2012 People GT200i Top Speed

[old geezer]

My S 250 has been great. It has not given me one bit of trouble and I ride it most every day. I try to do all my errands on it and leave my truck parked. Actually the GT 300 is a little bit taller than the S 250. I have a 30 inch inseam and I can flat foot mine. The S250 weighs a little less than the 300. They have the same size wheels. The S 250 has a ton more under seat storage than the 300. I also have a Shad SH40 cargo top case on mine.

The ride is smooth on the 250 and it takes bumps really well. It does not hurt my back to ride it.

The electronic fuel injection on the 300 is good and it will get better fuel mileage...but..if any thing goes wrong you have to take it to the dealer where as I can work on the carb with tools I have in the garage. The maintenance is the same on both of them. The 300 has a lot more power than the 250 but the 250 is no slouch.

Thats a good price on the S 250. I was thinking of getting the 300 but decided to keep my 250.

[TeeMon]

What I was told about "maintenance" was that the S250 requires more frequent oil and gear oil changes and its valves have to be "inspected & adjusted" much more frequently.  I think the oil every 2,000 miles on the S250 and its valves every 2600 miles - something like that.

While the GT200i (they didn't have a GT300i there) those services are required every 6,000 miles.   Big difference to someone like me who can't do their own service - especially the valves!

Also, I sat on both scooters and I had to tip toe with thick soled boots on the S250 while I sat flat footed on the GT200i.

It is puzzling because the specs indicate that the GT has a taller seat height !

The S250 definitely felt lighter to me and the underseat storage was actually usable.  And my small Givi topcase on my Burg 400 can easily be shared with the S250.

I'm glad to hear that the ride on the S250 has not caused any discomfort to Old Geezer - that is a huge concern to me.  The seat did not feel quite as padded but actually did not feel any worse than my Burg's seat.  I like the idea of having a lightweight scooter for short trips/errands and the such and leave my Burg for longer (and overnight rides).

If the maintenance info that I was told is incorrect, please let me know.  I was previously given incorrect info regarding my Burg 400 by the same guy there.

[old geezer]

I do all my own maint on scooters, cars and truck. I guess I have been turning wrenches for 54 years so its no big deal for me.

I don't know why the 300 would go that much longer between valve adjusts. The 300 has 4 valves and the 250 has 2 but they are set up the same way. Any way most of the time when you check the valves they don't need adjusting or are only off by a very small amount, so I would say the 250 can go a long way between adjustments. The 200/300 manual says 5000 miles BTW.

S 250 valve adjust..

http://modvespa.com/how-to-adjust-your-valve-on-kymco-people-250-scooter/

owners manual for the GT 200

http://www.kymcousa.com/owners/onroad/People-GT200i-300i-Owners%20Manual.pdf

owners manual for the S 250

http://www.kymcousa.com/owners/onroad/PeopleS250.pdf

[axy]

What I was told about "maintenance" was that the S250 requires more frequent oil and gear oil changes and its valves have to be "inspected & adjusted" much more frequently.  I think the oil every 2,000 miles on the S250 and its valves every 2600 miles - something like that.

My P250s has 22.000 kms and still has to see its first valve adjustment.

[TeeMon]

Old Geezer - many thanks for the links to the owners booklets for both scooters!   I had tried to find them online with no success. 

So it shows that the GT200i needs oil & trans fluid replacements every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) and valve adjustments at 10,000 miles.

While the S250 requires oil changes at 1,250 miles (2,000 km) and gear oil replacements every 3,450 miles (4,000 km); and valve adjustments at 3,450 miles intervals - which means more than twice as often as the GT200i.


Unfortunately, I cannot do my own maintenance -  besides having a very bad back and can't remain in one position for long or bend/squat for even less time, I also do not have any mechanical ability whatsoever; have no tools (& wouldn't know how to use them if I did); and after three surgeries on my right hand (was my strong hand) it now has very little flexibility or gripping strength. 

So the dealer gets alot of money from me for service work and modifications.  Luckily, on both my Silverwing (now gone) and my Burg 400, no repairs have been needed.  The service intervals on my Burg are longer than on either of the Kymco's.

I'm waiting for a call back from the dealer as to how much they charge for service on the two Kymco's.  Should be interesting and might cause me to re-think this purchase.

[08087]

My P250s has 22.000 kms and still has to see its first valve adjustment.

I was just about to ask what would happen if you didn't do any valve adjustments? Why do they recomend them so frequently?

[old geezer]

It can effect performance. If they get too loose they can get noisy but they usually tighten up. If they get too tight it can hold the valve off of the seat. This will effect performance and can cause the valve to burn if not corrected.

[ludo]

Regarding the GT 200i top speed, here is a review:
http://www.justgottascoot.com/peoplegti300.htm

"I just took a short spin on a new Kymco People GTi200 courtesy of Scooterville. It's pretty much the same chassis as the People GTi300 with a smaller engine. In this case it's a 204cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected unit. Yes, that's right, 204cc. While just about every other "200" scooter out there (including other Kymco models) is less than 200cc, this one is a touch MORE. It was a short ride, but I did get out on a highway and up to 70 MPH without any trouble. The incredible ooomph of the 300 isn't there, but the 200 was still a fun machine. According to motorcycle.com, the GTi200 puts out 21 horses which is comparable to the Piaggio BV300 and Aprilia SportCity 300. I'd expect the fuel economy to be better than the 300 and the around town handling to be even sharper. At $4,899, the MSRP may be seen as high for the current US scooter market, but it falls in line when compared with competing machines."

My guess is that the GT200i will do a 75PMH but not much more will the GT300i can cruise at that speed easily.

[KennyT]

Love reading these threads!
Thanks everyone!
Ken

[TeeMon]

In my comments (see Reply#19), I made a couple of errors on service intervals (thanks, old age).

The GT200i does require oil & transmission fluid changes very 3,000 miles.  But the valve adjustments are at 6,000 miles (not 10,000).  It also requires a new air cleaner and oil filter at 3,000 miles.

The People S 250 requires oil changes every 1,250 miles but gear oil replacements at 2,450 miles & 2,700 miles.   The valve adjustments intervals are the same as the gear oil change intervals (2,450 & 2,700).

I called two Kymco dealers about costs for "routine/minor service" rates:  One dealer told me that it would be about the same as my Burg 400 (for either the S250 or the GT200i) - $325 to $400 (not including valve adjustments).

The other dealer said that they charge about $127.50 plus parts for a minor service.  Too bad this dealer is over an hour away!


I read ludo's post regarding the review and the rider got the 200i up to 70 MPH without any trouble.  I was hoping that it would do a little better than that.  I read one review where the rider got the S250 up to 84.5 MPH !  Now that is what I'm talking about!

[bleys]

TeeMon

Been reading your comments about service with interest.  I have a 2009 XC250RI.  The manual states oil changes every 1200 miles and valve check and adjustment every 2400 miles.  The valve adjustment requires that several body panels be removed.  By the way, it is essentially the same engine as in the P250S, except for being fuel injected. 
When I bought my XC, I also tested a P250S.  The P250S was $600 dollars cheaper ($3400 vs $4000), but I bought the XC, because I had trouble finding enough room for my feet on the floorboard.  The riding position for me was much more comfortable on the XC, with the ability to vary foot position - something you should consider since you have been riding Silverwings and Burgs.  My feet are a size 10 for reference.  Of course the XC is 40lbs (if I remember correctly) heavier.
Good luck convincing your wife about a second scooter...I am fighting the same battle.

[TeeMon]

Bleys,

Thanks for your comments.  I've never seen the model you have but I just looked at photos of it online.  Nice looking scooter and it sort of looks like a Downtown 300i that I've sat on at two different dealers.  Your model is scarce or non-existent in these parts.  Sort of like the GT300i.

I'm surprised &  disappointed about the "shortish" intervals for oil changes and other maintenance items with the Kymco's.  For me, that means quite a bit more expense in maintaining another scooter.

That is, compared to the Silverwing and my Burg 400.  My Burg goes 3,500 miles between oil changes; 11,000 miles for oil filter change; 11,000 miles for the air cleaner; 14,500 miles before needing the valve adjust inspected; and 7,500 miles for the gear oil. 
And it's fuel injected as well. 

I've sat on the People S 250; the GT200i; Like 200i; and the Downtown 300i.  None gave me a problem with my feet position although the "hump" on the Downtown is wider than the Burg's.  Also, the DT's feet forward position is really weird - way too high and I can't imagine riding in that position for any length of time.

At this time I'm looking for a lighter, smaller engined scooter than my Burg 400.  I plan on keeping my Burg for as long as I can but my low back injury might shorten that time. 

If I can find that smaller, lighter scooter it will need to do better than 70-75 MPH.  I need to be able to get on two different State Highways to leave this town.  A 65+ MPH scooter will work on those two roads but after that I need to get on the interstate (I-80; I-5; or various Bay Area freeways) to get to where I want to go.  Those roads require that your scooter can easily cruise at 70 MPH and occasionally get up to 75 - 80 MPH to pass a line of big rigs.

My Burg has great suspension (single shock) and a decent seat with a sheepskin cover.  And I can sit flat footed on it.  So the smaller scooter would also need to have a decent seat due to my screwed up low back.  Hopefully, the seat height wouldn't be too tall either.

Maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist. But I haven't given up yet.

[fshfindr]

I may be wrong but... My Peoples 200 carbed puts down 11HP and so does the 200i, I top out at about 57 MPH with everything going well, long flat road etc..

If your looking to go on a highway for a short spurt you can, in my area you need to get on a highway to cross some rivers to get out of town. But NJ state law and maybe couontry wide is you need 250CC or better to ride the highway.

If your in the States you'd better check it out before you buy (assuming all above is true.)

08087 are you sure about the Jersey highway law, I have always thought the limit was 50ccs.

Richard L. (08031)

[08087]

08087 are you sure about the Jersey highway law, I have always thought the limit was 50ccs.

Richard L. (08031)

Of course when your looking for it you can't find it, but here is a link stating in a forum thread you can't take a scoot less then 250cc on the PArkway or Turnpyke.http://scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=18678

Picture yourself on my scoot that tops out at 57 MPH (peoples 200) trying to ride in traffic and change lans when all I can do is reach 57 at best. It's not safe for me or those arouond me.

Don't misunderstand me, let there be another 9/11 type inncedent and I'll be riding the shoulder all the way to the shore while everyone is stuck in their cars/traffic.

[Vivo]

In our country, only 400cc up are allowed on super highways. What people do is place a 400cc or 500cc badge on their 350's or 250's and they can enter the highways. Lots of cops are very ignorant about these motorcycle stuff anyway... 

Here's a Motorstar (China) Explorer 200cc modified to look like a Honda CBR 600RR......