2011 Kymco Sento Review

The Kymco Sento 50 has been on the foreign market for a long time, and it is one of Kymco's earlier scooter models. It wasn't introduced to the United States market until 2009, where it received some minor updates. While it uses the same engine as the older models, the 2009 model came with revisions to upscale and refine the retro look. As such, there came a price increase as well. This model weighs in at 183 pounds, which is much lighter than some of the competition and makes for easier maneuvering, especially when leaving a parking spot. However, the competition, Yamaha's Vino and Honda's Metropolitan, are a little bit lighter. The Sento 50 features a seat height of 31.9 inches, which is a bit tall for short riders and more reminiscent of a motorcycle than a 50-cc scooter. Additionally, the cockpit is a bit cramped, which causes a problem considering that the seat height requires long legs, but the cockpit is more suited for short legs. Knees are going to be cramped, making the Sento a bit uncomfortable, especially for longer rides.

One of the unique features of the 2011 Kymco Sento 50 is that the passenger pegs are easily popped out for easy removal. That said, the seating hardly allows for a second passenger, which means it's likely that there's no need for the pegs anyway. A side kickstand removes the hassle of messing with a center stand. Unlike many Japanese scooters, this made-in-China Sento 50 includes a front disc brake for better stopping power. The 50-cc engine doesn't offer much power, and as there are no power restrictions placed on it in the factory, it's unlikely to squeeze any extra juice from the small engine. Regardless, it's a reliable machine with a good track record, but a small investment of a few hundred extra dollars will likely purchase a better Kymco Like 50.

The 2011 Kymco Sento comes equipped with a four-stroke, 50-cc motor that uses a basic design. All in all the engine is a bit dated. Fuel economy is estimated at 80 to 90 miles per gallon, and the fuel tank can hold up to 1.3 gallons. Compared to the leading motors on the market in this range, fuel economy is only decent. The starting mechanisms include both electric push button starting and kick starting, which means cold starts can be forced a little easier. The underseat storage offers ample space for the size of the scooter, but this comes with the high seat height that is so troubling for shorter or taller drivers. The simple engine makes this an easy scooter to maintain, but it means that there are little frills. Overall, the Sento 50 is a decent scooter, but even Kymco offers better options within the same price range.