Donna drove the bottom line home: "Overall, the Super 8 is a solid scooter; it just doesn't stir emotions in the rider." Quality and affordability are part of the mix, though.

KYMCO PEOPLE S50
Styling and build quality also help the People S50 win over riders. In fact, the modern layout of the instrument panel appealed to everybody.

The Kymco People S50 came to a motorcycle look, with the large diameter wheels that swallow bumps most effectively. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

It features more than enough room and comfort for a passenger, not to mention well-designed footrests for the rear seat. Once again, the ladies were not fond of the riding position. Alexandra likened it to a big, fat horse saddle, adding that the storage capacity does not meet the minimum standard for this type of urban scooter. On the other hand, the guys found the People S50 quite accommodating.

With its 16-inch wheels, the bicycle-looking scooter offered a smooth, compliant ride on Montreal's bumpy streets. "We are talking here about motorcycle-like stability," claimed Pascal. Nearly everyone enjoyed its handling but came away unimpressed by the S50's initial acceleration (Limp CVT disease again!). Once up to speed, though, the four-stroke engine got us over hills nicely.

The People S50 delivered the second-best braking performance. Pascal also liked the stiff frame and quality materials. In the end, it was a surprising showing by the two Kymcos, which had just arrived straight from Asia and received minimum pre test preparation - so they really were stock!

VESPA S50
Alexandra loved the cute butt of the retro-styled Vespa (Italian for wasp). "The profile speaks to me," she confessed. Since cargo room is limited, countless storage accessories from the manufacturer are available to you for longer range ridings.

This ultra-classic scooter lead the pack when it came to comfort and ergonomics. "The riding position is comfortable, and the hands fall naturally on the handlebars," said Amyot. According to Pascal, this machine is great for leisurely rides, and handling in corners and bumps is commendable, "Proof that Vespa applied their vast knowledge to come up with the best possible compromise between comfort and efficiency over bumps."

On a negative note, the rudimentary instrument panel and oddly-positioned turn signal controls work against the rider. Moreover, the center stand must be somewhere away from the center of balance, as it takes a real tug to put it on the stand.

The Vespa S50 - A classic look that defines the scooter since the late 40s. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)