2012–2015 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The City Workhorse That Delivers
The G-Dink 300i is Kymco's answer to the rider who wants a scooter to disappear under them and just handle the day. The 271 cc liquid-cooled single makes 23 hp and 16 lb-ft, enough to punch off a green light and hold a 40-mph arterial without drama, while the belt-drive automatic asks nothing of your left hand or foot. At 425 lb wet on 13-inch front and 12-inch rear wheels, it sits in the useful middle of its class: bigger and steadier than a 125, far easier to park and thread than anything touring-sized. This is a tool built for utility first, everything else second.
The way it rides is low-effort by design. Light steering, a 30.1-inch seat most riders can flat-foot, and controls that fall to hand without a manual make it genuinely accessible from the first mile. Running costs stay low and the underseat storage earns its keep on a grocery run. It ages like any hard-used commuter, so budget for a fuel gauge that lies and a CVT belt that wears. If you want highway cruising range or long two-up touring, look higher up the ladder. For dense-city duty, it's honest and hard to over-think.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 23 hp (17 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 271 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 120/70-13 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-12 |
| Seat height | 30.1 in (765 mm) |
| Wet weight | 425 lb (193 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.0 L) |
Swing a leg over and the first thing you notice is how upright and open it feels. The bars sit close, the floorboard gives your feet room to shift around on a long light cycle, and the seat is broad enough that an hour in the saddle doesn't leave you fidgeting. Thumb the starter and the single settles into a low, unremarkable hum. There's a bit of buzz through the floor at a standstill that smooths out once you're rolling. Around town it feels light and willing under you, the kind of machine you steer with your hips through a gap in traffic without a second thought. The mirrors are clear, the switchgear is where your thumbs expect it, and the weather protection actually keeps the wind off your chest at commuting speed. Nothing about it fights you. That's the whole point.
These aren't my own miles on the Kymco. It's the picture that forms after years of tuning in to riders: the back-and-forth at races, owners I swap notes with, and the steady run of messages and emails that reach me. Gathered for the G-Dink 300i, the mood holds a clear line. Most lean on it as an honest daily tool, with a couple of ownership headaches that surface again and again.
The engine leads the praise. Owners describe the single as smooth and eager, unbothered in stop-and-go and settled once traffic thins. Comfort sits right behind it; riders count it a legitimate choice for longer runs and full-day rides, not just quick errands. Storage comes up often too, with plenty of owners noting that a full-face helmet drops under the seat with space left. Further back in the chorus, a handful vouch for the motor's longevity when it's serviced on schedule, and a few reckon it's a lot of machine for the outlay.
The biggest gripe isn't about the ride at all. Across many areas the dealer coverage is sparse, and owners report that sourcing parts or booking specialized work takes more effort than they'd like. A lighter but repeated note: it depreciates quicker than the premium names, which suits a used buyer and stings the seller.
Secondary air filter degradation
The secondary air filter can deteriorate with age, causing backfiring that damages the muffler if not addressed.
Fuel gauge failure
The fuel level sensor is known to fail, leading to inaccurate or non-functional fuel readings within a few months of ownership.
CDI ignition module failure
The Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) unit can fail, causing intermittent stalling or a no-start condition, especially after the scooter is fully warmed up.
Fuel pump overheating when hot
Under high ambient temperatures or extended riding, the fuel pump may overheat and temporarily stop working, preventing the engine from starting until it cools down.
CVT belt and roller wear
Hesitation on acceleration, slipping at speed; typically requires belt and roller replacement around 15,000–20,000 km.
Voltage regulator / stator failure
The regulator can fail, potentially overcharging or discharging the battery, and if left untreated may damage the stator; reported in related Kymco models.
Fuel injector clogging from old fuel
Hard starts, rough idle, and poor throttle response if the scooter sits unused with stale fuel; regular use and fresh fuel prevent this.
Front fork seal leaks
Oil residue on fork legs and soft front suspension; seals may need replacement, especially on higher-mileage examples.
Battery drain from sitting unused
Slow crank, electrical gremlins, or voltage below 12.4V after extended storage; typical of scooters with small batteries and parasitic drain.
Where this Kymco G-Dink 300i pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the G-Dink 300i is actually built for.
If your world is stoplights, tight parking, and short hops across town, this is exactly the tool. It's cheap to run, easy to place in traffic, and asks nothing of you but the twist of a wrist.
Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami
It'll handle your city days and the run up to the ridge with ease, but 23 hp and a 2.4-gal tank set a ceiling. Fine for the social miles, not built for chasing sportbikes on the twisties.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant