The cold morning air in Gangtok stung my face as I rolled the Kymco Grand Dink 300i off its side stand. It was red, bold, and almost absurdly glossy against the pastel hues of the hills rising behind the town. The name still made me smirk a little, Grand Dink, but I quickly learned that it was far from a joke. As I rode through Sikkim’s winding hill roads, past monasteries, tea gardens, and clouds that hung low enough to touch, this scooter proved itself not only worthy of the journey but unexpectedly endearing.

Plenty of space for the passenger

Let’s start with comfort. There’s something about the way the Grand Dink is laid out that immediately feels right. The seat is broad and plush, and though the scooter is compact from a distance, it offers plenty of room for both rider and passenger. I picked up a friend near Rumtek Monastery for a short two-up ride. As she hopped on, the fold-out passenger footrests clicked into place effortlessly, and she commented right away on how natural her seating position felt. There was no fidgeting, no shifting to find balance. The backrest molded naturally from the seat’s slight elevation, and even as we hit a patch of uneven road climbing towards Nathula, she didn’t once complain about the comfort. For me as the rider, the seating position was just as satisfying. At 76 cm, the seat height is ideal for short and average-height riders. I’m around 5’9″, and I could plant both feet comfortably at stops, while the distance to the floorboard wasn’t cramped. The low-slung center of gravity and easy mounting made traffic in Gangtok’s congested roads feel less stressful than usual. Despite the 271 cc displacement, it feels surprisingly zippy. The engine, a water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke, hums along with almost no fuss, delivering its 22 hp with a smoothness that exceeded my expectations. The CVT transmission is tuned so that there’s very little lag, especially off the line. In real-world riding, it felt more powerful than the specs suggest, especially during quick overtakes around 85 km/h. And the fact that it purrs more than it growls makes it all the more pleasant.

Chassis: It works without high-tech

You won’t find fancy suspension systems or linked braking or multi-mode electronics here, and that’s part of what I liked most. The Grand Dink’s chassis isn’t about showing off. It’s about doing its job without drawing attention to itself. The telescopic fork at the front soaks up the mountain roads’ imperfections beautifully. Climbing the hairpins to Tsomgo Lake, I hit a couple of rough stretches, gravel, potholes, washed-out sections, but the scooter held its line confidently. The front never felt jittery, and even when pushing into corners a bit more enthusiastically, it never gave me reason to back off. The rear suspension, tied to the swingarm and heavier due to the design, doesn’t match the front’s finesse, but it’s decent enough. I did feel some sharp bumps filter through on particularly rough stretches, but nothing jarring or concerning. For most of the ride, it was smooth sailing. And for a scooter designed primarily for urban and semi-urban commuting, that’s more than acceptable. Braking is handled by a single disc at each end, with two-piston calipers. It’s basic, yes, but effective. The ABS works quietly in the background, activating predictably when needed. It gave me confidence on downhill slopes when coming in a little hot into a blind curve.

Consumption: Less than the factory specification

Scooters are known for efficiency, but the Grand Dink 300i took it up a notch. Officially, the factory quotes 3.8 liters per 100 km. I managed 3.1 liters, even while riding briskly across Sikkim’s winding and often challenging terrain. And this wasn’t gentle city commuting; it was full-throttle on open stretches, quick passes, and climbing steep inclines. At one point, I filled up in Mangan and didn’t need to refuel until well past Ravangla, over 250 km later. That kind of range, combined with the comfort and quiet nature of the ride, made the Grand Dink an ideal companion for these exploratory routes. There’s also something refreshing about watching the LCD fuel gauge drop so slowly. Despite the cockpit’s dated appearance, with its analog tachometer and early-2000s digital readouts, it’s clear and functional. The red needle swings with enthusiasm, even if the variator makes it somewhat redundant. There’s no fancy Bluetooth connection or smartphone mirroring, but none of that felt necessary.

Sufficient storage space, USB

Storage is where this scooter truly surprised me. The under-seat compartment is cavernous. During a mid-day stop at a local eatery in Pelling, I stashed away a full-face helmet, gloves, and a rain jacket, and still had space for a small grocery bag. A gas strut holds the seat up as it opens, something I appreciated when loading things in with one hand. There’s also a glovebox up front with a USB port and a 12V socket, ideal for charging your phone while navigating or listening to music. That said, I kept mine off for most of the trip, choosing instead to enjoy the quiet hum of the engine and the mountain air. The large windshield deserves praise too. It isn’t adjustable, but it’s well-angled and does an excellent job of cutting wind at higher speeds. On downhill runs from Yuksom, where speeds touched 110 km/h, I didn’t feel any uncomfortable buffeting. And while the halogen lights aren’t as modern as LED units, they still cast a broad and usable beam for evening rides back to town. The only thing missing? A top case. I found myself wishing for one more than once, especially when picking up supplies. While it’s not included, aftermarket options are available, and I’d recommend it if you plan to use the scooter for longer trips or grocery hauls.

Conclusion

The Kymco Grand Dink 300i is no longer in production, and that’s a shame. Because in a world of over-complicated, over-priced two-wheelers, it reminds you of what matters: comfort, usability, and a bit of old-school simplicity. It may not dazzle with technology or scream with performance, but it offers something more valuable, confidence, comfort, and quiet capability. Riding through Sikkim with the Grand Dink was like catching up with an old friend, reliable, fuss-free, and always ready to roll. Whether you’re cruising through misty tea gardens, weaving through village markets, or simply heading to the next scenic bend, this scooter proves that you don’t need the latest tech to enjoy the ride. If you can find a well-maintained used one, grab it. You’ll be surprised at how much ground, and joy, it can cover.