Kymco introduced the People S in 2007 to take their classic People scooter line to the next level. The improvements to the People line are welcome, but perhaps they could have gone even further.
The 2008 Kymco People S comes in four submodels, the 50, the 125, the 200, and the 250. Like most of Kymco’s scooters, these scooters are designed not to be overpowering, but rather to provide a fun, comfortable, easy ride for the average scooter enthusiast to enjoy.
The big Triumph of the Kymco People S is in its design, which is a lot more refined and stylish than the classic People. It features a flush taillight and an overall more updated look that will appeal to riders who aren’t in love with the more classic, less flashy style of the Kymco People. The gauges are easy to read and fit neatly in the very modern display between the handlebars. The 2008 Kymco People S retains the large 16-inch wheels of the regular People. These don’t quite fit the design, but they do give the scooter character, and more importantly, help the People S stay balanced, even in tough road conditions.
The People S 50, the smallest of the People S line, definitely isn’t for riders who want to tear up the road. It’s designed for short jaunts and casual rides, with a four-stroke motor that’s designed to control emissions and provide economical gas mileage. A lot of scooters at this level can be tweaked to up the MPH, but unfortunately, the Kymco People S isn’t one of them, so if you need more speed, go for one of the bigger engines or a different Kymco model. The 125 also features a four-stroke, air-cooled engine, although one with a bit more displacement, obviously. It’s questionable whether the People S 200 is a good value, as this scooter is actually just the People S125 motor with 163cc of displacement, which isn’t that much more for the money. You might be better off jumping straight to the People S 250, or going with the more affordable but not quite as stylish People 150.
The storage situation is not ideal with the People S, as there is under-seat storage, but not much due to the requirements of design. To counterbalance this, you’ll find an ample-sized glove compartment for extra storage. On the other hand, the People S has some cool features, like an under-seat power outlet that you can use to charge your phone while on the road, and a digital clock right in front letting you know if you’re making good time.
While many scooter fans will agree that the design of the 2008 Kymco People S has a lot going for it, one drawback is that it may not accommodate all sizes of drivers. The seat height is relatively high and the floorboards are kind of small. If you’re a bigger rider and have your heart set on a Kymco People S, your best bet is the 250.
In some, the People S line is not for everybody, but it does have enough to make it worth a look, especially at its relatively low price. You can get more power and a more refined engine from some Japanese scooters, but you’ll end up paying a lot more too. If you’re interested in an affordable, trusty scooter with low emissions and good fuel economy, one that’s not quite as outmoded as the classic Kymco People, a scooter in the 2008 Kymco People S line may fit your needs nicely.