Just bought my first Kymco.

[stingray]

Hello to you all, I just thought I'd give you a potted history of my biking past & present, I'm 72 & have been riding on & off for over 50 years, I've had all sorts of bikes starting off with a BSA Bantam in 1969, in recent years I've had sports bikes including an R1 & a Kwaka Z1000, my last bike was a Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor which is now sold.

After selling the Interceptor I decided I wanted a change & bought myself a new TGB quad bike (made in Taiwan), I was loving it & felt considerably safer, then out of the blue I had a diagnosis of blood clots in my legs & lungs & was immediately put on blood thinners for life.

Life had dealt me a bit of a blow & I decided to sell the quad & retire from all bikes & quads as severe injury could mean me bleeding out.

Anyway after 6 months I thought I cant do this, I need something to ride (I guess its just a way of life). I was looking on ebay & saw this Kymco downtown 300i for sale very close to me, I decided to have a bid & won the auction.

The seller bought it over to my place the next day & I paid him the £880. Its a 2011 with 29000 & MOT for 9 months, just been serviced & had only one very careful owner (its in exceptionally good condition). Since having it I have done my own full service on the bike.

There you have it really, lots more to tell you in the future. regards John.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Welcome to the forum stingray!
You mention an MOT, so assume you are in the U.K.?
That is a popular and respected model by owners here.
Photos when you get a chance - always appreciated!

Ride safe when you are able.
Regards, Stig

[Iahawk]

Welcome, it’s amazing how strong the force is to want to get on 2 wheels and ride! Glad you’re riding again, and stay safe out there.

[Neil955i]

Hi Stingray and welcome on here!

If you're UK-based then do let us all know as I am too.  Our biking history looks similar as I started out in '68 on a BSA Bantam!

From what I read on here, you'll not regret buying a DT as they have a solid reputation if serviced regularly and treated kindly.  My current ride is a DTX320 which is basically a tarted-up DT!

Biking, once it's in your blood you can't stay away for too long so just be careful and enjoy it.  I know I still do.  I used to look at the old guys still riding when I was 50 years younger and thinking "I hope I'm still able to when I'm in my 70's" and now here I am, one of the "old guys" 

[Ruffus]

@stingray, welcome here from Italy.
You can't be wrong with a DT 300, low mileage, fair price, one owner, posh condition. Should some question come up, just tell.
Have a good time with your ride.

[stingray]

@stingray, welcome here from Italy.
You can't be wrong with a DT 300, low mileage, fair price, one owner, posh condition. Should some question come up, just tell.
Have a good time with your ride.

Hi & thank you all for you're welcomes, yes I am based in the UK, weather here is crap at this time of year so I'm getting really impatient to get out on my new toy. I'll be taxing it the start of February so with a bit of luck I might get an half decent day for my first ride. Heres a list of some of the bikes I have owned over the years.

BSA Bantam
Honda Superdream x 2
Yamaha FZR Ex-up x 2
Aprillia Futura
Suzuki Bandit x 2
Suzuki Intruder (bought new)
Kawasaki Z1000
Yamaha R1 (OMG it was fast)
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Honda Vision (bought to repair & sell on)
Diversion 600 (excellent bike)
Kymco Downtown 300i of course
When I was 15 I had an old Mobylette but I never did get it going.

I've also had 40-50 different cars over the years, most recent a MG3 Hybrid+ (bought new).

Well catch you guys later & remember RIDE SAFE. john
I'm sure there were others but I cant remember them all

[Neil955i]

You’re welcome John. When you do get out on the DT, don’t forget to let us know what you think. Photos always welcomed too!

Here's my tarted-up Downtown:

[leomagnus]

Looks nice and clean Neil....love it

Dean

[Stig / Major Tom]

You’re welcome John. When you do get out on the DT, don’t forget to let us know what you think. Photos always welcomed too!

Here's my tarted-up Downtown:

Good pictures Neil!
I do not see red rear side relectors. Amber ones at front, but no red.
I guess the red rears are not an import requirement?
I believe the red and amber side reflectors are a requirement for all vehicles in America.
Stig

[stingray]

Took the Downtown out for my first ride today, I'm well pleased, it will take a bit of getting use to as its the first scooter I have ever ridden. Its well quick for a 300cc, surprisingly so. I have to agree with all the write-ups I've seen that the seat is definately a design fault, the lip at the back of the drivers seat is far to forward, it feels like you need to get your backside another 6-7 inches further back, again its something I will get used to.

For a very short ride I am overall very impressed with the scooter & looking forward to the better weather when I can get some miles on the clock, I'll be more than happy to take it from the Midlands down to the coast (UK).

Well that's it for now, you guys ride safe 

[randyo]

my first Kymco was my 2015 UXV450i, ten years ago this summer, barter with the dealership owner, inn 2021 I added a used Kymco K-Pipe to my stable (already have an '07 V-Strom 1000), and in 2022 I bought my '22 Kymco AK550, my first scooter, and it's a hoot.

[Neil955i]

Looks nice and clean Neil....love it

Dean

Er it was.  Those photos taken an hour after delivery!! 

[Neil955i]

Good pictures Neil!
I do not see red rear side relectors. Amber ones at front, but no red.
I guess the red rears are not an import requirement?
I believe the red and amber side reflectors are a requirement for all vehicles in America.
Stig

You're right Stig, not required by law in the UK.