Considering new UXV 450i Camo

[airshot]

    I have followed this forum and another one, and so far no complaints of any serious problems. The few smaller issues appear to have been satisfied by the factory. Number one complaint is the notchy shifter, second complaint is lack of aftermarket bling, but that is changing now that the machine is becoming popular. I have read no complaints about lack of quality, do keep in mind that in anything you can get a bad one but when you look at the number of units sold and the few complaints reported it makes their record look pretty darn good. Also keep in mind that many models from other manufacturers are Kymco machines just renamed and rebadged. Aslo consider the number of drive-trains that Kymco builds for various manufacturers including Artic Cat, Kawasaki, Until recently Honda, Suzuki, and many other off brand names. Kymco International is the largest producer of CVT drive power systems in the world. They have been in the ATV market for a number of years, I looked at them in 2000 when I bought a Kawasaki Praire, they only got into the UTV market about 5-6 years back, but they already have had success in the atv market so why not. UTV's are growing in popularity, much faster than atv's.   They have always had a year long warranty rather than the 6 month that most mfgrs have, but if you have noticed now that many others are starting to stretch out their warranty period to a year to stay competitive with Kymco. Like any mechanical machine you will find some with problems, but so far the factory has been willing to stand behind their products without much hassle.

[jew8201]

    I have followed this forum and another one, and so far no complaints of any serious problems. The few smaller issues appear to have been satisfied by the factory. Number one complaint is the notchy shifter, second complaint is lack of aftermarket bling, but that is changing now that the machine is becoming popular. I have read no complaints about lack of quality, do keep in mind that in anything you can get a bad one but when you look at the number of units sold and the few complaints reported it makes their record look pretty darn good. Also keep in mind that many models from other manufacturers are Kymco machines just renamed and rebadged. Aslo consider the number of drive-trains that Kymco builds for various manufacturers including Artic Cat, Kawasaki, Until recently Honda, Suzuki, and many other off brand names. Kymco International is the largest producer of CVT drive power systems in the world. They have been in the ATV market for a number of years, I looked at them in 2000 when I bought a Kawasaki Praire, they only got into the UTV market about 5-6 years back, but they already have had success in the atv market so why not. UTV's are growing in popularity, much faster than atv's.   They have always had a year long warranty rather than the 6 month that most mfgrs have, but if you have noticed now that many others are starting to stretch out their warranty period to a year to stay competitive with Kymco. Like any mechanical machine you will find some with problems, but so far the factory has been willing to stand behind their products without much hassle.

Thanks airshot. That is the trend I am seeing and reading as well. I've just got to find a dealer with one. The dealer that i have that sells them has only been carrying Kymco and selling them for a year now. They just dont have a 450i in right now, said maybe after the first of the year. They are also a yamaha honda and kawasaki dealer. They are 45 minutes from me. So I may do another dealer search on the kymoc site and see what else is around whether I have to drive or not.

I was reading in another thread about ground clearance and moving the shocks location and adding 26" tires etc.   The specs say this 450i has 10' of ground clearance...is it not a true 10" as advertised? How is it really in stock form???

[randyo]

I was reading in another thread about ground clearance and moving the shocks location and adding 26" tires etc.   The specs say this 450i has 10' of ground clearance...is it not a true 10" as advertised? How is it really in stock form???

on perfectly flat ground, there is 10" but when do you ride on perfectly flat ground unless yer on the street, there are always dips and hollows when you're on trails,  the plastic skid pans take a beating and the screws that hold them on shear off even though they are flat allen heads that are recessed into the skid pan

I will soon find out how well mine will go as the snow gets deeper this winter, so far, it's about 12" deep and I'm not getting hung up

[k9bitten]

I was reading in another thread about ground clearance and moving the shocks location and adding 26" tires etc.   The specs say this 450i has 10' of ground clearance...is it not a true 10" as advertised? How is it really in stock form???

That was me that put on the 26" Bighorn 2.0's. You have to realize it's only a half inch extra clearance. But cranking up the preload on the shocks also helps. Mine came through with the springs set almost full soft which mage a pretty supple ride but had huge drawbacks once on the trails. Our trails are boulder strewn and the way it's setup now I rarely rub the skid plate whereas the way it came stock was cringe worthy over the smallest of rocks. With the shocks moved to the outboard mount, cranked up prelaod, and 26" tires I now have a full 12" in front with us in it.

The actual benefit of the tires goes beyond the clearance. They are lightweight, yet still a 6 ply radial with a lot more strength than the 2/4 ply bias ply that come stock. The radials are noticeably easier to steer, not that it was ever really difficult to begin with. Stock tires of most any brand are not the greatest.

[jew8201]

That was me that put on the 26" Bighorn 2.0's. You have to realize it's only a half inch extra clearance. But cranking up the preload on the shocks also helps. Mine came through with the springs set almost full soft which mage a pretty supple ride but had huge drawbacks once on the trails. Our trails are boulder strewn and the way it's setup now I rarely rub the skid plate whereas the way it came stock was cringe worthy over the smallest of rocks. With the shocks moved to the outboard mount, cranked up prelaod, and 26" tires I now have a full 12" in front with us in it.

The actual benefit of the tires goes beyond the clearance. They are lightweight, yet still a 6 ply radial with a lot more strength than the 2/4 ply bias ply that come stock. The radials are noticeably easier to steer, not that it was ever really difficult to begin with. Stock tires of most any brand are not the greatest.

So you'd recommend a better tire and at least moving the preload to the highest or next to highest setting?

[randyo]

So you'd recommend a better tire and at least moving the preload to the highest or next to highest setting?

preload is infinitely adjustable, you just move the ring up or down on threads, it's not a stepped adjuster 

[jew8201]

Well so it seems NO ONE in my area within a 2 HR drive not a single dealer has a 450i in stock currently. One dealer said he's spoke with his rep and kymco is not out of them right now stating that they have 40-50 in the wearhouse. Just no one has one on the lot and will probably be the first of the year before they do. (I'm not in a hurry or rush to purchase right away just wanting to see this 450 before making any decisions)  My local or closest kymco dealer has 500 and 700 in stock. As I mentioned early on in this discussion I've drove an looked at the 700 first hand (LE model). I liked it. Then I went to the website looking it over an seen this 450i. Over all I like the look of the 450i and its body work as well as the additional storage in the tailgate. All the kymco UXV are basically 7999-10000. Same ballpark on the prices.

So let me ask where do each of these stack up to one another, 450, 500, & 700? I'd think the 500 an 700 may have slight more top end if not by much. All have the same storage options except the tailgate on the 450. The specs of each unit are all similar. I know the 500 and 700 are bigger in overall size. Etc etc where do they stand against each other? I like all their units honestly with the look of the 450 the best. Just pondering and weighing options.

[airshot]

  K9bitten.....are your 26" tires the same wheel dia as the stock tires or did you have to buy new wheels?  I really liked the look on your pics, so when the stockers wear out, I am thinking of going to 26" tires but hoping to be able to use the stock wheels.

  jew8201...sounds like you have all the comparisons between the 3 different Kymco machines..Do you want a larger machine with bucket seats? if so then the 500 or 700 is the answer. If your looking for a more compact machine with almost the same performance then the 450i is the way to go. No one is going to order this close to Christmas and this close to year end due to taxes so waiting until after the first of the year should be expected. I would bet they had a 450 and already sold it, my dealer has sat on her 500 &700 and sold all her 450's and waiting for more. They are a hot seller for Kymco right now.  I have my springs screwed all the way up for best ride height and I really think it rides better on the trail that way, on the pavement mabey not but off road the little extra height is good.  On mine I created my own base for my plow mount, I wanted a mid chasis mount so I used angle iron to connect the 3 crossmembers together with the angle iron going from front to back. This angle iron gives me additional points to attach the skid plate to for additional support. In our summer riding at the stone quarry I bottomed out on some big rocks but no damage to the skid plate and I think it is because of the additional angle iron runners connecting the crossmembers to which the plow mounting plate attaches. After winter is over I drop 6 bolts to release the plow mount so nothing drops below the skid plate for summer riding.  It was not in my original thinking but I now see those angle plate bars being added protection to support the skid plat and also the bottom of the motor.  Sort of killed two birds with one stone I guess.

[randyo]

I have my springs screwed all the way up for best ride height and I really think it rides better on the trail that way, on the pavement mabey not but off road the little extra height is good. 

IMHO, max preload is just as important for pavement as well, unless you put around 20mph, the suspension set soft is very tippy due to the narrow wheelbase, stiffening it up helps handling immensely

[jew8201]

  jew8201...sounds like you have all the comparisons between the 3 different Kymco machines..Do you want a larger machine with bucket seats? if so then the 500 or 700 is the answer. If your looking for a more compact machine with almost the same performance then the 450i is the way to go. No one is going to order this close to Christmas and this close to year end due to taxes so waiting until after the first of the year should be expected. I would bet they had a 450 and already sold it, my dealer has sat on her 500 &700 and sold all her 450's and waiting for more. They are a hot seller for Kymco right now.



Airshot---When you say almost the same performance, can you specify.....what are those performance differences?          I did like the 700 I looked at drove. But the 450i is the better looking machine in appearance IMO.

[jew8201]

  jew8201...sounds like you have all the comparisons between the 3 different Kymco machines..Do you want a larger machine with bucket seats? if so then the 500 or 700 is the answer. If your looking for a more compact machine with almost the same performance then the 450i is the way to go. No one is going to order this close to Christmas and this close to year end due to taxes so waiting until after the first of the year should be expected. I would bet they had a 450 and already sold it, my dealer has sat on her 500 &700 and sold all her 450's and waiting for more. They are a hot seller for Kymco right now.



Airshot---When you say almost the same performance, can you specify.....what are those performance differences?          I did like the 700 I looked at drove. But the 450i is the better looking machine in appearance IMO.

I do know that one thing you have to look at and take into consideration when talking power is power to weight ratios.  I have broken some down (HP/WEIGHT)

Kymco UXV 450i:
33hp/1095lbs=0.030 hp per lb

Kymco 500i:
36/1157=0.031 hp per lb

Kymco UXV 700i:
45hp/1137lbs=0.040 hp per lb

And for sakes cause a few other in the class:

Polaris ranger 500:
32hp/1065lbs=0.030 hp per lb

Polaris ranger 570:
44hp/1073lbs=0.041 hp/lb

CFmoto Uforce 500 ho:
38hp/1347lbs=0.028 hp/lb

CFMoto Uforce 800:
62hp/1377lbs=0.045 hp/lb

[airshot]

   Based on the factory specs, if I read it correctly the 500 top speed is rated at 50 mph and the 700 is only 55 mph.  In many tests the 0-35mph is faster in the 450, than the 500 and the 700 is only a machine length faster. Doesn't seem like much difference for another 2 grand. Tow weight specs and box weight specs are the same in all three machines. Other than wanting a larger machine and bucket seats I am not sure how much more your getting for 2 grand....just my opinion!! In the trails the slightly smaller machine has been great. I have followed many of the larger machines thru the woods and glad I di choose the smaller one.
Your money, your choice.....doesn't make me any difference. I would like to see you actually check out all of them before deciding though.

[jew8201]

   Based on the factory specs, if I read it correctly the 500 top speed is rated at 50 mph and the 700 is only 55 mph.  In many tests the 0-35mph is faster in the 450, than the 500 and the 700 is only a machine length faster. Doesn't seem like much difference for another 2 grand. Tow weight specs and box weight specs are the same in all three machines. Other than wanting a larger machine and bucket seats I am not sure how much more your getting for 2 grand....just my opinion!! In the trails the slightly smaller machine has been great. I have followed many of the larger machines thru the woods and glad I di choose the smaller one.
Your money, your choice.....doesn't make me any difference. I would like to see you actually check out all of them before deciding though.

I understand....valid points.  I guess at this point I'd be lying if I say I weren't hesitant to go the kymco route for the simple reason that I don't know how good of a dealer I have close by. My local dealer has only been carrying Kymco for a year. Who's to say they want drop them. They used to sell "bennche" one of the knock off yamaha rhino clones. They had issues with them so they dropped them. I can could see them not messing with them when they sell so many hondas yamahas an kawasakis there. But I say they need Kymco to offer better price points for buyers. Theres two other dealers about 2 hrs away. I could buy there but thats not practical for support and service.

I do like the polaris ranger midsize 570. I but I read way to many horror stories with them. And there front end suspension without double A arms is a huge weak point to me.  I dont know time will tell and point me in the right direction I know. 

[randyo]

I do like the polaris ranger midsize 570. I but I read way to many horror stories with them. And there front end suspension without double A arms is a huge weak point to me.  I dont know time will tell and point me in the right direction I know.

if I had the $$$ (13,800), I'd go for the Polaris Diesel Ranger, it has double A arms all the way around w 10"travel , a 1028cc 3cylinder Kohler diesel that puts out 80hp, 2000lb tow capacity , 110 amp alternator, 12" ground clearance, seats 3

[airshot]

  Ouch that would be one heck of a price tag, then add sales tax plus a plow and mount a top and some other accessories....bit stiff for my interests.  Your comment about the pavement is correct I was referring to the fact that the stiffer springs setting makes it turn sharper with less body roll and could easily get squirrely if someone wasn't paying attention especially with the off road tires....now with pavement tires, she would be road ready!!

 jew8201...my dealer is 1.5 hours away..so what ...they had the machine I wanted. I have 3 other dealers within 30 min but they are all hard sell and don't have the machine I wanted.  If your local dealer was to drop the Kymco line it will be due to pressure from the other mfgrs. I did have two other dealers within 2 hrs that used to sell the Kymco brand and I did talk to them, they were not happy they had to give them up but the other mfgrs said drop them or we pull out line so they had no choice. Those same dealers told me that the Kymco factory was much easier to deal with than Honda or Suzuki but he sold more Honda's than he did anything else so he had no choice but to drop the Kymco lineup. Both were Kymco dealers for more than 3 yr and had no issues with them. In fact one of the dealers is the guy that directed me to my current dealer where I bought my machine. You got to do what ever is best for you, nobody is gonna hold it against you if you defect to another brand (LOL) we will only tease you and say I told you so if it doesn't work out...LOL