hello there!

[donjack]

hello all, i have just got myself a 2012 dt 300i!!
i decided a while ago that i really liked the look of the dt and when one came up for sale locally, preston uk, (i live in lancaster), (the nearest previously had been somewhere in the midlands!) i had to have it!! after much begging / pleading with my better half, she finally agreed!! off i went to fastline superbikes in preston to enquire, a couple of days later my shiny new(ish!) dt was delivered to my door.
now having browsed the forum, i knew about the 4000 5000 rev flat spot and was a bit worried to say the least, but having done a few miles on it i dont think its going to be too big an issue (i hope!).
my other big scoot is a 2003 aprilia atlantic 500, the difference between them is like chalk and cheese, dont get me wrong, i love my atlantic to bits, but the dt is super fun! its light enough to throw about a bit in the twisties and has excellent pulling power which has surprised me.
i know im going to have a lot fun on it and hopefully i'll keep you posted as time and miles go by!
cheers for now,
Don.
PS are there any other dt owners in the lancs area?

[scrollderf]

I also have an AA500, but am seriously thinking of getting a DT300.  What are the advantages of the DT over the AA, and what are the advantages of the AA over the DT? Any regrets in moving to the DT. Do you still have confidence in a machine that is 11 years old (AA500) or is that or no consequence?

[sklnzl]

Hello Donjack,welcome to the forum,I thinks this is a wise decision of yours to have chosen the dt300i ,I have just a 2014 model and been driving it for 3 month now,I would say it is a very comfortable  scooter and power-wise it is very capable and it is also very good for long trips.

[donjack]

scrollderf, are you the same guy from the aprilia forums?
i'll try my best to list the advantages/ disadvantages in a short while, my wife is shouting at me to go shopping!! so she must be obeyed 
i will post when i get back.
thanks sklnzl for your welcome, i shall keep you posted!!

[scrollderf]

Yes, same poster. You may have read my last post there about the AA500 poblem prbeing solved. So now my problem is to whether or not sell the AA and get a DT300. A 2013 is available, so a tough decision. Electrical problems are such a hassle and this one took a whole year to sort out. The AA is running fine now, so there is my problem. I am really impressed with the reviews on the DT300.

[donjack]

hello again scrollderf, sorry about the delay!
bit of a nuisance the electrics on the aa!! although its fixed now, dont you find its still in the back of your mind waiting for the next thing?? i know i do!!
as i said before, i've only had the dt a couple of days but i am having good thoughts about it!
the reason i went for the dt is my previous experience with kymco, its a bit of a long story but bear with me!
6 years ago when my youngest daughter was 16, i bought her a super 9 50cc, 24000miles on the clock! , for the pricley sum of £250!!, it had been derestricted and was an excellent little runner, she rode it to college practically every day and it never let her down.........until the water pump shaft nut wore out. i tried and tried to find the part to no avail so it was left in the garage for about 2 years, i just forgot about it!
my nephew then decided that he would like a little moped so that put the wheels in motion to get the scoot fixed, i eventually traked down the part in romania!! a week or so later said part arrived and spurred me on to fix it, within a couple of hour it was all back together, unfortunately, i had forgot to disconnect the battery, so i assumed it would be goosed, i put it on charge overnight anyway and reconnected it the following morning, hit the starter button it turned over but would not start! i got some new fuel added it to the tank, pressed the starter and it fired up!! i couldn't believe it!! i tidied it up, sent it for an mot, (uk road worthiness certificate) which it passed and gave it to my nephew 2 years ago and its still running!!
so thats why i have a liking for kymco!
now then, back to the questions in hand!!
as you are well aware, the aa is (in my eyes) a brilliant peice of kit, i still love mine to bits and i am pestering my wife into letting me keep her!! i've had her 5 years and although i had a few minor problems, i, with the help of af1 forums have always got it sorted........eventually!!
the things i like about her are her size, power, and of course her looks!!
the dt on the other hand is a bit smaller, lighter and a lot more nimbler, it feels more like a, how can i put this without offending anyone, a toy!! a toy brings smiles to faces and makes them happy!! this is what the dt has done for me anyway! although i've only had it a couple of days, so its really difficult to judge.
on a practical note, it costs less to run, less to tax and hopefully less to repair if or when the need arises!!
sorry i was droning on!!
i will of course keep you updated and, up to now i would recommend the dt whole heartedly!!
cheers,
Don.

[scrollderf]

Thanks for the reply. If you want to keep the AA, advertise it at a high price and when it does not sell, just tell the other half that nobody wants it.

Both this and the Aprillia forums have been a trmendous area of support and assistance. I love reading and lurking at these and several other scooter forums.

[scrollderf]

I made the big plunge yesterday. Bought the 2013 DT300 that was in stock. Not my first choice of color (black), but the price was right and they took my AA500 at my minimum I thought I would sell it for. Satisfied. Now to wait until Sat for it is presently snowing and will be too cold to ride back the 50 km distance anyway. All the various recommendations and experiences from you KymcomForum folks swayed me into this purchase. Really looking forward to riding it.

[donjack]

congrats on the new dt!
I'm certainly glad I did, its brilliant!
sorry to say this but the weather here in Lancaster uk is really good, clear blue skies and a very mild temperature for this time of year!!
I have just arrived at work, 12:30pm, and I went the long way round, about 10 miles or so and it was fantastic, the dt holds the road like glue, (possibly the maxxis tyres help!) and has loads of overtaking power, I haven't had it on the motorway yet but it will be soon!!
I hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine.
please keep us informed and let us know how you get on.
cheers,
Don.

PS. did I tell you it was brilliant!! 

[scrollderf]

Interesting what you say about the Maxxis tires. On the Aprilia forum I used to follow, they had nothing at all good to say about those tires. I changed mine from Maxxis to Michelin Gold Standard, and did not really notice much difference. The new Kymco has Maxxis, so I will see how they handle and last for their life as I do not plan to change them.

I just finished reading back about 12 pages of this DT300 forum. Lots of great information by very helpful posters. Aprilia forum was very helpful as well. I have been following about 5 maxi scooter forums and enjoy all of them.

[donjack]

On the aa i had Michelin city grip they were rubbish, the rear lasted about 2k miles!! Front still seems ok, i then got a Dunlop scoot smart for the rear which seems to be holding on to its tread, its done about 1.5k and is very good in the wet!
i am assuming the maxxis on the dt are original, the scoot has just done 3k miles and there is plenty of life left yet! We've had no rain here recently, so i can't say how they will perform in the wet, I'll keep you posted.
i know you picked yours up yesterday scrollderf, have you been able to ride her yet? First impressions?
cheers,
Don.

[scrollderf]

Picked the DT later in the afternoon having waited for it to warm up here. I took the longer way home through the country-side to keep the speed down to about 80kph and enjoyed scenery that I had not seen before, even though it was only a few km from the usual route. Total of 75 km to get home. The scoot seemed to handle very similar to the older AA. The ride was smoother. The tracking was smoother and more true and small cracks in the road did not affect handling as it had on the AA. The ride was softer in some ways - the horizontal cracks - but more harsh on the larger heaves. But remember this is a new machine. Power seemed to be very close to that of the AA, as I would expect with the power to weight being similar. I did not try to get high speed. The AA would easily do 140 - 160 kph. Doubt the DT will. The size is definitely a factor. I am small (5'7"), so not really a problem, but the difference is noticeable. I think I will have no trouble getting used to it. One of the main reasons to get this scoot is to go to a lighter, more maneuverable vehicle. The stability in the wind seemed to be similar, which surprised me as I expected the lighter machine to be thrown around more. But I was only up to 90 on the fastest road where I would have normally gone 110. Time will tell on that. Wind protection is not as good, expecially on the hands, but I had a Givi touring screen on the AA. Buffeting was acceptable. Today I washed and shined the new baby!!!! I also spent time planning how to install the top box I kept from the AA. Pleased so far.

[donjack]

glad your liking it!
I'm loving it! your right about the top speed, not as good as the aa but I find am really liking it, especially the manoeuvrability, throwing it around the twisties is tremendous fun! I always have a smile on my face when I get home, I think my wife thinks I'm having an affair 
I to am a shorty, 5'8", and I find I have plenty of room, the seating position is slightly different, I don't know what it will be like on a long outing, i'll wait until summer to find out.
regarding the top box, the base plate is totally different, givi make a specific one for the dt, an SR92M, just under £40, its my birthday (the big 50!) in a week or so and my kids wanted to know what to get me, the eldest is getting me the base plate and the other two are getting me the top box! 
I'm at work now and it was raining when I came in, so i'll have to go out and dry her off, I don't want my wife shouting at me for not looking after her!! (dt that is!)
i'll keep posting and let you know how things are going.
cheers,
Don.

[scrollderf]

I used the base from the AA top box and bolted it securely to the reasonably flat piece on the back of the DT. This is not a secure anchor for heavy loads, but I found that heavy loads balance much better in the space under the seat, so will always only place lighter loads in the rear, high top box.
As I get used to the DT I am more impressed and comfortable with it. Satisfied with my change. Seating is still not as comfortable as on the AA, but it is getting better with each ride. Handling is much better. 

[donjack]

finally got on to the motorway this evening, very impressed!! the junction i used has a very short run on and quite a sharp bend just before you get on, i was pulling 65mph on the bend and before i knew it i was passing a few large lorries and was doing 80!! the acceleration is fantastic!
as i was passing the lorries i was expecting a bit of buffeting but .......nothing! totally impressed! i did about 15 miles with no complaints at all, she's surprising me at every turn.
as i said in an earlier post, i cant wait for the summer so that i can get a good long ride in, i live in lancaster, england, and i have family in glasgow, scotland, so i think that will be my first long distance test, i'll keep you posted.
cheers,
Don.