Would I buy a Kymco again? Should you buy a Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki?

[Stig / Major Tom]

In my opinion.....

I've owned a Kymco LIKE200i from new for 7 years.
Would I buy another?
Yes. Absolutely.

Why?:
My Kymco is reliable, and I have a local Kymco dealer, and 4 others within a 50 mile radius for warranty work - one of which is an actual scooter dealer(!), and parts are available from several on-line dealers in the USA.
Also, my model Kymco is supremely easy to DIY service.
………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

My advice if looking to buy a scooter:
1) Do you have a local shop with a good reputation for servicing your brand of scooter?

2) Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio/Vespa and Suzuki dealerships are better at servicing their scooters.

3) Kymcos, Genuine & SYM are side-line brands in every N. American power-sports dealership.  And while scooters are not Rocket Science, mechanics there are often not as familiar with servicing these scooters as are the techs in the Big Four dealerships.

4) If you are new to scooters, have no DIY skills, can afford to pay the extra $ and want a better chance at skilled servicing - buying from a Big Four dealership is the way to go.

5) If you are lucky enough to have a well established scooter shop in your community - buying any darn thing they have for sale will probably guarantee you a better experience than the other 98% of us who don't, Big Four or not!

Seriously - riding a scooter is a blast - but buying a scooter in N. America makes no sense.

Stig

* would I buy another Piaggio Liberty150i even though my dealer folded his tent soon after my purchase? Yep. It's easy to DIY and parts are readily avail. in the USA.

[CROSSBOLT]

I know it sounds familiar but you hit the nail square and drove it flush in one stroke! I can only add that potential scooter (or motorcycle) owners that live in the "bush" better be realistic about their DIY skills. Further recommend that the whole regional dealer scene be evaluated in the decision process. That would be somehow talking to customers to sound out the concensus of after sale experience.

Would I buy a Kymco again? Yes, IF it was realistically a refinement of the DT300i. With a series regulator/rectifier from Shindengen. With LED headlamps designed to work with the LED "bulbs."

That red Forza NEEDS a Ferrari badge!

[john grinsel]

I would try Kymco again----based on price/reliability/have good dealer 30 miles away-----having had new Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Daelim scooters and covered over 400,000 miles with them since 1990.  Dealer nets in N America are not the strongest for all makes!  Kymco working fine for me right now-----I buy only new, as I do not like to buy other people's problems.

[klaviator]

My Kymco dealer is excellent and knows how to work on scooters.  They sell Kymco, Piaggio and Vespa.  Unfortunately they are 100 miles away.

[rdhood]

I never buy new! But I would certainly buy another used Kymco if the deal is right. My Kymco entry fee was $1400 for a DT300i with 7800 miles and no problems. At this point, I'd do it again. In fact, I made the  same offer for its fraternal twin, the People GT300I. The seller didn't bite but they have had it up for sale for months and they may yet accept my offer. And I  trust Kymco enough that I  would take a bus down... it's in Florida... and ride it back.

[scooterfan]

My current Kymco is probably my last Kymco. Later this year I will move to an area where no Kymco dealers are in the area. I initially thought I would try a Like 200i in future but in the meanwhile my wife showed some interest in joining rides again.
So I decided to go for a bigger fuel injected scooter with a reliable dealer in the area in future. At the moment I started looking at the Honda Forza 300i, but I might go bigger. My wife is quite small, our total weight is about 150 kg, and I’m not a speed freak. Will probably take my wife with on a test ride with a Honda Forza 300 to see how it goes.
My previous bike was a Honda and I like the brand, and Honda’s after sale service. Therefore I think I will rather stick to the brand.

[john grinsel]

To "I never buy new"---Ride your scooter 20-50,000 miles a year and far afield, you might change your tune. And I usually never keep a bike/scooter beyond 50,000 miles----can be just too much trouble.

[dan v.]

Bought my Super9 new in 2004.  My 2006 Bet and Win was picked up just over a year ago.

Kymco "dealers" in the area only sell the 50cc Agility as a sideline.

Neither of mine has ever been to a dealer for service since I have owned them.   Been pretty happy with them overall.  Would I buy another?

Perhaps - but I am quite concerned that I have to really look hard for parts.  Kymco USA is a disappointment to say the least.

[Forbes1964]

If I ever decide to ride again, I’d definitely buy a Kymco as long as the dealership is in my area. I bought a Yamaha Majesty and priced a FIRST SERVICE. (500 miles) Basically an inspection, and an oil and differential fluid change. The valves weren’t due for many more miles. I don’t remember the exact price. But  remember thinking.”Y’all MUST’A FELL AND BUMPED YALL’S HEAD! I did it myself. I remember the Kymco dealer was much more reasonable for ALL maintenance AND repairs. And their labor rate was within reason . Besides, they. Specialize in scooter sales and service and talk to the customer as if the customer deserves respect.


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[Stig / Major Tom]

If I ever decide to ride again, I’d definitely buy a Kymco as long as the dealership is in my area. I bought a Yamaha Majesty and priced a FIRST SERVICE. (500 miles) Basically an inspection, and an oil and differential fluid change. The valves weren’t due for many more miles. I don’t remember the exact price. But  remember thinking.”Y’all MUST’A FELL AND BUMPED YALL’S HEAD! I did it myself. I remember the Kymco dealer was much more reasonable for ALL maintenance AND repairs. And their labor rate was within reason . Besides, they. Specialize in scooter sales and service and talk to the customer as if the customer deserves respect.


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After purchasing my Like200i I walked back to the service desk to inquire about their price for my first service.
I kinda suspected I might be in for a shock when he just set about typing in his computer, then handed me the print out.
It was then I decided to learn scooter mechanics. Bill for 1st service, with valve check, would be $368.
"Why so much?", I asked.
"We have to get down through all the plastic, first", he said.
It was a few weeks later that I learned they must not have ever actually serviced a LIKE200I, because, as a novice scooter mechanic, I had my feeler blade in the valves in 45 mins.
Later had it down to 20 mins.
Never been back except for tires and a warranty part.
You've got a good one, Mr Forbes!

Stig