Need advice: 125 Agility vs Zuma vs Super 8 150

[scootcat]

Hi folks! This is my first post.  I intend to buy my first scooter soon and I need some good advice.   Half of my riding will be on hard-packed dirt roads and the rest of the time on crappy paved roads. Max 45-50 mph on a nice road on a nice day.  Due to hilly terrain, 50cc is out.   I'm looking at the Agility 125, Super 8 150, and the Yamaha Zuma 125.   Price-wise the Agility looks great, but is it the right tool for the job?   Thanks for all the advice that's already been posted and I'm looking forward to what y'all have to say... 

[Dolemite]

Being as you're traveling on rough roads, they all have dual rear shocks... so that's good. As for holding up in a spill should you ever take one I would think the Zuma to be a little tougher in that area with the exposed frame, and I think they come standard with slightly knobby radial tires that would be great for dirt roads. Do consider you get a 2 year warranty with the Kymco's and only a 1 year with the Yamaha. The Zuma is also fuel injected so you'll loose the kick start of the kymcos, both pros and cons there. They're all fine scooters and should serve your purposes well.

[scootcat]

Being as you're traveling on rough roads, they all have dual rear shocks... so that's good. As for holding up in a spill should you ever take one I would think the Zuma to be a little tougher in that area with the exposed frame, and I think they come standard with slightly knobby radial tires that would be great for dirt roads. Do consider you get a 2 year warranty with the Kymco's and only a 1 year with the Yamaha. The Zuma is also fuel injected so you'll loose the kick start of the kymcos, both pros and cons there. They're all fine scooters and should serve your purposes well.

Good points, thanks for your input Dolomite.  I am looking into the possibility of replacement tires.  So my thinking today is this: If I get the Agility, I'd drop $100 on set of tires, stash some money in case of a plastics crunch, and I'm still saving money vs a used Zuma. Also getting 2 yrs warranty vs none.  My prices are based on what's available to me locally right now.

That leaves one thing: fuel-injected Zuma vs old-tech Agility engine with a kickstarter. 

Which of the engines is simpler for the basic home mechanic to maintain and repair?

[Stig / Major Tom]

19, 34, 25 ....
X $100 = respectively.
 Hmmmm.
Consider: a new left-over stock SYM HD200 $ 2500(gen. 72MPH capable, gen. 2-up capable, "16 wheels to handle the dirt road)
If you have a budget of $3400 (+whatever they want to add to get it out the door) for a fine Yamaha......take that $3400 and shop around for much larger scoots. New, left-over stock, or with less than the "First Service is Due" miles on them.
For good build / good reliability / good price : the Taiwan SYM's (& Lance) and KYMCO's
With much more $$ in hand look at the Japanese.
Even with the Super 8 $2500 in hand, you have a lot of options!
You could put a lot of knobby tires on a Agaility for that $1500 difference in price to get the Zuma.
Look hard - they are dealing all over right now!
Have fun and let us know what you decided (even if you end up on a different forum! )

[scootcat]

You could put a lot of knobby tires on a Agaility for that $1500 difference in price to get the Zuma.
Look hard - they are dealing all over right now!
Have fun and let us know what you decided (even if you end up on a different forum! )

Hei Stig!   You got that right.   It seems like a new 2013 model Agility is calling me.  I didn't find knobby tires for the Super 8 yet but they are readily available for the Agility. 

I haven't yet looked into a Sym - haven't seen any for sale locally and the nearest dealer is further away than I want to travel.  It does seem like a good option though.