compare SYM HD200 to Kymco People S 250

[pahillbillybear]

I e-mailed my local dealer today looking for a scoot to haul my butt (255 lbs.) down the road.  I love the Buddy.  Hands down my favorite for the kind of riding I do.  But this dealer more or less convinced me that 150 cc may not bring home the bacon, and I like bacon.  I also liked the Vespa until I came to the realization that maintenance costs (such as a rear tire change) would eat up much of my savings by riding a scooter.  So I am left with the Sym HD 200 and the Kymco 250 People S.  Does anyone own both of these bikes, this allowing a direct comparison?  The SYM is less money and has less weight.  The Kymco is water cooled and has better braking.  And that is about as much as I know.  What of SYM's parts availability?  I've always heard that Kymco is the best in parts.  Does that hold true or is that just someone trying to sell a bike?  Thanks in advance for all responses. 

[jprestonian]

My experience with both lines, working at a dealer who carries both lines: Kymco parts generally arrive in 3-4 business days. SYM in 3-14 business days.

The HD200 is also liquid-cooled, btw. Rumor says the next model year will have rear disc brakes, like the Euro and Asian model has had all along. It will also probably go up a couple hundred in MSRP, but it's been a little underpriced for what it has been, IMO. A great bike for the money.
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[ispud]

don't have s sym 200 but I do have an Aprilia 200 Scarabeo (made in China)and I ride my ps250 the majority of the time.  It's like a rocket ship compared to the 200.

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[wordslinger]

...dunno what kinda riding you do...and I own none of the afore mentioned scoots...

..but what I do know from over 40,000 km of experience on an '08 Agility 50 that I bought new...

...you just can't beat the KYMCO for longevity...

..i've seen too many chinese scooters drop bearings after a few thousand miles...

peace

[ispud]

both are Taiwanese and I have only read good things about both of them.  I am still voting for the 250 over the 200. Only down side is about 10 mpg decrease in the 250, but the zoom factor overcomes that handily!!

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[wordslinger]

..yeah both the SYM and Aprilia are really good scoots...

..I think SYM and KYMCO were once a part of the same company???

..i think...lol..

..down here in the 50t ranks were always trying to get that "one more mph"...mpgs just don't seem to matter so much...lol..

[Shaka]

I'm pretty impressed with my lack of mpg's.  I got mine down to about 30, sure is quick though!

[wordslinger]

...lmao...i nearly ran outta fuel on my way to work yesterday...

..didn't know the gauge would go that far past E...

[zombie]

Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)

[wordslinger]

Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)

..dang...70mph on these little tires....

...

[zombie]

The Avon Viper is rated at 78 mph, Shaka saw another rating at 93 for the same tire.

[wordslinger]

...luv my vyper..

..sssssss....

[wordslinger]

...luv my vyper..

..sssssss....

..oh wait...that sounded like air leaking....dammit...

[Shaka]

Mpg is a good gauge for performance. I'm trying to get below 30 (mpg), or above 70(mph)

LOL!  Guess that could be some type of performance standard!   I did end up ordering a set of the Avon Vipers this evening.  I sure hope they fit!  Zombie, I'm taking your word on the fit.  I did the 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear.  Now I just hope my rear tires holds together in the mean time!

[wordslinger]

LOL!  Guess that could be some type of performance standard!   I did end up ordering a set of the Avon Vipers this evening.  I sure hope they fit!  Zombie, I'm taking your word on the fit.  I did the 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear.  Now I just hope my rear tires holds together in the mean time!

..thats what i run on my scoot....those sizes...coool...