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BUG Espresso 150 Manuals

I’m the proud owner of a 2007 BUG Espresso 150 🙂
(also known as a People 150 is some other parts of the globe)

The BUG Espresso is manufactured by the Taiwanese company, Kymco

As reliable as my BUG Espresso is, I always like to understand the construction and inner workings of machines I own. Fortunately I recently located PDFs of the BUG Espresso/People 150 owners manual and service manual.

Here they are for your pleasure also:

30 comments

30 responses to “BUG Espresso 150 Manuals”

  1. Andrew Morgan says:

    Thanks heaps. I’m pick up an 06 model on saturday. I always like to do my own servicing on bikes so this is invaluable.

    Cheers

    Andrew

  2. LD says:

    No worries Andrew. Enjoy. It is a fun bike to ride, and costs practically nothing to fill up!
    I wish I’d bought one sooner!

  3. Andrew says:

    Hi, am seeking the manuals for the espresso 150 but above links seem broken?

    Andrew in Oz

  4. LD says:

    Hi Andrew,
    Sorry, seems the links got removed during a wordpress upgrade.
    I’ve put them back up there now, let me know if you can not get to them.

  5. Phillip says:

    Hi Luke

    Nice site. We are picking up a 2008 model ivory and tan BUG Espresso 150 this Saturday morning. Can’t wait. Good to know you managed to find the manuals.
    Stumbled upon them via a Yahoo search for reviews on the Espresso.
    This will be my first real experience on two wheels on the road, having only ridden dirt and farm bikes previously. Looking forward to the whole damn thing.

  6. LD says:

    Excellent. Congratulations Phillip.
    Enjoy the ride, its a nice scooter. My only regret is that I didn’t dump the 4WD and move to the scooter sooner!

  7. belinda says:

    Hi everyone,
    I am new to the 2-wheel world and am just about to buy my first scooter. I have chosen the ivory colour bug espresso 150.
    I’m just wondering if you can tell me if this is a good scooter to buy as your first scoot?

    I’m also wondering if there are any common problems with the scooter?

  8. LD says:

    Hi Belinda,
    This is a great scooter for starting out.

    I bought the Bug Espresso 2 years ago as my first scooter and I’m still really happy with it. I use it for my daily commute to work (rain or shine) and have also taken it on a few rides up the coast (about 100km each way)
    I’ve had no issues apart from a broken speedo cable in the first few months, which was replaced under warranty. It starts first time, every time and runs like a dream.

    So in summary I’m really happy with it, and recommend the BUG scooter.

  9. belinda says:

    Thanks LD,
    Your comments make me feel much better and more confident i am making the right choice re: my planned 1st purchase.
    I have read in some other blogs that the bug espresso struggles going up hills. Have you ever had this problem – especially on one of your long rides?
    It’s really hard knowing where to start when i have no experience.
    Thanks again

  10. Louise says:

    Hi Belinda
    Im 49 have owned my Bug for about 3 years and commute to work daily. I drive up a steep hill every day and it goes fine provided you have the chance to keep up the speed. When you drop the revs down because of traffic it does have difficulty but so would any vehicle. Its a good choice.

  11. LD says:

    Hi Belinda,
    Sorry for the delayed response. I agree with Louise’s comment. I dont have too many problems going up hills, occasionally I wish it had a little more grunt, but its pretty rare, especially in the city. The only time it lacks power up hills is really on the freeway, at speeds above 80km/h, which isnt really all that often.

  12. Mason says:

    Hi
    I have just got a 2007 model with only 80km on the clock but its been kept in moth ball and not started for about two years. What would you suggest in terms of maintenance for a come back to service?

  13. LD says:

    Hi Mason,
    I’d be thinking it could be as simple as changing the oil, check the spark plug & air filter, and see how it goes. Carby might need a check too, depending how cleanly it was stored.
    The few occasions that I have left mine unused for a month or two, I have come back and it didnt start first go (it normally does) I suspect it is just because the fuel in the carburetter has evaporated.

    Sounds like a great find. Good luck!

  14. Marshall says:

    Hey how’s it going? I have the 05 model in red and I have a drama with what i believe is a fuel issue. When doing higher speeds for roughly 2 or 3 mins the scoot seems to choke itself and cut off it’s supply of fuel. Once i’ve pulled over (always seems to happen at the worst possible moment) I restart and it’s fine again until the sustained higher speed is reached again. It’s usually around 60klms an hour which makes it difficult to ride onroad with out pulling over every few mins to restart. Any ideas?

    • LD says:

      Hi Marshall,
      Most likely a problem with the carburettor, maybe the float is damaged and causing you to run out of fuel in the float chamber. Or maybe a pinched or collapsed fuel line. You probably want to get it checked out, can imagine it would be pretty difficult to keep up with traffic like that. A carburettor overhaul will probably solve this for you. Unless you feel like soaking your hands in unleaded for an hour or two, (and its a bit fidly) I’d take it to a bike shop and have them do it for you.
      Cheers

  15. Marshall says:

    Thanks for the quick reply! I’ll have to drop it in to get fixed. I don’t want to be playing around with the carby too much.

  16. Johanna says:

    Hi! Need some help/advice: I think I have the 2006 model – anyway, it drove beautifully about 10 days ago, then I didn’t use it and today when I wanted to start it didn’t, just gave some coughs … I also tried the kick starter but no sound whatsoever! What shall I do, try again and again, or does it mean the battery is empty???? Thank you!!
    Johanna

    • LD says:

      Hi Johanna,
      It could be battery or some electrical issue. (i know it sounds obvious, but does it have fuel?) 🙂
      Failing that you could test the battery and charge it using a battery charger (you can buy them from KMart) but if it has reached the end of its life, it may be time for a new battery.
      The manual also has some troubleshooting steps for this scenario, that may help you identify the problem.
      Hope you are able to sort it out. Let us know how you get on!
      Good luck!

  17. Johanna says:

    Hi LD, thanks for yr reply!
    Yep, checked the fuel first thing – tank was half full. Looked up the manual but when it came to checking the air filter this was the end of my mechanical skills! 😉 After talking to several people I reckon the battery is dead – so far it hasn’t been replaced. My scooter needed service anyway so now it’s been looked after professionally and I hope to get it back this week.
    Cheers!

  18. MKS says:

    Hi all. Does anyone know how I change the time on the clock display of my Espresso? I have pressed the two buttons to the side of the clock but nothing happens, maybe the buttons are broken? It is a second-hand 08 model, so it could have been broken before I bought it.
    Cheers!

  19. Matt - Perth says:

    My Espresso (2006) has just clocked over 20,000km. When will I need to replace the transmission belt. I change the engine oil every 1000km, as I am a bit worried that th engine does not have a proper oil filter. I have three other bikes, including a Harley, but really enjoy my Espresso.What is the life of the engine? cheers to all.

  20. LD says:

    @Matt – My Espresso made it to 20,000 before the belt/rollers needed replacement. The manual says at 10K, but they seem to make it to 15-20K before it is necessary.

  21. LD says:

    @MKS – Sounds like the buttons are broken. It is easy to remove the dash, so maybe take a look behind the switches and you may be able to see the wires disconnected.

  22. Greg says:

    My Espresso has 9000km and has just started to shudder when taking off. Its as though the belt isn’t moving freely. I don’t know how else to explain it.
    Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be?

  23. LD says:

    Hi Greg,
    Sounds like it is time to replace the belt & rollers. All Espressos need this at some stage around the 10K service. Mine made it to 12K before it needed, although I have heard of some needing it around 8K.

  24. Greg says:

    Thanks for the reply. I’m in Sydney and will be changing the belt myself as I’ve always done my own motorcycle maintenance, so any suggestions for where I can get a new belt / rollers?

  25. LD says:

    Hi Greg,
    I’m no longer in Sydney, but these guys in Brookvale should be able to sort you out with parts. They are the BUG dealer for Sydney. http://www.scootercentral.com.au/

  26. Greg says:

    thanks. I will try scooter central.

    Are the rollers always replaced with the belt?

  27. LD says:

    Yes, they are usually replaced together. Else you will just end up wearing out the new belt much faster and having to replace both again anyway.

    Cheers

  28. Lisa says:

    Had a small prang in my Bug espresso. Anyone know where, in the southern suburbs of Melbourne, I can have it repaired?

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