KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on June 10, 2020, 01:19:36 PM
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My take on OEM parts:
With all the little things on a new or older scooter which can play up and take you off the road - usually some kind of an electrical thing - I think that when buying the important scooter parts that could lead to The Big Bang in the middle of an intersection - like BELTS - it is wise $$ if spent on original Kymco parts!
Kymco can sell below the Big 4 Japanese - but the bits and pieces which they use in the drive train are top quality stuff.
I look to save $ in a lot of areas - but not in the engine & gear oil, spark plugs, the tires, the belts, clutch, brake fluid & pads.
Stig
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Good philosophy Tom, there's an old Brit saying about being "penny wise, but pound foolish"! You gotta know where to save those £/$ and drive belts certainly isn't it!
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I agree. Since the actual, proven OEM belt is available at the same price as a substitute, the decision is easy. Also the 23.1 width error of a substitute is a deterrent.
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Agree. OEM parts is the way to go. If it's a "known flaky" oem part (like the voltage reg on the DT), I would consider replacing with something like a Honda voltage reg. But for belts, I get nothing but OEM.
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This kind of intertwines with what John G thread says about supporting your local dealer.
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Just a quickie point: there is ONE dealer in Mwemphis, TN area, about 70 miles from me. I sent them an email requesting price and availability of the CVT belt. I have yet to receive any response. This is the kind of thing that develops poor attitudes toward dealers.
Most OEM parts from Kymco are the best.
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Just a quickie point: there is ONE dealer in Mwemphis, TN area, about 70 miles from me. I sent them an email requesting price and availability of the CVT belt. I have yet to receive any response. This is the kind of thing that develops poor attitudes toward dealers.
Most OEM parts from Kymco are the best.
I just call and ask for the parts department . Unless they deal with online sales their email might go unread or wind up in spam.
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This kind of intertwines with what John G thread says about supporting your local dealer.
many years ago, I determined that I wasn't a mechanic and prefered to pay a professional, while I work at what I am professional at. What goes around comes around, I have developed a 2 way relationship with my dealer, and more $$ come my way than theirs, not only have I done work for the dealer, also, many of his employees, and then there are the referrals, never ends, and of course, I refer customers to them as well, I tell em to not only look at the other brands they sell, look close at the Kymcos. The service manager at the dealership tells me the most reliable brand they sell, is Kymco, the least, Polaris. the Hon/Kaw/Suz/Yams are all about the same, and they haven't sold Mahindras to form an opinion
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I just call and ask for the parts department . Unless they deal with online sales their email might go unread or wind up in spam.
Took your advice and did just that. Talked to nice parts guy and he warned me up front that it may be MONTHS before I see any product. They are still listed as a dealer but he has no inventory and has had none for a couple of years! WHY, you ask? Because the parts situation has been UNSATIFACTORY! He says you STILL cannot get Kymco USA on the phone! So, the only dealer within a hunnert miles is not dealing.
I take gleeful delight in saying I told you so! OK, you all told me of really good dealers here and there and I would be happy to grace their order entry if the price was better but then I gotta pay double shipping. So for now it looks like on line is the way to go.
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Took your advice and did just that. Talked to nice parts guy and he warned me up front that it may be MONTHS before I see any product. They are still listed as a dealer but he has no inventory and has had none for a couple of years! WHY, you ask? Because the parts situation has been UNSATIFACTORY! He says you STILL cannot get Kymco USA on the phone! So, the only dealer within a hunnert miles is not dealing.
I take gleeful delight in saying I told you so! OK, you all told me of really good dealers here and there and I would be happy to grace their order entry if the price was better but then I gotta pay double shipping. So for now it looks like on line is the way to go.
I also said I try to patronize my dealer when possible, some items they just don't carry so I use outside sources.
From the thread,( what I see as bad for scooter dealers) that you also responded to.
Outside sources might be all that's left if Kymco pulls out of US market like Canada.
Glad you take great gleefull delight in that.
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my UXV450i goes in shop tomorrow, for routine full service, in the past, I haven't had any issue getting parts, skid pans, and skid pan bolts, mostly, but I had to get the rear brake rotor once too, never took more than a week, maybe 10 days for the rotor.
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I called Kymco USA and they answered on the 6th ring. I asked about plans to import the 550 scooter and he stated they did not know what would be available for 2021. I inquired about parts as well and they are processing orders with some items on back order due to covid 19. I know there is a minimum for dealers to place a order with Kymco. If the dealer no longer carries Kymco there is little incentive to place a order for a few items. Kymco USA does not sell parts to the public .
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Anything but gleeful that dealers are bailing. But gleeful my predictions came true..in a dark sense. The Memphis area used-to-be dealer said that parts were glacier-slow BEFORE C19.
My harp has been:
1. Dealer techs like most airplane mechs are NOT but barely competent with a few exceptions.
2. Dealers are not required to stock any parts because realistically Kymcos rarely need any.
3. Dealers have a minimum so you have to wait until minimum is met.
4. Kymco USA seems to have no parts in the US so most have to be shipped by an actual ship!
5. Dealers and Kymco USA are not interested in anything the customer thinks.
6. The technical base is right here in this forum.
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yes, almost all the manufacturers have a minimum parts order. My dealer sometimes fulfills the minimum by adding common wear items. For Kymco's it may be skid pan bolts, they sit flush, but still manage to get sheared off. and they add up, there is nearly $100 worth of them on my UXV, and it's an item not unique to my model. For Honda Power Equipment, they may add snowblower shear pin bolts. It may be ski runners for Yamaha snowmobiles......etc. By doing this, they meet minimums, and have wear and high breakage items in stock.... in turn, em a better rep with customers
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Took your advice and did just that. Talked to nice parts guy and he warned me up front that it may be MONTHS before I see any product. They are still listed as a dealer but he has no inventory and has had none for a couple of years! WHY, you ask? Because the parts situation has been UNSATIFACTORY! He says you STILL cannot get Kymco USA on the phone! So, the only dealer within a hunnert miles is not dealing.
I take gleeful delight in saying I told you so! OK, you all told me of really good dealers here and there and I would be happy to grace their order entry if the price was better but then I gotta pay double shipping. So for now it looks like on line is the way to go.
Bullsh** from the parts guy. All he had to do is call but he's to lazy. I can get KUS on the phone most any time and an email will get a response fairly quick. The parts guy could simply ask to check inventory on that part. They usually keep belts in good supply
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I called Kymco USA and they answered on the 6th ring. I asked about plans to import the 550 scooter and he stated they did not know what would be available for 2021. I inquired about parts as well and they are processing orders with some items on back order due to covid 19. I know there is a minimum for dealers to place a order with Kymco. If the dealer no longer carries Kymco there is little incentive to place a order for a few items. Kymco USA does not sell parts to the public .
There is a minimum order if the dealer wants free freight. A dealer can order a single bolt if he wanted but will pay freight.
CJS
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Anything but gleeful that dealers are bailing. But gleeful my predictions came true..in a dark sense. The Memphis area used-to-be dealer said that parts were glacier-slow BEFORE C19.
My harp has been:
1. Dealer techs like most airplane mechs are NOT but barely competent with a few exceptions.
2. Dealers are not required to stock any parts because realistically Kymcos rarely need any.
3. Dealers have a minimum so you have to wait until minimum is met.
4. Kymco USA seems to have no parts in the US so most have to be shipped by an actual ship!
5. Dealers and Kymco USA are not interested in anything the customer thinks.
6. The technical base is right here in this forum.
1. Most Tech's are more competent than the owners of the machines they are working on. Most Tech have attended some type of schooling but experience is the key. If in a multi line dealer, the tech could go from working on a GSXR1000 to a Like 150. The techs skill set is more diverse and it's difficult to be experts on all makes and models.
2. It is recommended by KUS that Kymco dealers stock a minimum parts inventory based on the market area and sales history.
3. There is no minimum. There is if the dealer want free freight from KUS
4. Prior to the new management KUS fill Rate on parts orders was around 96% which is way better than every other OEM on average. KUS uses both Air freight and ship freight. Emergency orders go Air, stocking orders or ship.
5. You've never worked for Kymco so how do you know what Kymco thinks. BTW, you are wrong.
6. Sure the focus on Kymco scooters here is prominent, but when it comes down to it most customers end up screwing the bikes up by doing there own work and then expect warranty. It reminds me of many posts here that claim to be factual but are no where close than actual.
Just my opinion
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1. Most Tech's are more competent than the owners of the machines they are working on. Most Tech have attended some type of schooling but experience is the key. If in a multi line dealer, the tech could go from working on a GSXR1000 to a Like 150. The techs skill set is more diverse and it's difficult to be experts on all makes and models.
2. It is recommended by KUS that Kymco dealers stock a minimum parts inventory based on the market area and sales history.
3. There is no minimum. There is if the dealer want free freight from KUS
4. Prior to the new management KUS fill Rate on parts orders was around 96% which is way better than every other OEM on average. KUS uses both Air freight and ship freight. Emergency orders go Air, stocking orders or ship.
5. You've never worked for Kymco so how do you know what Kymco thinks. BTW, you are wrong.
6. Sure the focus on Kymco scooters here is prominent, but when it comes down to it most customers end up screwing the bikes up by doing there own work and then expect warranty. It reminds me of many posts here that claim to be factual but are no where close than actual.
Just my opinion
Then why are there so many posts on nearly all forums/brands complaining? Why have so many dealers bailed? Why are there so many reporting problems with obtaining parts? Why did KUS have an ANSWERING SERVICE for so long? Why do emails to the KUS go unanswered? Why don't they have an automatic acknowledgement for receeipt of an email? Why don't they answer or acknowledge snail mail? Should I just go away?
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I know there are good techs out there but they seem in a minority. I also know there are good dealers out there but also in a minority. I have worked with some good airplane mechs in my time but like MMI grads, A&P school grads most take their diploma or license as a sign of having all the answers which they don't. Admittedly, I have nothing but experience that forms this opinion and it probably is over cynical but I do not see anyone making many, if any, improvements. I have seen butcher jobs from both owners and techs. It is just initially, expected more from someone in the field and so far, have been disappointed.
Have you heard my "Louie Pelzor story?" The guy who thought he was THE GIFT of Harley Mechanics?
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Then why are there so many posts on nearly all forums/brands complaining? Why have so many dealers bailed? Why are there so many reporting problems with obtaining parts? Why did KUS have an ANSWERING SERVICE for so long? Why do emails to the KUS go unanswered? Why don't they have an automatic acknowledgement for receeipt of an email? Why don't they answer or acknowledge snail mail? Should I just go away?
Because 90% of everything written on forums/post are complaints. If all happy customers that are happy would post, the ratio of negative would show as more in balance.
Since 2008, scooter sales have declined. Many dealers jumped in, in 2005-6-7 because they were hot then. Since then dealers have been dropping scooter line as the demand is not there. granted, since new management at KUS, things can be more difficult and some dealers choose to focus elsewhere.
KUS let the parts inventory dwindle about 2 years ago. Staff left and the replacements were not in tune on the order system. Stocking orders were not ordered. It's better today but processing orders from dealers can take a day or so and UPS an be slow.
They had an answering service for a short period of time as they were short on staff. The tried the service for a bit until staff was replenished.
Emails: Why is there so much need to email KUS? Believe it or not, the dealers are the best to answer questions even if they have to contact KUS for the answer. No reason for consumers to contact KUS unless in cases like the gentleman with the Xtown recently but in that case, the situation could have been resolved by the dealer if better tact was used by the customer.
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I have had good experiences dealing with Leeson's for Kymco parts. And you get a real person answering the phone!
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Because 90% of everything written on forums/post are complaints. If all happy customers that are happy would post, the ratio of negative would show as more in balance.
Since 2008, scooter sales have declined. Many dealers jumped in, in 2005-6-7 because they were hot then. Since then dealers have been dropping scooter line as the demand is not there. granted, since new management at KUS, things can be more difficult and some dealers choose to focus elsewhere.
KUS let the parts inventory dwindle about 2 years ago. Staff left and the replacements were not in tune on the order system. Stocking orders were not ordered. It's better today but processing orders from dealers can take a day or so and UPS an be slow.
They had an answering service for a short period of time as they were short on staff. The tried the service for a bit until staff was replenished.
Emails: Why is there so much need to email KUS? Believe it or not, the dealers are the best to answer questions even if they have to contact KUS for the answer. No reason for consumers to contact KUS unless in cases like the gentleman with the Xtown recently but in that case, the situation could have been resolved by the dealer if better tact was used by the customer.
Look on Stig/Major Tom post July 5, 2014 about "1st running issue." Read the whole six months of posts and tell me what you would have done. Seems like I cannot find the six months of agony our moderator went through just to get his dealer to honor the 2 year warranty. Found it! All PM's so I can't really post them. Maybe I should find the sack full of posts relating MY problems with an unresponsive dealer who sorta forgot to put the battery clamp in my new Yager. These are typical cross-sections of dealers across the country where Kymco regional sales reps had to be called because of reluctant dealers. Unlike stuo's experience with Leeson's. We even had a thread on here about good dealers and there were a few mentioned. But mostly crickets....
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one place I'm not seeing support, is in advertising, hunting magazines have big full page ads for other manufacturers UTVs, I would suspect, there is no scooter advertising aimed at retired folks, but go to Kymco website, you find out they make a bunch of electric mobility scooters. How would you know, they don't promote the products, I try my share of word of mouth, locally, They make a good reliable product, for less $$$
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Look on Stig/Major Tom post July 5, 2014 about "1st running issue." Read the whole six months of posts and tell me what you would have done. Seems like I cannot find the six months of agony our moderator went through just to get his dealer to honor the 2 year warranty. Found it! All PM's so I can't really post them. Maybe I should find the sack full of posts relating MY problems with an unresponsive dealer who sorta forgot to put the battery clamp in my new Yager. These are typical cross-sections of dealers across the country where Kymco regional sales reps had to be called because of reluctant dealers. Unlike stuo's experience with Leeson's. We even had a thread on here about good dealers and there were a few mentioned. But mostly crickets....
That 6 mos. wasn't all bad Karl....
My wife really liked the pretty red Honda Forza 300 and told me to go ahead and get it -- so I would quit moping around the house with my LIKE200iLX stuck at the dealer with a busted TPS.
Once I had that Honda I quit bugging the dealer - which seemed to spook them. "When you get it fixed, call me & leave a message - I'm out riding!"
Stig
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If people don't have a issue they are less likely to post. If you have a issue you want to tell everybody regardless of product. The dealer I use is multi-line and I have bought a new Kawasaki mule, jet ski, KLR 650 along with a few used machines. Did not purchase any of my Kymco's from him but use his parts dept and shop to work on them. I use ebay a lot for certain things because the great state of Kansas has 9.44% sales tax and no sales tax on mail order. You even have to pay sales tax on a used vehicle along with property tax regardless where you purchase.
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Believe it or not, the dealers are the best to answer questions
Sounds reasonable - except that for most of us there are no dealers. None. Zero. What works, in a way, is to find an on-line illustrated parts catalog like this one in the UK: https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/ (https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/) and place orders directly. Unfortunately, the UK parts dealer only speaks French. I've managed to find an eBay Kymco parts vendor in Taiwan who speaks pretty good English, and parts can be located using the French Kymco catalog in the UK. But the parts have to be shipped by FedEx which is REALLY expensive. The bottom line is, yes, parts are available, but shipping is out of this world. For the life of me, though, I can't understand why Kymco makes it so difficult. All they have to do is put up an illustrated catalog on-line, and connect to some willing overseas parts dealers who can ship by post.
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No dealer here, either, for at least 500 miles. Yeah, maybe on paper, but they have ONE Like in the showroom, and stock ZERO parts, and (when asked) could not tell me the first thing about ANY Kymco at all, other than the size if the engine of the one on the floor. Seriously, they had never even heard if the Downtown.
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I'm sure I posted here this morning - I must be going mad.
Essentially, I agree with Souza.
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I'm sure I posted here this morning - I must be going mad.
Essentially, I agree with Souza.
So do I on many points. Neither of us are 100% correct except in the instances we have drawn. And neither of us have quoted all our examples.
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Sounds reasonable - except that for most of us there are no dealers. None. Zero. What works, in a way, is to find an on-line illustrated parts catalog like this one in the UK: https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/ (https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/) and place orders directly.
Thanks for the link JJJoseph, bookmarked!
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That 6 mos. wasn't all bad Karl....
My wife really liked the pretty red Honda Forza 300 and told me to go ahead and get it -- so I would quit moping around the house with my LIKE200iLX stuck at the dealer with a busted TPS.
Once I had that Honda I quit bugging the dealer - which seemed to spook them. "When you get it fixed, call me & leave a message - I'm out riding!"
Stig
Good tactic! "Y'all just take yer time! Meanwhile, I'ma gonna buy a competitor's bike!" Har, har!
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1. Most Tech's are more competent than the owners of the machines they are working on. Most Tech have attended some type of schooling but experience is the key. If in a multi line dealer, the tech could go from working on a GSXR1000 to a Like 150. The techs skill set is more diverse and it's difficult to be experts on all makes and models.
2. It is recommended by KUS that Kymco dealers stock a minimum parts inventory based on the market area and sales history.
3. There is no minimum. There is if the dealer want free freight from KUS
4. Prior to the new management KUS fill Rate on parts orders was around 96% which is way better than every other OEM on average. KUS uses both Air freight and ship freight. Emergency orders go Air, stocking orders or ship.
5. You've never worked for Kymco so how do you know what Kymco thinks. BTW, you are wrong.
6. Sure the focus on Kymco scooters here is prominent, but when it comes down to it most customers end up screwing the bikes up by doing there own work and then expect warranty. It reminds me of many posts here that claim to be factual but are no where close than actual.
Just my opinion
Here we go with another quote about dealer techs! To be fair, sorta, there IS a possibility that the dealer was blamed for something the previous owner did. However, considering Kansas Kymco made the statement, I tend to have faith in his accuracy.
"A so called mechanic at a Scooter dealership in KC changed the belt and didn't properly tighten the variator nut and destroyed the crankshaft."
This is a common error by the inexperienced including me! I, like others, could tell that something was not right and corrected it BEFORE buttoning up and returning to service. This is exactly the kind of thing that forum members could help dealer techs.
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Bullsh** from the parts guy. All he had to do is call but he's to lazy.
Fair enough, but why don't you include the Kymco phone number in your replies? Then we could benefit from your excellent inside information?
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Fair enough, but why don't you include the Kymco phone number in your replies? Then we could benefit from your excellent inside information?
You asking me for Kymco's phone number? It's listed on their website!
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well, this officially longest my dealer has had to wait for Kymco parts, getting so that my dealer may look to Arctic Cat, to see if those particular parts are universal on the unit.
on a good note, Kymco has finally supplied the dealers with a parts micro fiche
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well, this officially longest my dealer has had to wait for Kymco parts, getting so that my dealer may look to Arctic Cat, to see if those particular parts are universal on the unit.
on a good note, Kymco has finally supplied the dealers with a parts micro fiche
What parts do you need? Good luck with Arctic Cat, they are in worse shape than Kymco.
BTW, Kymco dealers have had what’s called Eparts, their on line parts and warranty system which include microfiche, for 10 years
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You asking me for Kymco's phone number? It's listed on their website!
Why are you being so difficult? I don't live in the USA so I don't see the USA website. I get the Taiwan website with a Taiwan phone number because I'm outside the USA.
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Why are you being so difficult? I don't live in the USA so I don't see the USA website. I get the Taiwan website with a Taiwan phone number because I'm outside the USA.
I had no idea you were outside the US. My apologies.
I have no idea about operations outside the US.
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another great reason to include your location in your avatar or in your signature!
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another great reason to include your location in your avatar or in your signature!
Nice subtle reminder there Hawk! ;)
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I had no idea you were outside the US. My apologies.
I have no idea about operations outside the US.
Why are you still being so difficult about this? Never mind the speeches - just post the phone number so we can get on with the business of finding parts?
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Why are you still being so difficult about this? Never mind the speeches - just post the phone number so we can get on with the business of finding parts?
Ummm, Didn think I was giving you a speech. Maybe you replied to me by mistake?
Not knowing that you were outside the US, I apologized once already.
So please tell us, what country you reside? That way I can find the nearest distributor to you since you are unable.
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Why are you still being so difficult about this? Never mind the speeches - just post the phone number so we can get on with the business of finding parts?
JJ, you need to chill a bit.
Courtesy goes a long ways here...
You need the parts phone number for what country?
Moderator
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JJ, you need to chill a bit.
Courtesy goes a long ways here...
You need the parts phone number for what country?
Moderator
For sure, but after a great deal of effort, courtesy wasn't working here. We still don't have a phone number. A simple USA phone number is all we need. I'm still amazed that it's so difficult to find a working Kymco phone number (a number that's connected to a real Kymco parts person).
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For sure, but after a great deal of effort, courtesy wasn't working here. We still don't have a phone number. A simple USA phone number is all we need. I'm still amazed that it's so difficult to find a working Kymco phone number (a number that's connected to a real Kymco parts person).
I suggested that you go to Kymco USA.com for the USA distributor website. Their phone number is listed. But you say you don’t live in the USA and can’t get to the Kymco USA website, which is Strange. I apologize after you said (twice) I’m being difficult. Two of us have asked what country you live so that we could help you. You have yet to do that. BTW, there is no reason for you to call any Kymco distributor. If you simply call a dealer for whatever you need, they can help you. I’m not sure what you want.
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Yes, want dealer phone numbers to contact their parts desk?
Go to kymcousa.com, "dealer search", tell it you live in Denver, ,NYC, Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, or Miami, etc....search dealers within 100 miles of that city.
Go to those dealer web sites, use phone numbers, give parts desk a call, or use their parts/prices diagrams and order your parts.
At least 2 of the dealers listed in "General Discussion "sticky list phone numbers.
A couple of phone calls should give you what you want.
You can do this from any country. I go to piaggio.it to find scooter dealers in Italy.
Stig
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I think I've mentioned this before, but this method ONLY works within the USA. Are you able to provide the same for those of us OUTSIDE the USA?
All we need is a phone number, nothing else, no website, etc.
Kymco websites are regional & don't allow access for foreigners.
Phoning Kymco will yield a website that crosses borders. But to do this, we need a phone number which only this forum knows.
Thanks!
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Two of us have asked what country you live so that we could help you. You have yet to do that. BTW, there is no reason for you to call any Kymco distributor. If you simply call a dealer for whatever you need, they can help you. I’m not sure what you want.
You'll be glad to know I'm making progress! It appears that my Kymco Sento 100 has a Kawasaki KFX100 ATV engine, so with that info, I'm able to find some basic parts (starter, clutch, belts, variator, etc) from my local Kawasaki dealer. My next challenge is that my Kymco has a Kymco-brand carburetor. Similar to a Keihin, but not exactly. The Kawasaki ATV has a Kawasaki carb, totally different again, not much use. FWIW, the Kymco 100cc is not a bored out 50cc, it's a different engine with a "silent" starter.
With a 150cc Kawasaki Big Bore Kit, I should be able to outrun the 150cc Ruckus crowd!
I appreciate everyone's help. I think we're making progress in finding parts.
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I need a part that cost $1.98 but everywhere wants $9.99 for shipping anyone know a place that doesn't make money? The part could literally be put in an envelope lol.
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Those anyone have parts for a Kymco like 150 ..? I need front plastics and and the part for thr stairing that holds the front shocks …
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Those anyone have parts for a Kymco like 150 ..? I need front plastics and and the part for thr stairing that holds the front shocks …
Your local dealer parts counterman may be your best bet if you're within the USA.
Stig
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it looks like on line is the way to go.
That's the way that works best for me. Just put the part # into your search bar and all kinds of choices pop up. I needed a front brake caliper last month, none to be found anywhere in the western world, so I gave it to Google and a brand-new caliper popped up on my screen for $22. It was on the other side of the world, and arrived a week later on my doorstep. Shipping was an extra $24, and the total was $46. Quite excellent! So, yes, online is the way to go.
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I just bought a '23 Kymco People S 150. Is there a good online source for OEM parts like air filter or drive belt?
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Your local dealer parts counterman may be your best bet if you're within the USA.
Stig
always been my go to. however I don't visit the parts dept as much as the service dept. and my local dealer service dept ain't afraid to use non oem parts when there are availability problems (specifically aftermarket ball joints for my UXV450i) and they installed the Zongshen 190cc engine in my K-Pipe for me
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I just bought a '23 Kymco People S 150. Is there a good online source for OEM parts like air filter or drive belt?
Please see.
https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=28174.0
Stig