Kymco Quality--ranking

[john grinsel]

Spring will see me having my 2019 XTown 300i a year----On my 11th Maxi scooter since 1990 and over 400,000 miles, USA and Asia. 

Kymco seems to be #1 at this time, in reliability, Puig windshield added/Bestem $40 box bolted directly to rear spoiler...nothing breaks/broke
 followed by a new Daelim 125 I had in Korea....nothing  ever broke, great bumpers/rack was factory option, I added Puig windshield.

Remembering here I am primarily motorcyclist, but like the storage capacity/dry feet thing/enclosed drive train of scooters.....had 4 two stroke Vespas in the past, 3 of them new------Looking back:

Four new Helix, three of them ridden out to 50,000 miles each, 4th to about 25,000 miles---observation--3 of the 4 had rear clutch bearing problems, all broke intake stubs (often), all at 30,000 miles guts shook out of mufflers (Honda paid) Liked them but.....had one broken air box.

Two new Burgman 400's---first one, returned to dealer with leaking engine cases 8,000 miles, second I liked ridden out to 40,000 plus miles (its drive train blew up at 20,000 miles--belt/rear clutch/bearings--Dalton GA....Suzuki paid for repair.

Two new Honda SilverWings---each ridden out to 50,000 miles or so----pretty trouble free, one required an hour's shop time to get ABS Lite out.   Heavy/hard to work with plastics/plenty of power.

Yamaha TMAX----great performing/handling/expensive----as the miles piled up, sold as I felt future maint. and parts could get expensive.

Honda Reflex---better than Helix, little hard to find TDC on valve check, 22,500 miles run over by lady on phone at stop sign----bike totaled, me hand operation.   Was ok bike.

So now to Kymco---mine provides good purchase price, very easy to work on compared the the Japanese/performance fine......you always need to remember you have scooter not motorcycle

[CROSSBOLT]

Good cross-section of bikes, good report overall! Kymco seems just about the best all-around. I have limited brand experience but most everyone is limited compared to you, John! There are many details on the Kymco models I have owned that point to good design and manufacture. I just wish that Puig made a standard, exact replacement windscreen for the Downtown!

[john grinsel]

Puig makes a touring windshield that should fix Downtown---I have one on my Xtown----think mounting holes/system same.   Mine required 4 inch cut down to see over----Laminar Lip added/bolted on.   As nose is near 24 inches from tip of shield, Lip provided some better air management.   Puig screen wider than standard, nice when wet or cold

[wbdvt]

I just wish that Puig made a standard, exact replacement windscreen for the Downtown!

I need to replace the windscreen on my DT200 and it looks like the Puig V-Tech line sport is very close to the original, no?

[john grinsel]

I have no idea on 200.

[leomagnus]

John I lived in Rome Italy for about 8 years and had multiple scooters as you can see by my tag.

The scooter/motorcycle mechanics in the Porta Portese area of Rome are some of the best in the city. I asked him what were the best scooters to own and he told me there are only 2 brands that he would recommend... Kymco and Honda, preferably in that order. The worst brand that I owned was the Aprilia with the Gilera as a close second. Those damn scooters broke down on me constantly.

Dean

[CROSSBOLT]

I need to replace the windscreen on my DT200 and it looks like the Puig V-Tech line sport is very close to the original, no?

I will have to investigate that Puig V-tech!

[CROSSBOLT]

John I lived in Rome Italy for about 8 years and had multiple scooters as you can see by my tag.

The scooter/motorcycle mechanics in the Porta Portese area of Rome are some of the best in the city. I asked him what were the best scooters to own and he told me there are only 2 brands that he would recommend... Kymco and Honda, preferably in that order. The worst brand that I owned was the Aprilia with the Gilera as a close second. Those damn scooters broke down on me constantly.

Dean

Don't know why but suspect that nearly anywhere in Europe and especially Italy the scooter techs would be first rate. Overjoyed to hear Kymco best and Honda right behind.

[MJR]

Based on only my experience with two Kymco models they aren't quite Japanese in quality.

My first Kymco i bought new in 2016 a 2014 MyRoad 700i has had a electronic adjusting shock replaced, oil leak from final drive into CVT causing clutch slippage, crank sensor replaced, underseat light replaced, and cooling fan temp switch replaced all under warranty. Then out of warranty repairs, crank sensor replaced again, cooling fan EMI filter replaced, had to reseal the final drive to CVT again, and both OE Maxxis tires tread separated on me. I also have a problem with the warning light masks deteriorating in the instrument panel, just recently the plastic anti scratch coating flaking off the windscreen and headlamp lens. I now have 29K mi on it. These problems and more are not uncommon on this model including crank sensors and stators dying under 5,000 miles on them. Several owners have had them bought back. I repair my own bikes and like this one for how it runs/rides/uniqueness so I have kept it.

Experience with a 2016 Kymco Xciting 500 loaned to me having put about 3K mi (had 12K mi on it) it was pointed out to me that the satin metal looking trim in the instrument was deformed from simply sitting in the sun. I rode this bike and near the end of my time with it the top speed had dropped from 95 mph to not being able to maintain 70 mph on a overpass and making the bIke feel unsafe on the freeway. The dealer did various repairs including CVT belt, rollers, and the muffler to which they said a baffle broke inside. I have not been able to ride this again to see if the issue has been fixed.

[CROSSBOLT]

Yes, MJR, I must admit the 500 and 700's were/are pretty dismal. I am basing my raving on the 50 cc Agility. Yager 200i and DT 300i models which are great.

[john grinsel]

I lived/worked in Italy 83-85 as I re- call----at that time Vespa was still king-----shop on every corner it seemed....they were good!
Across the street from where I worked BMW dealer/German speaking mech, very helpful in keeping trouble- some BMW on the road---R80RT----service much better than in Germany

[wbdvt]

I believe the R80 is what my buddy here has although I did manage to convert him to a scooter.  He bought an Aprilia Atlantic 500 in August and hasn't ridden the BMW since then.

[MJR]

He bought an Aprilia Atlantic 500 in August and hasn't ridden the BMW since then.

Which version earlier or later Sprint?

[wbdvt]

His Aprilia is 2003.

[randyo]

I have been impressed with the UXV540i that I have, 4½ years now, beat the crap out of it,  trail riding is easy duty, I've been hauling firewood (skidding logs 18"dia. x 60ft tree length) towing my backhoe, snow plowing, etc.

haven't had my K-Pipe long enuf to report