2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250...

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:18 pm

Found a 2009 Grand Vista locally, wanted a bigger scooter in the family for highway riding. Like new, 7600 miles, comes with locks, cables, helmets, only thing is the tires are in need of replacement. Really good price of $2200. Should I jump on this, or spend twice as much getting a Honda PCX150 that's new? The highway ride is about 12 miles into town, but the Buddy can't handle the ride back, pretty steep, only about 40 in a 55 zone. Thanks for any advice.

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:46 pm

Tenchi wrote:Found a 2009 Grand Vista locally, wanted a bigger scooter in the family for highway riding. Like new, 7600 miles, comes with locks, cables, helmets, only thing is the tires are in need of replacement. Really good price of $2200. Should I jump on this, or spend twice as much getting a Honda PCX150 that's new? The highway ride is about 12 miles into town, but the Buddy can't handle the ride back, pretty steep, only about 40 in a 55 zone. Thanks for any advice.

If your Buddy 125 can't handle the ride back, the Honda PCX150 with just 25CCs more engine size might have a problem too. I would definitely take a hard look at the '09 GV 250, as unlike many Kymco scooters, the 250 model number is a true indication of its 250cc engine size. I came close to buying one this past week at $1995 + tax & license with just 300 mis. and advertised Like New but I was a day late getting to the dealer and it had been sold! Anyway, I did some research on it and it had good ratings and a loyal owner base. My consolation prize from the same dealer was an '09 Sym CityCom 300i with 3,400 miles at the same price. It's going to be my serious touring scooter and I like its fuel injection and 15" wheels and tires. I also got a 30 day unlimited mileage replacement parts only warranty at no additional cost. So take a look at that GV250 and its hill climbing ability will likely put your Buddy 125 to shame. Good luck!

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia Sport City
'09 300i Sym CityCom

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:38 pm

Except for a bald front tire, which made the ride home interesting, it seems to be in like new condition. Power is amazing.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:31 am

Tenchi wrote:Except for a bald front tire, which made the ride home interesting, it seems to be in like new condition. Power is amazing.

Congratulations! For sure you will now own that hill that was giving you trouble on your ride home. May we see some pictures?

P.S. A bald front tire on a scooter is like engraved invitations to trouble. A word to the wise should be sufficient.

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:47 am

I hope someone at MB can tell me how to post photos, I am not computer savvy, that's the boy's job. I have the photos from the Craig's List ad at this post...
http://chico.craigslist.org/mcy/4721073326.html

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:51 am

I grabbed a couple of the Craigslist pix and posted them below. Craigslist posts usually disappear quickly after the item is sold so I just quickly viewed the pix, saved them to my computer, and added them IN THE "ADD AN ATTACHMENT" section down at the bottom of the "POST A REPLY" page. Nice bike, BTW! It really does look like new, no chips in the fairing or scuffs on the seat even. Hope you enjoy it a lot.

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 5:19 am

Guess I can finally download a picture of my blue 2009 Buddy! Nice to have two scoots in the stable, just for emergencies, you understand. Yeah, found a local shop 2 miles down the road to install new tires. Don't want to go anywhere until I am sitting on good rubber. Even though the rear tire doesn't look too bad, will go with a matched set front and rear. Heck, I've only put 1300 miles on the Buddy I bought three years ago. New tires should get me to social security...and beyond!

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:21 am

Shame they never brought over the updated model. Want the motor and rims so I can upgrade my Yager for more class and top-end punch.

http://www.kymco.com/product/category/S ... eature.asp

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 12:31 pm

az_slynch wrote:Shame they never brought over the updated model. Want the motor and rims so I can upgrade my Yager for more class and top-end punch.

http://www.kymco.com/product/category/S ... eature.asp

It's a Super Yager! Durn, no wonder you wish they'd brought that to the USA. If that 270.6 cc motor were a direct replacement for the Yager lump, you could build up a great sleeper scooter.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 2:04 am

She said you chose wisely.

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:28 pm

Got Scooty 2 to the shop today. It specializes in Harley-Davidsons, and their shop looks like a dealer ship. The owner came out, gave the bike a quick going over, and said about $120 for the job. Rear tire replacement requires quite a bit of work. He got the seat release to work the first time..magic fingers, I guess. He also said he had seen even BALDER tires on some of the bikes he has worked on. Must have been rubber bands stretched across the wheel hub. Pretty shaky experience getting over there. Hope the Michelin Power Sports make a difference. Scooter would change course if I ran over an ant crossing the road.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:29 am

That's a reasonable price for labor, as long as they include balancing. I did a quick blurb on KymcoForum about removing the wheels, only difference is that the Grandvista lacks the oxygen sensor. Make sure they put a new exhaust gasket in!

If the ride still feels squirmy, consider having the fork oil swapped out with 15W and set the rear springs up a notch or two.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 4:57 am

wheelbender6 wrote:She said you chose wisely.

Somehow I envision that particular type to go like riding gear, but then say "ew, scooter?"

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:47 pm

What a difference. Pretty much goes where I want it to go, without much thought in mind. Guy had to remove muffler, heat shield, and swing-arm assembly to do the rear. Mind you, this is a Harley guy...took it for a spin and said he was surprised how much power it had. Not as tight as a Buddy on corners, but the extra weight, longer wheelbase and bigger tires makes me feel comfortable to bring it up to speed for the highway. Will keep you all posted, got her up to a comfortable 50 today with a lot of throttle left. Even found out how to open the seat with the key in the ignition...guess I should have read the manual more closely. Glad I didn't go with a new 150 Honda PCX...I like the extra 94 cc's for a quick jump. Now to get a GIVI for the rack and all will be good.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:20 am

Our local owners, who are not speed demons, have had them over 80mph.

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:54 pm

Unlike my 125 Buddy, this new beast is so much more like riding a motorcycle. It's built for leaning back and touring, rather than tight cornering in a city environment. Last bike before scootering was a 650 Silver Wing motorcycle, and the new Kymco reminds me of that riding experience. Went to Chico (20 miles away) to visit sister, her son decided to ride back with me to Paradise, CA on his 1300CC super monster bike. After determining the new tires had gotten enough wear to corner comfortably, was hitting 65 with no problems except the wind blast in my face (note to self, wear full face helmet when going over 50). Sips fuel, getting over 70 mpg. Plenty of throttle left. And this was going uphill on a two lane straightaway. Might remove the mid-seat backrest (hump) to give me more options for seating my butt, but other than that, no complaints. Bike eats bumps that would throw my Buddy off-track. Big 140/70 12 inch rear grips well. Very smooth ride on those Michelins. Now time to customize with reflective decals!

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:27 pm

They're very capable on the highway. I've had my Yager up to a max speed of 77mph and the chassis had no trouble with the speed. The engine's only a 175cc, which seems to be the only limiting factor for highway touring (at least around here).

One thing that helps with the big-bike "feel" is how Kymco presents the instrumentation and windscreen. They're up above the handlebar center, easily within your field of view. After riding the Kymco for a while, I switched to the Vespa and immediately noticed how tiny the bike felt. I had to look down to the headset to see my speedometer. It was amazing how that one change made such a significant difference in my perception of the bike's size.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:54 am

az_slynch wrote:One thing that helps with the big-bike "feel" is how Kymco presents the instrumentation and windscreen. They're up above the handlebar center, easily within your field of view. After riding the Kymco for a while, I switched to the Vespa and immediately noticed how tiny the bike felt. I had to look down to the headset to see my speedometer. It was amazing how that one change made such a significant difference in my perception of the bike's size.

That is a heck of an astute observation.

I wonder how heads-up display helmets will affect rider's perception of their ride?

Modern Buddy

2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250...

2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250...

Re: 2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250...

Well, I bought the Kymco...

Re: Well, I bought the Kymco...

My new Scoot, I call her Dinky...

Thanks for posting the photos!

Tires being installed as we speak...er, type

Got the new tires on....Michelin Power Sports...Wow...

Like learning to ride a motorcycle, all over again...