Apples and oranges

[desliderman]

I've had a 2012 RI w/ABS for a few 100 miles now.  I thought I would compare it with another scoot I have- a 2010 SYM RV250.  I know that these are apple and orange comparisons when it comes to the intended purpose for the large Kymco - that being long distance touring. 

Still are some of my issues with the Kymco a matter of it not being broken in enough?

1.  Sym RV250 smoother / quieter... The Kymco Xciting has a definite vibration above 60 mph.  This is transmitted through the handlebars and can lead to a bit of numbness after an hour or so. 

My solution is to see about some replacement grips or better gloves with padding. 

By the way, I checked the tires for cupping and didn't see any.

2.  Seat comfort not as good.... The Kymco's seat is just not as comfortable.  It's not that the SYM is all that much better, but there was an acceptable fix for that...  I did use a beadrider seat on the SYM for a very long time.  I moved it over to the KYMCO expecting that to fix the problem and it didn't really. 

Can I expect the seat to be better as time goes by or should I look in to a gel pad?

3.  Gas gauge.. Oh boy,  not happy with this.  The gas mileage is something around 50 mpg from what I hear.  I was at 127 miles and the low level light came on.  I filled the tank up and it took 2 gallons.  That implies it's really inaccurate?

Is this inaccuacy something I am to accept?  It's almost like the scoot was manufactured with another scooter model's gas tank and it's much smaller.

4.  The sport windscreen is a joke.  It provides little relief from the wind.  The GIVI touring one is way too big for me. 

Can an older model clear windscreen be installed on the 2012 model?  I know of one that's available.

Overall I'm happy with the Xciting.  It provides a good value for the money and is bigger than my SYM in every way.  Both have a purpose and intended use.  That's why I'm keeping them both.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings.

Don in KC.

[zombie]

Any good auto upholster can re do the seat for you. Lots of guys with Kymcos have gone this route

[zombie]

Should have said it only takes about an hour to re do it.

[BigOrange]

I reupholstered my seat with marine grade simulated naugahyde and it is awesome.

[Hoolander2]

Yes the older model windshields will fit.  Or you could have between 2 to 3 inches cut off the top of the GIVI.  Mount it in the lower of the two positions and it's not so bad.  I already have mine in the lower position and plan on cutting down. 

Big Orange, I wish I could expand your picture to see that seat clearly.  I'll say again I think it looks awesome!  Nice color match if I'm seeing it correctly. 

[desliderman]

Thanks all.

I had a friend sell me his Gel pad and it takes some of the pain out of the stock seat.  If that doesn't work well, one of the scooter riders in our group had his Burgman redone with memory foam.  It cost him $135 and the work was done while he waited.  They even did a nice two-tone scheme.

I'm looking into a virtually free, older, clear windscreen that's a few inches taller than the smoked one I have.  If not, I'll go the GIVI route.

I'm going to carry around a fuel bottle with me for the gauge inaccuracy problems.

Looking into some better, padded grips to fix the numbness issue.  They're not all that expensive.

I'll see about posting some pics of the b4 and afters.

Don in KC

[JustWantToRide]

I don't get vibration from my handlebars.  Do you have the stock bar end weights?

I wouldn't carry a fuel bottle.  I just figure on filling up between 150 and 170 miles.  Watch your gas gauge as it goes down and you'll get used to it.  The first few tanks I marked it with a piece of painters tape and showed how much it took at what level.  I did bring a 1/2 gallon tank with me one time to see where the gauge would read when I ran dry - and it was just past the bottom of the mark for Empty.

[Scumeda3]

I have an 09 500Ri.  I purchased it used.  The funny thing??? It has an '07 windscreen on it.  The first owner put it on and boy am I greatful!  It works well.  My point.... get an '07 windscreen. 

As for the vibration, give it 1k or more miles and it should tame down.... mine did. 

Gas gauge is a bit of a joke too.  Light comes on with about 1 gallon in the tank.  Still, 50mpg is pretty darn good for a 500cc bike.  I average about 52mpg.  As good as 57mpg.  Achieved while occassionally fracturing the 65 speed limit.  I weigh under 200lbs. with gear.

[sissy mary]

I have put Grand touring grips on all my bikes. You can find them at alot of shop's. They are thicker for a better grip, and your hand's will not slip on them even when wet. They used to call them tacky grips, but changed the name as tacky did not sound to good I guess? Get heavyer bar end weights. My stock ones feel fine to me, but I have been riding big singles and Harley's for years. There used to be a product called bar snake that you slid up inside the handle bar to reduce vibes, Google the name and see if it's still out there. If I had about $600.00 I would get a Russell day long touring saddle. Best seat in the world bar none! When my gas gage hits the top of the red mark on empty, I know I have used exactly 2 gallons. The light comes on somewhere in the 140's. My Harley gages when showing 1/2 tank, ment I had 1 gallon left out of a 5 gallon tank!