2011 Kymco Yager Review

Japanese and Italian scooters heavily influence the Kymco Yager GT200i, but this doesn't do it justice when describing styling. This Chinese-made scooter features a steeply sloped front end, sharp angles, and a long grille that radically opposes the designs from Western scooter manufacturers. These unique touches may not go well appreciated, but it is definitely not a cookie-cutter design. It may be a bit too futuristic looking for some people's taste, but it has a few perks as well. The size is rather small, being just big enough for some highway action and small enough for a very high return in terms of fuel economy.

The Kymco Yager GT200i comes equipped with a 174-cc, single-cylinder engine. It uses electronic fuel injection, and it features a 54.7-inch wheelbase. The build is mostly tube-steel for the frame. The seat height is a bit high for a scooter, and at 31 inches, shorter riders may have to inch up on the seat to get their feet on the ground during a stop. The underseat storage is large enough for a full-size helmet and a few additional items, which is quite impressive for the size of the bike. Other features include a remote fuel-door release, an anti-theft cover for the ignition switch, and standard instrumentation such as a fuel gauge, clock, and speedometer.

Luckily, the plastic design and non-domestic manufacturer has been long dispelled as a bad thing by several years of quality business in the States. Kymco motorbikes are known to be relatively durable for the price, and typically the engines are reliable. Engine performance is adequate topping off around 70 miles per hour, and thanks to liquid cooling, the drive is relatively smooth and quiet. The Yager has small wheels, at 13 inches for the front and 12 inches for the back, but these are wide for great traction. Steering is precise and predictable, and acceleration is adequate. The braking power could use some fine-tuning, but it will do adequately when braking both front and rear wheels. With the fairly large national dealership available, it means that the two-year warranty provided won't be a bunch of hot air. Overall, the 2011 Kymco Yager GT200i offers an excellent scooter with great fuel economy and economy pricing. The major drawback for most riders looking for a scooter in this range would likely be the design being less than classic and predictable.