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Topics - desliderman

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Xciting 500 / It died.

« on: June 10, 2013, 05:40:36 PM »

Hello all:

I have a 2012 Xciting 500ri w/abs. I was attending a rally in Nebraska over the weekend and the scoot started to act up.

Mileage 15000 +/- a few.
Everything original (electrically). Plug changed, air filter, and valve adjustment done about 2000 miles prior.

The first two times it died at the rally, I was just riding. As I slowed to a stop it stopped running. It started right up.

On the way home from the rally it really started to act up.

The scoot wouldn't start. All the panel lights were on to include the headlight EXCEPT the digital display. I got out and checked the battery. All the connections looked good but I loosened both post connection and tightened them back up just for good measure. That time the scooter started right up.

As I continued down the road, sometimes it would start up, sometime it wouldn't. It got to the point that the last time I stopped I just let it run. I made it home unscathed.

The battery is on a tender and actually indicated good after only a few minutes.

So..... I ask....

If all the lights are on when the ignition is switched to the start position EXCEPT the digital display, is that an indication of a bad battery or something in the brains of this scoot?

I'm going to run the battery by my scooter shop and have them load test it when they open tomorrow just to be sure. I know battery problems cause all sorts of weird indications.

What say you all? Input appreciated.

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / Once again the clutch gets noisey.

« on: May 31, 2013, 05:21:05 PM »

Hello all, I'm here to discuss a problem that once again, I'm faced with.

Some I think have refered to it as the "Elephant trumpet?". I call it a squealing / groaning. My dealer calls it clutch chatter.

I have a 2012 Xciting 500ri w/abs. I have about 14000 miles on it. Pretty much from the start I've had this noise. The first time the dealer looked at it they noticed the clutch pads were impregnated with grease. It was changed out under warranty.

The noise returned.

Once again, the clutch was changed out under warranty.

The noise returned.

This time, not only was the clutch changed out, but they put a new drive shaft on it.

The noise has returned.

There is a preliminary approval for the 4th clutch pack (counting the original), and I have no doubt it will be approved. Frankly, I'm getting tired of this same problem creeping up. I'll gladly have them change it but have my doubts it won't come back.

Has anyone had experience with this noise? Has anyone had their clutches changed out because they were noisey?

Inquiring mind wants to know.

Don

Xciting 500 / Flood insurance?

« on: May 01, 2013, 01:41:51 PM »

Question... Can one flood a fuel injected, 2012 Xciting w/abs?

3 times the scoot has been difficult to start.

1. The first time was after it was trailered 600 miles. The next day it started right up but then died. It eventually started but it took a while. I smelt fuel. It probably had 1/2 a tank of gas in it.

2. For time #2, it had been driven hard and put away wet (so to speak). When I tried to start it, it wouldn't right away. Again, I smelt fuel. It had been refuled about 20 miles prior.

3. Finally, for time #3, I started it in the morning on the center stand. With the engine running I took it off the center stand and then needed to do something. I just kicked out the side stand to prop up the scoot. Of course, the engine died. I immediately tried to restart it and had difficulty. Like the above times, it eventually started. I smelt gas. There was probably less than 1/2 a tank of gas in it.

I didn't think it was possible to flood a fuel injected vehicle but the fact that I smell fuel leads me to believe otherwise. The scoot has a little over 14000 miles on it and was given the BIG service about a month or so ago.

It doesn't happen enough to be a real concern. Mostly, I was just curious....

What say you all?

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / 12800 miles in a year.

« on: February 06, 2013, 02:37:47 PM »

Hello All:

I have a 2012 Xciting 500ri w/abs and have put 12800 miles on it so far. February 11th is an important date because it's then that I have to decide if I want to pony up for the extended warranty.

The one I'm considering is the 2 year extension for $575.

I believe that covers everything that the original two year warranty covered.

Have I had problems with the scoot? Well, yes. I have a defective drive shaft that will be replaced. It's allowing grease to migrate into the clutch assembly. When that happens the clutch discs / pads get contaminated. It's taken 2 clutch replacements to finally figure that out.

Other than that, the scoot's been flawless.

What say you all? Should I, or shouldn't I?

Don in KC.

Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / My Trip Kansas City to Kentucky and back

« on: October 24, 2012, 12:37:07 AM »

Hello all!

Recently, I made a trip back east to visit family and friends. It's one of the reasons I've got the Xciting 500. My first leg of the trip was pretty much all on US 50. I can pick it up out of Kansas City and it will take me all the way to the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky metro area.

This is how it all looked just before I left.

That's fully loaded. I've got a 47 liter GIVI hard case, a 40 liter GIVI waterproof soft bag, two Cortech saddle bags, an airhawk seat pad, spare fuel, and under the seat is loaded. Pretty good for a 8 day vacation.

Along the way (about 90 miles West of St. Louis) I stopped to rescue a wayward turtle...

The turtle..He wasn't too thrilled about being rescued.

When Visiting home I always try to hit the chili places. This is one outside Versailles Indiana. Love me some cheese coneys!

I also stopped at a sceneic overlook. Proof that all of Indiana isn't flat!

Finally, I had arrived. Here is what the scoot usually looks like.

There were no going back pics as I had to return early. It was all Interstate and done in a day. Does that qualify me for Iron Butt?

Don in Kc.

Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Dremmel tool is the mother of invention

« on: October 24, 2012, 12:01:56 AM »

Hey all!

A little while ago, on a monday, I got backed into. This is my fender after the accident.

That night I got to thinking.. what the heck and in about an hour, a little car vinyl trim, and a dremmel tool...

Not too bad. Many of my friends told me to leave it just like that.

Xciting 500 / Anyone had this problem?

« on: September 11, 2012, 06:29:11 PM »

Hello all!

I have a 2012 Xciting Ri with the ABS and about 9500 miles on it. It's been a pretty good scoot but I have had a problem that manifests itself as a resonance / growl when under load. It seemed to be coming from the variator area.

My dealer had several other complaints from Xciting owners of a simialr noise. When the clutch (bell housing) was removed there was a lot of grease impregnated into the clutch pads. Apparently, due to defective parts (seals), or a little too much grease upon assembly, grease is getting into the clutch assembly.

They got approval from Kymco to change out the clutch pack. That lasted about a week. The problem and accompaning noise has returned. When they pulled the bell housing off the clutch, the grease was back and imbedded in the clutch pads.

Apparently, they've gotten approval to change out clutch assemblies for more than just my model. I know that car manufacturers put out "technical service bulletins" and wondered if this is the scooter equivilant?

For now they're awaiting approval from Kymco for another clutch assembly. I am concerned that this slipping could give me problems on a long ride. I'm planning on doing such a ride of 2000 miles in a few weeks.

What think all of you?

Xciting 500 / New tires with the GIVI windscreen--WOOT!

« on: August 23, 2012, 09:09:53 PM »

I want to tell you all about a real improvement I discovered.

After about 6 months or 8,000 miles, I replaced both the front and rear stock tires that came with my 500ri. I did this a week ago. If you see a post I made on the 22nd, there's a picture of that worn out rear tire. very scarey indeed!

I replaced the front as well because it was cupped. Between 60 and 70 it was a real shaker. Not a very confidence-inspiring experience.

So, from the stock Kenda (?) tires I've gone to Michelin City Grips. I used these on another scoot I once owned and was pleased, but on the Kymco I am doubly-impressed. I took the scoot on the Kansas turnpike to Topeka KS last Sunday and it was awesome.

I don't know why the original had cupped so bad. I always tried to remember to check my tire pressures. Perhaps I just had a bad tire from the start.

I've reinstalled the GIVI windscreen as well. On a ride home from Independence MO to Overland Park (about 40 miles) I couldn't stop grinning. For me it's a good combination.

Ride safe.

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / Had a little...

« on: August 23, 2012, 02:32:32 AM »

Well it's been a week or two of firsts..

First, my rear tire needed replacement. The tire was at a point where the wear bars were showing. 300 miles later...

I learned the lesson of always checking your tires before you ride. I was lucky.

NEXT.... A gentleman backed into me on a monday. I couldn't get to the horn quick enough. Casualty.. My fender.

That night ( with dremmel tool in hand ) a sow's ear is transformed.

How's everyone's week been?

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / Source for aftermarket drive belts.

« on: July 10, 2012, 08:23:55 PM »

I've tried ebay but didn't have much luck.

The dealer just quoted me $200 for the drive belt on my 2012 Xciting 500. From a previous post I saw a price of $175 (2007 model).

Are there any sources out there other than kymco? Those who have purchased them..were you happy?

Thanks in advance.

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / @ 6400 miles and counting...

« on: July 09, 2012, 09:40:49 PM »

Hello all!

Life with my Xciting 500 w/abs has been good. I'm not exactly looking forward to the 8000 mile service, but at this rate I should be there in a month or so.

I'm going to get an estimate from the dealer for the cost of that. What I was considering was replacing the rear tire as well. Prior experience on other scoots has proven that I can get about 6 to 8 thousand out of a rear tire. I know what to look for when they're approaching their service life. Still.... how many miles have people gotten out of the stock tires?

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / What do you think..

« on: June 08, 2012, 02:58:17 AM »

A noise. Hard to explain but I'll try.

I have a 2012 xciting ri w/abs. Presently, a little under 4k miles. Early into it's life I started to notice a noise. I'll describe it as a rumble, a growl or vibration. Only does it under load and it disappears after about 2500 rpm. Not consistant--sometimes really noticeable, other times, not so.

The noise is definitely originating right where the variator is-right at the silver part of the engine cover.

My riding friend said it sounded to her at first like a detonation, now thinks it could be something cam related.

Won't do it on the center stand unless I apply the brake while giving it throttle.

Took it to the dealer around 2k. He pulled the cover off the engine and we checked everything. The belt looked good, the clutch, variator and weights--no sign of rubbing, or abnormal wear.

It still does it.

I haven't pulled the spark plug to see how it looks. Could be a good indication of what the engine's health might be.

The dealer seems to think it's the belt. Explained it to me like it's a little loose at first when you take off so what he says I'm hearing is that. Once it builds up momentum the belt stretches. Still no indication of abnormal belt wear.

Does this make any sense? Ideas.../ I'm going to AMERIVESPA in two weeks and don't want to get stranded 2 states from home.

Xciting 500 / New Site For Windscreen

« on: May 24, 2012, 12:16:26 AM »

Hello all!

I used to own an SYM RV250 and belonged to their forum that was much like this one. I was going there to make a final post since I sold my RV and bought an Xciting 500.

There was a link to a site for windshields that I had not heard of. The company is italian, I believe, and it's name is ISOTTA. They even make windscreens for a lot of different Kymco models.

http://www.isotta-srl.com/EN/SCOOTER/KYMCO/XCITING.aspx

I can't tell much about them but it's nice to have another choice besides GIVI.

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / Apples and oranges

« on: March 30, 2012, 09:44:47 PM »

I've had a 2012 RI w/ABS for a few 100 miles now. I thought I would compare it with another scoot I have- a 2010 SYM RV250. I know that these are apple and orange comparisons when it comes to the intended purpose for the large Kymco - that being long distance touring.

Still are some of my issues with the Kymco a matter of it not being broken in enough?

1. Sym RV250 smoother / quieter... The Kymco Xciting has a definite vibration above 60 mph. This is transmitted through the handlebars and can lead to a bit of numbness after an hour or so.

My solution is to see about some replacement grips or better gloves with padding.

By the way, I checked the tires for cupping and didn't see any.

2. Seat comfort not as good.... The Kymco's seat is just not as comfortable. It's not that the SYM is all that much better, but there was an acceptable fix for that... I did use a beadrider seat on the SYM for a very long time. I moved it over to the KYMCO expecting that to fix the problem and it didn't really.

Can I expect the seat to be better as time goes by or should I look in to a gel pad?

3. Gas gauge.. Oh boy, not happy with this. The gas mileage is something around 50 mpg from what I hear. I was at 127 miles and the low level light came on. I filled the tank up and it took 2 gallons. That implies it's really inaccurate?

Is this inaccuacy something I am to accept? It's almost like the scoot was manufactured with another scooter model's gas tank and it's much smaller.

4. The sport windscreen is a joke. It provides little relief from the wind. The GIVI touring one is way too big for me.

Can an older model clear windscreen be installed on the 2012 model? I know of one that's available.

Overall I'm happy with the Xciting. It provides a good value for the money and is bigger than my SYM in every way. Both have a purpose and intended use. That's why I'm keeping them both.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings.

Don in KC.

Xciting 500 / Needles Don't Sweep.

« on: March 19, 2012, 11:35:46 AM »

Hello all!

I've got a 2012 Xciting RI w/ABS and when you first turn it on, the needles, which are suppose to sweep, don't.

According to the owners manual this is a necessary function that calibrates the tach and speedo. Every scooter I've ever owned did this.

I'm taking it in to the dealer for the initial 600 mile service and he told me he'll look into it. It perplexed him enough to where he's going to call someone at Kymco and get their spin on it.

I thought I'ld throw it out to the everday Kymco users out there. Anyone ever have this problem?

Don in KC.