125cc vs 250cc

[tstalion79]

So I'm debating between a 125 cc scooter and a 250 cc scooter.  Currently leaning towards kymco, but also considering aprilia.

Coming from a Kymco ZX-50 that I had doing 45 mph but couldnt get me up hills at more than 25, is there a big difference between a 125 and 250 cc four stroke?

Obviously, the 250's will do 80 mph vs a 125 doing 60-65, but is there a big difference in acceleration?  Acceleration is very important to me, as I think its key to safety on the road. 

[Honkerman]

Hills can be an issue at 125 still. I do ok on my People 150 as long as the grade isn't terribly steep. A 250 might be a better choice if you're gonna do a lot of hills though.

[tomf5327]

my 250 grand vista, is quick off the line.  i beat my friend on his 400 off the line.  he eventually catches up after a while.  not many hills where i live so cant comment too much.  i feel that it would struggle a little if starting off at bottom of hill.  rolling into it should be no problem.  theres other things to consider also, like having more storage on a bigger scooter and trailing someone would be better.

[tstalion79]

Well, I'm buying a scooter as my primary mode of transportation.  As a recent college graduate, a monthly payment of 75 plus 100/year for insurance is a lot more affordable than a car...

So I WILL need to have it on the highway on occasion.  Sounds like a 250 is substantially more powerful?

On the same note, do you guys know anything about the Aprilia SportCity 250?  I am between that and the People S 250

[ts1]

Sounds like a 250 is substantially more powerful?

Typical strong 125cc engines have about 10-11kW (11kW is the european limit for small motorcycles, special driving license) at 9500 rpm.
Typical strong 250cc engines have 15-16kW at about 7500rpm, they use more torque than revs (in comparison to 125cc).

On several occasions (our scooter club in the mountains) a X9 250cc (with 14kW) proved less (!) powerful accelerating out the hairpins than the high revving 125cc (Burgman 125 with 9kW and and X9 125 with 11kW).
Even on flat terrain there is a difference during the launch between a 125cc starting with 7000rpm (and equivalent noise) and a 250cc starting with 4000 rpm.
The same applied to my Grand Dink (Grand Vista) 250cc (14kW). Although "loosing" 2-3 meters during "take off", he was much better in smoothly holding the speed. And, once rolling, in accelerating on the highway at about 80-100kph (50-60mph).

It's not difficult to change the weight rollers and get some more temper out of the scoots. The 250cc provide a little bit more reserves there too. But you won't get double power from the doubled displacement.

[geezerbob]

You don't say where you live, but if you're in the US and planning on any highway or freeway riding at all, go with the 250.  It will have a GPS top speed of around 75, will cruise comfortably at 65, and should meet all your needs.

The one complaint I keep hearing about everything made by Piaggio is parts, and the problem doesn't appear to be going away.  If the scooter will be your primary transportation, you don't want to be without it for weeks or months at a time while waiting on parts to arrive.  A buddy in Charleston was without his Vespa for six weeks waiting for a part to arrive.  In contrast, I recently had the drive belt fail prematurely, was able to get it shipped overnight, and was rolling again exactly 24 hours after the breakdown.  Kudos to Kymco USA, Progressive Insurance who arranged the tow, and Speed City Cycles in Indianapolis for keeping me from being stranded from Wednesday until Tuesday over the long July 4 weekend.

[tstalion79]

I know, my gut really tells me the people s 250 is the 'right' choice, but I can't help but love the looks of the sportcity 250, as well as the cool factor of the name 'aprilia' (two things that don't really matter...). 

The one thing that I have heard, though, is that the scooters made by piaggio (vespa, aprilia) are a fair bit smoother.  I don't even know what that means -- whether it pertains to engine vibrations or road handling -- but i have read it in several places. 

Then of course there is price, but given that I'm going to be paying for this over a 60 month term, the difference will be pretty insignificant on a monthly basis (the difference of a few large cups of dunkin donuts coffee). 

Dont know what to do.

[1cyl]

If you want to enjoy scootering, you'll pick a brand with good parts support.

(This automatically takes anything offered by the Piaggio Group USA out of the mix. Such as: waiting 5 months for a fuel pump, waiting 7 months for a crankshaft, etc.  )

[norcal1]

I would go with the 250. My Grand Vista hauls my fat *** up hills well. I commute on two lane highway and my scoot is great. Accelerates well,takes hills no problem. It gets blown around in windy conditions but it's controllable.