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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Re: Finally ready to ride
« on: April 10, 2024, 05:56:53 PM »
Very nice.
Almost bought one of those.
Almost bought one of those.
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General Discussion / Re: Roadside assistance, do you have it or ??
« on: April 05, 2024, 01:51:54 AM »
Yup. Even used it a couple times when I blew a belt.
Comes with my bike insurance.
Comes with my bike insurance.
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General Discussion / Re: if KYMCO would spend a few $ on marketing!
« on: March 27, 2024, 06:31:02 PM »
I haven't ridden one, but do have a friend who uses one on shorter group rides and seems to like it.
Personally though I agree. That's a lot of money for essentially an in town to in suburb bike.
The lighter e-scoots, & larger e-bikes do seem to be moving into the light in town/50cc market though.
There are scenarios where I'd pick one up, possibly swap one of my bikes for it to get the garage space, or if moving to a more apartment style urban dwelling floor space in the unit since there's 0 chance of them leaking oil.
Think I'd keep my smoke detector up to date, & make sure an electric rated fire extinguisher is charged and available just in case though. Not a huge number of battery issues out there, but enough to be prepared.
Personally though I agree. That's a lot of money for essentially an in town to in suburb bike.
The lighter e-scoots, & larger e-bikes do seem to be moving into the light in town/50cc market though.
There are scenarios where I'd pick one up, possibly swap one of my bikes for it to get the garage space, or if moving to a more apartment style urban dwelling floor space in the unit since there's 0 chance of them leaking oil.
Think I'd keep my smoke detector up to date, & make sure an electric rated fire extinguisher is charged and available just in case though. Not a huge number of battery issues out there, but enough to be prepared.
article is 3 years old and this is first I have heard..... if they really wanted to market, I'd have heard of it long before 2024
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General Discussion / Re: Where is your cell phone when you're riding?
« on: March 27, 2024, 06:21:58 PM »
I do keep my phone with me on a Quadlock mount.
It's mounted on a ball mount on the mirror mount on my SYM, & on a ball mount on the driver's side brake fluid reservoir on the Burgman.
I connect it (Wireless) to a SENA 20S, & use it to listen to music/radio when desired, & navigation when needed, as well as for any other communicaton needs.
I have ways to power it hooked up on both bikes; albeit the Burgman's is a bit neater since I'm too lazy to run the cables on the SYM to make it more easily accessible.
The bright blue tab on the right side of the bike is the top of the mount. Since I took this with said phone it's not mounted of course.
It's mounted on a ball mount on the mirror mount on my SYM, & on a ball mount on the driver's side brake fluid reservoir on the Burgman.
I connect it (Wireless) to a SENA 20S, & use it to listen to music/radio when desired, & navigation when needed, as well as for any other communicaton needs.
I have ways to power it hooked up on both bikes; albeit the Burgman's is a bit neater since I'm too lazy to run the cables on the SYM to make it more easily accessible.
The bright blue tab on the right side of the bike is the top of the mount. Since I took this with said phone it's not mounted of course.
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General Discussion / Re: in the sticks with LIKE200i's 35W headlight
« on: March 01, 2024, 12:09:00 AM »
I've swapped over a few bikes over a few years.
The newer LEDs mimic halogens better than the old ones, & other than having to adjust the headlight height after the swap I really haven't had any issues over what's now been thousands of miles.
I went on to swap out all the lights on the SYMs since they're brighter, so more visible. I actually doubled up on the blinkers since the euro/asian blinker locations were already wired. If someone doesn't see the signals on those bikes they are not looking.
The caveats I'll note are that none of the bikes I've swapped use that 35/35 watt one you have, & they can be interesting to fit, there will be a heat sink or a fan, so being mindful of how that will fit and what it may contact are something to consider.
I used a fan cooled option in my current (2018) Burgman vs. the air cooled ones I used in the SYMs since it helped with clearance for instance.
As far as complaints go. Not really. I have gotten flashed a couple times since I swapped the SYMs, but really it's in situations where it was the terrain causing the angle to hit just right, & it would have been that way regardless of what I was riding/driving.
The newer LEDs mimic halogens better than the old ones, & other than having to adjust the headlight height after the swap I really haven't had any issues over what's now been thousands of miles.
I went on to swap out all the lights on the SYMs since they're brighter, so more visible. I actually doubled up on the blinkers since the euro/asian blinker locations were already wired. If someone doesn't see the signals on those bikes they are not looking.
The caveats I'll note are that none of the bikes I've swapped use that 35/35 watt one you have, & they can be interesting to fit, there will be a heat sink or a fan, so being mindful of how that will fit and what it may contact are something to consider.
I used a fan cooled option in my current (2018) Burgman vs. the air cooled ones I used in the SYMs since it helped with clearance for instance.
As far as complaints go. Not really. I have gotten flashed a couple times since I swapped the SYMs, but really it's in situations where it was the terrain causing the angle to hit just right, & it would have been that way regardless of what I was riding/driving.
Curious here...
Headlight reflector/buckets which use a Halogen bulb are designed to work with a Halogen bulb.
Apparently there are some new LED bulbs specifically designed to work in a Halogen bucket.
I understand that a lot of guys never, or very rarely, ride in the dark.
If you do ride in the dark - do you get complaints from drivers with your LED bulb in a Halogen reflector?
I have also read that some riders are fully aware that their LED bulb in a Halogen bucket IS blinding drivers - and they state they do not care, because they really like that white, flood-lit area in front of their bikes.
Stig
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General Discussion / Re: Oldest item you still own and use?
« on: January 19, 2024, 06:18:29 PM »
Nice thread Neil. Some nifty answers as well.
Off the top of my head, for regular use I have a 1950's Dexter Chef knife (German style) in all of it's old tool steel, & rosewood scale glory I got a thrift store decades ago.
For very rare use I have a couple old SAE sockets I picked up at a garage sale or something down the years. Pretty sure they're older than the knife, but not sure on the years, but just found this link https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-hand-tool-manufacturers-date-ranges.84807/
So may go dig 'em up and see if I can zero that in a little.
Off the top of my head, for regular use I have a 1950's Dexter Chef knife (German style) in all of it's old tool steel, & rosewood scale glory I got a thrift store decades ago.
For very rare use I have a couple old SAE sockets I picked up at a garage sale or something down the years. Pretty sure they're older than the knife, but not sure on the years, but just found this link https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-hand-tool-manufacturers-date-ranges.84807/
So may go dig 'em up and see if I can zero that in a little.
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General Discussion / Re: Ya'know, I wouldn't say NO to a dry scooter ride!
« on: January 03, 2024, 12:59:30 AM »
+1 on all of ya.
I hit it a few times when commuting year round, usually just a quick slip, but the worst was on my first Burgman 650 on I5 under a bridge.
Probably a 10-20' stretch. I wasn't going particularly fast for the road, but I was on the freeway..
I didn't twitch & thought only pure thoughts for the duration and stayed up. Longest 5 hours of my life.
Stuck to surface streets on the freezing days thereafter. Fortunately not a lot of them around here.
I hit it a few times when commuting year round, usually just a quick slip, but the worst was on my first Burgman 650 on I5 under a bridge.
Probably a 10-20' stretch. I wasn't going particularly fast for the road, but I was on the freeway..
I didn't twitch & thought only pure thoughts for the duration and stayed up. Longest 5 hours of my life.
Stuck to surface streets on the freezing days thereafter. Fortunately not a lot of them around here.
A few yrs ago, on my 5:30 AM work commute - I hit a patch of ice on a street.
I didn't go down.
It came from a street cleaner a few blocks ahead. He was spraying water so his swirling brushes didn't create dust!
This happened one other time - in the 70's in Mass, work commuting to the Hosp. in the winter on my Honda motorcycle. The same cause! Didn't go down - but I was just as P O'd
Dumbheads.
Stig
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General Discussion / Re: This scoot will never play down there
« on: January 03, 2024, 12:39:42 AM »
Eh, not necessarily my fav, but really defensive driving 101, & 102 pretty much cover it.
Noting that I prefer slower more scenic backroads I do use freeways as well as some of the less slow highways as needed.
The AN650 is no real problem on them of course. Still not my fav, but it handles the freeway with panache.
The HD200 is a bit faster than your Liberty, but not really a freeway cruiser, so not my tool of choice for that but it does work. Carpool lanes and carpool lane exits are handy.
I've been on the freeway in Montana on my old S200, which is not as quick, & probably not as fast your Liberty, & survived.
Folks will get around you, just don't camp the left lane, & keep your eyes open.
Noting that I prefer slower more scenic backroads I do use freeways as well as some of the less slow highways as needed.
The AN650 is no real problem on them of course. Still not my fav, but it handles the freeway with panache.
The HD200 is a bit faster than your Liberty, but not really a freeway cruiser, so not my tool of choice for that but it does work. Carpool lanes and carpool lane exits are handy.
I've been on the freeway in Montana on my old S200, which is not as quick, & probably not as fast your Liberty, & survived.
Folks will get around you, just don't camp the left lane, & keep your eyes open.
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General Discussion / Re: Merry Christmas~!
« on: December 27, 2023, 12:00:22 AM »
A bit late, but back atcha from the PNW.
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General Discussion / Re: CV3 in US
« on: November 06, 2023, 06:41:11 AM »
Thanks Lucky, kind of an old thread but was just reading the specs and noting it had the same motor as the AK.
SWMBO had an MP3 400 for a bit that I got to ride. Found it interesting, but wasn't quite the one at the time.
I have not seen one around here.
SWMBO had an MP3 400 for a bit that I got to ride. Found it interesting, but wasn't quite the one at the time.
I have not seen one around here.
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General Discussion / Re: have you ever bought used tires?
« on: May 23, 2023, 06:42:15 PM »
Just enough truth to keep ya guess'n. Stig's pretty slick that way.
"most"?
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General Discussion / Re: have you ever bought used tires?
« on: May 15, 2023, 08:01:53 AM »
For a couple cars when I was on a budget. Yup. More than a few times.
For a bike. No.
For a bike. No.
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Roadcraft / Re: Heated gloves vs heated grips
« on: April 16, 2023, 07:51:32 PM »
I've run a few combo's of this.
- Just heated grips. Worked OK, but my hands tended to cramp a little, not debilitating, but uncomfortable, for a bit before they warmed through.
- Heated grips and wired heated gloves. Much better. No cramps.
- Heated gloves all but the palms (Battery and wired). This was OK but like the grips only it took a bit to be comfortable, no cramps though.
- Heated gloves, palms included (battery). Works OK, but they're made from fabric so the wind cuts through them so I turn 'em up a notch or two sometimes. I think leather would be better. Esp. cuz you can wax that and waterproof 'em a bit better. This is what I currently have.
For all of them I think some kind of wind blocker would help as well. One bike had it, the difference was notable. Even something as simple as 101 barkbusters.
- Just heated grips. Worked OK, but my hands tended to cramp a little, not debilitating, but uncomfortable, for a bit before they warmed through.
- Heated grips and wired heated gloves. Much better. No cramps.
- Heated gloves all but the palms (Battery and wired). This was OK but like the grips only it took a bit to be comfortable, no cramps though.
- Heated gloves, palms included (battery). Works OK, but they're made from fabric so the wind cuts through them so I turn 'em up a notch or two sometimes. I think leather would be better. Esp. cuz you can wax that and waterproof 'em a bit better. This is what I currently have.
For all of them I think some kind of wind blocker would help as well. One bike had it, the difference was notable. Even something as simple as 101 barkbusters.
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Technical | How To / Re: AK550 fork seals
« on: February 26, 2023, 04:37:59 AM »
I have not done this. My usual deal with forks is just doing the oil, not pulling 'em apart. I think that rjs's idea might well be worth a shot.
That noted:
Looking at the assembly I see the top cap (94605) and the bolt on the bottom 9660.
The top one I usually leave in the triple tee clamp to loosen initially and finish loosening in my clamp table.
The bottom one I'd have to get an eyeball on. I know those can be tricky since they like to spin.
For the record the pic is borrowed from https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/kymco-motorcycle/550-SCOOTER/AK/AK550_4T_EURO_4/FRONT-FORK-DETAIL-/169/3/0/169.
That noted:
Looking at the assembly I see the top cap (94605) and the bolt on the bottom 9660.
The top one I usually leave in the triple tee clamp to loosen initially and finish loosening in my clamp table.
The bottom one I'd have to get an eyeball on. I know those can be tricky since they like to spin.
For the record the pic is borrowed from https://www.bike-parts-kymco.uk/kymco-motorcycle/550-SCOOTER/AK/AK550_4T_EURO_4/FRONT-FORK-DETAIL-/169/3/0/169.
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Downtown 300 / Re: Comparing the Downtown 300i to a new 2022 X-Town 300i
« on: December 03, 2022, 11:04:56 PM »
Not as punchy as the DT, but should be fine. The Vespa 300's get by just fine on a little less power; albeit they appear to have a 50lb advantage.
Why ya thinking of trading in your DT though? Will your local dealer (Seattle Cycle?) let ya give it a test ride?
Why ya thinking of trading in your DT though? Will your local dealer (Seattle Cycle?) let ya give it a test ride?