Taiwanese powersport vehicle manufacturer Kymco has set something of an industry standard. They have been creating reliable, quality scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs for decades, and have carved up a healthy niche in the American market with a variety of mini scooters and cruisers. However, Kymco also has touring bikes, and the 2008 Kymco Grand Vista 250 touring scooter is a great example of what Kymco can do with a more powerful engine.
The 2008 Kymco Grand Vista features a 249cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, four-stroke engine linked to an automatic continuously variable transmission that gives you great power with little effort on the part of the driver. You can get up to 75mph on this scooter with little difficulty, so you shouldn’t have a problem if you want to take it out on the highway.
Some may have concern about the smaller than average 12-inch wide wheels and short 56.4-inch wheelbase on the Kymco Grand Vista, but these aspects actually lend to the sportiness of the ride, which, along with a sufficiently firm suspension, allow you to take sharp corners and weave in and out of traffic with much less effort than you might expect. You’re really not giving up that much in exchange; most riders won’t have much trouble staying balanced and stable on the Grand Vista.
Like most of the scooters in the Kymco line, the 2008 Kymco Grand Vista is great for new or less-experienced riders. If you’re graduating from a 50 or 150, or just jumping right into the scooter world with a 250, this is a nice one to own, as it’s easy to drive and handles well, with a comfortable seat and an easy to read, confidence-inspiring dashboard.
If your goal in a scooter is to look cool zipping through the streets, the Grand Vista might not be your scooter. It’s an attractive vehicle, but the styling is a bit old-fashioned, and the large seat, taller windshield, and noticeably wide faring may give the impression that this scooter is designed for the more conservative rider. There’s also not a great range of colors for the 2008 Kymco Grand Vista. It’s red or white, and if one of those doesn’t catch your fancy, you’re out of luck. In one sense, the style and design of the Kymco Grand Vista gives you the best of both worlds, as if your riding does lean towards the safe, conservative, and comfortable, this vehicle is well-suited for you, while if you want to impress, you can simply kick the 249cc liquid-cooled engine into gear and show what it, combined with that firm but smooth suspension and quick handling, can really do.
There are definitely some appealing features on the Kymco Grand Vista. For one, you get a ton of under-seat storage space, which is always welcome, as there always seems to be one or two more things you need to carry along with you. You’ll also appreciate the 12-volt outlet that you can use to charge up your phone or any other accessories you might take with you along the way. In fact, there’s even a holder for your cell phone.
Touring scooters are a competitive field, so you might want to shop around a little before buying the Grand Vista, even within the Kymco brand itself. If you’re looking for even more stability and a more modern style, you might want to look at the People S, also made by Kymco. However, for a ride that offers a nice balance of comfort and sport in a 250cc scooter, the 2008 Kymco Grand Vista is certainly a worthy choice.