Finely executed and traditionally styled, the 2009 Kymco Sento 50 banks on attractive colors and design quality to appeal to consumers. This model targets first-time buyers, particularly women (See the pink paint job!). Lightweight and easy to handle, the urban-oriented Sento navigates through traffic like a fish in the ocean.

The comfortable seat is designed for a single person, you can store a standard helmet (but not a full-face) underneath the seat, while a hook on the front panel will hang on to a handbag, groceries from IGA or a small back pack.

While two-up riding is possible, you should only bring a child because power and space are limited, as the the Sento is primarily designed for solo riding. In fact, kids seemed to love the Sento, and hundreds of young girls could be seen bombing around the streets Kaohsiung aboard one during our recent road test.

The urban-oriented Sento navigates easily through traffic.

Producing a meager 2.72 horsepower, the 49.5-cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine is slow to accelerate, taking all the time it needs to trot up to a realistic cruising speed around the 50 km/h mark. While pretty basic, the instrument panel has all the essentials for daily riding.

With 10-inch wheels, the Sento proved itself to be stable, even on irregular pavement. The front disc / rear drum combination provides effective stopping power, while the light weight made for agile handling as well as an easy-to-park on the center stand machine - good for lighter riders.

The 2009 Kymco Sento 50 does not pretend to be sporty, as it focuses on getting you from point A to point B in a safe, economical and uneventful fashion. Expect to see it in Canadian showrooms in the spring of 2009 with a sticker price of $2,600.


Photo Credit : Amyot Bachand