Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - slunkmonky

Pages: [1] 2
1
Downtown 300 / Ever overheat/burn oil?
« on: July 27, 2021, 09:35:50 PM »
I've had an '06 xciting 250 and a '09 same. The only things that every went wrong on both of them was the engine getting too hot in texas summer in traffic. As long as I'm moving I never had an issue. What would happen is that the engine would just cease at idle such as when stopping at a light.

I'm in the market for a new ride and I'm looking at the xtown 300, new.

Anybody ever have an issue riding it on highways (typically 60-70 mph for 10-15 miles before getting onto surface roads)
Anybody notice oil burn in hot weather or when riding on highways?

I loved what these scoots did, the MPG's, the ease of purcha$e etc, and I can acknowledge that I owned either of them when they already had 10 years on them, each. But if the new ones will do this kind of thing due to the heat here,,, I'm just afraid of buying one new and having the same issues.

2
Xciting 250 / Re: Rear Wheel Down Towing?
« on: July 11, 2019, 01:34:52 PM »
Thanks for the info. It's about 200 miles.

The needle bearing you are talking about. "When engine running and bike not moving". So the engine would not be running and the bike would be moving in my scenario.

I know if I am parked pointing downhill and I let off the brakes, I can roll in 'neutral' until I blip the throttle to the point of the cvt engaging. I use that to engine brake if I am rolling down I35 in traffic and dont' want to ride my brakes all the way down the hill. I just slalom around in my lane with the cvt engaged to control my distance to the next car. The engine is running at that time,, but it's not as if there is an oil pump for the rear drive or cvt that only works if the engine is running, right?

Another thought. I'd be towing it at up to 75 MPH and it's only meant to go that fast for short periods, if ever.

The engine, if being turned over 'in gear' while not running would presumably have issues, but I also feel that the idea of it just engaging while being towed with the engine off seems unlikely.


3
Xciting 250 / Re: Trying to decide if I should keep used 250 Xciting and pay for a big repair
« on: July 10, 2019, 09:17:55 PM »
I only paid $1000 for mine (rebuilt title) but if I had paid $3000 and needed to make a $2000 repair, I'd immediately get whatever I possible could for it and say goodbye, or just make it a sideline project to learn myself how to do it.

If I had the $2000 on hand, I'd immediately put it down on either a new Yamaha xMax or Downtown 300. Luckily my scooter started and rode fine today so I'm not forced to do such things. Hope your situation works out, whatever you do!

4
Xciting 250 / Rear Wheel Down Towing?
« on: July 10, 2019, 09:13:50 PM »
I'd like to tow my scooter down to the beach sometime so I can park my car and really enjoy riding around in a new place.
I have a 6 cylinder car so I can't get a hitch-mount carrier that would hold the entire weight. I'd prefer not to spend $1500 on a motorcycle trailer and have to store/register it (apartment dweller).

However, I saw that people have made mounts that just hold the front wheel in place and then the rear motorcycle tire is on the ground.

I'm assuming that I'd want to remove the drive belt so that my rear is essentially in 'neutral', otherwise if the cvt engaged at some point the engine would be spinning at above red-line with no oil pumping and I'd melt my scooter?

My understanding is that if the engine spins faster than like 2500 RPM's it engages the CVT, so with the engine off it should stay in neutral. But I'm not technically aware enough to know if one hit a nice bump of something if the CVT could engage the engine while being towed.


Does that take a bunch of time to do? Remove the belt and put it back on with only an on the road toolbox? Is it necessary? I'd not want to do it over and over, but it would be a fun memory to take Scooty Puff Jr to the beach and have the option to do it again at some point or take it somewhere else. I don't think it would take too many trips for that front tire mount to be cheaper than renting uhaul trailers.

5
General Discussion / xciting 250 - I ride again!
« on: April 01, 2019, 06:37:27 PM »
After a few years without a scooter, I just got a rebuilt 2009 xciting 250 ri.

I had a 2006 xciting 250, orange. First motorbike. I bought it from a shop in 2013 or so, rode it for 2 years, and bought a Yamaha Vstar 1100 classic and sold the scoot. I wanted to keep it after I got my cruiser, but I ran out of money at one point and I had a  payment on the Yamaha so that wasn't going anywhere. had to sell the scoot. But I often times missed the scooter as much as I liked my bike. Backing in/out of parking with 415 lbs is a different story that 600 lbs.

One of the only things I didn't like about the '06 was lack of fuel injection. If it was cold you had to waste a lot of gas to keep it idling. But I missed a bike that was 200 lbs lighter, had decent wind protection built in, had better mpg's, cheaper tires etc etc. I missed just seeing the grocery store coming up, and just stopping in even if I forgot a back pack that day. I never took my car anymore, I'd just grab one or two things at a time every day, parking it the motorcycle parking spot up front.

After 5 years with the 1100 I sold it for mechanics prices when my van died. Bought a 2009 buick with 75K on it in good shape but with lots of scratches, etc. $3000. So, with no car payment and a decent expectation of reliability due to the low miles, figured I'd look at bikes again.

Saw a 2009 250 ri for sale that was rebuilt. 8k. Mirror, handlebars, plastics rewelded and repainted due to scratches. Just a lowside slide mostly cosmetic accident. So, for $1000 I'm back in the saddle, with fuel injection this time! Runs great, no sign of bent frame or anything like that. Runs just like I remember but I can tell the injection adds a little something to it. Rode it home 110 miles from where I bought it, so, officially the longest scooter trip I ever took. Cant wait until it's a little warmer out so I can ride all over the place all day. 50 degrees is pretty chilly for Texas.

It's good to be back. Hopefully it gives me a good run.

6
Xciting 250 / Thinking about getting another Xciting 250
« on: August 15, 2014, 12:30:48 AM »
I havent' paid attention to Kymco since I sold mine in 2012. I was wondering if a 2010 Xciting 250 ri was a good buy. I had an 06 x250 so it was carbed, not EFI. Also, my scooter was 430 lbs and this one appears to be 407. I was wondering if anybody know of any notable differences from '6 to '10.

I've been riding my 1100 Yamaha Classic for the last 16 months and I wish I kept the scooter to have as a backup for when I need service or just to enjoy a lighter ride when my body is sore or there's some weather. I've been looking at a Honda PCX 150, Kymco 250 or if I find a good used deal, maybe a burgman 400.

Please respond to whichever of these things you have an opinion on, especially one backed by real world experience.

1. Expensive repairs. I had a common issue on my xciting,, air intake cracked. I had to brake against the engine a few times before I'd kill it at lights while I was driving it (yes, should have parked it until repairs) so I racked up an additional bill for a new belt that I burned out.  Are there known expensive or common repairs on the 2010 250 ri?

2. Fuel economy/pep. Mine was 63 like a clock work and it was easy to pull away from traffic under 50 mph. Still so? Better with injection? Worse?

3. Resale. I had to take less than I wanted for my 250 and it took a while to sell. It wasn't too bad I guess. But is a good opinion about Kymco growing? Bad? Better or worse for being a known brand since then?

4. Ease of DIY repairs? I feel like if I could go back and be less intimidated by mechanical work I'd have researched that air intake and done it myself. It was my only vehicle so I used a shop to get it done right the first time. Are these pretty easy to work on? Parts easy to get? Manuals?

5. Longevity. How many miles are people posting on their 2010's? I took my 06' from about 2500 miles to 7500 and had that one age related repair, but it went to the next owner as a good runner.

6. Has there been any really dissapointing aspect to owning it you've experienced. My one repair and hard time selling it were my only complaints. The fit and finish compared to a Honda reflex left a lot to be desired, but that much I forgive when I never really bought it to look cool anyway and the reflex was too short for me. I loved getting a weekload of groceries with a case of beer and still having some room. =)

7
Xciting 250 / Re: How hard is changing tires at home?
« on: December 06, 2012, 07:43:10 PM »
I think I'm going to give it a try. I watched a long utube vid and a guy showed each step. Looked possible. I can use my workplace and have all manner of tools there and also if I work there I run the chance that people pop in and say "oh, I can help with this." Labor for a six pack of lonestar.

Also, I just called my local scooter shop. The breakdown was:
$127 rear tire
$93 Front
$84 labor
After tax $323

Or:

Same tires online
$160
Tire irons & shipping = $200
Bead Breaker $70
Valve stems $5
Total $275

That leaves $48 for buying more tools, or to invest in having the shop do it if I turn out to be incapable. If it works out I'll buy a car bead breaker and start doing those too. Probably easier to do a car. I'm sure this will save me thousands over the years if I keep at it. Next tire change would only cost tires as i'd have the tools so that would be half price compared to using the shop.

8
Xciting 250 / Re: 1st oil change
« on: December 02, 2012, 05:24:47 PM »
My scooter started running really funky when I waited too long to change my oil once. Then I changed it and it was still funky so I changed it again real fast so it was like a flush. Then I switched to 93 octane and now it runs smooth as silk after the oil flush and changing gas. Change the oil often, like 1000 miles if you ride a bunch of highway miles. I don't commute on highway anymore but my oil is like $9 and takes me about 10 minutes to change and only one wrench.

But for the break in oil change, yeah, do it at 200 and get all the little shavings of metal out. All engines come with tighter clearances than when they are broken in later on down the road, and little metal shavings is how it loosens up.

9
Xciting 250 / Re: New owner of a 2009 Xciting 250
« on: December 01, 2012, 11:17:55 PM »
I'd love a fuel injected. I feel like carbed is not as responsive as I'd like. I still love my '06 though even though I needed my first repair, a new set of tires, and paid my next year of insurance all this week.... Ouch. But add that all together and we're talking about the same amount of money a new set of truck tires would cost,, or not enough money for a transmission job on a car. So I'll not let it get me down.

Someone mistook my xc250 for a burgman the other day lol. I keep looking around for new bikes or scooters with bigger engines, but in town traffic my 250 is faster than a porsche so I never actually buy up to something else. 250 is a potent engine in my opinion, but the only other bike I ever road was a MZ RT 125. It was very light compared to my scooter so it was about as fast. I think a 250 cc shift bike it about as fast a vehicle as I'd ever need. I just don't need to see 90 mph. But getting to 65 like a bullet would do.

10
Xciting 250 / How hard is changing tires at home?
« on: December 01, 2012, 10:55:11 PM »
I bought my '06 with 32xx miles on it and now have 6712. The tread doesn't look bad but the tires are obviously the same ones put on in '06 when it was built because they are more brown than black and the sidewalls have some dry-lake-bed style cracks in them. It stopped holding 33 psi and comes down to 25 now. I had one flat but luckily was able to pump it up and slowly drive home.

My level of technical proficiency is that I've changed about 50 bicycle tires in the last 60 days. I'm the manager of a pedi-cab (bicycle taxi/bike rickshaw) shop and I wrench on pedicabs a few days a week. I just have never done a scooter/motorcycle tire before.

When I was in the army we would change humvee tires. It was like, a 4 man job, but yeah, I did a few of those in my time. Anybody have any tips. I really, really really don't want to get it half done and have to tow the whole mess to a shop lol.

In general my scooter has been ok. I just had a $660 repair job though. My idle started going crazy and it would never come down from 4000 rpms. My broke ass had to ride it once or twice like that, including into the shop. From sitting at stop signs with the brake on and the engine pushing forward I put some burns on my belt and they basically did a CVT job in addition to fixing my idle issue which was from a crack that opened up and was letter air in, like running unrestricted I guess.

Or they just ripped me off I dont know. Feels better with the new CVT parts though so I think it was worth the money. I figure if I have a new cvt more or less now I don't have to worry about it for a while so the engine it about the only think of cost I have to worry about and it runs fine.

But with the bill for that on my credit card, I just want to buy tires and do it myself if possible. Tips please!

11
Xciting 250 / DOH!
« on: April 20, 2012, 02:50:37 AM »
Had a real special evening. Did an oil change and then decided with declining sunlight I could try to swap air filters for the first time. I could not get my left rear orange panel off to save my life. I unscrewed the seat assembly and the panels around it and loosened it up a lot but I couldn't get it free. I figured I had enough access to get the air cleaner cover off and had all screws that I could see out plus I had the hose off. I couldnt get it off nor could I see how trying to hold my orange panel out of the way and look around and hold my drop light. I gave up and decided to put it back together and try again over the weekend. I had the last screws back in and realized I didn't reconnect the hoses so I'd be going to work tomorow with the hose off the cleaner.... ugh.

Went inside, washed the blood off my hands, cracked a beer and realized the g'f doesn't have work tomorow so I can take the car. So, not a total loss of transportation, just pride, time, and some knuckle skin. Lesson learned: do this stuff on saturday mornings. 

Back to my beer... a nice home brewed Cerveza style. At least I do one thing well!

12
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: April 12, 2012, 05:44:07 PM »
In my experience it's not very powerful. I weigh 210 (LB) ride-ready (helmet on and such) and I find going 100KMH/60MPH is about all the fun I can handle. I have ridden at 70MPH for a while once but there was just miles of flat straight roads in front of me. Hills are not good for this heavey bike.

I did a twisty hills ride once with a group and the 125's were eating me up because of light weight. I was a brand new rider though havent never owend a scooter before, maybe now I could corner better and hold my speed.

Use 93 octane (see my other post from today about this).


13
Xciting 250 / My switch from 87 Octane to 93. Huge difference.
« on: April 12, 2012, 05:35:53 PM »
I started to have a problem with my '06 Kymco xciting 250. As the weather warmed up I noticed it more. If my scooter got up to full running temperature, I'd start having sluggish performance. I'd pull the throttle and it would lunge forward, stop accelerating, and then pick back up again. Bumper to bumper was the worst. Eventually the scooter would die. I topped off my coolant hoping that would help but it didn't seem to matter. I could go to work and back not problem, but say after work I tried to go to a shop, in teh rush hour it would start acting up after I went a few more miles than usual.

One day it was dieing so bad it stalled and I could barely restart it. I was just trying to limp home but every stop sign was too much for the motor to handle. Once i stopped it would die.

I pulled over and checked my oil. It was not even on the dipstick and I was only 400 some miles from my last change which I know I did correctly. I let it cool all the way down and shook it a bit to get some oil on the stick to just make sure there was ANY oil in the pan. Once I saw there was a decent amount of oil, just a bit low for the stick, I let it cool, started it, limped it home and did an oil change again.

After the change it ran better, but not great.

I read the manual to make sure I wasn't missing something with the oil change. Is there a filter I don't change? No, just a screen and I know all about that. Wrong oil? Check online, checked with my shop. Nope, I'm using their #1 recommended oil.

Then with the new oil I eventually had a rickety ride again on a hot day. It didn't die but it was really annoying.

I read the manual again and found the suggestion for 91 octane or higher fuel. Really? That's all I'm doing wrong? Surely that can't be it.
 
I topped off with Shell V-power 93 and now it runs like a different machine. It's smooth instead of so vib-ey, it doens't hesitate once it's warmed up. Now I can ride any distance with no issues and no thick traffic or high outside temperature has any effect whereas I used to start having the issues the second I hit start and stop traffic and then the longer it lasted, the higher the chance that I'd stall.

In the winter any gas would do and I'd get 58-60 MPGs and no running issues. Now with 93 octane I get 65 MPG's without even paying attention to how I ride and some of that is 2-up riding on my little motor whereas with my first few tanks I never did 2-up.

I did the math and by PAYING MORE for gas per the gallon, but getting about 6 more MPGs', I'm SAVING 25 cents per 100 miles. ($6.59 per 100mi with 87 VS $6.34 per 100mi with 93).

I guess they know what they are talking about when they suggest a higher octane rating. I just put regular in the first time I filled up, didn't have any problems and never thought about it until my engine start to scream for help.

I don't know if the newer fuel injected ones or if other Kymco's at all require higher grade fuel, but the difference in perforamance is amazing for me. When I let off the throttle with regular gas I'd have a kind of intense 'pull back' like I was engine braking. Now Its not as abrupt and not bad at all. That's probably where the extra 6 mpgs came from, extra coasting.

Can't beleive another 30 cents per gallon was all I needed to 'fix' that problem, and further more, I can't beleive that paying 30 cents per gallon more than before is actually saving me a little money.. I just never had a motor before that seemed to tell the difference between any grade. This one sure does! Anybody else have an issue like this?

14
General Discussion / Next ride after Kymco xciting 250? Motorcycle or bigger scoot?
« on: March 31, 2012, 05:48:06 PM »

I've been very happy with my 2006 Kymco 250 xciting but most of the reason that I bought it was that I found it for a price I could afford without financing and I fit on it (6'2 200lb). Also, I wanted soemthing that if, as a first time motorcyclist, I killed, damaged, or just didnt' like, I could just resell it or take the loss and not have a note to pay off etc.

Now that I'm sold on the concept of 2 wheeled transport I'd prefer to move up in the world and don't mind getting under a loan since I know I won't end up being the guy who is paying for a motorcycle and not using it.

My question is, although I think stepping up to the Downtown 300 or xciting 500 would be great, I feel like I might just want a motorcycle.

For anyone who has driven a motorcycle before and also scooted, what is the trade off?

Off the bat I know that I'd miss my under seat storage and my big back seat. I can store and strap down quite a bit of gear. I actually bought a small grill and a bag of charcoal on my 250 (granted home depot is a mile away.)

I'm sure I'd also miss my CVT in start and stop traffic.

On the other hand, having my motor up in the frame and just letting the suspension deal with bumps might make for a much smoother ride. On the scooter I feel like bumpy roads can get pretty bad.

I can see myself motorcycling as my main form of transport for the forseeable future. If anybody has had both a scooter and motorcycle, what do you notice you like or dislike when you compare the two?

15
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: February 01, 2012, 08:43:41 PM »
Anybody know what this might mean? After about an hour of riding yesterday in rush hour everything seemed normal but the scooter started doing one small but irritating thing.

The light would turn green and I'd roll on my usual amount of throttle,, not gunning it at all, just enough to pull away from a stop and start going. Well there woudl be throttle for a second and then it would stop giving me power. You'd just hear the engine go back to idle. I'd forward slightly when I was expecting to go but I'd lose that power for a second. Then in about a half second it would come back and accelerate like normal. I had it replicate perfectly about 3 times in a row. I started turnign my throttle a little bit while the other traffic lights turned red by mine wasn't green yet and I'd keep my brake on so that the little 'throttle dip' would happen be over by the time I actually needed to go. I have 4150 miles.

Do I need a valve timing service or something? Mine if carburated I beleive so I don't knwo if they need that.

The only thing I can think of is I gased up in the rain the other day and maybe some water got in the fuel?

Pages: [1] 2