Newbie Intro

[wbdvt]

Hello, I just bought a 2012 Kymco Downtown 200i with 6k miles on it.  I have several other scooters all Vespas.  I specifically purchased the DT to ride in the Scooter Cannonball 2020 from Bar Harbor ME to Eureka CA on July 6 to July 16.
I would be interested in learning some maintenance tips and hear from anyone that has done long distance riding on this machine.
Thanks
Barry

[cookkees]

New member, new post, over 100 views, no welcomes? As Rodney Dangerfield would say: " Tough crowd, tough crowd".

Welcome from the newest member.

[CROSSBOLT]

Usually, when there are (crickets) in response it is because no one knows. I have had two DT300i and have no idea the exact similarities. I can guess but that is not what he asked.

[Louder North]

Hello, I just bought a 2012 Kymco Downtown 200i with 6k miles on it.  I have several other scooters all Vespas.  I specifically purchased the DT to ride in the Scooter Cannonball 2020 from Bar Harbor ME to Eureka CA on July 6 to July 16.
I would be interested in learning some maintenance tips and hear from anyone that has done long distance riding on this machine.
Thanks
Barry

Well welcome then!  I also intend to do the SB in 2020 but will be using a Kymco Frost (aka Yager) to do it.  It was marketed as a '200' but the actual displacement is 174cc.  Sadly, I can't advise you on the Downtown 200i.

[big blue]

Hello there and welcome. This is a model that was only sold in the US for 2 years as most people went for the 300i. The engine is a true 200 (205cc) with a four valve head. The 300i sold for only $400 more.

[CROSSBOLT]

Hello there and welcome. This is a model that was only sold in the US for 2 years as most people went for the 300i. The engine is a true 200 (205cc) with a four valve head. The 300i sold for only $400 more.

That engine shoulda been in the Yager!

[wbdvt]

Thank you.  I guess could have been more specific but my knowledge base is with Vespa's.  There are a lot videos on maintenance of Vespa's especially from Scooterwest so wasn't sure if there was something similar.  Will be searching for part sources and info on belts/tires with running a cannonball in mind.  That will be about 4k miles in 10 days so long continuous riding days on the scooter. 

[john grinsel]

Welcome.   Kymcos do not in general break like modern Vespas----but I would carry spare drive belt.  Make sure cold plug is installed as you will be running wide open most of the time.   My experience with Kymco=when run really hard they like super fuel.

[Iahawk]

The engine is a true 200 (205cc) with a four valve head.

Now I'm jealous! My People S200 came with a 163cc 2 valve motor...a 205 cc, 4 valve with, I assume, fuel injection, sounds fun.

..and I'd listen to John Grinsel...he probably has more miles under his belt (see what I did there?) than most of us put together!

[Viper254]

Heyooo!

Sorry for the slow hello - I read a lot, but often forget that i should post too 

[john grinsel]

Getting ready for long distance rally----start with fresh set of matched tires---if Michelin Power Pure SC are available in your size...they should last 10,000 miles is so. "Ride On" as balance medium.  Power Pure wear round!

Fresh Valve adjustment/Fresh oil.....I use WalMart 10-40.

Fresh drive belt---carry old as spare.

Spark Plug, one heat range colder than recommended

Clothes----professional quality such as Aerostich Darien or their one piece suit.


Waterproof boots/many pair of gloves/rain over mitts.

Lots of foam ear plugs---all day comfortable helmet, spare face shields or visor if you wear 3/4 helmet like I do

[wbdvt]

John,
Thanks for that.  Since I am very interested in the spark plug tip about one heat range cooler.  From the manual, the recommended plug is an NGK CR7E.  What would be a cooler heat range?  I just put iridium plugs in my Vespa GTS 250's.  Is something like that recommended?

The tires that I see recommended for a Cannonball on the Vespa sites are Michelin City Grips.  How do they compare with the Power Pure?

I recently bought EarPeace hearing protection as I was not happy with the foam plugs.  So far, I have been happy with them.

I plan to change all fluids, filters and belt prior to the Cannonball.  What about rollers?  Stock size for replacements?  Since there is 6k miles it is due for a valve adjustment so will do that soon after I pick it up.

Any special tooling?  I have a variator and clutch tool for the Vespa's which look like may work on the DT.  Have to download and read a manual on it.

Thank you for you input and bear in mind my perspective on scooters is from owning Vespa's so I will resort to comparisons.

[john grinsel]

Tires---I am using City Grip on rear of my XTown 300 I right now----but they do not come in size for front---therefor Power Pure SC next time for me.

Spark plug--NGK up one number to 8 is colder---I do not waste money on expensive spark plugs---standard ok.  My last Honda Silverwing 600 traded at near 50,000 miles---still on original plugs and running fine

[Viper254]

For me, I've usually found it worth getting the drive belt cover off at home in the garage, taking it all off and putting it back on again when I've bought a bike, just so it's easy to know how to do it again in anger at a later date

[klaviator]

 A belated welcome.  I'm not on this forum as I spend most of my time on that "other" forum we are both on. 

I'm not an expert on the DT200 but I did run into a guy on a DT300i once at a local dealer.  He said he was having some issues with his transmission.  I asked when was the last time he replaced the belt and rollers.  He said "never".  I can't remember if he had 46,000 or 56,000 miles on it