First Scooter

[Joker729]

Hello.  I am brand new to scooters.  I rode a few times several decades ago as a teenager but have never owned a scooter or motorcycle.  I don't plan to use the scooter for commuting, it will be primarily leisure rides on lower traffic roads.  I found a very helpful dealership and they currently have a 2018 200I (Matte black) and a 2019 150i (red).  The 2018 has the trunk/rear luggage box, the 2019 150i does not.  The 2019 is $200 more. 

As a complete newbie, I would appreciate any input on the Kymco scooters in general and if anyone has specific thoughts between these two machines.  Also appreciate any other wisdom advice about entering the hobby or additional things I should consider. 

[john grinsel]

First get a motorcycle license.

[Kansas kymco]

I would choose the one with the most hp myself but it's a personal decision of what you like best.

[Stig / Major Tom]

The 200i is a proven scooter - nearly bullet proof. Very easy to self service.
The 150i - forget about the $25 plastic top case the 200i has - because the 150i has 2-wheel ABS braking - often a $500 option on a motorcycle.
The 200i has superb brakes - but they are not ABS.
The 150i has a couple more HP and slightly higher top speed, as well.

Don't be swayed by the plastic top case.

Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

I second John Grinsel! Go do the Basic Rider Course at your nearest Motorcycle Safety Foundation or Harley-Davidson dealer FIRST! Once you get that course under your belt and talk with the instructors and students, THEN ask that question. I rode motorcycles for 20 years then layed off forty some years then took that BRC and still learned a bunch from those instructors. Well, I went into the course with the attitude that I was definitely going to learn everything those guys had to teach! Now, you are kinda new here so you are probably unaware that the John Grinsel guy above has over a million miles on two wheels! So when HE says go do the rider course, YOU may want to listen!

[Kansas kymco]

I will third taking a rider safety course,  here once you completed the course they will hand you a certificate you can use to get your motorcycle license without having to take the driver portion of the test.

[Neil955i]

Sound advice from all here Joker. When you have some down time, you may also want to trawl through here for advice on riding apparel. Just as important as which scooter and the training IMHO.

Any specific questions any of this raises for you, just ask. As you’ll gather, there’s a wealth of knowledge to tap into here.

Welcome to the forum!


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[klaviator]

I have a 2018 150i.  I have had some problems with it but they were fixed under warranty.  I now have around 8300 miles on it in less than 18 months.  I never considered the 200i.  First I don't fit well on the 200.  Second the 150 has more power and better brakes.The 200 will likely be more reliable.  My advice is to sit on both and see which one you fit on the best.  Then decide it the better performance and brakes on the 150i are important to you.  If you get the 150 it's easy enough to add a tail box.

As for Kymco scooters in general, my first scooter was a 2009 Kymco super 8 150.  I put over 33,000 miles on it and I loved it.  Kymco is a good brand but it's not the only good brand out there. 

Whichever you get, good luck and welcome to the world of scooters.

[Like50]

Red is the color others can see you in traffic, pure safety. Black is opposite. Just a thought.

[Neil955i]

Red is the color others can see you in traffic, pure safety. Black is opposite. Just a thought.

Recall reading research done here in the UK many years ago which concluded that the safest vehicle (judged on accident rates) was..... yellow!

Make of that what you will.  My XT300? Only available in Matt grey here [emoji853]


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[Kansas kymco]

Recall reading research done here in the UK many years ago which concluded that the safest vehicle (judged on accident rates) was..... yellow!

Make of that what you will.  My XT300? Only available in Matt grey here [emoji853]


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The best color to be seen day/night is high visibility yellow, you can order safety gear in that color helmets/jackets. Red of a night time looks just like black.

[Neil955i]

Yeah I have a Hi-Viz Fluro vest, but must confess I don't wear it all the time.  When I rode every day I had a Hi Viz yellow Dainese waterproof jacket which I wore over my leathers for years until it got sun-faded!  Miss that jacket.

[Kansas kymco]

That's why fire departments switched from red to yellow around here as well for better visibility.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yeah I have a Hi-Viz Fluro vest, but must confess I don't wear it all the time.  When I rode every day I had a Hi Viz yellow Dainese waterproof jacket which I wore over my leathers for years until it got sun-faded!  Miss that jacket.

Son, buy again some form of hi viz which you will wear on every ride.

Dad

[Neil955i]

Ha ha. Thanks for the advice Pops. Will do.


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