Author Topic: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!  (Read 3113 times)

gregspeople250

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Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« on: July 31, 2018, 04:55:00 PM »
I saw the above scoot' in Taiwan at a dealer. Looks great.
With no TMAX 530's with ABS available in the USA, Kymco would have this displacement/option market to itself. I want a maxi scoot' with good power, reasonable weight, good handling and ABS and nothing meets the spec's except the TMAX and Kymco 550.
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Kymco AK550

AMAC1680

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2018, 06:32:05 PM »
I’m with you.
If it were a couple of years ago I’d be in.
Sadly at this point my crip legs would drop it at a light.

Hope you get the chance to own one, it looks terrific!

AMAC
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EvilTessmacher

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2018, 12:51:31 AM »
I concur.

That's the only thing I'd ever trade Diana in for.

Except maybe the Honda Integra NC700...
http://wellyklang.com/2013/04/honda-nc700-integra/
« Last Edit: August 01, 2018, 12:54:00 AM by EvilTessmacher »
Two things to consider...
1) The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse always gets the cheese.
2) Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.

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Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2018, 11:57:36 AM »
Would be very surprised if they did. The 700 was a bust, here.
If Americans want a big, expensive scooter - they'll stick with a Japanese bike before laying out that kind of money. No matter what we think, Kymco doesn't have the same quality reputation.
In the end....dealers were unloading the 700 at cost.

Stig
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Forbes1964

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2018, 10:42:54 PM »
That’s true. But from what I’ve read and heard , the 700 was somewhat cramped and not as roomy as the Xciting. In my opinion, it probably wouldn’t have sold too well anyway. People may accept being cramped for 4,000 but not at 10,000.


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Viper254

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2018, 06:57:56 AM »
Are we talking about the AK550? It's here in the UK now, but barely priced below a Burgman, so I'm struggling to see how it could make a dent in the market :S
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Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2018, 10:51:18 AM »
Are we talking about the AK550? It's here in the UK now, but barely priced below a Burgman, so I'm struggling to see how it could make a dent in the market :S
The 650, or the 400 Burgman?
Stig
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Viper254

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2018, 07:25:30 AM »
400 I believe.
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beermak

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2018, 11:22:47 PM »
In argentina they are selling the ak550 and my customs agent just got one... it looks awsome and in that range you can get bmw c650 tmax 530 or the ak550. All very similar but the kymco is better priced and i think its the best option.
They are selling for 20k usd! The bmw 22.5 and the tmax 24.3... reason why i didnt get one [emoji24]


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MJR

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2018, 05:13:38 AM »
I might have been interested in a AK550 before my 2 1/2 years of a new 2014 MyRoad 700i ownership and couple months of a loaner 2016 Xciting 500i experience. Now I'd say unless Kymco has seriously learned anything about ergonomics or making a reliable maxi scoot I'd pass on another Kymco in favor of a Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha. Oh and if Kymco is still installing Maxxis tires as OE equipment any buyers should immediately swap them out with Dunlop, Bridgestone, etc if they value their lives.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2018, 05:27:18 AM by MJR »
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xsel777

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2018, 05:11:39 PM »
MJR, which Kymco do you like better, and why? 500i or 700i.

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leomagnus

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2018, 05:38:32 PM »
MJR, the 400i is quite comfortable and the ergonomics are fine for me being 5',7'' with a 29 inseam. Not sure why the Maxxis are so bad, they seemed fine to me on the road

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MJR

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Re: Hey Kymco, Bring the 550!
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2018, 05:02:34 AM »
MJR, which Kymco do you like better, and why? 500i or 700i.

The one with the worn camshaft at 14 K mi or the one that needs another crank sensor at 15K mi? The MyRoad 700i for sure because I do not like the windshield on the Xciting 500i which directs air right in my face so I can't ride with the visor up. I do not like the angle of the forward floorboard on the Xciting 500i compared to the MyRoad 700i. I like the MyRoad 700i engine for its power. I do not like that the Xciting 500i engine runs a 1,000 rpm higher than the MyRoad 700i at the same high speed 7,000 rpm @ 80 mph indicated vs 6,000 rpm @ 80 mph (even my Aprilia Atlantic 500 runs at the lower rpm than the Xciting on the freeway). The MyRoad 700i also has a better/usable trunk. I can't believe the sudden loss of power/top speed on the Xciting 500i that the engine needs repair at under 15 K miles either.

MJR, the 400i is quite comfortable and the ergonomics are fine for me being 5',7'' with a 29 inseam. Not sure why the Maxxis are so bad, they seemed fine to me on the road

The X-Town 300i and Xciting 400i are a case in point that Kymco doesn't understand ergonomics. One has a soft seat and forward floorboard angle thats too sharp the the main floorboard while the other a firm seat and decent front floorboard angle to the main floorboard. Also one has small numbers on the gauges and the other larger readable numbers. They are hit and miss at things that are basic unlike other manufacturers. The Xciting 400i feels and is better quality but I think it's made in Taiwan vs the X-Town 300i which is made in mainland China. The 300i seems like a good price but I think the Xciting 400i is better built/nicer. Two current models and yet completely different. If I get on a Suzuki Burgman 400 or 650 they feel close to the same in fit/comfort.

My Maxxis tires were fine until they weren't and started tread separating on the freeway on me each a couple of thousand miles apart. I didn't like the front Maxxis much even when new because it had a center groove that would track in the grooved concrete freeways around here making it wander.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2018, 05:31:28 AM by MJR »
'03 Clipper Yellow Honda Reflex
'03 Coast Cyan Atlantic 500
'14 White MyRoad 700i
'09 Mirage White Burgman 650
'06 Oort Gray Burgman 650 project
'05 Sonic Silver Burgman 650 project
'03 Space Blue Burgman 650, rebuilt/upgraded CVT w/Polish adapter
'03 Space Blue Burgman 650 parts bike

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