Save money for a new Kymco or take a chance....?

[kikuta688]

So I was looking around through Craigslist, looking for scooters just for fun, and I happened upon a 2005 Kymco People 250. Its got about 6kmiles on it and the guy wanted $1200 for it. There is of course, a catch...

Upon talking to him, he told me it had a salvage title. He'd said that he bought it and repaired some body panels, took of the windshield and replaced the front wheel and tire.

I went and checked it out today. It is a little worn, looks like it was stored outside most of its life, though that's not a huge deal. It started up after a couple of tries, and I rode it around, getting it up to about 55-60 MPH with the limited stretch of road that I had. Engine feels strong, maybe some slight vibration/sound at higher speed, but the steering felt a little stiff.

I'm not sure though, because my only riding experience is with my Lance Milan which has smaller wheels, weighs less, and isnt as fast. I'm concerned because I cant tell if there is an issue or not, because I dont have experience with a bigger wheeled, or heavier scooter.

I dont want to buy a heap of problems, and have no idea how expensive a potential frame or front fork issue might be. Then again, if I got it for about $800, would it be worth it since I'd have some extra money for repairs if needed? (I have about $1500 right now)

So I'm stuck. Should I take a risk if the price is low enough, or keep saving for another year or so in order to get a new Kymco 250?

Thanks everyone...

P.S. Heres a link with pics... http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/mcy/1713209364.html

[wordslinger]

...if you can get by the asthetics, and there are ppl here that can help you with re-painting...

..then it sounds like a pretty good buy...offer him $1000.00 cash and spring for a killer paintjob!!..lol..

[kikuta688]

No concerns over the ride/wheel issue?  I can't tell if its because I used to a lighter scoot, or if there is something bent in the fork, or worse, frame.

[wordslinger]

...i can't say, but there some ppl here that ride that scoot daily...

...keep coming back, and i'm sure you will get your answers...


peace



..oh, and Welcome to th' Forum!!!

[zombie]

Offer $500.00 cash, or find a better one for the $'s.

[sidthesloth]

+1 zombie.

[olbull]

I have  been  an  automobile  dealer new/used for  almost 40 years....Salvage  vehicles  with  history of  repair  are  worth  at  best 50% of  good  condition  retail$$$..This looks  and most likely is a pig...You  are  close to  needing tires,belts etc  based on  the  mileage  that  shows..Since  the  speedo  cable  is  broken  the  mileage  is TMU    ( true mileage unknown) ....Dont  offer  him anything..Walk  away  and continue the hunt.....For  just  few  $$$$ more  and little  bit  of patience you  will  find  a  LADY....Not  some  beat  up  slut...Good  Luck

OlBull

[wordslinger]

This looks  and most likely is a pig...

..what looks so bad about it...

[olbull]

One  mans  junk is  another  mans  treasure....

[wordslinger]

..i mean, i see a cpl of scratches on the front left fairing, and the black plastic is faded out some, it's wet, and i see droplets of water, but other than that it looks to be in decent condition...

..nothing broken or missing...

 

[zombie]

Oldbull has it right. A salvage title makes it too suspect to play with. A few hundred for a parts scoot is a good idea if you had a cherry to ride.

[wordslinger]

...yeah, the title thing sucks, but kiku rode it and said it performed well, other than his question about the steering tightness...and he wasn't sure about how it should feel, in relation to his experience...


..the scoot looks whole to me, and if it performs, then what r a cpkl of scratches and some faded plastic...

..could be a diamond in th' rough...


..just my not so frikin humble opinion...

 

[jprestonian]

I can tell you what my dealer (an authorized Kymco dealer/service center) says about frames: If they've been damaged, he will not work on the bike. He will tell the insurance company that the bike is totaled, because for all intents and purposes, it is. Replacing the frame is like rebuilding the bike from scratch, and it just isn't cost-effective. He also won't certify any frame repairs, as he doesn't have the equipment to properly test such repairs (nor would any normal dealer).

If the frame CAN be certified, replacing the forks is expensive, but not stupidly so on a $1200 P250. If you suspect any frame damage, walk away, though.
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