New to scootering...Xciting 250 questions

[BCinMD]

Hi folks...been lurking for a while - nice little community going here.  I'm new to scootering but not new to riding.  I had a Honda Nighthawk 750 for a couple of years and enjoyed it but am looking for something different.  I'm liking the idea of a scooter for occasional commuting (about 25 miles each way, 60/40 highway / back road) and weekend touring solo and two-up.

In doing a ton of internet reading, I really like what Kymco has to offer in the middleweight maxi-scoot class...the DT300i is really sweet, but the Xciting 250 looks good, too.  I found a dealer (about 140miles away) that had listed on Cycletrader a brand new Downtown 300 for $4499  - $1100 off msrp!   I contacted them right away, but of course, they are sold out.  This dealer also happens to have a couple of left-over 2009 Xciting 250s in stock...for $3495.  That's a pretty sweet price for a new scooter with full warranty.  So I'm thinking this is the way to go...BUT - I've never even sat on one of these, let alone test ridden one.  So I have to make my decision based on third person written and video reviews I find on the web.

So here are my questions: I am 5'8" about 160lbs with a 30" inseam.  Am I going to fit comfortably on this bike?  My wife is about 115lbs...so with two-up that's ~275lbs on the bike...how will the 'little' 250 perform?

In general, what do you like (or dislike) most about your xc250?  As I said, if I buy it I'm doing it sight unseen, so I want to have as much info as possible before I pull the trigger.

[Cortez]

Hi folks...been lurking for a while - nice little community going here.  I'm new to scootering but not new to riding.  I had a Honda Nighthawk 750 for a couple of years and enjoyed it but am looking for something different.  I'm liking the idea of a scooter for occasional commuting (about 25 miles each way, 60/40 highway / back road) and weekend touring solo and two-up.

In doing a ton of internet reading, I really like what Kymco has to offer in the middleweight maxi-scoot class...the DT300i is really sweet, but the Xciting 250 looks good, too.  I found a dealer (about 140miles away) that had listed on Cycletrader a brand new Downtown 300 for $4499  - $1100 off msrp!   I contacted them right away, but of course, they are sold out.  This dealer also happens to have a couple of left-over 2009 Xciting 250s in stock...for $3495.  That's a pretty sweet price for a new scooter with full warranty.  So I'm thinking this is the way to go...BUT - I've never even sat on one of these, let alone test ridden one.  So I have to make my decision based on third person written and video reviews I find on the web.

So here are my questions: I am 5'8" about 160lbs with a 30" inseam.  Am I going to fit comfortably on this bike?  My wife is about 115lbs...so with two-up that's ~275lbs on the bike...how will the 'little' 250 perform?

In general, what do you like (or dislike) most about your xc250?  As I said, if I buy it I'm doing it sight unseen, so I want to have as much info as possible before I pull the trigger.

You will have NO issue fitting the both of you on the bike. I'm 5'11", usually around 200lbs and another
one of me could fit on the back seat without a problem.

I WOULD however be concerned about performance, coming from a more powerful bike.
Bare in mind that the XC250 is a very big and heavy scooter, so it's performance is among the
slowest 250cc scooters. If you can live with this, you'll be fine, but forget about overtaking
over 55-60mph (when alone), and overtaking at ANY speed 2 up.

While the XC will do an indicated 80-82mph, what you also need to know is that it will hit the
redline around 68-69mph (at least the one I tried did) so If you want to be 'safe' your commute
might take a bit longer then expected. I wouldn't do over 65mph on it for long periods of time,
and that's rather slow for open roads.

That said, I've seen people keep the throttle pinned for years and have no issues.

[Cortez]

Another thing.. no fuel injection and a big scooter with no too much power can
mess up the MPG figures, and it does. You can count on fuel consumption similar
to 400-500cc scooter class on this one.

[Urbestfriend]

Urbestfriend just did an oil change at 6,459 miles.  Bought new Sept., 2009.
I have taken several 60-70 mile trips (moderate hills).   Yes it's true...It does
settle out around 7500-8000 Rpm at 70 mph.  However...I've been highly
successful keeping up with or ahead of 4 lane traffic.  Mileage 67 mpg.  I use
Royal Purple for oil ($9.00 Qt.) around every 1,000 miles.  I'm 5-9 and
around 240#.  Have ridden 2 Up with 13 yr. old Grandson with no issues.

I have 2 bikes X-250 and GV-250.  Xciting is bigger and heavier and I prefer
it on Longer Trips because of the larger wheels.  It is slightly harder to place
flat feet on the ground,  but it can be done.  The Grandvista is much lower,
lighter and somewhat more nimble due to the smaller wheels.  Each has
it's place and I thoroughly enjoy both.

Why two bikes ?....Well like cars,  if one is broke down,  you always have another
to drive.

[petertucky]

I love mine.  New for $3495 is a great price.  I bought mine new last fall for $3999, and thought that was good.  I am 5'9" and it is tough for me to have flat feet on the ground.  I think so long as your model says 250i it is injected, not carbed so that is a good thing too.

I will say that 70 is probably tops to keep it out of the red line.  The 300 probably could cruise at 75 to 80 no problem, whereas the 250 will cruise at 65 to 70 no problem.

Around here, I ride on only roads with 55 mph limit, so it is good.  When we get an interstate here in the next two years (I-69) that will be interesting to see how I like that.  I like to safely go the speed limit on any road I am on.

[sjb9989]

Get the DT300i...I had a Hyosung MS250, very UNDERPOWERED,  traded in for a XCITING 500. Works great...Kymco made improvements on the 300 over the Xciting 250...When riding 2up, be sure to adjust the suspention.

ENJOY!!!

[Hoolander2]

Don't forget to ask the dealer about good used scooters.  I got my Xciting 500 for $3800 in near perfect shape with low miles. 

[BCinMD]

Well I pulled the trigger on the leftover 250iR.  The deal was too good to pass up.  For as many folks believe that the 250 is underpowered or slow, there are just as many that feel it is just fine and a lot of fun to ride.  I guess I will just have to figure out for myself if it's to my liking.  I can always trade up later on.

As a new Kymco XCiting owner, the first thing I would like to get is a complete wiring diagram for the electrical system.  One of the first mods I make to every new bike is to add some high-power LED taillights/running lights (the P3 lights from www.p3lights.com are the best out there, IMO....you can even see my Youtube video review of them on their website...but I don't work for them nor receive any compenstation for mentioning their name).

So anyone have a wiring diagram for these beasts?

Thanks,
Brian

[Urbestfriend]

Urbestfriend says Search the Internet for the Manual.  You can
download all the manual for $5-$10.00.  That way you'll have
everything.  My computer even died,  but I bought a docking
station for the harddrive and I still have three manuals at
my disposal.

The lights look good especially made in the USA.  My favorites are
Superlumination in AZ and Virtual Village.  Have bought from both
places and good quality at a reasonable cost.  Check out the
Superlumination 3rd. Stoplight for around $30.00.  I've got it.

Also get the set of chrome bars from Scooterwest...Clearance...
XC-250 Bars.  The Blue and Yellow Bike in the ad is mine.

[petertucky]

When you guys find the wires for the front to hook up, let me know.  I would love to add some of those lights to the front.  Let me know where you put them too, if you could.  Being more visible is always a good thing.

[BCinMD]

When you guys find the wires for the front to hook up, let me know.  I would love to add some of those lights to the front.  Let me know where you put them too, if you could.  Being more visible is always a good thing.

I plan on installing the rear lights first - in fact they came in the mail today, but I won't have the bike until this Thursday at the earliest.  I need to get a good look at the front end of the scooter to decide if it even makes sense to get the front LEDs sold by the same company. 

I might try to install something like this on the back of each mirror or maybe in the little openings to just under and to the sides of the main headlight:



For about $30 they can be configured to run as running lights and high intensity auxiliary turn signals.