2017 SMAX (used) or New Kymco Like 150i?

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2017 SMAX (used) or New Kymco Like 150i?

Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Ok, the Stella is dead for now, so I want to go in the opposite direction. I can get a brand new Kymco Like 150i or a Yamaha SMAX with 500 miles for basically the same money. I like the looks of the Kymco much better, but the SMAX has more HP and is a Yamaha, and I don't hate it.
Advice?
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Re: 2017 SMAX (used) or New Kymco Like 150i?

Post by skipper20 »

BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:Ok, the Stella is dead for now, so I want to go in the opposite direction. I can get a brand new Kymco Like 150i or a Yamaha SMAX with 500 miles for basically the same money. I like the looks of the Kymco much better, but the SMAX has more HP and is a Yamaha, and I don't hate it.
Advice?
The SMAX hands down. Don’t hesitate a second more. Do it!

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Post by sc00ter »

I have always heard bad things about the early Likes from KYMCO, but I believe the new ones are are completely redesigned/different factory. The only thing I have heard about the S-Max is its a tight fit, but you can test ride that one. I got bit by a electrical issue with my old Zuma 125. Literally 2 weeks out of warranty and was told "to bad" by Yamaha, only to later find it was a sharp weld under the floorboard that cut into the loom! So I wont do business with Yamaha anymore. Oh, and the later Zumas have that weld grounded down and the loom better protected! I liked my KYMCO but always hated the shoddy dealer network. Dealer network has now gotten better. Hope this helps!
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

It does. One of the factors for the SMAX is the large network of Yamaha dealers, yet ironically, the closest Yamaha dealer to me is 20 miles away while the Kymco dealer is a block and a half. It's where I bought my Stella and I have a very good relationship with them. But on the road, it's better to have a Yamaha.
But that does raise the issue of warranty v no warranty.
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Post by giddyup98 »

I own two 2013 Kymco Like 200's and they are beautiful bikes and solid performers. It seems that the only people who dismiss them, don't actually own them. The new 2018 Kymco Like 150 is even nicer looking than the first generation Like 200's. I hear top speed is comparable to the 200's. Price wise, the new Like's are actually a couple hundred $ cheaper than the old ones.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

I like the 200s but they seemed a bit cramped. The 150 also feels a bit cramped.
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Post by dasscooter »

The SMAX is an amazing machine but the riding position for me is god awful. My neighbor had one for a couple years and it was fine. Fast and great handling with a stiff frame. Comfortable at highway speed.

The seat is so bad that Corbin makes a replacement seat. The floorboards slope forward which I think was the weird part for me.

Take this with a grain of salt, though - I'm extremely picky. I'm no stranger to modifying a scooter to fit and the SMax could be made to work I'm sure. People have used them for Cannonballers this year so it must be doable. In stock form I couldn't last 30mins on it.

I'm a Kymco fanboy but I'd take a modified S-Max over a Like 150 for touring. The extra power and stiffer frame is worth it's weight in gold when you're trying to cruise 60+
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

So I had an appointment to test ride the SMAX, I get to the dealer and he says, "Sorry, I thought it might rain so I didn't bring it in today".
I rented a car and drove for 45 mins. to do this. I tell him I feel like he dicked me and maybe he just lost the sale. "So, I'll just sell it to someone else", he says.
That's one of the main things that has kept me from buying a major brand bike, I hate dealers and the asshats that work there.
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Post by sc00ter »

If it makes you feel better.... So I go and look at a Honda Silver Wing/Motor Trike conversion for my wife. I drove from Norfolk, VA to north of Dayton, OH. I leave on a Thursday to look at it on Friday. I call the dealer Thursday morning and told him I was on my way, and he said it would be gone over and ready for a test ride Friday morning. I get there when they open, he pulls it out and nothing. Dead battery! Said "new battery" in add! So I wait while his tech changes the battery AND goes over it. Take it out and it rides terrible. Nope, took it back and said I'll pass. Looked at it while walking back to the car and noticed the seat would not latch shut, leaving the light on, and the front tire was low on air. Wasted 2 days but saved my $9000 in cash. He can sell it to someone else now. U-Haul was cool about refunding me the trailer rental deposit/hold.
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Post by k1dude »

I do all of my own wrenching because of the bad dealer I bought it from. It's pretty much any vehicle of any kind is being sold by dishonest aholes and scumbags.
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Post by Dooglas »

BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:That's one of the main things that has kept me from buying a major brand bike, I hate dealers and the asshats that work there.
In the past, I have owned a Honda scooter and a Yamaha scooter. Both were well made bikes. And, yes, dealers in most areas. On the other hand, Honda and Yamaha dealers are not really in the scooter business. They stock few scooters. They stock almost no scooter parts or accessories. They have very few (if any) techs with training on scooter models. At least Genuine, or Piaggio/Vespa, or Kymco really are in the scooter business.
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Post by sc00ter »

Yes and no Dooglas. I had my isolated incident with the Genuine dealership (Buddy 125 carb issue) and yes, they offered to make it right, but Im done with them. Now we have a Genuine dealer close to me but I get a mixed vibe from them concerning service work. They also sell KYMCO now. I'm lucky that I trust my local Suzuki dealership, and even though the local Honda dealership made the wife mad on the sales side I still trust their service side. So even though I spin my own wrenches I like knowing I can pay someone else to do the work if needed. I have noticed a rather high turnaround of mechanics at the scooter only dealerships. Seems someone new every time I stop in, unlike the motorcycle dealerships that I forged a relationship with the lifers who work in the back. The high turn around of scooter mechanics might be part of the problem in finding reliable/trusted service.
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Post by Syd »

BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:I like the 200s but they seemed a bit cramped. The 150 also feels a bit cramped.
I agree. Some of the Like 200s are very good looking. But I could barely sit on one without my knees hitting the bars. That really is the case with every Kymco I've sat on.
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Post by RoaringTodd »

Have you even looked at the SYM Fiddle III?
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Post by bgwss »

Too bad about the Smax. I love mine!
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Post by lovemysan »

Syd wrote:
BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:I like the 200s but they seemed a bit cramped. The 150 also feels a bit cramped.
I agree. Some of the Like 200s are very good looking. But I could barely sit on one without my knees hitting the bars. That really is the case with every Kymco I've sat on.
Half or more scooters made are like that now. Seems like the whole 125-150 market has gone to the floor mounted fuel tank. The buddy feels palatial by comparison.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Well, to make things better, my scooter dealer says they have a used Vespa 250 GTS for a little more money. Test ride soon.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

bgwss wrote:Too bad about the Smax. I love mine!
I know, I had the cash in my pocket, dope.
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Post by DeeDee »

I went from a Buddy 170i to a Vespa GT200. Man what an upgrade. The modern Large Frame Vespas are incredible bikes. It was an adjustment to learn the Italian way of design when it came time for maintenance. I sure grew to love my Vespa. There's people on Modern Vespa with over 60,000 miles on them. I would take the GTS over the Kymco or the Yamaha. I'm a big Yamaha fan, but the Vespa kind of seeps into your soul.
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Post by Dooglas »

DeeDee wrote:……..but the Vespa kind of seeps into your soul.
You meet the nicest people on a Vespa. :)
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Yea, this one was too ratty with over 10k mi. So the search continues.
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Post by dasscooter »

Here's Dodge Rider on Youtube that did 1000mi in 24hrs on his Spade. A Spade might be a good bike for you if you liked the more classic feel of the Stella vs a plastic modern scooter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccLenZ3s4vg
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

dasscooter wrote:Here's Dodge Rider on Youtube that did 1000mi in 24hrs on his Spade. A Spade might be a good bike for you if you liked the more classic feel of the Stella vs a plastic modern scooter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccLenZ3s4vg
I actually saw someone riding a spade down the street today, not for me.
However, I did find a 2015 300 GTS with 800 miles for way below book.
I think we have a winner.
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Post by jrsjr »

sc00ter wrote:.. he pulls it out and nothing. Dead battery! Said "new battery" in add! So I wait while his tech changes the battery AND goes over it. Take it out and it rides terrible. ...noticed the seat would not latch shut, leaving the light on
Silverwing riders take the bulb out of that light under the seat. The guy I bought mine from had already done it. He showed me where it went and gave me the bulb. I tossed it and keep a flashlight in there. Older Silverwings are selling for ridiculously cheap prices, like cheaper than a used Buddy 125. Mine has 26,000 miles on it and has traversed the country three times since I've owned it. It's great cheap transportation.
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Post by babblefish »

jrsjr wrote:
sc00ter wrote:.. he pulls it out and nothing. Dead battery! Said "new battery" in add! So I wait while his tech changes the battery AND goes over it. Take it out and it rides terrible. ...noticed the seat would not latch shut, leaving the light on
Silverwing riders take the bulb out of that light under the seat. The guy I bought mine from had already done it. He showed me where it went and gave me the bulb. I tossed it and keep a flashlight in there. Older Silverwings are selling for ridiculously cheap prices, like cheaper than a used Buddy 125. Mine has 26,000 miles on it and has traversed the country at three times since I've owned it. It's great cheap transportation.
That happened on my Blur so I disconnected the light.
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Post by sc00ter »

I really like the Silver Wing but get reminded why I dont own one every time I go screaming into a corner. That single yoke on the front does nothing for stability at speed! Weave and wobble and causes a skid in my undies! I may go back to the enemy and get a T-Max one day. Anyways, if ya get the GTS300 Big Daddy I will be very envious! Fun and fast!
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

sc00ter wrote:...if ya get the GTS300 Big Daddy I will be very envious! Fun and fast!
Start turning green cause I picked it up today. Rode it the 130 miles home. I miss the foot brake.
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Post by DeeDee »

I think you made the right choice. Those other scooters are decent bikes, but you brought home a legend. Water cooled, 4 valves, fuel injected. Steel body. It will cruise highway speeds, and can still fit through a 36" doorway.
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Post by Dage'sVew »

Pictures, or it didn't happen! :) Seriously though, congratulations!
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Dage'sVew wrote:Pictures, or it didn't happen! :)
Soon...
It's the only one I rode that feels like the Stella, but of course, faster and quieter.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Here's a couple...
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Post by Dooglas »

Looking good! Ride safe, have fun.
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Post by sc00ter »

That is one sexy ride! Congrats and dont get caught doing what I get away with!
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Post by Dage'sVew »

Very, very nice!!
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Post by DeeDee »

This is kind of a moot point now, but thought I'd chime in. I have a 2015 Smax in today for it's first service. I've put about 10 miles on it. The second I hopped on it, I knew it wasn't for me. I do believe the seat arrangement on this is far worse than the first generation Kymco Likes. You are shoved in at an awkward position, your feet are locked in a position that feels like an elementary school desk. You keep wanting to stretch them forward like on a Burgman, but no deal. The scooter is nimble, has a great dash layout with a giant tach right in the center, and I ran out of road before I maxed it out at 62mph. Pat yourself on the back for bringing home a Vespa.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

Definitely. The one thing I pretty much felt with all the bikes I rode is that crampedness. Someone else mentioned that most scooters have the gas tank under the floorboard and this takes room from the cockpit. The Vespa is super roomy and I can move my feet all over the place, like my Stella. When I'm on the road 6-8 hours a day, that is very necessary.
More than a grand over my budget, but I have to say, "Worth it".
I just wish it shifted and had a foot brake.
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Post by jrsjr »

Congratulations! That's a beauty. I miss my Vespa GT200L. It was everything I like about scooters.

Happy Scootering!
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Post by dasscooter »

Once you get used to having hand brakes, you'll hate having a foot brake. My Elite 250 has a foot brake and it's lame going back to the foot brake after riding normal scooters. Especially in group rides or in the twisties. I'm actually going to convert that one to a hand brake the next time I have to take it apart.

The dexterity of my hands give me a lot more control over braking vs the crude stumps attached to the bottom of my legs.

The Stella has a pretty good feeling foot brake but most end up feeling like on/off switches.

Enjoy the GTS! Since you're a traveler - make sure you change the belt on time and carry the tools required to change exhaust gaskets.
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Post by BigDaddy SnakeOiler »

dasscooter wrote:Once you get used to having hand brakes, you'll hate having a foot brake.
The main thing I miss is when I stop by the side of the road to check the map or something, I can hold the bike steady with my foot while I use both hands.
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