KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 125 to 300 => Downtown 300 => Topic started by: kymcogrampa on May 25, 2018, 12:23:43 AM
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Hello folks. I'm new to this forum. I currently own 3 levels of scoots/motorcycles. Having recently turned 60, I'm wondering if I truly "need" all 3 bikes or if I should move to one bike...a Kymco xciting 400i. I've done a lot of coast to coast riding in my past along with a lot of city riding. My current 300i seems to fit most of my current wants and needs. Living in the Canadian Prairies is like living in the American Great Plains...very windy. If riding into a heavy head wind (which are almost daily around here) I'm cruising at almost full throttle just to keep up with highway traffic.
Here's an issue, we no longer have a Kymco dealer around here. The closest is 7 hours away. I'm not worried about dealer service as I can do any required repairs. I'm retired and have the tools and enjoy the challenge. So that leaves warranty. Again, I may not be very smart (don't ask my wife what she thinks!), but I feel that these bikes are well built...so I'm not concerned. If I need parts in the future, I can order them from that same dealer and have them shipped. Where am I going with all of this?...should I get a 400 or be content with current ride/rides if finances are not a concern?
Kymcogrampa
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Depends what you need it for.
A 400 with be higher in maintenance costs but it will give you more power to use.
Perhaps you should treat yourself get something more premium such as the Honda X-ADV. It'll do whatever you need it do and give you an excellent ride.
Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
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I have read that the the xc400 gives better power to weight ratio than the xc500 so, is highly recommended.
Sent from my Mi Max using Tapatalk
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Thanks guys.
Does anyone know if the valves are screw or shim adjustable on the 400i?
Gramps
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Personally, having had/have identical DT300i's that performed well, I would wait until the 400i matures a bit. It could be the disappointment of the 500.
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I've found that the valves are the easy (to me) lock nut and screw adjustable types...bonus!
The Honda adventure scoot is not the right type for me (my mind changes like the wind...ask me again tomorrow!).
I do like the power of the 300i and imagine that the 400i would be just what I want for our windy conditions.
That's a good point on the reliability issues of the xc 500. They were not the most reliable maxi scooters in our area. My previous T-Max 500 and my wife's Silverwing were more reliable.
This mid sized DT 300i is quite the total package!
I appreciate all of your input guys (and gals?).
Gramps
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I’m not seeing he extra power of the 400 being a real difference from the DT300.
The 400 puts out 35 hp at 460lbs.
The old 300 puts out 30 hp at 370lbs.
In the end it’s not much, if at all faster.
Just sayn....
AMAC
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Here's where the 400 may be better for me...maybe...
If I give up my V Strom 650, it would take over my touring needs. The 400's wheelbase is longer for a more relaxed seating position. The wheels are one inch bigger for a more stable ride at highway speeds. The bigger engine provides more torque. The cruising rpm is somewhat lower for a more enjoyable ride. The extra weight prevents being jostled about as much in the cross winds.
Are these valid points or is my old age playing tricks on me again!
Gramps
ps. oh, I almost forgot...the extra weight could help me from being sucked up by a passing UFO when traveling near Roswell.
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The big reason to go with a Xciting 500Ri for me was the large displacement motor. It provides the kind of torque you may want if you're hauling up steep hills at high speeds. ABS is fantastic to have even if I haven't locked up on the Downtown (I have succeeded and failed upon lockup on other bikes). The parking brake and extra cubby were nice. Storage was about the same. Battery is easier to access, but air filter is tougher to get at.
Weight for me is a double-edged sword because I am short of inseam. While I would gain in stability in winds and directional stability from the larger wheels, gravel roads and off camber roads get more exciting at low speeds.
Since I have a 300i, going to 400i isn't really compelling unless I wanted to maximize the displacement I could get under our very strange insurance categories in British Columbia, Canada.
I do have concerns with Kymco's business strategy in North America. I am unsure about continued access to parts through official dealers. My dealer is going out of business, but he may be able to continue ordering me parts from Taiwan.
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Ophelia, is your dealer going out of business or is he/she just not going to be selling Kymco scooters?...that's what happened to my dealer. He still deals with Kymco parts through his sales of Arctic Cats and Kawasaki. I'm quite certain that he also could get me parts straight from Taiwan.
I've been through your mountains to the west coast on my T-Max...beautiful scenery!
Fellow Canadian,
Gramps
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He's closing his shop for a variety of reasons. It's a bummer because there aren't many mechanics that service scooters here, and his shop was a popular hangout.
The Rockies are indeed lovely. Hopefully you took some fruit from the Okanagan back with you. :)
I think you'll want to test ride an Xciting 400i or even 500Ri for yourself if you get the chance to see if it makes sense for you as a V-strom replacement. I have a friend who had both a V-strom 650 and a Xciting 500Ri at one point. The V-strom is a comfy and versatile bike. I wish I still had room for a motorcycle and a scooter!
The Downtown can feel a bit scrunched up for taller riders; I can put my feet up with my 28" inseam, but it's a legitimate complaint from some of my longer legged friends.
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No fresh fruit...it was the first week of July. When I rode through the Niagara region, it was apple season. I thought I'd found heaven! So I know what you mean.
Do you or have you owned both the 300i and the 500ri? The 300 is a perfect size and weight for my wife whom is around 5'3". She previously had a Silverwing 600 and found it too heavy.
Yesterday, I went for a 300 klm run on the Downtown, all on 100 klm/hr secondary roads. It was really pleasant. The bike was fine at that pace. I'm 5'8'' with a 29" inseam. I've trimmed 2" off the butt rest for my wife and I didn't feel too cramped. I do find myself sliding forward and will see what I can do to get the seat to fit me better. I had originally modded the seat foam for my wife's needs but she no longer rides. I'm now free to change it for my own needs. Being male, I have certain issues that my wife didn't have :).
I'm not interested in the 500. I would like to test ride the 400, but the nearest dealer is north of Saskatoon...7 hours away! If I decide that the 300 needs to be replaced with the 400, I'll simply get it shipped here without needing to see/test it.
Gramps
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That is a good point, having it shipped. If I get another new one I may explore that and put it together myself. That avoids some dealer having the shop dummy do it in a hurry.
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I'd rather do the initial engine start up and heat cycles myself. I also like to get a bike with 0 miles...those first few miles are critical, at least that's how I see it. Some dealerships don't allow test rides for that very purpose and I tend to respect them for that. In a twisted way, I sort of enjoy trying to figure out if a bike will be right for me without a test ride! That's why I'm asking these questions and checking out the internet and YouTube.
Thanks for your input, guys and gals.
Gramps
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My friends and I are Kymco enthusiasts. I've swapped my motorcycle to a friend for a week, and he left me his Xciting 500Ri. I still had to go to work, so I took his bike. Felt like I was on a snowmobile for a few days until the size and heft faded away. We've had a few 500Ris in the community. Commuter bikes. Corner carving bikes. Bargain bikes.
On my previous Downtown, I followed a lead on the domestic seat on the bikes sold in Asia. Apparently they have a pronounced seat hump to allow a second helmet under the rider. The taller seat hump also puts me into better view of the instruments, and it stops me from sliding forwards as I ride. I think I left a trail of crumbs somewhere on this site of my findings. It does make coming to abrupt stops a bit hairy because of my stumpier nature, so I try to leave more room ahead when I'm in a group ride with less experienced riders. It was the first thing I got on my current Downtown.
My dealer friend did have one tall seat still on hand in the original shipping box. Perhaps you can make him a deal if you're interested.
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Thank you for all of this good information Ophelia. I have read elsewhere on this forum about that very seat...maybe it was your info that I read. I'll go back and re-read it if I can find it. If I don't succeed in modding my own seat or am inclined to trying the Asian style seat, I'll private message you for your friend's info.
So, to recap what I remember...the front portion has a higher hump under it and thus raising the foam portion higher. The rear hump does not push you as far forward because the top of the foam hits it farther back, allowing one to sit farther back. Also the front seat has more of a bucket to it, preventing one from sliding forward? I didn't study for this test...how did I do?
Do you remember what the price of said seat was at full price?
Thanks in advance for your kind reply,
Gramps
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Seat options for Downtown 300i (with part numbers), July 4, 2013. (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=9472.0)
New Seat Available, April 24, 2014. (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=11531.0)
I haven't put the seats side by side in a while, so I think that rear seat hump ridge/backrest is in the same spot. Just the front hump is taller and stops you from sliding forwards.
As for the full or retail price, I don't know. I think your major cost consideration would be the shipping to you from Vancouver, BC as the box itself is rather bulky. My friend at the time decided not to buy the tall seat for her bike, and we continued to ride the Downtown with the standard seat after. It was thrown in with the purchase of my current bike. I also left my stock seat behind, so it may just be recycled at this point. Hope the links help!