Honda Sh150I Vs Kymco Yager Gt200I

[Tenchi]

I just saw the Honda SH 150I and got sticker shock--$4499--then got to check out Kymco's new Yager GT 200I--$3499-and got to thinking that Honda just doesn't get it. On paper, the Kymco kicks Honda's new offering's butt. More displacement, EFI and water cooled, just like the Honda, and $1000 less. Not a cool name--Yager--but a spiffy scoot just the same. Disc brakes all the way around, two year warranty. Ya can't survive on reputation alone with this economy. Kind of wish I'd held off buying my 150 Kymco Super 8....nah, I love it. Think I'll head out for a ride.

[irishtim]

The Honda, good as it is is WAY overpriced IMHO. Thtat Kymco Yager may lack panache but it's a heck of a buy for a nearly do-everything scoot with bullet-proof reliability. The Taiwanese make some awesome scoots!

[Dooglas]

On paper, the Kymco kicks Honda's new offering's butt. More displacement, EFI and water cooled, just like the Honda, and $1000 less. Not a cool name--Yager--but a spiffy scoot just the same.

Well, maybe - maybe not. Unfortunately there is more to a scooter than a spec sheet. Lots of scooters you never heard of look good if all you read are the specs. Honda has earned their reputation the hard way. Many years, and many models, that have been rock solid reliable year after year. Kymco, and any other manufacturer, will have to earn their reputation the same way Honda has. Til they do, Honda is worth a premium price IMO. (Remember, it is SH model Hondas that are consistently at the top of Italian sales, home of Vespa, year after year - not Kymcos. Might well be a reason for that.)

[irishtim]

Kymco, and any other manufacturer, will have to earn their reputation the same way Honda has. Til they do, Honda is worth a premium price IMO.

Shhh, don't tell anyone about all the Kymco engines that Honda has used to build a good deal of it's reputation on. It's a secret! Honda doesn't care (much) about the US two-wheel market. That's no secret. Maybe that's changing-slightly-time will tell. But, when was the last time you saw a CBR125 in a US showroom? Why won't they import the Honda Hero 125cc metal-bodied/ manual shift/ 4 stroke scoot from India to the US? Why does Italy get the 300cc scoot and we don't?

[Lostmycage]

Honda's resting on their laurels (which for the most part is earned)... and they're basing their models and pricing structures on a year old economic picture of a scooter rush. With their MSRP, the SH150 is gonna fail. And that sucks- there needs to be more variety. For scooters, they have 2 50cc models and a way over-priced 150 model (which is priced near their entry level motorcycles). I just don't see many sensible folks biting on that. They should have kept some more 250cc scoots in the line-up (Hiya Big Ruckus, I covet you greatly and miss your US presence). Yes they make great machines, but no, they're a little detached from the market they're aiming for.

Kymco's rock solid and the MSRP is much more in line, but f**k's sake, what were they thinking when they drew that troll of a bike up on the drawing boards?!

Genuine's pretty crafty in their rumor-mill approach.

2010 looks to be a very interesting model year for the US scooter market (especially from Genuine if their proposed models make it to the dealership floors!). I've got slightly baited breath for it. I'd be very tempted to get either the 4-stroke Stella or the 220 Blur, but only time will tell how feasible either of those options are.

[Dooglas]

Shhh, don't tell anyone about all the Kymco engines that Honda has used to build a good deal of it's reputation on. It's a secret!

Well, that one is really the other way around as I understand it. In the past, Kymco has built Honda designs while under contract to Honda. Most Asian scooter manufacturers have either gotten the rights to some Honda engine designs through contract or just outright stolen engine designs. Not much different than Vespa contracting with Asian manufacturers to build their designs.

Honda doesn't care (much) about the US two-wheel market. That's no secret. Maybe that's changing-slightly-time will tell.

I'll certainly give you this one. Honda has mostly ignored the US scooter market while successfully pursuing the European market. Maybe the new (to the US) models in the 110-150 range and the rumors about the SH300 signal a new strategy at Honda. We can all hope. If they seriously want to move back into the US market in a big way, they are certainly capable of doing just that - new models, promotions, price adjustments, etc. Honda can be a very tough competitor.

[jasondavis48108]

If I had a spare $4500 right now I'd buy the sh150i in a heartbeat. I do feel its over priced, but after seeing it in person, its a beautiful scooter! I do wish that Honda would put out a 250cc model since I already have a 50cc and would like to get something significantly differnet from what I have now. Thats why I'm holding out for Genuines much speculated on touring scoot:) I hope it is worth the wait. If not, I'm going to have to seriously consider the sh150i.

[Lostmycage]

<a href="topic11379.html#146960">Rockbiter!</a>

[lotusmark]

Here's a nice one for 3k. 78 miles! I've seen new ones advertised for $3799. Not out of line for what you get.

http://allentown.craigslist.org/mcy/1367329351.html

[illnoise]

The SH is the best selling scooter just about everywhere, people love 'em. I'm sure it's a bit better made than the kymco, and will be easier to maintain and find parts for in the future.

BUT $1000 more is ridiculous for better styling and reputation. And that's a good deal more than it costs in other countries. If you REALLY ride a lot and plan on keeping the bike forever, go for the SH, but if you can get over the looks and brand name, get the Yager.

Bb.

[bethdavenport]

I've written a lot of posts (elsewhere) over the years about how much I hate Honda corporate, but I have three of their products in a shed of seven bikes/scooters. The Honda's are the the three oldest bikes, a 84, 86, and a 93. One has no odometer--a dirt bike. One has 109K miles. One has 38K miles. They all work great and I expect them to work great for as long as I keep them or I die of old age, whichever comes first. If money were not a factor, I would buy the SH150i over anything in the 150cc to 200cc class. (Being poor, I would most likely find something used.)

The reason Honda somewhat ignores (a bit overstating it, IMHO) scooters and small-bore motorcycles in the US is because Americans don't buy them like Europeans or Chinese do.

PGO is big and Genuine seems really cool and earnest, but I would not be expecting to find any part for a 2010 Buddy in 25 years by simply visiting a microfiche. There are only a couple or so parts that I can't get for my 86 Honda. I'm defending Honda, not trashing Genuine. The reality is that Genuine is relatively small. If they get bought and the new owners suck, that could be the end of good times. (That is TOTALLY a hypothetical.)
Honda is rather large and pervasive. They have a pretty good and long track record.

[ericalm]

Genuine Blur 220i: $3899. Better looking that the Honda or Yager and will probably smoke them, too.

[DaBinChe]

you guys are forgetting that the honda sh150 is made in Italy so with the exchange rate of the euro it will most certainly cost more...why do you think all them other Italian made scoots cost so much??

It is like my honda motorcycle that was made in Italy all the bikes in the same class that were made in Japan was cheaper by $1k...exchange rate caused the price difference. But comparing my Italian made motor cycle to other Italian made motorcycles my bike cost much less. My bike is also the number one seller in not just Italy but all of Europe.

Lets look at the vespa lx150 it cost just about as much as the honda sh150 but is carbed and air cooled. And yes Italians do know what's up that is why the sh150 is the best selling 150 scooter in Italy. If you never been to Italy then you will be surprise at how few vespas you will see.

[ericalm]

I actually didn't know the SH150 was built in Italy. Kind of interesting.

The Vespa 150s are going to be fuel injected later this year. I think the engines are now made in China, though.

The high cost of either really can't be fully explained by exchange rates. Production in Italy costs more overall, but Piaggio/Vespa manages to make other scooters there (Piaggios, Aprilias) that cost much less but use the same engines and components. Some of it is the Vespa's metal body. Some of it is simply charging more for the more prestigious brand.

The Honda SH series are the best selling scooters in the world now. Regardless of where it's made, it's still priced too high for the US market. American scooter buyers still prefer the more classic, traditional scooter style of the Vespas and are willing to pay a premium for it. The market for a scooter like the SH, regardless of specs, is smaller.

Honda may do better with the SH 300s here, as there's less competition in that size range and it's (arguably) better looking than the 150, which is kind of a beast.

[jasondavis48108]

I have to agree with eric on this one. I am nothing short of a huge Honda fan, and if I had to purchase an equally priced vespa or honda I'd buy the honda 10 times out of 10, but $4500 for a 150 scoot seems a bit excesive to me when you can buy a beautiful suzuki TU250 motorbike for $3800. Hell I'd probably have a sh150i right now if they were no more than $3800, but I'm just gonna wait and see if Honda either brings us the sh300 (hell that will probably cost 8 grand ) or comes to thier senses and drops the price of the sh150. I really doubt either will happen, but dealers may be more willing to negotiate on price when they've sat on these sh150s for a couple years cause nobody wants to pay $4500 for a 150cc scoot. Its a real shame cause I went to the dealer to check one out and I actually really liked the look of them and the fit and finish on them is very nice