2012 People GT200i Top Speed

[TeeMon]

I have been trying to check out a People GT300i but none of the Kymco dealers within 75 miles of me have one.  Two dealers have the GT200i on the floor so I went and checked one out.

I liked it very much but I'm concerned about its ability to travel at Interstate speeds and not overwork the little motor.  Motorists on local Interstates and Freeways around here drive at 70 MPH plus.

My Burg 400 can easily handle that and what I've read the GT300i can do it as well.  But what about the GT200i?

I am having difficulty finding any posts from members that might own one - very little info on the 200i on the forum.

[MassScoot]

TeeMon: I think many people (@ least in the US) won't really consider the GT200i because it's price point. It's too close to the GT300i & too be honest, I wouldn't buy one @ retail. I purchased a GT300i (less $200.00 off retail) which from what I gather isn't the best discount in the world (see Old Geezer) If you're going to spend upper $4,000+ Why not just spend the extra $400.00-$500.00 for a much better engine?

I'm 6' 225lbs. & my top speed has been 82MPG (GPS tested) on the GT300i. I'm not a fan of super-speed so you know. I mostly cruise secondary roads @ 30MPH-50MPH (which I love) I'm sure the GT200i is a fine scoot...but Kymco priced it way out IMHO (just like the GT300i as well) If it had a retail @ $4000.00 (or less) I'm sure many people would bite!   

[08087]

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.)

[TeeMon]

MassScoot, thanks for your comments. 

Actually, I went to the dealer to check out a beautiful, new (unsold) 2009 People S 250 at a much reduced price.  I was ready to buy it today.

But after I sat on it and looked at it much closer, I wasn't sure that it was the right scooter for me.  The seat height was too tall where I had to stand on my tip toes while wearing my thick soled boots and the seat felt too hard and uncomfortable.   Also, I learned that it requires frequent oil changes and valve inspections/adjustments; more maintenance.  I was very disappointed about all that.

After I looked at and sat on the People GT200i, I was really pleased.  It felt just right for me except for my concerns regarding the top speed (or easier higher cruising highway speeds).  And you're right - the cost was somewhat shocking.   They had a Downtown 300i there but no GT300i's.

I went to and/or called eight different dealers within 75 miles and not a single one had a GT300i !   So even if I wanted one over the 200i, where would I find one or even get to look at one?

I plan on keeping my Burg 400 but I sure wanted to add a smaller, lighter scooter to my stable but now I'm having second thoughts.   

BTW, we used to have wonderful country roads in this area until the wind turbine companies started installing hundreds of turbines.  The roads are all ruined now from all of their heavy trucks, equipment; and overuse.  I have to travel about half an hour to get out of this area to find decent country roads or to get on an interstate or freeway to reach good riding areas.

California requires a motorscooter (or motorcycle) to have at least 150 cc to be operated on a freeway/ Interstate.  I had a 2010 Honda SH150i, but I could only get 62 - 65 MPH out of it on level roads with no wind.  And it's seat was like a brick.  So it's sold now.

[old geezer]

The Kymco GT 200i puts out 21 horse power. Thats about what my S 250 puts out. The GT200i is actually 205 CCs liquid cooled not to be confused with the 163 CC air cooled S 200 and Like. My S250 will run 80 and cruse at 65 to 70. I see no reason why the GT 200i should not either although I have not ridden one.

Being fuel injected it will get better fuel mileage than my 250. But its what the others have said, why not go ahead and get the 300. The 200i and 300i are the same size and weight and if you are going to be a bear you might as well be a grizzly.

By the way my dealer has a silver 200i for $4299.

http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=9226626E-02X9K20K2012J6I51I51JPMQ4059R0&veh=246764&pov=2738850

[TeeMon]

Old Geezer - thanks for the info.   Wow!  I wish that your dealer was closer - I might have come home with that scooter today!

The two dealers in my area (San Francisco Bay Area) that have the GT200i have theirs listed at $4889 (base price) and then they add transportation ($355); Assembly ($298); State Tire Fee ($5.50); Processing Fee ($50); and then the state takes it's bite to the tune of about $476 for fees, registration; & sales tax.

So it's not a cheap deal by the time you're done buying it.  Takes a lot of convincing to get the wife to say, "yes dear, go ahead and buy a second scooter for yourself".

[old geezer]

I feel your pain. I have bought two Kymcos from this dealer and did not pay any set up or transportation. But more dealers charge the extras than the ones that don't.

Hey they got a gold 300i for $4799, sorry.

http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=9226626E-02X9K20K2012J6I51I51JPMQ4059R0&veh=246765&pov=2738823

[TeeMon]

Only $4799 for a 300i !   Oh no !  Now I really feel sick.

[08087]

The Kymco GT 200i puts out 21 horse power. Thats about what my S 250 puts out. The GT200i is actually 205 CCs liquid cooled not to be confused with the 163 CC air cooled S 200 and Like. My S250 will run 80 and cruse at 65 to 70. I see no reason why the GT 200i should not either although I have not ridden one.

Being fuel injected it will get better fuel mileage than my 250. But its what the others have said, why not go ahead and get the 300. The 200i and 300i are the same size and weight and if you are going to be a bear you might as well be a grizzly.

By the way my dealer has a silver 200i for $4299.

http://www.castlepowersports.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=9226626E-02X9K20K2012J6I51I51JPMQ4059R0&veh=246764&pov=2738850

My mistake didn't know we were talking about the GT, I did read very recently that the plain 2001 is the same 11 HP, I think it's in my owners book.

By the way, what kind of MPG do you get on the Suzuki 400?

[TeeMon]

08087, thanks for the clarification on what model you have.

Sorry, but I can't give you any MPG figures - I don't keep track of it.  But I'll try to remember to check it on the next couple of fill ups and give a report.

I do know that it's pretty darn good compared to my car and my wife's car.  Last time I checked my Burg's mileage was when it was newish & it was in the 60-62 MPG range.  Note that I do almost no stop & go riding with it - I'm usually running between 60 and 70 MPH.

It is very smooth, quiet, comfortable, and has lots of storage.  I've ridden it up Hwy 1 along the coast almost to Oregon.  And over the Sierra Nevada Mts to Mammoth Lakes Resort.  I challenge myself to stay off of the Interstates but sometimes you can't help it.  Also, I ride year round as we have moderate weather here - no snow.

It's not as fast as my Silverwing was but it's lighter and easier for my tired, broken body to push around.

[08087]

08087, thanks for the clarification on what model you have.

Sorry, but I can't give you any MPG figures - I don't keep track of it.  But I'll try to remember to check it on the next couple of fill ups and give a report.

I do know that it's pretty darn good compared to my car and my wife's car.  Last time I checked my Burg's mileage was when it was newish & it was in the 60-62 MPG range.  Note that I do almost no stop & go riding with it - I'm usually running between 60 and 70 MPH.

It is very smooth, quiet, comfortable, and has lots of storage.  I've ridden it up Hwy 1 along the coast almost to Oregon.  And over the Sierra Nevada Mts to Mammoth Lakes Resort.  I challenge myself to stay off of the Interstates but sometimes you can't help it.  Also, I ride year round as we have moderate weather here - no snow.

It's not as fast as my Silverwing was but it's lighter and easier for my tired, broken body to push around.

When I first started looking at scoots I looked into the Burg's but they were too expensive and I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy the scoot as much as I do, so I went small. I also looked into the Honda Big Rukus 250cc but they too are expensive, so Kymco it is.

[TeeMon]

I've been riding motorcycles since 1962 or so.  My last motorcycle was a beautiful 2005 BMW R1150R.  But then my body started complaining loudly to me.  A neighbor was kind enough to let me take his Majesty 400 scooter for a long ride to see how it might work for me.

The next day I rode my BMW down to the nearest scooter dealer and traded it in on a Honda Silverwing scooter.  I was a happy  man!   I'm fortunate that I could afford a larger scooter - I was able to keep riding to the distant parts of Northern California that a smaller scooter would not have let me do.

But the Silverwing became too heavy for me (bad back) so I ended up with a Burg 400 which is about 75 to 100 lbs lighter than the SWing.  But I sure miss the SWing - it was absolutely great!

Now, after my recent 2nd low back surgery (and advancing years), I'm giving serious thought to yet a lighter scooter like the Kymco People S 250 and now the GT 200i or GT 300i.  But I plan to keep my Burg 400 until I can't lift it off the side stand anymore or push it out of it's garage (or my wife puts her foot down about all the damn scooters in the garage).

[old geezer]

Yeah, I got my first scooter in 1958. I went on to have many Honda and Harley motor cycles after the scooter, a 1955 Sears Allstate Cruisaire made by Vespa. I have degenerative back disease, some bulging disc and can't swing my leg over a motor cycle any more so I got a step through scooter that will keep me on two wheels a while longer.

Being in Vietnam in 1969 and being sprayed with agent orange didn't help.

[TeeMon]

Old Geezer, thank you for your service in Vietnam, Republic of.

My nephew was a door gunner on a Huey (Big Red One) and is now 100 per cent disabled.  And a good friend was on PBRs (US Navy) with one of their duties was to deliver 55 gal drums of some stuff marked with chemical markings that was used to spray on enemy areas.  But he won't file a claim (he has tumors all over his body and brain now).

And so on.    I was never injured while in the Army.   I waited until I had been in Law Enforcement for 20 yrs and then got my low back injured badly. 

If only I would have known that it would interfere with my motorcycle/scooter riding!

BTW, do you own a People S 250 ?   If so, what do you think of it?

The one at the dealer's is absolutely gorgeous - bright red 2009 and zero miles on it.  He's asking $3299 for it (plus all the other fees, etc).  It's a little tall for me and the seat feels hard (not good for my injured low back).   And they told me about the high maintenance that's required on it.

Thanks,

[MassScoot]

The People S250 may not be for you. I owned a People S200 & the seat was "rock hard" no question. I had to purchase a seat cushion to help out, but that added 3/4" to the seat height.

The LOVE the look of the People S250 myself. My favorite looking Kymco off all-time! It blows away my GT300i IMHO. Not to say that the GT300i is ugly, just that it's not as sharp as the S250.

What I don't understand is why the dealer is telling you it requires more maintenance. Ok, so it has a carb vs. FI. Yes...it's watercooled as well, but I think it would be about the same as my GT300i. My People S200 (air-cooled) was a bullet-proof scooter (never should have sold it) & it required very little work. Just engine & gear oil. Of course I used the additives to keep my carb clean. Started-up like a champ even sitting in the Winter months (New England) in my shed. One thing the People S250 is fairly nimble if that's what you're looking for. Plus @ $3299.00, it's a great price!