Scooter forum post from an Italian Vespa owner...
Kymco People 150
Living in Napoli or Naples, Italy, I can report that this is a favorite to the locals for three reasons: Price, value, and most importantly it is not stolen like a Vespa. Plus, service is good and easily found. I have a dealership and repair on the corner where I live. All of the people that I talk with make me wish that I had bought one due to the continual two year problem with my Vespa Primavera stalling at intersections, stops, etc. Plus: 1. the wheels are larger and can go up a road curb or sidewalk to park. 2. The roads are very rough, a lot of old cobblestone, black brick roads and the larger wheels and shock absorber seem to handle the bumps better. I get beat-up pretty bad at times on my Vespa and can’t park as easily as mentioned above.
I do wish Kymco had offered one of their big wheeled step-thru 150's here in the States, when I was looking to purchase one. The Piaggio Liberty 150iABS is pretty much the only one. This style scooter is not very zoomy looking for American markets - but is apparently aimed at markets in Europe for urban riding over lousy/bumpy streets.
As I've noted - the Liberty rides much better over bad surfaces than does my LIKE200i with its 12" wheels.
Stig