great scoot last weekend

[jjt]

Had my first long scoot on the "new" 2007 XC last weekend - 487 miles. It was great. I did a valve adjustment a week before and was a little nervous ( my first one ). But it ran great, lots of twisties in southeastern Ohio. I did the same run on my Grand Vista 250, but so much better on the XC - power to come out of turns, plenty of speed for the straights. I am happy I upgraded !

[wordslinger]

...awesome dude!!!...

..there are a bunch of satisfied x500 rders here!!

..that's one helluva scoot!!


peace

[Hoolander2]

A good feeling to ride on your own good tune job, eh?     Would you mind telling what tool you used to loosen/tighten the locknuts?  Also what tool to turn the adjusters? 

I'm curious cause I used a ground down end wrench and a  makeshift tool and, aside from the Kymco tools, I'd like to know what might work better.  Thanks. 

[jjt]

Hoolander2 - I used a 9mm open end wrench for the locknuts - about 8" long - fairly thin. It got right in to the locknuts. First time around I used needle nose pliers to adjust - didn't work too well, and I didn't get them dialed in. So, I ordered the adjustment tool from my local dealer. I gave them the Kymco part number, they ordered it and were told the number had changed. When I got the tool it wouldn't fit all the way in through the guide holes except for one valve ! It had a knurled round handle and about a 2 1/2 - 3"  extension to get to the valve adjust screw. Nice tool, didn't work. I was lucky, the knurled handle was threaded onto the extension part so I unscrewed it and threaded it onto a wooden dowel to add some length. It worked out well. $ 19.95 tool from the dealer ! But it sure made the adjustment a lot easier and better than the pliers.

[sissy mary]

You can tour on an x500 as easy as you could on any big touring bike out there.

[Urbestfriend]

jjt...Thanks for posting this.  Urbestfriend runs a 2009 Xciting250 and also a 250 Grandvista.
Both bikes have their place.  The Xciting is bigger and heavier,  but I find it more stable,
especially in wet weather.   On a bike to bike basis,  the Xciting has better pickup because of the
Fuel Injection.

Now for the Grandvista.  It's lighter (not much)  lower and seems longer.  More comfortable to
ride.   Recently had a shoulder pain and the Grandvista bars are shaped differently and
more comfortable.   Been on a couple of 70 mile 1-Way trips on the Xciting.  I find the seat
a little uncomfortable,  but I did buy one of those cruise control plastic flaps (Velcro) and it is a great help.

How did you like your seat for such a long ride?

[Hoolander2]

Thanks, jjt.    every bit of info helps.

[jprestonian]

jjt -- Southeast OH, like near Ironton, South Point, Chesapeake?  I grew up in Kentucky, just across the river from that part of OH. My brother still lives in South Point.
.

[wordslinger]

..old friend of mine was from around there...

..went back home with him once for 5 days...

..i was amazed by the towns that had dikes built up around them with steel flood-gates at the roads....

[jjt]

As far as the 500XC vs. the GV250 - I agree both have their place. XC heavier, a little more stable, more power ( mine is carb'd, not injected - maybe next upgrade ! ). I prefer the XC seat to the GV. I had to take off the back rest on the GV or I felt like I was sitting up too close. With the XC and the adjustable back rest I can get it to a comfortable position, on this long ride the seat was comfortable to me. I got more "scooter butt" on the GV.
Southeastern Ohio ride was down in the Athens , Wayne National Forest area. We go down for Brew Week - a great excuse to ride from Northern OH to Athens and sample a whole bunch of Ohio microbrews. Always in July - anyone close ( or far ) it's worth the ride !