Downtown 125 Upgrade?

[DWinBermy]

Morning all,

I’m a newbie to the site and see you all have tons of information here but very limited about the Downtown 125.  Does anyone know if the 300 engine will fit right onto the 125 without any modifications and if so does any one know of any 300’s for sale?

[scooterfan]

Morning all,

I’m a newbie to the site and see you all have tons of information here but very limited about the Downtown 125.  Does anyone know if the 300 engine will fit right onto the 125 without any modifications and if so does any one know of any 300’s for sale?

I could be wrong, but I think all 125cc models are almost exactly the same. I think the manufacturer just started using all sorts of fancy names for marketing purposes.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I could be wrong, but I think all 125cc models are almost exactly the same. I think the manufacturer just started using all sorts of fancy names for marketing purposes.

Not true. Much more going on here than badge engineering. Please Google a photo of a Downtown 125. It is a much different bike than an Agility 125.....nearly 10" more wheelbase & 100+lbs..
Some countries can buy maxi sized scooters with small engines.
No expert, but doubt a 300 engine will slip right into the place of a 125. Hopefully a Downtown owner will help you with your original question regarding an engine swap.
Stig

[Tiny]

doing a little research it looks like the 125 and the 300 use the same body and frame but whether or not the engines are mounted the same(top or bottom) it hard to tell without seeing both engines mounted in the frame.
Save time energy and find yourself a used 300 if you are looking to upgrade engines.

[CROSSBOLT]

Time to visit the salvage yard(s) for some advanced study!

[DWinBermy]

I wish I could just buy a 300 but unfortunately my country doesn't allow that.  I'm just looking to upgrade what we have if it is possible.  The other option would be a big bore kit if they have them for the Downtown 125...maybe bump it to a 200 or so?

[DWinBermy]

https://bikez.com/motorcycles/kymco_downtown_125i_abs_2017.php

These are the specs and a picture of the bike.  I do think it's the same frame as the 300 hence the reason I want to upgrade because it is a lot of bike for a 125

[CROSSBOLT]

Looks like the same to me even weight, tire size, etc. Why on earth do countries limit the engine size? That is a very heavy bike for 14 hp! I still say get your tape measure and head to the salvage yards. There ar meny more salvage yards in Europe than here. I will bet Asia would top everyone for salvage yards! Where are you, anyway, Dwin?

[DWinBermy]

I'm in Bermuda so it is easier to get something out of America but Europe is an option.  Hard for me to head over and measure stuff out though 🤦‍♂️

[scooterfan]

Not true. Much more going on here than badge engineering. Please Google a photo of a Downtown 125. It is a much different bike than an Agility 125.....nearly 10" more wheelbase & 100+lbs..
Some countries can buy maxi sized scooters with small engines.
No expert, but doubt a 300 engine will slip right into the place of a 125. Hopefully a Downtown owner will help you with your original question regarding an engine swap.
Stig

Thanks, I Googled a photo and I have never seen a 125 Kymco like that before. I guess that model has never been imported to South Africa before.

I was not aware of the longer wheel base - always thought the manufacturer only slapped on different fairings and stickers for marketing purposes. Having said that, the manufacturer did make changes to the scooters without bothering to change the Owner's Manual. My owners manual is proof of that.
The image of the gearbox at the manual looks different from the gearbox on my scooter....so who knows, maybe some 125cc models came with different gearboxes....

Anyway, I guess most of us are still learning.

[john grinsel]

As person who has wasted lots of money on bikes/scooters, my advice is save your money period.  Keep your bike stock and enjoy it by riding.

[JJJoseph]

I wish I could just buy a 300 but unfortunately my country doesn't allow that.  I'm just looking to upgrade what we have if it is possible.  The other option would be a big bore kit if they have them for the Downtown 125...maybe bump it to a 200 or so?

You can upgrade easily if it's an older Kymco with a Chinese GY6-type engine. There's tons of upgrades and big-bore kit options available.  On the other hand, engine swaps between models are impossibly difficult since the frames must be cut and welded.  The newer fuel-injected models can't be modded like the older GY6 versions since they have computer controls.  There's almost no information available online for upgrading FI Kymcos, so you'd be doing "original research"!   If you try it, come back here and tell us how it works out :-)