Author Topic: Downtown 300i - useful information?  (Read 14746 times)

woodbar

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Downtown 300i - useful information?
« on: June 30, 2011, 11:37:06 PM »
As a new owner of the Downtown 300i (5 weeks & 500 miles) I can say that whilst I am generally pleased with the bike there seems to be some mis-information floating about that maybe needs clarifying.

First of all let me say that the following is with regard to my UK sourced machine from a Kymco Dealer.

In various places (including some Kymco importers sites) you may be told (or inferred) that this machine has:-

ABS - Antilock Braking System
TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Storage for 2 full face helmets
"Linked" braking system (left lever applies both front and rear brakes)
An adjustable windscreen .......

Well, it does not have any of the above!  It does, however have a main speedometer scale in Kph and a virtually unreadable secondary scale (red print on black ground) in mph - In my view totally unsuitable/unusable for the UK - I don't know how it got "type approval"  As I have said elsewhere on this forum, Kymco produce a unit with the main scale in mph (USA) so why don't they fit it for the UK?  I have even looked into adding an auxilliary electronic speedo - I quite like the Trail Tech Striker but it is quite a lot of money and a bit of work to fit...........  What's annoying is that the bottom section of the DT LCD display is not used although I have seen that  a 4 digit display is available there (think that might be something to do with the mythical TPMS) - would have been good if they made provision for this to display a digital speed readout - mph / kph switchable!


I have just fitted my new Givi D924ST screen which I think "improves" the look of the bike from most angles and certainly cuts down a lot of the buffeting and wind noise I was experiencing - I can actually hear what the engine is doing now.

Unfortunately I am not impressed with Givi quality control - the lower fixing hole does not line up very well and they have not provided proper fittings so you can transfer the Kymco oval badge assembly properly.  The original screen has 2 molded lugs which the fixing points of the "KYMCO" assembly fit into - the Givi screen just has 2 holes so the screws are too long and won't clamp the oval assembly.  I have bodged it for now (2 small cable grommets and 2 screw cups as spacers!) whilst Ifigure out how to do a permanent job - or get the fittings from Givi!

There are also some "stress" marks in the plastic either side of the main bend lines - where it has been pressed into the mold or maybe overheated?  There were some very sharp ragged edges on the bottom section of the screen - which I filed flat after cutting my finger on them!  There are also a few minor blemishes in the main area of the screen which arrived (with no protective film) packed in bubble wrap bag (sealed with a "Givi" label) and rattling about in a Givi.it  cardboard box - not the best way to protect £107 worth of my money!

I am still deciding how to proceed with this as although I like the screen it is actually too tall (it's about 6.5" taller than the original) and I am looking right through the edge of it when riding.  I can sit up a bit and peer over the top or I can slouch a bit and look through it but due to the curvature of the top sections "reverse flip" it distorts your view making everything look a bit squashed.  I think I could get away with cutting about 2 - 2.5" off the top and still get most of the benefit of the better air flow as I think a lot of this is due to the extra width in the lower section because it integrates with the body work shape and shields some of the handlebar much more than the original screen does.

Some information they don't tell you before you buy the Givi screen - it had 2 labels stuck on the front:- (at least they peeled off easily)

1) "WARNING - in case of strong winds, drive at moderate speeds and never exceed 100Km/h" - is it just me or is this ambiguous - does it mean NEVER exceed 100Km/h or only when its windy?  It also tells you to never park with the sun shining on the rear of the screen as the curvature will create a "lens" effect (and vaporise anything in front of it?) and they don't accept any responsibility for any damage if you don't cover the screen!  It is OK to park with the sun shining in from the front of the screen.  In my limited knowledge of Physics, lenses and light paths - should this not be the other way about?  I would think that sun shining from the front, onto the convex curvature could be concentrated at a point behind the screen - like the seat, handlebars or bodywork etc.?

2) The second label warns how to clean the screen and also says it is made from "Antishock" material - is this antishock with regard to static electricity or is it made out of polycarbonate as opposed to acrylic?

As a final note regarding the screen - I ordered it from motorbikesandparts.co.uk as they were one of the few suppliers listing it (in stock?)  I paid my money then sat back and waited for it to arrive.  After 3 days with no order update I contacted them to be informed that they had to order it from Givi UK, who also had no stock and had, in turn, ordered it from Givi IT - "will be 2 weeks".

It has taken nearly 4 weeks to arrive and my phone and email requests for an update have been met with either a recorded message (after holding on line) saying they could not take any calls or robotic one line emails not really answering your question.  In all honesty their customer support seems to be virtually nil and I am unable to recommend them as a supplier.  I have since done a Google search and found lots of other complaints being expressed in various forums etc.


Filters - I know some of this information is elsewhere on the forum but to clarify:-

HifloFiltro (Hiflo) produce a replacement oil filter for the DT 300i - it is item number HF566 - I have seen it on sale for £2.50 - my dealer charged me £6.86 for the Kymco one on the first service.

DNA produce a replacement air filter - item number P-KY3SC11-01 - this is available for around £68 - I checked with the dealer - the Kymco version will be around £22 when he fits one during a service so you would get 3 Kymco ones for the price of the DNA.

However what I did not realise is  the OEM filter is throw away but the DNA one is "servicable" and should last indefinitely.  Apparently you can buy a £12 "service kit"  for it which provides the cleaning fluid and a quantity of special oil required to recoat the cotton filter.  It also has a bigger surface area and is supposed to pass 33% more air than the OEM version.  I assume the fuel injection system would automatically compensate for this increased, less restricted flow?  Any thoughts?

Although I don't much like these "disposable" items we all use so many of - unless the increased air flow gives improved performance or better mpg then, doing the sums, and assuming you need a new service kit every time, you would need five "changes" to roughly break even on costs - by the sixth change you would start to show a small saving - but that's a lot of miles!

That's more than enough for one post - I hope someone finds it useful?

axy

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2011, 09:25:00 AM »
As a new owner of the Downtown 300i (5 weeks & 500 miles) I can say that whilst I am generally pleased with the bike there seems to be some mis-information floating about that maybe needs clarifying.

First of all let me say that the following is with regard to my UK sourced machine from a Kymco Dealer.

In various places (including some Kymco importers sites) you may be told (or inferred) that this machine has:-

ABS - Antilock Braking System
TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Storage for 2 full face helmets
"Linked" braking system (left lever applies both front and rear brakes)
An adjustable windscreen .......

Well, it does not have any of the above! 

 ;D ;D ;D
They have been marketing old People 250S as having linked braking system and storage for 2 full face helmets too...
It seems that they just copy/paste descriptions around. Their service manuals are grossly inaccurate too.
I wonder if there is a scooter Kymco is making that has all the above you have listed. :) :)
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Kymco Agility 125 2008

(Past: Kymco People 250S, Piaggio Beverly 200, Kawasaki ZR-7S, Yamaha TW125, Kymco Cobra Cross 50, Peugeot Zenith 50, Piaggio NRG 50 mc2 72 cc Naraku kit)

Cortez

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2011, 11:54:45 AM »
As a new owner of the Downtown 300i (5 weeks & 500 miles) I can say that whilst I am generally pleased with the bike there seems to be some mis-information floating about that maybe needs clarifying.

First of all let me say that the following is with regard to my UK sourced machine from a Kymco Dealer.

In various places (including some Kymco importers sites) you may be told (or inferred) that this machine has:-

ABS - Antilock Braking System
TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Storage for 2 full face helmets
"Linked" braking system (left lever applies both front and rear brakes)
An adjustable windscreen .......

Well, it does not have any of the above!

ABS models are available at an extra cost here, I've seen TPMS in action on
youtube, and I was able to fit my 2 full face helmets under the seat and then
some (Schuberth C2 and IXS HX240, M size both).

I have never seen them advertise the linked braking or the adjustable screen
localy, and reading any review before you buy (something that should be done)
will confirm that.
'08 FZ6n S2 ABS

SOLD: 2003 Peugeot Speedfight2 LC, 2007 Kawasaki ER-6F ABS, 2006 Kymco Agility 125, '12 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS,

woodbar

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2011, 01:01:03 PM »
Yes, I am aware that there is an ABS model available - but that is a "Downtown 300i ABS"  - NOT the plain vanilla 300i

I note the wiring diagram for the DT 125i actually shows TPMS as being fitted - not a model we have seen in the UK but maybe what you saw on Utube - it is NOT fitted on the 300i although the middle button is marked "TPMS"  and there is the legend for an indicator on the dashboard but no switch behind the button!

To be fair to the UK importer I did query the inaccuracies on their website and they have now (mostly) removed references to TPMS and amended the storage description to "up to 2 helemts" - note the omission of "full face" and the addition of "up to"!  To put this in context - my helmet is a Lazer Vertigo XL  it will not fit  - OK it IS a large size BUT I understand that the outer shell is common and it's only the internal padding and lining that is altered to give the different head sizes?  They did agree with me that they could only "just" fit 1 FF  in the rear space and 1 OF in the front.

As far as reading reviews before you buy - I always do - trouble is THAT is where I was told the bike had linked brakes, adjustable screen, ABS ........   and SOME of these reviews were linked to from the official Kymco UK site!

Anyway I am awaiting the arrival of a Kappa K35 Monolock Top box & Givi SR92M rack - I am assured my Lazer WILL fit in that  - yet again Givi UK had nil stock - "will be 2 weeks coming from Italy" - does this sound familiar?  In response to my complaint to Kymco regarding misleading storage information and the fact that I would NEED to add a top box they offered a "goodwill" gesture of supplying me a rack plus a 30l top box "at less than half price".  Sounds good - yes I thought so UNTIL I obtained the specifics - Givi rack and E30 top box - the offer price was actually 105% of what I could get them anywhere on the web!  I had assumed that the items might have been OEM Kymco supply but, no, they don't import any Kymco accessories!  In any case  ;D I wanted a slightly larger box.

Actually I would have preferred the SW Motech rack as it has 2 rear clamp bracket supports (instead of the single one on the Givi) BUT I could not find a stockist or anyone inclined to order one.

Anyone got any thoughts on the pros and cons of the increased flow airfilter in my first post above?

shadwell_lad

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2011, 04:11:16 PM »
Great post re the Downtown, I pick mine up tomorrow and did think that it had the features you mention (except the ABS which I had figured out the UK models don't have). I was particularly expecting the screen to be adjustable.

I'm getting an ex-demo bike with 600 miles on the clock for £500 discount. First service will be completed for me and the warranty has been extended by the dealer so I get a full 24 months. Part-ex deal on my old Honda PS was also pretty good. Although I may have been able to get a better deal I'm happy with it and hoping that the bike lives up to expectations!

I'm interested in your experiences with the Givi screen as I was getting quite a lot of wind in the face when I test rode the bike (I am 6" 1')

I've seen a set of stickers on eBay that will convert speedometers from km/hr to miles/hr and am probably going to try that out. I did find it a real problem working out what speed I was doing as the speedo tells me nothing useful. I may get used to it but would prefer some stickers.

Anything I should think about in my first weeks of riding this bike? (other than just enjoying myself!)

shadwell_lad

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2011, 04:15:38 PM »
One more interesting point is that somehow my insurance premium went down slightly. Very wierd as this is a new bike vs my 3 year old Honda PS 125 that is only worth about £1200.

Anyway, not complaining about that and just hoping that come renewal time in Sept the premium is as reasonable. I currently pay approx £230 fully comp parked on a driveway in a pretty poor postcode (E1) is London. Will have 3 years no claims in Spet.

woodbar

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2011, 06:19:44 PM »
Quote
Great post re the Downtown, I pick mine up tomorrow and did think that it had the features you mention (except the ABS which I had figured out the UK models don't have). I was particularly expecting the screen to be adjustable.

Best of luck with your new bike - I think you should like it.  Mine is about the same mileage as yours then and I must say is getting smoother and quicker with every hundred miles.

As regards the specifications - it's understandable for a reviewer to get some of the info wrong - just means they have not done their job properly - but when the importer provides misleading info............?

Well for your height the Givi screen might be just right - I am 5'11 1/2" with a 32" inseam and it's a bit too tall for me - getting up the courage to trim it down - it has vastly improved the ride although I shall have to see what happens when it's very windy!

I'm very interested in the conversion stickers - let me know how you get on with that.  The mph scale was obviously put there to comply with legislation but nobody bothered to see if it was legible!

Quote
Anything I should think about in my first weeks of riding this bike? (other than just enjoying myself!)

Can't think of anything - yours should be pretty well run in - just have a blast - carefully of course!

Weird your insurance went down?  Mine is about £175 FC including full AA breakdown bla bla (added about £25 for that) - but mine is in a locked brick built  sh garage overnight in Somerset - and I don't have any bike NCD as this is the first one I have had for about 30 years!

axy

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2011, 06:44:03 PM »
ABS models are available at an extra cost here, I've seen TPMS in action on
youtube, and I was able to fit my 2 full face helmets under the seat and then
some (Schuberth C2 and IXS HX240, M size both).

I have never seen them advertise the linked braking or the adjustable screen
localy, and reading any review before you buy (something that should be done)
will confirm that.

Comparison test of P250s and Xciting 250 on the importer's page claimed two full face helmets fit under the seat and that the scoot has linked brakes, none of which is true, at least not for P250S.
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(Past: Kymco People 250S, Piaggio Beverly 200, Kawasaki ZR-7S, Yamaha TW125, Kymco Cobra Cross 50, Peugeot Zenith 50, Piaggio NRG 50 mc2 72 cc Naraku kit)

axy

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2011, 06:47:14 PM »
Anyone got any thoughts on the pros and cons of the increased flow airfilter in my first post above?

No effect whatsoever, forget it.
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adri

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2011, 06:54:19 PM »
I've owned 6 bikes, 7 if you count the girlfriend's. They all come with goofiness in the owner's manual.
Warning: riding may cause unwanted injury, death, and pregnancy.
Right on!

woodbar

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2011, 10:18:52 PM »
Quote
Warning: riding may cause unwanted injury, death, and pregnancy.

I thought the last one was from sitting on damp grass!

woodbar

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2011, 10:53:23 PM »
No effect whatsoever, forget it.

That's very definite - not that I doubt you - I just don't know so I thought I'd ask.   If so it's probably not worth laying out the cash for one.

I just remember, from long ago, friends removing air filters and fitting bellmouth tubes covered with a bit of gauze (or ladies tights  :o) to improve the air flow into the engine and gain some performance.  So I was thinking that a less restrictive filter might have some similar benefits?  Of course that was with carbs and not fuel injection.

Here's another question - now I have started "pushing" the performance on the bike I can understand the comments I have seen elsewhere saying "this bike just loves 100 kmh" - this does seem to be the sweetspot. 

But I have noticed that if you are accelerating hard, with the throttle at or near wide open, at just over 100 kmh the engine note goes "hard" sounding and with some increased vibration  - the nearest I can describe it is like when a 2 stroke is 4 stroking - IF you back off the throttle until the noise/vibration cease, you can then wind it straight back on and it will pull sweetly up to 120 kmh?

Anyone else noticed this - or knows what may be causing it?

axy

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2011, 06:49:42 AM »
That's very definite - not that I doubt you - I just don't know so I thought I'd ask.   If so it's probably not worth laying out the cash for one.

I just remember, from long ago, friends removing air filters and fitting bellmouth tubes covered with a bit of gauze (or ladies tights  :o) to improve the air flow into the engine and gain some performance.  So I was thinking that a less restrictive filter might have some similar benefits?  Of course that was with carbs and not fuel injection.

You have nailed it yourself.

Carburetor vehicles are usually slightly rich jetted from the factory and sometimes there might be slight/almost negligible improvement if you give them a bit more air.

If you change air filter for open version on cars that have 100-200 hp, you gain nothing, imagine what you will gain on 30 hp scoot.
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(Past: Kymco People 250S, Piaggio Beverly 200, Kawasaki ZR-7S, Yamaha TW125, Kymco Cobra Cross 50, Peugeot Zenith 50, Piaggio NRG 50 mc2 72 cc Naraku kit)

shadwell_lad

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2011, 09:56:08 AM »

I'm very interested in the conversion stickers - let me know how you get on with that.  The mph scale was obviously put there to comply with legislation but nobody bothered to see if it was legible!

Have a look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPEEDO-OVERLAY-CONVERSION-KIT-STICKERS-MPH-KPH-/290582290325#ht_1687wt_1139 - not sure if I am going with these or not but it is a cheap experiment

I've also read about something from motrax which goes inline in the speedo cable and then the km/hour reading on the speedo is actually miles / hour * I think *. Can't find too much more detail on that though.....

woodbar

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Re: Downtown 300i - useful information?
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2011, 02:17:30 PM »
Have a look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPEEDO-OVERLAY-CONVERSION-KIT-STICKERS-MPH-KPH-/290582290325#ht_1687wt_1139 - not sure if I am going with these or not but it is a cheap experiment

I've also read about something from motrax which goes inline in the speedo cable and then the km/hour reading on the speedo is actually miles / hour * I think *. Can't find too much more detail on that though.....

Thanks for the inf - I had a look at the site - I think they might be the right size but none of the preprinted scales match up - you would have to do a "snip" job or use the separate labels - neither of which are gonna look very good or last very long, maybe?

Not sure if the other item is for a rotating cable or electrical cable - the DT has an electronic  pulse driven speedo - I have emailed 2 companies who do electronic convertors - but not expecting much success.

I'm still thinking of paying the money and fitting the Striker electronic dash - just need to check if one of the magnetic bolts for the front disc will actually fit - don't fancy aralditing a little magnet anywhere!

Anyway, you should be riding not typing - first day of ownership!

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