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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / My New Top Box Sticker
« on: June 09, 2022, 04:57:29 PM »
Really digging the new sticker I bought for the top box on my Honda ADV 150. I feel it's only right to give everyone fair warning...
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2
Side By Side / Finally Changed Parking Cable
« on: May 31, 2022, 04:20:09 PM »
Well, I finally (had some other projects going around the house) got around to replacing my broken parking brake cable this weekend. Pleased to report it was a fairly easy job. Really about 15 minutes for the actual cable replacement, plus a couple hours to jack up the vehicle, remove skid plates, crawl around under vehicle snipping cable ties and opening up cable clamps built into frame, removing old cable, snaking new cable into position, etc.
There was no need to remove the outer skid plates along the sides of the vehicle, which was good, as that would have also forced me to remove my rock slider bars to get to those. Just the plates under the center of the vehicle provided all the access I needed.
As for the install itself, here's a tip for anyone who ever has to do this job: hook up the REAR end of the cable (at brake) FIRST. I had the front of the cable (at dash lever) hooked up first and trying to get enough slack to slide the cable into position in the back was a real PITA, especially while lying on my back under the machine. Leave the front loose and you will have a much easier time attaching the back end. Then you can sit comfortable in the front seat and get the front end hooked up without much trouble.
Well, that's all there is to it. This is my third year owning the machine and so far that's the first real repair I've had to make, at a grand total of $50. Did have a non-starting issue last year, which turned out just to be a fouled spark plug. That was a $5 fix.
There was no need to remove the outer skid plates along the sides of the vehicle, which was good, as that would have also forced me to remove my rock slider bars to get to those. Just the plates under the center of the vehicle provided all the access I needed.
As for the install itself, here's a tip for anyone who ever has to do this job: hook up the REAR end of the cable (at brake) FIRST. I had the front of the cable (at dash lever) hooked up first and trying to get enough slack to slide the cable into position in the back was a real PITA, especially while lying on my back under the machine. Leave the front loose and you will have a much easier time attaching the back end. Then you can sit comfortable in the front seat and get the front end hooked up without much trouble.
Well, that's all there is to it. This is my third year owning the machine and so far that's the first real repair I've had to make, at a grand total of $50. Did have a non-starting issue last year, which turned out just to be a fouled spark plug. That was a $5 fix.
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Side By Side / Tracker 500S (UXV 450i) Service Manual
« on: April 05, 2022, 01:07:37 AM »
Stumbled across this online and wanted to share. This is a service manual for the Tracker Off Road 500S, which is a rebadged Kymco UXV 450i. A few cosmetic differences but 95+ percent of this should be applicable to our machines...
https://www.trackeroffroad.com/assets/pdf/service-manuals/2020-TRACKER-500S-Service-Manual.pdf
https://www.trackeroffroad.com/assets/pdf/service-manuals/2020-TRACKER-500S-Service-Manual.pdf
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Side By Side / UXV 450i Parking Brake Cable
« on: April 04, 2022, 03:56:19 AM »
I was using my 2018 UXV 450i this weekend and noticed the end of the manual parking brake cable that attaches to the lever on the dash is frayed. The cable terminates at a barrel connector that interfaces with the black hand lever you use to engage/disengage the brake. Several strands of the cable have broken away from this barrel connector and only a few strands are still holding on.
Has anyone else experienced this and replaced the cable? It runs into a plastic sheath, and my guess is that it runs all the way to the single rear disc brake on the drive axle. However, I could be wrong as I haven't really gotten under the machine to investigate yet.
Curious if anyone happens to know the part number for that cable and how much of a PITA to remove the existing cable and replace.
As fellow owners know, this manual parking brake is very important since putting the machine into PARK on the shifter on any sort of incline makes it virtually impossible to get out of PARK whilst gravity is putting tension on the gears. So, many of us just never use park but instead rely on the manual lever to securely hold the machine in place while stopped on a grade.
Thanks in advance for your help. I'll try to add a photo showing the frayed cable tomorrow.
Has anyone else experienced this and replaced the cable? It runs into a plastic sheath, and my guess is that it runs all the way to the single rear disc brake on the drive axle. However, I could be wrong as I haven't really gotten under the machine to investigate yet.
Curious if anyone happens to know the part number for that cable and how much of a PITA to remove the existing cable and replace.
As fellow owners know, this manual parking brake is very important since putting the machine into PARK on the shifter on any sort of incline makes it virtually impossible to get out of PARK whilst gravity is putting tension on the gears. So, many of us just never use park but instead rely on the manual lever to securely hold the machine in place while stopped on a grade.
Thanks in advance for your help. I'll try to add a photo showing the frayed cable tomorrow.
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Side By Side / UXV 450i Belt Replacement
« on: December 13, 2021, 02:28:41 PM »
As we head into winter, I am thinking about routine maintenance projects to do to my 2018 UXV450i this winter. Change the engine oil/filter, and do the annual change on the gear oil are obvious.
I have had no issues with this machine since purchase, but one thing I have considered is just replacing the drive belt as a precautionary measure. Currently my machine has just over 1,000 miles, and I have seen several other owners comment recently that they are over 3,000 miles of heavy use with the original drive belt still going.
So, perhaps replacing the drive belt at 1,000 miles is overkill. Like I said, the machine runs fine, though there does seem to be just a tiny bit of play in the belt (like a fraction of a second) between the time you push the gas pedal and and the time the belt engages. I don't recall that it was quite that way brand new, but certainly has been for a good while now. Perhaps that's just the way these machines are once the belt is fully worn in.
Opinions and experiences from long-time owners of these machines certainly appreciated, and Merry Christmas to the Kymco Forum family!
I have had no issues with this machine since purchase, but one thing I have considered is just replacing the drive belt as a precautionary measure. Currently my machine has just over 1,000 miles, and I have seen several other owners comment recently that they are over 3,000 miles of heavy use with the original drive belt still going.
So, perhaps replacing the drive belt at 1,000 miles is overkill. Like I said, the machine runs fine, though there does seem to be just a tiny bit of play in the belt (like a fraction of a second) between the time you push the gas pedal and and the time the belt engages. I don't recall that it was quite that way brand new, but certainly has been for a good while now. Perhaps that's just the way these machines are once the belt is fully worn in.
Opinions and experiences from long-time owners of these machines certainly appreciated, and Merry Christmas to the Kymco Forum family!
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Side By Side / Have You Seen the 2022s?
« on: November 22, 2021, 09:19:58 PM »
Guys, has anyone else noticed the 2022 UXV lineup on the Kymco USA website? As of now, they have only the 450i listed (no 700s), and it looks like they've gotten rid of the dump bed on the standard model ($8,299 MSRP) and gone to a flat "cargo bed" design. Now, if that ain't ugly, I don't know what is! No way I would buy one of those vs. the 2018 I have with a dump bed. IMO, removing the dump bed removes a lot of the utility a side-by-side offers vs. an ATV.
Apparently, if you want the dump bed, your only options going forward is to go with the LE EPS model ($10,649 MSRP) which apparently now comes with electronic power steering in addition to the winch and aluminum alloy wheels.
Whaddaya guys think?
Apparently, if you want the dump bed, your only options going forward is to go with the LE EPS model ($10,649 MSRP) which apparently now comes with electronic power steering in addition to the winch and aluminum alloy wheels.
Whaddaya guys think?
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Dog on a Moped
« on: August 20, 2021, 03:00:42 PM »
OK, here's one you don't see every day -- a dog on a moped.
Recently visited family in Rhode Island and spent a day out on Block Island with my brother and sister-in-law, who insists on taking her lap dog everywhere. Yes, she actually held this dog as we scooted around the island on Genunie Scooter Co. Urbano 50s. I'm not sure such a practice would receive a 5-star safety rating from the National Institute of Highway Safety, but it DID seem to get lots of positive reactions from fellow tourists.
At any rate, as someone who NEVER rides at home without ATT, it was interesting that on the island, everyone (including us) just rents mopeds and cruises around in their bathing suits and Crocs. I mean, they "only" go 30 mph but you can lose a lot of skin on pavement at 30 mph, right? Guess I just decided to live dangerously for a day. At least we wore helmets!
Anyway, as for the scooters themselves, this was my first time ever on a stock 50cc machine, and let's just say I was not impressed. You hit the throttle and the engine revs, but it took the bike about two more seconds to think about it and decide whether it actually wanted to move. And I think 0-30 in 30 seconds is about right. LOL.
I don't suspect this is a particular criticism of the particular make/model we rented. Probably similar for all 50 cc machines, short of modification. And, you also have to take into account that the rental scoots on the island get beat on daily by all manner of drivers. It was somewhat amusing that every scooter on the island appeared to have one in tact rear-view mirror. My kids asked me about it, and my best guess is that these scooters get dropped, side swiped, etc., so often that within weeks of getting a new unit, one or both mirrors are broken. So, the rental places just poach mirrors off other bikes until it gets to the point there is only one good mirror available for each bike.
Recently visited family in Rhode Island and spent a day out on Block Island with my brother and sister-in-law, who insists on taking her lap dog everywhere. Yes, she actually held this dog as we scooted around the island on Genunie Scooter Co. Urbano 50s. I'm not sure such a practice would receive a 5-star safety rating from the National Institute of Highway Safety, but it DID seem to get lots of positive reactions from fellow tourists.
At any rate, as someone who NEVER rides at home without ATT, it was interesting that on the island, everyone (including us) just rents mopeds and cruises around in their bathing suits and Crocs. I mean, they "only" go 30 mph but you can lose a lot of skin on pavement at 30 mph, right? Guess I just decided to live dangerously for a day. At least we wore helmets!
Anyway, as for the scooters themselves, this was my first time ever on a stock 50cc machine, and let's just say I was not impressed. You hit the throttle and the engine revs, but it took the bike about two more seconds to think about it and decide whether it actually wanted to move. And I think 0-30 in 30 seconds is about right. LOL.
I don't suspect this is a particular criticism of the particular make/model we rented. Probably similar for all 50 cc machines, short of modification. And, you also have to take into account that the rental scoots on the island get beat on daily by all manner of drivers. It was somewhat amusing that every scooter on the island appeared to have one in tact rear-view mirror. My kids asked me about it, and my best guess is that these scooters get dropped, side swiped, etc., so often that within weeks of getting a new unit, one or both mirrors are broken. So, the rental places just poach mirrors off other bikes until it gets to the point there is only one good mirror available for each bike.
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Group Ride
« on: July 23, 2021, 02:39:31 PM »
Took my 2021 Honda ADV 150 on about a 50-mile ride yesterday with a couple of friends, both of whom have Kawasaki KLR 650s. One is 2007 and the other is a 2008. We rode up and over the Blue Mountain two times on gravel roads and through some great farm country. My scooter performed well and I had no trouble keeping up with the bigger bikes. And I don't think they were even embarrassed to be seen with me!
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / New Top Case
« on: July 17, 2021, 08:10:16 PM »
Just installed the GIVI B32NMAL top case on my 2021 Honda ADV 150. Considering this case costs less than $100, I am absolutely thrilled with it. It uses a monolock plate that I was able to attach to my aftermarket luggage rack in about 10 minutes. Once the plate is attached, the case itself can be locked onto the plate or removed from it in 1 second with the simple press of a button. When attached, it's good and secure, and I am impressed with the 32-liter capacity -- easily enough to accommodate a full-face helmet with room to spare, or enough for several pretty large bags of groceries.
I also think the case looks great on my bike, but I guess I am lucky that the black/gray color scheme of the case perfectly matches my scoot. Lock mechanism works smoothly.
This is not a ballistic case by any means in terms of overall durability. It's a molded plastic about what you would expect at this price point, but in no way flimsy. I would anticipate getting many years of service out of this product. I'm going to get some self-adhesive foam padding and affix it to the inside, just to cushion the cargo and prevent vibration/bouncing when riding with a load in there.
Hope others in the market for a top case find this helpful. I looked at other GIVI models, as well as some from Shad, but ultimately settled on this one because I liked the squared off look better than the rounded style on most of the lower-cost cases.
I also think the case looks great on my bike, but I guess I am lucky that the black/gray color scheme of the case perfectly matches my scoot. Lock mechanism works smoothly.
This is not a ballistic case by any means in terms of overall durability. It's a molded plastic about what you would expect at this price point, but in no way flimsy. I would anticipate getting many years of service out of this product. I'm going to get some self-adhesive foam padding and affix it to the inside, just to cushion the cargo and prevent vibration/bouncing when riding with a load in there.
Hope others in the market for a top case find this helpful. I looked at other GIVI models, as well as some from Shad, but ultimately settled on this one because I liked the squared off look better than the rounded style on most of the lower-cost cases.
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Sunday at the Lake
« on: July 12, 2021, 02:35:52 PM »
Enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon ride on my Honda ADV 150 and passed 1,500 miles on the odometer. Stopped at Tuscarora Lake and snapped this pic for your enjoyment. Hope everyone is taking advantage of the long summer days and warm weather to get out there and put some miles on...
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General Discussion / Hey Stig, It's Red!
« on: July 08, 2021, 06:24:02 PM »
Been lots of talk on here about lack of inventory across the market, from all brands. Looks like Honda is FINALLY getting the 2022 PCXs and ADVs to market, as they are trickling into dealerships across the nation. As for the ADV, the 2022 model is available only in red, and I saw the first actual photos (not stock pictures from Honda website) on Cycle Trader this week.
Stig, I think you'll be pleased with the look of the new color, since you aren't a big fan of my black 2021 model (or at least it isn't your preferred color). I believe you said they ought to make this bike in "Honda red," so here you go...
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2022-Honda%C2%AE-ADV150-5017096843
Stig, I think you'll be pleased with the look of the new color, since you aren't a big fan of my black 2021 model (or at least it isn't your preferred color). I believe you said they ought to make this bike in "Honda red," so here you go...
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2022-Honda%C2%AE-ADV150-5017096843
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General Discussion / Scooter or Motorcycle?
« on: July 02, 2021, 05:26:39 PM »
Of course, it's no secret that we in the USA don't get access to many of the coolest models bike makers produce. Happened to come across this new "moped" being offered by Yamaha overseas. It's the 2021 Sniper 155. Yamaha calls it a moped, but it appears to have a 6-speed manual clutch and foot pegs, which makes it a motorcycle to me. But the seat, engine size (155 CCs) and overall design very much yells scooter.
https://www.yamaha-motor.com.ph/product/sniper-155/sniper-155.html
Regardless, that is one cool-looking bike. Hard to imagine these companies couldn't sell machines like that here, but what do I know?
https://www.yamaha-motor.com.ph/product/sniper-155/sniper-155.html
Regardless, that is one cool-looking bike. Hard to imagine these companies couldn't sell machines like that here, but what do I know?
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General Discussion / Post Break-In Performance vs. Pre Break-In Performance
« on: June 28, 2021, 03:11:54 PM »
What is everyone's feeling on how engine performance can or will change post break-in vs. brand new? The reason I ask is because -- on my 2021 Honda ADV 150 -- I have noticed the engine seems to be more powerful of late. Better acceleration and holding top speed more easily. I have about 1,300 miles on the bike and have noticed this in the last week or two. No real explanation, and I guess it's always possible it is a figment of my imagination, but I don't think so. I really think the throttle is more responsive.
So, this begs a general question for all you long-time scooter and motorcycle riders with hundreds or thousands of collective bikes under your belts: what kind of changes have you noticed in your performance after the break-in period? Can the piston fully "seating in" really make a noticeable difference for the average rider?
So, this begs a general question for all you long-time scooter and motorcycle riders with hundreds or thousands of collective bikes under your belts: what kind of changes have you noticed in your performance after the break-in period? Can the piston fully "seating in" really make a noticeable difference for the average rider?
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Spying on Stig!
« on: June 23, 2021, 05:45:33 PM »
Hey Stig, are these photos from YOUR favorite cafe? And were you there this morning? If so, I believe we had an interaction through a relative of mine who was in town.
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Scooters and Marriage
« on: June 21, 2021, 05:54:32 PM »
Well, today is our 24th wedding anniversary. Being as yesterday was Father's Day, I naturally wanted to do some riding, and my bride decided to come along for a bit yesterday evening. I brought her over to the church parking lot and let her do some laps on my ADV 150. It was her first time driving a scooter. I had suggested it to her in the past, and she seemed hesitant. But once I got her on there, she was having a blast! When she got off, she told me, "I could drive something like that!" Ever since I got my scooter, I've been telling her she needs one too. I don't know that I have her convinced yet, but I think I at least put a dent in the armor of resistance. I'd love to get her a PCX 150 and think it would be a perfect bike for her to cruise around with me. Open to other suggestions from you guys as well.
Anyway, thought you guys would enjoy seeing a photo of my better half on my bike, since Stig says I am not good looking enough to post any more selfies!
On the way home, we stopped at Dollar General to look at anniversary cards. We like to just show each other the card we would have gotten one another, since a card just takes up space in a drawer once you spend 15 seconds looking at it. I think the one she found was extremely fitting, given our evening activity. You don't see a scooter anniversary card every day!
Anyway, thought you guys would enjoy seeing a photo of my better half on my bike, since Stig says I am not good looking enough to post any more selfies!
On the way home, we stopped at Dollar General to look at anniversary cards. We like to just show each other the card we would have gotten one another, since a card just takes up space in a drawer once you spend 15 seconds looking at it. I think the one she found was extremely fitting, given our evening activity. You don't see a scooter anniversary card every day!