Kymco Vitality 50

Summary
Overall, the Vitality offers a good value proposition for scooter buyers with its low MSRP, good underseat storage, clean styling and reliable motors.
Pros
Front disc brake
Underseat storage
Cons
High seat height
Aging motor
3.6

KYMCO VITALITY 50

The Vitality was originally introduced to the USA market for 2005 where was sold through 2008. Canadians didn’t receive the Vitality 50 until later (2007), but it remains on sale there until 2013. Overseas the Vitality has been widely sold dating back to 2001.

The Vitality has a sporty look, but it isn’t aimed at the ‘sports scooter’ market like the Super 8 and Super 9. The Vitality 50 is intended as more of a clean looking slightly sporty modern scooter with a wide appeal. It’s a classy, clean look that Kymco has a done a nice job with. Since the Vitality was dropped from the USA market, the newer Agility 50 seems to be doing a good job of filling the sorta-sporty niche for Kymco.

Motor

In its original form, the Vitality 50 used Kymco’s AF18E Honda clone 2-stroke engine dating back to the mid 90’s. This is the same engine that has been used in all of Kymco’s 50cc 2-stroke offerings in varying degrees of restriction. A 4-stroke version was never sold in the USA, but starting in 2009 Kymco Canada began offering both 2-stroke and 4-stroke versions.

Like the 2-stroke version, the 4-stroke Vitality 50 also shares its engine with many other Kymco’s. The 4-stroke engine offers superior milage and emissions, while the 2-stroke offers more power. As its sold, the 2-stroke motor makes 10% more horsepower and 30% more torque than the 4-stroke, and the 2-stroke motor can be easily derestricted to make quite a bit more still. The 4-stroke offers about 80- 90mpg compared to about 65-70mpg (real world numbers), so if cost of operation or emissions are a high concern then the 4-stroke is the right choice. For more information on derestricting and modifying the 2-stoke motor have a look at the Super 9 page which discusses this in more detail.

Design and Amenities

The Vitality has a decent amount of storage space under the seat. Kymco did as good of job as they could with the limitations of their tall (vertical) motor design. Small full face helmets will fit, while full face buckets tend to be a bit much to stow under the seat.

Another downside with the vertical motor design is that it boots seat height. Like most small Kymco’s, the Vitality 50 has a higher than average seat height of 31”, making it a poor fit for shorter legged riders.

The Vitality does include quite a few nice features including a side stand and a standard rear rack. If storage is important to you, Kymco or aftermarket parts dealer will sell you a top case for your Vitality big enough for a full face helmet.

One last small, but sage inclusion is the clock included with the gauges. This seems like a small thing, but it’s quite nice to have when you are using the scooter to commute to work or to school and traffic is challenging your punctuality.

Comparison

Overall, the Vitality offers a good value proposition for scooter buyers with its low MSRP, good underseat storage, clean styling and reliable motors. It’s a combination that will appeal to a lot of buyers. The Vitality doesn’t attract as many enthusiasts as some of their more sporty models (ie. Super 8) but its gained a reputation as a well built, reliable scooter at an attractive price.

If you shop around, you’ll likely Chinese scooters that are cheaper still, but don’t offer adequate reliable and normally suffer from poor dealer support and lack of re-sale value. On the other side of things, the Japanese and Italian makers will happily sell you a great scooter too, but at a higher price. The Vitality fits in as a nice reliable machine at a great value. The closest competitors are Piaggio’s Fly 50, Kymco’s own Compagno / New Sento and Genuine’s Buddy 50.

Please consider adding an owner review of your Vitality 50. It benefits other readers and improves this site.

Pros:

  • Front disc brake
  • Underseat storage

Cons:

  • High seat height
  • Aging motor

Links:

MotorscooterGuide Forums – Visit the forums on this site to chat about this scoot
KymcoForum.com – A good place to learn more about Kymco’s

Key Specs – Vitality 50 2-stroke & 4-stroke:

  • Engine: Air cooled, 49cc, single cylinder, 2-stroke OR 4-stroke
  • 4-stroke Power: 3.7 HP @ 7500 RPM, 2.6 lbs-ft torque @ 6500 RPM
  • 2-stroke Power: 4 HP @ 7000 RPM, 3.3 lbs-ft @ 6000 RPM
  • Transmission: CVT
  • Bore & Stroke: 39mm x 41.4mm (2-stroke)
  • Compression Ratio: 7.2:1 (2-stroke)
  • Fuel Delivery: Carb with Auto Choke
  • Drive: Belt
  • Wheelbase: 51″
  • Weight: 201 lbs
  • Starter: Electric and Kick
  • Seat height: 31”
  • Spark Plug: NGK BR8HSA (2-stroke)
  • Fuel Tank: 1.3 gallons / 5 Liters
  • Brakes: Single Piston Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)
  • Front Suspension: Telescopic Fork
  • Rear Suspension: Adjustable Single Shock
  • Tires: 120/70-12 (Front), 130/70-12 (Rear)
  • Years Sold: 2005-2008 USA, 2007-Present Canada
  • MSRP: $2199 (USA 2008), $2395 (2011 Canada)
  • Colors: Red, Blue, Silver, Graphite