The owner of Scoot Over in Tucson offered me a test ride on a shiny new 2013 Movie 150 which I graciously accepted.
A little previous research on the internet revealed the new Kymco had 13.5 horsepower and weighed 250 lbs, intriguing to say the least. Pretty wicked tuning for an air cooled 150cc motor with a carb, though it does have a 4-valve head.
I took a short 7 or 8 minute ride in a residential area behind the shop, by no means enough time or miles to give a detailed review, but it did reveal the basic character and feel of the Movie 150.
I noticed three things immediately.
1. Stone cold the scooter started with a very brief stab of the starter button and idled smoothly and quietly. This scooter is quiet! Almost inaudible at idle, and a low muted growl at full throttle. Quiet and also a nice sounding stock tone, not something I would bother to change at all.
2. The Movie 150 is very quick to 45 mph, I would venture to say as fast as my HD 200 EVO. It was actually quicker to 10 mph, I'm guessing the fat 12" tires require a lot less torque to get rolling compared to the much larger diameter 16" hoops on the HD 200. With more torque and 1.7 horsepower more, I'm sure the HD 200 would pull handily ahead after 45 mph all the way to a faster top end. I would guess the Movie 150 would have the guts to pull somewhere above 65 mph but less than 70. While not feeling quite as powerful as the HD 200 in the mid-range, the Movie 150 still had good acceleration from 30 to 45 mph. Unfortunately in a posted 35 mph speed zone, I didn't have the opportunity to test the upper speed ranges.
3. With a 2 gallon fuel tank under the floor board and the rider sitting a couple of inches lower than the HD 200, the Movie 150 had a much lower center of gravity, feeling a lot lighter in comparison than one would expect 47 lbs less should feel (Movie 150 250 lbs - HD 200 Evo 297 lbs). This scooter felt nimble and quick handling like my Yamaha C3 (50cc -198 lbs), but not nervous or twitchy. A nice stable and smooth ride up to the 45 mph speed I was limited to (it's a shame I didn't get the opportunity to go faster!).
I road down a pot hole infested back alley and Movie 150's suspension and 12" wheels seemed to handle the bumps reasonably well, maybe not as smooth as the HD 200, but pretty darn close. I took a short cut between the back of two shopping centers, carefully riding on some medium size river rock, gravel and loose dirt with a few ruts. Wow, this was a huge improvement over the HD 200. The Movie 150 felt sure footed with virtually no squirmy and loose feeling front wheel or apparent lack of traction. I guess the lower center of gravity and lighter weight combined with a front tire that is 3/4" wider helps a lot.
Not near enough time to test seat comfort, but the basic shape was similar and it felt like maybe just a little bit more cushion. I'm sure the Movie 150 could never match the stability and ease the HD 200 gobbles up pavement two-up at 65 mph. But it was still competent in the engine department and should be able to hold 60+ mph on level ground while having more than adequate acceleration at low and mid-range speeds. Throw in a much more confident feeling off the pavement and lighter more tossable handling and the Movie 150 just "feels" more fun than my SYM HD 200 Evo
But a short test ride won't reveal any weaknesses or shortcomings the Movie 150 might present at higher speeds or on extended trips. Giving credit to the proven abilities of my HD 200, it has performed flawlessly with reasonable comfort and economy on many 250 - 350 mile days.
I have some concerns with overall comfort or stability on all day long rides, but from what I've experienced so far, I really like the Movie 150 and I'm seriously considering buying one.
Yes, I realize the Kymco Movie 150 was designed to be more of an urban scooter.
But then you are reading the opinion of someone that has taken long trips on a Honda Elite 110, SYM Wolf Classic 150 and even a Yamaha C3! I not sure everyone shares my view that smaller is just more fun
