BW 250 vs GV 250 vs Honda Reflex 250

[Scooter Dan]

The scooter bug has bit me again and this time my wife is giving me her blessings and a scooter for Christmas. CL Dallas has an 05 BW 250 FS for 1300.00 with 950 miles, a windshield, Givi top box, full service and new Michelin and no drops/damage. Also, a 2011 GV with 150 miles was just listed but don't know any other details. Looks nice though in pics (red) and selling for 1850.00. And a local Honda Reflex is FS for 1200.00 with 1000 miles in like new condition (silver).

Had considered a Vespa GT200 or GTS 250 but they go for 2-3 times the price of Kymco's and out of my budget. The Reflex is a great bike but I've already owned one and is similar to my SW. The BW 250 has some great features like new tires, windshield and Give top box but is 6 years older than the GV which does not have a luggage trunk but has very low miles. Is there much difference between the BW and GV? Any thoughts on these bikes?

[Scooter Dan]

Update, looks like the Reflex has sold so probably down to the BW or GV. Both are some distance from me (150+ miles) so I'm trying screen these bikes before taking the long drive to test ride them. Also, I may offer a grand for the BW which would be a heck of a deal.

[Mr. Paul]

I'm liking the BW. Service already done, new tires, and most of the add-ons you would want. Sounds like a winner to me. Nothing wrong with the GV but based on the current info, its the BW. Good luck!

[Scooter Dan]

Thanks Mr. Paul as I'm leaning towards to BW too as it's nearly half the price of the GV. Both have the same engine and similar performance and good reliability. Just a different look.

[Scooter Dan]

Got the BW 250. Headed back from Dallas with it now. Pretty little red scoot. Ended up giving 1250 for it. Hurray, now I'm a Kymco owner again.

[GLV55]

Got the BW 250. Headed back from Dallas with it now. Pretty little red scoot. Ended up giving 1250 for it. Hurray, now I'm a Kymco owner again.

Congrats on the BW purchase! Great bike with a lot of extras for a darn good price - nice job on that! Enjoy the ride!

[Mr. Paul]

Congratulations Dan! How did the BW do on the trip home?

[Scooter Dan]

Thanks guys. Made it back home just fine, hardly noticed the weight of the scooter in the trailer. I've hauled 1000 pound Goldwings in it but this was easy peasy. It was however, colder than the dickens as it was about 27 when I arrived to test ride it. I had brought my helmet, winter riding jacket and gloves but without the windshield I lasted a few city blocks and cut the ride short. The seller had removed the windshield as he liked how it looked without it. It was nearly 5pm when I arrived as it was beginning to get dark so we didn't install the shield and thought it would also be less stress on it to not be going down the road at 75mph for the 150 mile ride home.

One thing I did notice in riding it is that it has a fairly cramped foot area on the floor and if I were a quarter inch taller it would be a really tight fit. It actually feels tighter than my PS200. I'm sure I'll get used to it but man the grunt this jewel has when accelerating was very pleasing. I liked the upright Vespa kind of upright seating as my SW is more recumbent with feet forward. I like both and didn't want 2 of the same thing. It's got a nice little black Givi top box and the bike looks absolutely perfect with no scratches.

Today I'll get it insured and registered so I can ride it this week. Temps back in the 50's about mid week so I can't wait. I doubt though that I will wait as I have winter gear just not heated gear. I do have a pair of winter riding pants coming for Christmas as that will help as my present riding pants are mesh. I'll get some pics today. It has a carbon fiber fender or perhaps an overlay as well as some of the Tupperware near the passenger foot area. Looks kinda cool.

[Tiny]

Nice Score Mate. Im jealous

[Scooter Dan]

Nice Score Mate. Im jealous

You think so Tiny? Kymco is a great product at amazing prices. I never realized you could buy so much for so little. Got the windshield mounted today and rode it to our little farming town about 10 miles from here and it was a delightful ride despite being so cold. The extra large windshield was perfect as there was no wind sitting behind it at 75mph. Yep got it up to 75 indicated and it was super smooth on the road. For such a small scooter it felt very planted on the road. I was actually quite surprised at how stable it felt. The foot well though tight is actually ok as I'm used to stretching out my legs on the SW and this is a whole different riding position...straight up Vespa style. Have to get it inspected tomorrow so I can register and get my tags. Got it insured today. I think I'm going to really like the BW especially with the ability to cruise down our state highway to town at 70+ mph. Also like the dual disc brakes. The windshield is huge and though it looks goofy it really works for winter riding. The extension for the hand guards really cut the cold wind on my hands. With no heated gear the windshield is a true blessing. Come summer though I may replace with a shorter smaller screen or just go naked.

[Mr. Paul]

Nice!!! I like the coverage on that windshield for winter, particularly for the hands. I would think twice about going naked this summer. Just removing the windshield would be enough!!!

[Scooter Dan]

I would think twice about going naked this summer. Just removing the windshield would be enough!!!

Thanks, I needed that laugh. Wouldn't be a pretty sight with an old bald man doing a handstand on the scooter riding in front of the mall.

[Mr. Paul]

That was a true laugh out loud Dan 

[Scooter Dan]

Had a little problem yesterday with my BW as I rode it to town to get it inspected and registered. Noticed I could barely hit 70 even going down hill. Noticed it had a rough idle and when starting cold it when rev very high and spin the back tire very fast. If you didn't wait for the auto choke to cycle and drop the rpm's the scooter wanted to take off once off the center stand as I had to really apply the brakes to keep from pushing me.  I had  just come out of Walmart as I picked up a cheap bike cover and noticed when taking off the scooter started bogging down like it was starved for fuel. I pulled over once in the parking lot to rev the throttle to try to get going again. Made it out to the street which was a hill and didn't make it 50 feet and it just died. So I noticed a fire house across the street and pushed the scooter double time across 4 lanes to the adjacent parking lot. Sure was glad it wasn't the SW I was having to muscle as the difference of 200 pounds between the bikes was amazing.  The Kymco is a flyweight compared to my SW. Anyway got it going and could hardly get over 65 on the way home but it made it OK. Yesterday I also picked up a can of sea foam and used several generous applications to the fuel and yesterday I also got new fuel.

The BW came with a brand new Kymco carb as the seller felt like it may need replacement because of the super hi revving when cold and first starting. So, I'm stopping by a local independent bike shop this morning and see about having them install my new carb. According to everything I've read on the internet about the BW 250, is that it has a top speed of 135km which is 82mph indicated. I can't barely get over 70 and really more like 65 so it sounds prudent to install this new carb. Go figure, a scooter with 900 miles and 11 years old means it's sat most of it's life so far.

[Scooter Dan]

Stopped by a local independent bike shop which rebuilt the carbs on a previous Goldwing to see if he'd work on a Kymco. As soon as I mentioned it was a Kymco, his eyes rolled back with a very satirical look as I assured him it was a quality product. He said, "I know Kymco". Sure glad he's too busy until January to do it. I can assure you he won't be touching that scooter. Talked with a private pilot friend of mine that encouraged me to do myself. Found a good YouTube tutorial for this bike which looks like a no brainier. Wonder about the carb settings like idle and fuel/air and my pilot friend said they may be factory set?