KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 125 to 300 => Downtown 300 => Topic started by: DowntownFl on April 20, 2011, 07:15:09 PM
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I'm a new scooter rider, only one and a half weeks. Just filled up the tank today. I have 204 miles on the scooter and it took 2.7 USA gallons of gas. That calculates to around 75 mpg. I ride 5 days per week to tennis, 30 miles round trip. The road is perfect for this type of transportation, half at 45 mph and the other 35 mph. Only four stops along the way. Does everyone use the gas additive?
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Hi, what gas addative? My last fill was just 89 octane.............
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In Florida all gas can contain up to 10% Ethanol. The additive protects the fuel parts from varnish, gum and insoluble debris that could clog the injection system. That's what it says on the bottle and the retailers want to sell? My question is, is it necessary? Also, Kymco recomments premium fuel? I'm using 94 octane. It's not a big deal when you are only filling with 2.5 gal at a time.
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Ah, you mean a standard gas additive for EFI's then. Some gas right from the pump contain additives for this. I am not sure if the included additives help out. I would say there really is no need if they are supposedly there already. Maybe once per service just to be sure the detergents needed do actually clean out the injectors and valves.
I have just used 89 octane gas (only 1 tank so far from me) but I guess 94 would not hurt. I want it to break free before I experiment with gas so I know the change in feel or mpg etc is from the fuel.
Edit; I just filled the tank 2.5 gallons and 72.8 MPG since the last fill.................
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Ah, you mean a standard gas additive for EFI's then. Some gas right from the pump contain additives for this. I am not sure if the included additives help out. I would say there really is no need if they are supposedly there already. Maybe once per service just to be sure the detergents needed do actually clean out the injectors and valves.
I have just used 89 octane gas (only 1 tank so far from me) but I guess 94 would not hurt. I want it to break free before I experiment with gas so I know the change in feel or mpg etc is from the fuel.
Edit; I just filled the tank 2.5 gallons and 72.8 MPG since the last fill.................
Are you being easy on it or do you beat on it sometimes?
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70.8 last fill, I'm not being a beast but have gotten on it a bit and keep up with or out accelerate traffic...........
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Wow..
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I've filled up 4 times now and am averaging 75 mpg. I tend to drive for economy, between 35 and 55 mph. Normal starts and not much traffic.
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Amazing fuel consumption IMHO, but I just did the math for Xciting 500 vs DT 300 (used vs new),
with respect to XC's a lot higher consumption and the difference in price between the two.. and
it turns out I'd have to do 50.000km on the DT before it's lower fuel consumption would begin
to make sense..
:-[
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Personally I have not done this for my own economy. Considering the original cost of $5516 OTD that would by alot of gas for my 30MPG car. when you consider the high cost of service etc the economy isn't there.
I did this for;
1.) the fun of the bike.
2.) The low weight.
3.) The great handling.
4.) The greener fuel consumables.
5.) The fantastic looks.
6.) Always loved the scooter class size of 250-300cc, as interstate capable.
And the list could go on. No one scooter though is everything to everyone, you have to decide what you want out of it and purchase accordingly.
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What are the fuel consumption numbers for these two bikes?
That is somewhat a determining factor for me. Still going back and forth about 500 v 300.
500i mpg?
300i mpg?
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It really counts on where you are riding and your riding style but so far after my first tank I've seen over 70 MPG on the 300i and this is with quite a bit of interstate speeds.
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What are the fuel consumption numbers for these two bikes?
That is somewhat a determining factor for me. Still going back and forth about 500 v 300.
500i mpg?
300i mpg?
You'll want the 300i if this is a big factor in your choice, since the 300i is among the best
in it's class re: fuel consumption, and the 500i is among the worst in the 500cc class.
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You'll want the 300i if this is a big factor in your choice, since the 300i is among the best
in it's class re: fuel consumption, and the 500i is among the worst in the 500cc class.
I hadn't realized they were so bad. A lot of posts show 45 MPG or slightly lower for the 500Ri. a big difference to the 70 MPG alot of people are reporting with the 300i. Something seems wrong there though as even a 650 Burgman real world gets 45 MPG or better.
Premium here is $4.05 USD. If you could save $500 OTD with a 500Ri it would take 16,000 miles or so to make up the difference cost wise.
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You'll want the 300i if this is a big factor in your choice, since the 300i is among the best
in it's class re: fuel consumption, and the 500i is among the worst in the 500cc class.
My scoot shows 15 % higher speed reading than actual.
This means that its consumption should be 15 % higher than calculated because it covers 15 % less distance than indicated.
It is interesting that moto magazine calculated 5.1 l/100 km for my scoot and I calculate 3.8-4.3.
When you add 15 %... you come to 4.4-5.
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I took out the GPS this morning from the car, the intenal battery though only lasted a short while. I took readings hand held, I know highly not advised...........
1.) turns out 35 MPH is actually 34 MPH, had to slighly get above 35 indicated to get 35 on the GPS
2.) 50 MPH indicaated was 49 MPH, needed 51 to be at 50 on the GPS
3.) 60 MPH indicated was 58, had to go betwen 61 and 62 for the GPS to be at 60.
The ODOM is electronic so nees to hit a mile marker highway to calculate that out.
Turns out the speedometer is not far off from my car. I thought it was about right as it felt about the same as my car. I guess it will become more off as the tire wears though..................
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It really counts on where you are riding and your riding style but so far after my first tank I've seen over 70 MPG on the 300i and this is with quite a bit of interstate speeds.
I am kinda "hard" on the throttle. I drive pretty aggressively. I am assuming that I will get somewhere around 60-65 mpg. Most of the post and reviews mention 70-72. I'm assuming that these folks are moderate to miserly drivers. Sometimes the bats out of hell have to catch up! LOL
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I am not what you would say is miserly. I drive as fast or faster than traffic and while few if any WOT I don't baby it either. Agressive driving will most likely cut into MPG though.
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No doubt. I figure I will be filling up more than most.
On another note ...
you seem to have become quite familiar with your bike. I have followed a few of your post and notice you frequently mention some performance enhancements that you are performing/anticipating. Is there a section on this forum where a NEWB can learn about upgrades and enhancements/care for the bikes? I am hoping to turn mine into a "rolling rocket". LOL love that term!
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The engine is pretty new so thee is little information or even products out there yet. We are left with just upgrades that were already available to other bikes.
1.) NGK CR7EIX Iridium plugs
2.) Previous low flow mufflers
3.) High quality Synthetics for the motor and final drive oils
4.) (K&N air filter mods) Although I haven't seen one yet.
5.) Rollers to get the bike on the pipe
6.) HiT Clutch to get the power down quicker and more in the pipe.
7.) Power Commander to tweak in all the new harware.
8.) Not sure but you probably could "DarkSide" one of these.
Of course these all effect MPG and ride etc. I am extremely happy with the ride it has now. every 50 or so miles it seems to just run better. One thing I've noticed with the Iridium plug now is at slow speed manuvering you have to watch the throttle. Too much out of a slow speed turn (3-5 MPH) and it kicks too hard if you do not watch it. Throttle responce is notably faster and the seat of the pants can tell. It will not be pulling a wheelie any time soon but it can straighten you out of that turn before you wanted.
My mods will be the minor ones. Iridium plug (already in), Full Synthetics and maybe the rollers. The rollers have yet to be determined as an upgrade. I will wait until at least 3,000 miles to see where the bike ends up. My best guess here is, with Dr. Pulley Sliding Rollers, 20x12 14 GR to get the bike on the pipe for top end and streetable high performance 20x12 13Gr with a HiT clutch.
Even with full mods, if you are like 170 LBS, don't expect much better than just under 6 second 0-60 MPH. I doubt we would see sub 5 seconds, but I could be wrong as the waters haven't fully been tested yet.
I do know my cousin and I compared this to his wifes Piagio MP3 400 and the DT felt stronger 0-65 MPH (form standing start and rolling). That was even before the new plugs. With the plugs and break in milage the preformance has improved even more. To be fair though the MP3 only had 350 miles on it. I know it is way stronger that the carb'd Honda Reflex he had with 28,000 miles on it, just the next class of power.
I am posting everything I can think of for two reasons.
1.) so people can decide if this really is the bike for them
2.) to increase a knowledge base for current owners.
I hope other post experiences with changes as well so we can all get the max out of our bikes.......................
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As far as maintenance we have nothing yet. I am waiting to bring it for the first serice but I may just do all the others myself.........
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ooops................
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Even with full mods, if you are like 170 LBS, don't expect much better than just under 6 second 0-60 MPH. I doubt we would see sub 5 seconds, but I could be wrong as the waters haven't fully been tested yet.
Under 6 seconds on a 30hp bike (24 or something like that on the wheel) might be possible if you
make the CVT spin the engine at the revs where the maximum power is, but that will probably drop
the top speed by a lot, not to mention the engine's life span.
Anyone looking at performance figures like those at this sub-forum bought the wrong kind of bike.
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Under 6 seconds on a 30hp bike (24 or something like that on the wheel) might be possible if you
make the CVT spin the engine at the revs where the maximum power is, but that will probably drop
the top speed by a lot, not to mention the engine's life span.
I dare say it is impossible, declared 0-60 with factory driver for Kawa GS500 is 5.6 sec.
Engine has 52 hp.
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Actually it is, for the say 5.9 seconds this bike would spend 5.5 seconds right on the pipe with the CVT properly set..................
Kymco Downtown 300i 0-100 5,9sec (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIxhw5saFBo#)
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Actually it is, for the say 5.9 seconds this bike would spend 5.5 seconds right on the pipe with the CVT properly set..................
Kymco Downtown 300i 0-100 5,9sec (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIxhw5saFBo#)
..and will be unusable in real life.
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and that is the task at hand, to make it usable. Looked like it was no where near leveling out on that video at just 100 KPH, what the top end is I am not sure. but as you see it is possible. Since the final ger ratio had not been changed in the drive I am sure it is a bit higher, with sliding type pullers it may even be usable so long as you don't get on it at high speed and over rev.............
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and that is the task at hand, to make it usable. Looked like it was no where near leveling out on that video at just 100 KPH, what the top end is I am not sure. but as you see it is possible. Since the final ger ratio had not been changed in the drive I am sure it is a bit higher, with sliding type pullers it may even be usable so long as you don't get on it at high speed and over rev.............
The stock roller setup on the Downtown will keep the revs around 6000 rpms at 60mph indicated
(which is around 55mph) and that's over 2/3 of available revs (to the revs where maximum power
is reached). That's already a lot, in my opinion, and I wouldn't want to cruise for a long time at
such high revs.
Lighter weights would only make matters worse.. and if the 0-60mph time is your main goal,
you're riding the wrong kind of bike.
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actually mine at 60 MPH indicated is at 5,500 RPM cruise. On the GPS 60 indicated was just over 58, had to get to a hair over 61 almost 62 indicated to be at 60 MPH on the GPS.
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actually mine at 60 MPH indicated is at 5,500 RPM cruise. On the GPs 60 indicated was just over 58, had to get to a hair over 61 almost 62 indicated to be at 60 MPH on the GPS.
I've seen a youtube video with GPS mounted, I stand corrected, the revs were at 6000rpms
at GPS 62mph, BUT the speedo way WAY off!
56mph @ gps = 60-61mph indicated.
Maybe they're not all the same.
That would explain why some can't go over 140km/h while others hit 160km/h ;D
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I know mine isn't that far off. Can't explain the particular variance, just know it is there. also your RPM's would count on if it is level, head or tailwind, weight, tire wear/pressure amongst other variables.
You could probably drive yourself crazy trying to keep these set to go "On th Pipe" Easier to just leave well enough alone or just do a minor tweak to the rollers. I think the claim with 20x12 14GR Dr Pulley sliders is 1/2 second off 0-60 times and no top speed hit or even an increase somewhat.
So again for myself if I decide to get the rollers it will only be a mild switch to those Dr Pulley's. We will see how things go as the miles get to 3,000 and I add a top box...............
Edit; also remember the GPS is set to read speed at 100% level. When you go up or down hill the distance actually increases slightly so if the hill were 10 degrees then actually you need apr 61 MPH for the GPS reading of 60 MPH. at 15 degrees you would need 62. 20 degrees 64 MPH etc. And that assumes their accuracy, consumer GPS's are never 100% accurate either. So a GPS is not always the best judge of speed just an easy aproximation.............
Now remember we are 100 LBS lighter than a Suzuki Bergman 400 but look at the link below
http://piwyr.co.cc/topic/2473106/1/ (http://piwyr.co.cc/topic/2473106/1/)
And yet another link to tease...................
http://www.downtownitalia.it/index.php?option=com_fireboard&func=view&id=12898&catid=10&Itemid=59 (http://www.downtownitalia.it/index.php?option=com_fireboard&func=view&id=12898&catid=10&Itemid=59)
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Nice!
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I am on the hunt................
http://www.motoparade.eu/321-lightech-racing-filters-kymco (http://www.motoparade.eu/321-lightech-racing-filters-kymco)
Maybe a better link for US customers, such as myself. Seems cotton oiled and washable.
http://www.oppracing.com/product_display/184461-lightech-air-filter/ (http://www.oppracing.com/product_display/184461-lightech-air-filter/)
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I'm so Xcited about this bike! Just waiting on my dealer to get a few more in stock. It seems like it is taking F O R E V E R :-\
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These are nice bikes, not sure how many Kymco made but of the brand new scooters IMHO these should sell like hot cakes.
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Everything I have read so far has me believing the same. Can't wait for my local dealer to finally get one in. I've called everyone I know in North TX to get my hands on one but NO ONE has any in stock.
on another note
Is there a Master list of Scooter Shops/Retailers in USA? That would certainly be helpful to the industry and to consumers alike.
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There are different search engines but I have yet to see a master list