Modern Buddy

Some of you may remember my post from three weeks ago about finding service in Denver. Well, my Buddy is still there. They fixed the starting issue (a new coil took care of that), but have yet to diagnose the stalling issue. Frustratingly, the only time they have called me was the morning they received the bike for service – on 02/28. I have had to call and pester them for information ever since.

Anyway, this has given me time to ponder pulling the trigger on getting the bigger scooter I want, once the Buddy is up and running again. In the lead is the Kymco People 250 S. I like that it is highway capable while still retaining the look and functionality of a scooter. However, I worry about bigger maintenance costs associated with a bigger, water cooled scooter. I did a bit of research and found that tires aren't too terribly expensive and my insurance costs will be about the same. What about routine maintenance? Are there any inherent problems?

I can't really find anything too bad about the People 250, but I thought I would ask the collective wisdom of this board if I should be worried, or on the lookout for anything specific.
Thank you, as always.

303mike wrote:Some of you may remember my post from three weeks ago about finding service in Denver. Well, my Buddy is still there. They fixed the starting issue (a new coil took care of that), but have yet to diagnose the stalling issue. Frustratingly, the only time they have called me was the morning they received the bike for service – on 02/28. I have had to call and pester them for information ever since.

Anyway, this has given me time to ponder pulling the trigger on getting the bigger scooter I want, once the Buddy is up and running again. In the lead is the Kymco People 250 S. I like that it is highway capable while still retaining the look and functionality of a scooter. However, I worry about bigger maintenance costs associated with a bigger, water cooled scooter. I did a bit of research and found that tires aren't too terribly expensive and my insurance costs will be about the same. What about routine maintenance? Are there any inherent problems?

I can't really find anything too bad about the People 250, but I thought I would ask the collective wisdom of this board if I should be worried, or on the lookout for anything specific.
Thank you, as always.

I almost bought a 250s a few months ago. I ended up getting a better deal on a leftover 2009 SYM Citycom, otherwise, I'd be riding that ugly ass 250s right now

kymcoforum.com has a pretty active forum on the 250 / 250s if you want more owners' opinions, especially regarding maintenance... here's a thread "Should I buy a 250S?":

http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=4783.0

I like the 250S, and while maintenance might not be as easy compared to your Buddy, it's still not rocket science.

i've read and heard nothing but good things about this scooter. reliable, comfortable, practical, easy to maintain. the KymcoForums does have a lot of info on 'em, and i think user jprestonion from this board rides one and is happy with it. the only bad thing(s) i have read is from user Axy at Kymco forums. he got one with some probs and said other things on it were "cheap." rust and what not. but that would seem the exception as other users report only good things and good times. and that Axy guy lives in extreme weather territory so....

anyway if you want one, get one i say. if comfortable with the purchase. should be some good used and leftover "new" out there at fire sale prices

303mike wrote:What about routine maintenance? Are there any inherent problems?

If you ask around over on the Kymco boards, I think folks will say that maint on the 250 Peeps is no more than the Buddy. If you're worried that the Peep 250 has some mechanical weakness or something, they don't. The only thing I've seen go on them is the voltage regulator. It's not a big deal. I just happen to have seen two of them that had blown.