PEOPLE 200 or a SYM HD200?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Looking hard at a pair of big wheel scooters this winter.
The Kymco PEOPLE 200/250 and the SYM HD200.
I would like to be able to ride 2-up on rural roads - not on the highways!

I figure them to be about equal in build quality.
I still need to educate myself about ease of service and reliabilty issues.
Both of these latter 2 comments are the most important issues with me - I want a very reliable scooter that I can easily  perform routine servicing on.
I figure to keep my LIKE 200iLX for commuting to work. (wouldn't get much more than a song for it in trade-in, or private sale. Song= @1/3 purchase price)

There are those who will think that, as a relatively new scooter owner - I will too quickly want more than a 200>250cc  scooter. However, I am not the typical big iron American - most of my cars have been 1600, 1800 and 2100CC  vehicles. (there were a couple of very dark months when I fueled an Olds Cutlass Supreme)

200>250cc's will suit me just fine.
No Italian scoots here - and have read too many scary stories about home servicing Japanese scoots - a nice Taiwan made scoot seems ideal.
But which mid-size big wheel scoot? The Kymco or the SYM?
Your thoughts and experiences?
Stig

[alphaBETAdog]

Stig,

Does Kymco even sell the People 200 in the US? It is not shown on the Kymco USA website.  If so, I've read where the People 200 & 300 are the same except for engine size. My GTi300 is physically larger than a Sym HD200. There is a nice thread about the HD200 on the Adventure Rider forum with nothing but positive things to say about it. I was all set to buy a HD a few years ago after taking one for a test ride, but the opportunity to pick up an Aprilia Scarabeo 150 for a song arouse and got that. I beleive they are very close in just about all aspects, with probably reliablility going to the Sym. Although I've had no problems at all with my Beo. I wouldn't hesitate buying a Sym HD200 which many consider one of the best values in scootering.

[SaltyDog]

I considered the newer GT versions of the People and I decided in the end to get the Downtown instead.  After owning my (non-GT) People 250, with it's tons of underseat storage + topbox, I just couldn't go for the GT version (which essentially has just a small glovebox under the seat).   

I originally planned on selling the People 250 (as that was the justification for getting the Downtown, but after changing the tires, it addressed my biggest complaint being poor handling (had head-shake and a bit of top-heavy feel to it).  With new City Grips front and back, all of that is gone, and it rides more like a motorcycle.
In terms of other maintainance, in addition to tires and normal oil change/lube/air filter, I changed the belt, brakes, and that's about it.   

I'd think a 250 be perfect for riding 2-up, especially around eastern Ohio backroads.  The HD200, if I'm not mistaken, although from what I hear it's an excellent ride, it won't give you much more power than you already have on the 200i.

For reliability and servicing, from my experience owning both Kymco and SYM while in Taiwan, they are similar.   What steered me towards Kymco when I moved back to the states was dealer network and parts availability.

Hope that helps

[AMAC1680]

It's unfair to make a comparison between the Like200i/People s200 and be HD/RV200.  Except for the EFI the Like has the same air cooled 163cc motor that was in the S200. The SYM liquid cooled ,ceramic cylinder motor is faster smoother and will be longer lived.

My S200 topped out at 57mph with just me on board. I'm 135 lbs.
My RV200 tops out at 75 mph/GPS and I cruise at 65 two up.

I loved my S200 but for everyday riding I need to be able to keep up on the highway and that couldn't be done with the S200.

Now the Downtown or the Gti300 would be a serious kick in performance across the board. That's if you need the power.

Be big,
AMAC

[johnson]

Definitely look at cc's available in the scoots you're comparing.  The Kymco 250 is a true 250cc with the power you'd expect.  The 200's are all much less than 200.  163 to about 172 cc's.  That becomes significant when you start hauling 2-up.  The new People 200gti is a true 200 and if you can find one should be discounted pretty good since Kymco seems to be dumping them in the USA.  Use the Craigslist app that lets you search multiple cities and see if you can find a nearby dealer getting rid of a 200gti or a leftover People S 250.   Two up that extra 80cc is nice when maneuvering through traffic.

I do agree with the comments about the Sym HD200.  Several riders in our local group have the HD.  And it's definitely easier to work on than the PS250.  I would've gotten one if I hadn't found my PS250 for $1800 with 526 miles on the clock.  It's the lightest 250 out there and while heavier than an HD, it's not top heavy or cumbersome at all. 

[SaltyDog]

If you do find a People 250, another thing to keep in mind is that at least the non-S version has heater outlets - could be useful for all-season riding.

[TLRam1]

If you do find a People 250, another thing to keep in mind is that at least the non-S version has heater outlets - could be useful for all-season riding.

MSL

What heater outlets?

People on this site seem to like the Sym HD200, but I bought the PS250 and it is stable with ample speed on the highway. I have an older Yamaha Riva 200cc small wheel and no issues with it on backroads 2-up but the big wheel scooter is more stable like my motorcycles are.

[SaltyDog]

What heater outlets?

There's 2 of them - 1 on the left, and one on the right of the front panel - just next to the key (see attached pic below). 


No forced air/fan, and with the lower cc (and therefore heat output) of the engine, it's not as effective as a car's heater, but it does make a difference on cold morning commutes.   For summertime, the vents do have louvres so you can re-direct the air out and away.

[TLRam1]

I can see that being beneficial in the winter time! I test rode a People 250 before I bought my PS250 but never noticed the vents.