I think 2 years of watching me riding 365 to work on my scoot and my son on his new bike - "got to him" . (my wife's words)
Stig
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: SUPER 9 MANN on May 12, 2015, 11:49:02 PM: Quote from: wkreps on May 12, 2015, 04:39:02 PM
And I believe . . . there in lies the problem. americans are willing to pay for something they "believe" isn't real transportation but a leisure toy. Then if it's a toy well you know how that goes. Buy it, use it a season and then go find a new toy. With that mentality potential scooter riders aren't willing to pay for quality when they think they are just buying a toy. I believe it is part of the dealers responsibility to "sell" the scooter. I've been to a half a dozen scooter dealers, looked at the scooters and never been approached to answer questions, talk about the lineup, advantages/disadvantages, etc. I had to be the initiator. Maybe that's how it is with two wheeled sales but if they want to get that old stock off the floor maybe the dealers should be a little more proactive (IMO).

Took a couple different paths there, hope you get the drift.
good point but also most people think scooter cannot go on the highway
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 12, 2015, 11:54:51 PM: I guess most people are use to seeing the 49cc scooters on the road
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: SUPER 9 MANN on May 16, 2015, 02:51:08 PM: lately i have been seeing many scooters on the road and a lot of females riding them
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: 0BARK4322 on May 17, 2015, 12:34:57 PM: Most ladies will probably jump on a scooter before they ride a motocycle. I think. automatic gearing and light weight seem to be the key.
Title: Re: KYMCO....WHAT THE.........WHERE
Post by: kingkymco125 on May 17, 2015, 04:36:22 PM: Here in Vegas we get numerous people involved in scooter accidents. The vast majority of scooters here in the desert are the small 49ccs. Every time there is an accident involving a scooter the morons all love to blame the scooterist. I read some of the comments posted on the Las Vegas Review Journal website and those who post literally have no idea what they are talking about. This accident happened this past Friday in East Las Vegas. One poser even said that those who ride these so called death traps should have to a $1,000 year in taxes and have a permit to ride them. Another poser has this to say about the scooterist: Another scumbag felon (12-30 months for concealed wepaon) drunk that can't get a license and holds up traffic with his death trap. Home made trailer, nice touch.
The more people cave in their skulls with these POS, the sooner they get banned. Good news ! What they do not realize is that even those who ride the 49ccs need to have at least a class C drivers license to operate one of these bikes. As for paying taxes, this is person is even suggesting that everyone should a 1,000 dollars each year to the state for all vehicles they operate.

Nevada has not state income tax. This revenue has to be made up elsewhere. Unlike New York and New Jersey, Nevada has some of the highest registration fees for motor vehicles. I do pay my taxes to ride my bike. I also pay my insurance and the gas tax I pay as well. Here is the link to the story. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/scooter-rider-critical-condition-after-east-valley-crash (http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/scooter-rider-critical-condition-after-east-valley-crash)