In
First Scooter Test Since 1981, Consumer Reports
Gives KYMCO People 150 Highest Rating
 |
Kymco's
People 150 Scooter
|
Spartanburg, SC (2/14/2009) -
Last year when gas prices surged, the public's
interest in economical two-wheeled transportation
surged, too. That increased popularity has inspired
the product reviewers at Consumer Reports to test
scooters and entry-level motorcycles for the first
time in nearly three decades.
When the experts at the magazine's Auto Test
Center were finished, they rated the KYMCO People
150 and Vespa's LX 150 as best in their class.
What Consumer Reports may have missed in their
reporting is that, with an MSRP of only $2,799,
the People 150 sells for about $1,600 dollars
less than the Vespa - while delivering an estimated
84 mpg on the road.
"You can buy a lot of gas for $1,600,"
said Rick Pawelka, Director of Marketing for
KYMCO USA. "It's fair to say that the People
is certainly the better value of the two scooters."
The People 150 is even more attractive because
it combines value with great engineering. Consumer
Reports declared KYMCO the winner in performance
and stability, writing, "With its big 16-inch
wheels, the KYMCO offered superior stability
and off-the-line acceleration."
Classic styling and a fuel-efficient 152cc
4-stroke SOHC engine have made People 150 a
people pleaser since its introduction. It is
an excellent choice for inner city transportation
or getting across a college campus. With 16"
wheels and front disc brakes the People 150
offers great handling and stability. Its comfortable
seat accommodates an adult rider and a passenger
with plenty of underseat storage.
Consumer Reports subjected the eight scooters
and motorcycles they reviewed to an extensive
sequence of standardized tests to determine
their performance in categories such as acceleration,
braking, fuel economy, noise/vibration, top
speed and comfort. To evaluate ride, the staff
designed a new 5.2 mile testing route, including
stops and starts on hills and a variety of tight
turns. New testing procedures were also added
to accurately evaluate the machines' responses
to common urban riding situations, such as the
ability to quickly and safely accelerate through
an intersection.
The full report on motorcycles and scooters
is available in the March 2009 issue of Consumer
Reports, on sale February 3 and online at www.ConsumerReports.org
About Consumer Reports:
With more than 7 million print and online
subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the
most trusted sources for information and advice
on consumer products and services. It conducts
the most comprehensive auto-test program of
any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine's
auto experts have decades of experience in driving,
testing, and reporting on cars. Information
and articles from the magazine can be accessed
online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
