Thoughts on a People 250s

Discussion of the Genuine Buddy, Hooligan, Black Jack and other topics, both scooter related and not

Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff

Post Reply
jijifer
Member
Posts: 1450
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:18 pm
Location: San Diego

Thoughts on a People 250s

Post by jijifer »

I'm thinking of a used People 250s. Any thoughts? I've wanted a 250 for a while but none I'd take were priced in my measely range. This one is. Anyone with experience? decent bike? easy to maintain? decent power?
HowHH
Member
Posts: 277
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:36 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Post by HowHH »

I've never ridden one, but they look nice in person. People who own them seen to really like them.

You may want to check out http://www.kymcoforum.com/ to see what owners there have to say.

Have you had a chance to ride it?
User avatar
rajron
Member
Posts: 1307
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:53 pm
Location: ABQ & PHX

Post by rajron »

I have never ridden one but my wife has – she won a Kymco contest it was a free trip to Amerivespa in Colorado and for a ride they loaned her a People 250’s for 4 days – she loved the People250. As a matter of fact after that trip she insisted that she got a larger scooter than her People 150. She ended up getting a Vespa over the People mainly because she got such a righteous deal on the Italian scooter - I think she would have ended up with the People 250 if it weren’t for the deal on the
Vespa
The People 250 is a very good scooter.
User avatar
Lostmycage
FAQ Moderator
Posts: 4062
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:36 am
Location: The Interwebz!

Post by Lostmycage »

I've never heard anything bad about them.

I've heard plenty of good about them.

Go read up on the review at Just Gotta Scoot.
Check out :arrow: Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
User avatar
Skootz Kabootz
Member
Posts: 4305
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:47 pm
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Post by Skootz Kabootz »

I've heard nothing but good things about Kymco's build quality and ride. From a practicality/ownership viewpoint there is a good network of dealers and places to get them serviced, and they are a large global brand so getting parts etc is no issue.

For a dealers opinion you might want to check with NoHo Mike. He carries Kymco, services them, and knows them well. Also, he often gets pre-owneds so maybe there's a good deal to be had?
Image

"It's only fun if you live to talk about it." | Adventurists Scooter Group |
User avatar
Syd
Member
Posts: 4686
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:41 am
Location: Tempe

Post by Syd »

I know this is kind of a personal question, but how big are your feet? I was ready to buy a People whatever a few years ago, but the place where your feet go would not accommodate my size 13s. And it's not flat (or wasn't on the models I saw). That fact alone kept me from the Kymcos (the Buddy too, I'm sorry to say).
The majority is always sane - Nessus
jijifer
Member
Posts: 1450
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:18 pm
Location: San Diego

Post by jijifer »

Syd wrote:I know this is kind of a personal question, but how big are your feet? I was ready to buy a People whatever a few years ago, but the place where your feet go would not accommodate my size 13s. And it's not flat (or wasn't on the models I saw). That fact alone kept me from the Kymcos (the Buddy too, I'm sorry to say).
i've got average size girl feet. I'm more concerned about my feet being able to hit the ground! I'm gonna take it for a ride. its a 2007 with 5.5k miles and only $2k. I really should put the 2k into getting my car back on the road but this is really calling my name!
User avatar
Syd
Member
Posts: 4686
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:41 am
Location: Tempe

Post by Syd »

In that case, go for it. If you like the looks, like the ride, like the price, how can you go wrong?
The majority is always sane - Nessus
User avatar
JHScoot
Member
Posts: 2745
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:05 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Post by JHScoot »

hey jij, is this the scoot? :)

fits your description to a tee

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p97bsOfTQg0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Riding is riding
User avatar
ericalm
Site Admin
Posts: 16842
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

Post by ericalm »

Does this mean more visits to LA? :)
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
Stormy
Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 2:33 am
Location: TEXAS!

Post by Stormy »

Kymco 250's sometimes have a unique maintenance schedule. My boyfriend has a Xciting 250 and it requires frequent valve adjustments, which are not cheap where we live. We also have a Xciting 500 that does not require the valve adjustments nearly as frequently. Might be something you want to check on before making a final decision.
08 Red Buddy 125; 07 Black Xciting 500; 11 Silver Downtown 300i
User avatar
Dibber
Member
Posts: 488
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: Sauk Rapids, MN

Post by Dibber »

Check out www.justgottascoot.com Dave has done a review on them. He also like the scooter so much that he bought the one that was run for 24 hours as an endurance test. I almost bought one last year, but it sold to soon. Now I bought a 30 yr old Suzuki GS450T to be my classic bike.
I still may buy one because they are very fast and smooth running for a 250.
Bart "This is the worst day of my life!" Homer "No it's the worst day so far!"
www.twincitiesrider.com
User avatar
JHScoot
Member
Posts: 2745
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:05 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Post by JHScoot »

chili padi wrote:Kymco 250's sometimes have a unique maintenance schedule. My boyfriend has a Xciting 250 and it requires frequent valve adjustments, which are not cheap where we live. We also have a Xciting 500 that does not require the valve adjustments nearly as frequently. Might be something you want to check on before making a final decision.
you know, unless those valves actually need it, i am not so sure. i took a look around the Kymco forums one day and even the top dog at Kymco US said the company uses a schedule which is considered "more frequent" but not always necessary

i mean, if the valves don't need adjusting, there is nothing to adjust if within spec. the only way to know this for sure is if the bike is showing symptoms of the valves being out of adjustment. if it's not any dealer will take a peek for you, and whether or not they get adjusted or not, the same labor is involved so the same cost is incurred

all i know is my Agility is scheduled for a valve adjustment every 1300 miles for its first two and every 2600 miles after that. i may do this myself, but if my scooter is running fine it's not even gonna get checked. i am past the 1300 mile mark and will be coming up on the 2600 one in the next few months. i don't think it will need a valve adjustment at these times, but may take a look for myself at 2600 miles, nonetheless

a guy posted there he has an Agility 125 that never had a valve adjustment or even a check in 13,000 miles of riding. when they were checked at 14,000 miles he said they were "a little out of spec"

so take all that with a grain of salt, and don't waste your hard earned money on the scooter where it may not be needed :)
Riding is riding
User avatar
ericalm
Site Admin
Posts: 16842
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

Post by ericalm »

Ehhh… most modern scoots only need a valve check/adjustment every 4K miles or so. The schedules (in manuals) for many makes are way out of whack for some reason.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
User avatar
peabody99
Member
Posts: 1775
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:19 am
Location: San Diego

Post by peabody99 »

the just gotta scoot review is good. They compare the people 250 with a GTS and the People does well. This will answer the question about top end and off the line speed. We have a 200 and it has been fine. For whatever reason it has battery issues and I have heard this from other 200 owners. I am not sure about the 250. 200 is very similar in height and style to the 250. The ride will be like a cadillac compared to the Bud thanks to the big wheels. A lot less fatigue for distance riding. not as much fun as the buddy, though. I recommend if you do this you keep your buddy if you can. Trust me you would miss it.

I think I saw the same scoot on craigslist and it was tempting since my spouse needs a 250+ to replace his 200-he did not do freeway driving in cleveland, but does here. I think it is a great deal, and I don't think there are any issues with people250's-I am on a yahoo list and nothing stands out. Kymco's are solid.
User avatar
KCScooterDude
Member
Posts: 796
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 8:08 pm
Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Post by KCScooterDude »

I test rode one and they are excellent. I like the styling of the People 250 over the People 250s, but they don't make it anymore. Might find one used cheep. I would make the 250s my next scoot if I was not saving up for a Vespa GTV 300 in brown. Of course, I might pay a grand less and get the GTS 300. They are pricey, but there is simply nothing like a Vespa. The People 250s comes close though.
User avatar
KCScooterDude
Member
Posts: 796
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 8:08 pm
Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Post by KCScooterDude »

Dibber wrote:Check out www.justgottascoot.com Dave has done a review on them. He also like the scooter so much that he bought the one that was run for 24 hours as an endurance test. I almost bought one last year, but it sold to soon. Now I bought a 30 yr old Suzuki GS450T to be my classic bike.
I still may buy one because they are very fast and smooth running for a 250.
I had a 1981 GS550L great bike! Can't beat those classic Suzukis. If I had the cash I'd by a new TU250X.
User avatar
JHScoot
Member
Posts: 2745
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:05 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Post by JHScoot »

KCScooterDude wrote:I test rode one and they are excellent. I like the styling of the People 250 over the People 250s, but they don't make it anymore. Might find one used cheep. I would make the 250s my next scoot if I was not saving up for a Vespa GTV 300 in brown. Of course, I might pay a grand less and get the GTS 300. They are pricey, but there is simply nothing like a Vespa. The People 250s comes close though.
you gotta get the GTV, man. especially in cappuccino. it's so classy. and you can't beat the headlight placement. that alone is worth $500 more. so maybe you can work something out if a grand is a bit too rich a premium

myself, i love that scoot. but i don't like the way it's decked out in chrome, and i believe it comes that way. i wish Vespa would offer color matched racks and what not. do they?

meh i am not getting one any time soon, anyway. such a nice scooter but in some colors all that bling on the scoot sort of appears cheap imo. nice as the bling is....
Riding is riding
User avatar
jasondavis48108
Member
Posts: 2919
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:36 pm
Location: Ann Arbor

Post by jasondavis48108 »

JHScoot wrote:
KCScooterDude wrote:I test rode one and they are excellent. I like the styling of the People 250 over the People 250s, but they don't make it anymore. Might find one used cheep. I would make the 250s my next scoot if I was not saving up for a Vespa GTV 300 in brown. Of course, I might pay a grand less and get the GTS 300. They are pricey, but there is simply nothing like a Vespa. The People 250s comes close though.
you gotta get the GTV, man. especially in cappuccino. it's so classy. and you can't beat the headlight placement. that alone is worth $500 more. so maybe you can work something out if a grand is a bit too rich a premium

myself, i love that scoot. but i don't like the way it's decked out in chrome, and i believe it comes that way. i wish Vespa would offer color matched racks and what not. do they?

meh i am not getting one any time soon, anyway. such a nice scooter but in some colors all that bling on the scoot sort of appears cheap imo. nice as the bling is....
completly with you on the chrome racks. I suppose if you have the loot to purchase the scooter then you also have the loot to have the racks powder coated to match the scooter :)
"Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all" Alastair Reid
User avatar
pcbikedude
Member
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:09 pm
Location: The Cajon Zone

Post by pcbikedude »

jijifer,
I was in the market for a larger scooter a year ago and test drove the People S 250.

Quality aside (excellent), I found that the performance at lower speeds very sluggish. I found that true also of the SYM RV250, Citicom 300i and the Kymco Xciting. Plus, I never cared for the style of the People S class.

The smaller Vespa GTS 250 & 300 Super and the SYM HD200 had more kick coming off-the-line.
The scenery only changes for the lead scooterist.
jijifer
Member
Posts: 1450
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:18 pm
Location: San Diego

Post by jijifer »

pcbikedude wrote:jijifer,
I was in the market for a larger scooter a year ago and test drove the People S 250.

Quality aside (excellent), I found that the performance at lower speeds very sluggish. I found that true also of the SYM RV250, Citicom 300i and the Kymco Xciting. Plus, I never cared for the style of the People S class.

The smaller Vespa GTS 250 & 300 Super and the SYM HD200 had more kick coming off-the-line.
Good feedback.

My buddy, all kitted, it a super star off the line. Not sure I need it in the bigger scooter. I'd love to go to a Vespa GTS but it's never in my meager price range. I don't like the RV250 in that it doesn't look like a scooter to me, same with the grand vista or xciting. I like scooters to look like scooters - step through and up right. It's just a personal preference which is why the scarabeo and people are alright in my book :)
User avatar
pcbikedude
Member
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:09 pm
Location: The Cajon Zone

Post by pcbikedude »

jijifer wrote:Good feedback.

My buddy, all kitted, it a super star off the line. Not sure I need it in the bigger scooter. I'd love to go to a Vespa GTS but it's never in my meager price range. I don't like the RV250 in that it doesn't look like a scooter to me, same with the grand vista or xciting. I like scooters to look like scooters - step through and up right. It's just a personal preference which is why the scarabeo and people are alright in my book :)
I stayed away from all the maxi-scooters although there are a few I like.

I like the Piaggio BV's because they look like scooters and not as pricey as their Vespa brothers. I never got to test ride any of those.
The scenery only changes for the lead scooterist.
User avatar
peabody99
Member
Posts: 1775
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:19 am
Location: San Diego

Post by peabody99 »

jijifer wrote:
pcbikedude wrote:jijifer,
I was in the market for a larger scooter a year ago and test drove the People S 250.

Quality aside (excellent), I found that the performance at lower speeds very sluggish. I found that true also of the SYM RV250, Citicom 300i and the Kymco Xciting. Plus, I never cared for the style of the People S class.

The smaller Vespa GTS 250 & 300 Super and the SYM HD200 had more kick coming off-the-line.
Good feedback.

My buddy, all kitted, it a super star off the line. Not sure I need it in the bigger scooter. I'd love to go to a Vespa GTS but it's never in my meager price range. I don't like the RV250 in that it doesn't look like a scooter to me, same with the grand vista or xciting. I like scooters to look like scooters - step through and up right. It's just a personal preference which is why the scarabeo and people are alright in my book :)
per the the modernbuddy.com code of ethics I need to come clean...my husband bought that Kymco last night. I mentioned it to him monday in the context of "there has been a 250 on craigslist for a few weeks for $2000, but someone on the buddy board is getting it" He was crestfallen I had not mentioned it before. So I checked the thread-no "I love it, and will get it on payday!" and he called the owner who said 2 people had looked at it but it had fallen through. I am guessing it was not your cup of tea if you were one of those folks. So I gave him my blessing to check it out.

Anyway jijifer, next to my GTS (which dwarfs my buddy) it is huge and heavy. I will probably ride it to see what it is like but I think it it would be a challenge for a regular sized person to maneuver/park. That said the previous owner was a female, so what do I know?

As mentioned above-it is slower off the line than the GTS (which is truthfully faster off the line that you really need), but really gets going mid speed. It was rush hour so he did not test it on the freeway b/c he would not be able to test power in congested traffic. He took it on a side road with a 50 mph speed limit and very steep hill. He was able to get it up to 70 uphill in short order and plenty of throttle to spare.

I concur with your opinion about looks of scooters. There are really only a few I can live with (and the people really pushes that boundary), but I bet a used BV will come up-we let a few pass by b/c the timing was not right. They really look pretty decent and the bigger wheels do offer a better long distance ride. My GTS has been very reliable, however maintenance wise it is pricey if you put on a lot of miles.

well anyway to bring this conversation back to Buddys, I told the spouse last night that his next bike could be the genuine cruiser...hopefully in the next 2 years???
Post Reply