moving ahead

[john grinsel]

82nd  birthday coming up in May----Xtown 300i parked at dealer for sale, warranty running out, only 11,000 miles---Kymco Dealer Dalton GA---bike perfect, stock windshield with Laminar Lip, fresh belt and Heidenau tires----$3000.   Good deal for somebody.

Next bike---you get old, you get weaker and maybe a little shakey, even sometimes unsteady  on feet===real fact.   Looking at Kymco 150 X---air cooled=plus, kick start=plus, carb=plus (at 50,000 miles or so slide wears) 151cc=ok for freeway, just a little over 10 hp, again ok for freeway---I know a little slow, but will settle argument with cop(I have ridden scooter in 49 states)

I see a couple of problems---#1 small gas tank   #2 difficult rear wheel removal?

[pa-outdoorsman]

First off, happy birthday to you! My father turned 86 earlier this month, so you are still a young man!

I've been looking at the Super 8 150s for a while. Seems to me an excellent scooter for the price. However, in my mind, I am back and forth between that and a Yamaha Zuma 125, or one of the new Honda ADV150s (significantly higher price, but also many more features).

The Yamaha and Hondas are both fuel injected. Wonder why you consider carb a plus. Fuel injected mileage is significantly higher.

You also say you consider air cooled a plus. I think the Zuma is also air cooled, but the Honda ADV is liquid cooled. Again, just wondering your thoughts here. As a first-time scooter shopper, I am always eager to learn from the experiences of those on this board.

Finally, regarding speed, I would think the Super 80 is going to top out around 60 mph "actual speed" though the speedo on the bike might read a bit higher. I think the Zuma 125 is similar, while the Honda ADV 150 might get close to 70 mph. 60 is marginal for freeway riding, IMO, but might be OK for a short distance.

Good luck with whatever you decide on. And stay safe!

[john grinsel]

Simpler the better!!   Less crap to go wrong----carbed bike will start on low voltage with kick start....try that with fuel injection.   As max. I keep scooter/bike is 50,000 miles, should never have trouble.   Think I will change tires from the get go (probably modern Heidenau as they do not seem to slip in wet---street pattern)

Price of bike is good---where it/they should be.   My junk box already has clamp on handlebar windshield that should work ok.   Maybe even buffet free for change.  Looked at rear, can figure out way to bolt my dog's box on (Bestem$40)   Back seat flipped up should be room for my  Ortleib rubber bag---front floor might have room for my Givi hump bag---all set to go in lighter weight for old fart in 66th year of riding/over 1.5 million miles on 2 wheels and still around.  I add nothing electric!!

[pa-outdoorsman]

At this point in your life, sounds like you know what you like, and what you don't. Seems the Super 8 150X might be just the ticket for you, and, as you note, they are very reasonably priced. You can buy one brand new for less than $2,500 and if you don't mind a very lightly used one that is a year or two old, I see them on Facebook marketplace and Cycle Trader fairly regularly for well under $2,000.

[scooter freak]

sounds like a winner to me. I rode carb bikes for years. good luck and they are priced so well. You know ,after your experience, what's going to work for you. I'm still waiting for my 2020 like 200 to come in.

[scooterfan]

John, nothing wrong with engine size but honestly - I would say rather look for something with bigger wheels. To my understanding you did a lot of miles on scooters with bigger wheels and I think you might get very disappointed with that 12” wheels ona 150 X very soon. In fact - I think changing to 12” wheels after riding so many miles on bigger wheel scooters is not even safe.

You will probably not be interested in buying a 2nd hand scooter - but I think a second hand older model Super 8 150 in good condition (with 14” wheels) will be a much better and safer choice.

Just my 2 cents.

[Neil955i]

Whichever way you go John, good luck with your new ride and here’s to many more miles and yarns for you!  Oh, and Happy birthday for May.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Ex-KLR]

I'm 83, 84 in July, and I'm happy with my Like 150i ABS (although I would like to have larger wheels).

[de dee]

I will be 88 in 2 weeks ,.  plan on a new 2023 Piaggio B V 350 for my 90  birthday, hope I dont catch anything, could be wishfull thinking,  love to ride to the west coast again , but head of the family wont drive by herself,  so I will trailor the scoot with us,  getting my shot middle of march, so good to travel this summer,.  happy trailes every one,. 

[Ruffus]

@de dee,
just admiring you for your positive attire and prospect.

[Neil955i]

Doing me the world of good reading all these posts from Octogenarians.  Seems I may still have decades of biking to look forward to!

I remember when in my 30's seeing a grey-haired old git riding his bike off the ferry for the IoM TT races and commenting to my riding buddy "Hey, I hope we're still riding when we're that old!".  Well, now I AM that grey-haired old git!  (What's left of it anyway.)

[john grinsel]

First thing with wheel size---you need to remember you are on scooter!! Not real motorcycle!!

I have had I think scooters with 8 inch/10 inch/12 inch/13 inch/14 inch wheels.  Never wheel size problem---remember Helix had 10 inch rear....I had 4 new ones, 175,000 miles---real problem J rated tire (62mph) on bike that could go 70 mph downhill tailwind.   Had one come  apart in Japan after long wide open run.  safely stopped.

[de dee]

@de dee,
just admiring you for your positive attire and prospect.

  thank you  just my second child hood ,  coming out   ,. 

[Neil955i]

  thank you  just my second child hood ,  coming out   ,.

Think that sums up most of us de Dee!

[klaviator]

John, nothing wrong with engine size but honestly - I would say rather look for something with bigger wheels. To my understanding you did a lot of miles on scooters with bigger wheels and I think you might get very disappointed with that 12” wheels ona 150 X very soon. In fact - I think changing to 12” wheels after riding so many miles on bigger wheel scooters is not even safe.

You will probably not be interested in buying a 2nd hand scooter - but I think a second hand older model Super 8 150 in good condition (with 14” wheels) will be a much better and safer choice.

Just my 2 cents.

I put over 33,000 miles on a first gen Super 8 150.  IMO the newer 150x was a big step backwards.  Besides the smaller wheels it was a lot more cramped than the first gen.  I didn't fit on it very well. 

As for wheel size, the Super 8 did ride a bit smoother than the Like 150i does but I don't feel the 12" wheels are unsafe.