KymcoForum.com

I found these mirror extenders:

http://www.luckybike.com/servlet/-strse-608/Motorcycle-Mirror-Riser-Extenders/Detail 

Seems like they would do the trick. I have a 2009 People s50 4t and I am also tired of looking at my elbows ans shoulders!

I live in the burbs of Montreal. All the non-highway roads have a maximum speed limit of 50 km/hour or less. It is the same everywhere on the island of Montreal. In addition to my 50cc scooter, I have a convertible sports car that I love to drive everywhere. Going on long highway journeys is grand, but I like the scenic routes and in particular the lakeshore road along the Lac St-louis and Lachine Canal. It's just fun. However, the cost of fuel, general cost of ownership, parking costs, and speeding tickets offsets the fun a little -well a lot! The other thing is, driving a sports car at the posted speed limit is like sucking a tit through a sweater. Excuse the expression. Sick of getting tickets and fines or holding back. The short-term fun just isn't worth it.

Enter the 50cc scooter!

OK, so I look a bit like a tool riding a scooter... a fit young professional in my late thirties. Many people don't understand why I would bother. (hopefully this will explain a little). But I don't care. Its fun and doesn't pollute as much as a car. I own a People s50 4t. It easily keeps up with traffic and gets me to my destination in the same amount of time as it would have taken in my car (off highway of course). I have the sense that I cannot be rushed on a 50cc scooter. It just wont allow me to go fast, so why bother trying or getting stressed. I enjoy the ride instead of trying to get somewhere quicker or hit an apex just right while cornering at an illegal speed. I don't worry about getting stopped by the police for going slightly over the speed limit by mistake. I travel without even thinking about fuel cost. Its negligible at this rate of consumption. With rising fuel costs (and this trend is irreversible)  I found myself limiting my car outings or at least trying to or at least had the extra expense weighing on my mind. However, when I ride my scooter, I don't consider fuel  as a  limitation.  Registration and insurance is minimal. Parking costs are non-existent. I find myself feeling carefree again. Isn't this what its all about? I love it. By the way, I have a beautiful wife who agrees with living a more simple life, being environmentally conscious and is not impressed by sports cars. This helps. LOL!

4t versus 2t: Before I purchased the scooter, I was agonizing about which to choose, 4t or 2t? All based on my conditioning to want more power, more speed, etc... I wanted speed in excess of the speed limit - why? I dunno? It made no sense. I opted for the 4t which is more reliable, less polluting, and has a more civilized sound to it. Acceleration is not so great, but I am willing to sacrifice that for less maintenance and calm/quiet gurgling of the engine as opposed to the frenetic buzzing of a 2 stroke. But at the end of the day, I chose a 4t because it was the only option available for the People s50 in Canada - and it was on sale! I liked the "adult" size and look of the People and couldn't see myself riding any other style other than a classic Vespa. The People s50 4t shares the frame of of the People 125 so it looks and feels like it has more substance.

I was tempted to try squeeze more power out of the engine with extensive and expensive mods... reverting back to my conditioning!  However, I came back to my senses and I am enjoying the ride stock - and loving it. Its hard to break free of that conditioning. However, when you do, it feels great! and the scooter will still be under a 2 year warranty.

Gonna get rid of the sports car. That's how much I love my 50cc People S50 4t scooter - and my wife!

Thank you for your comment Batavicus. It has been one of the first positive comments regarding 2 up riding on a 50cc 4t I have encountered so far!

It has reassured me that the People s50 4t will be FINE for my wife and I to take LEISURELY rides on. Most of the streets that we would ride on are flat and have a speed limit of 50 km/hr (31 mph) or lower!

I plan on getting down to my fighting weight of 170 lbs and she's a perfect 117 lbs. A total of 287 lbs sounds reasonable to me.
 
I'll be able to ride in April... I'll be sure to post my conclusions then.

Well, how much would you charge if I asked you to install an 80CC KIT, New carb, cams, cdi etc... parts and labour?

I totally agree with your comments Glopezz.

I have always preferred the " bad ass, tricked out little scooter" way of thinking over the standard logical choice.

I am going to take your advice take it step by step... I have always enjoyed tinkering. This is going to be fun!

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

Dreflu,

Thanks for the clarification. Can you describe your experience with riding 2-up on the 4 stroke?