466
General Discussion / Re: 500RI tire question
« on: June 25, 2013, 10:49:34 PM »
And to keep things in perspective... 7 year old Maxxis with 5K.
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468
General Discussion / Re: 500RI tire question
« on: June 25, 2013, 02:52:12 PM »
If my research was correct, the xciting front in the Pierelli Diablo is only available in radial, and the rear in bias. So that narrowed my choices to Michelin City Grips or Power Pures. I chose the more Power Pures for the more modern dual compound engineering.
469
General Discussion / Re: 500RI tire question
« on: June 25, 2013, 01:47:00 PM »
Thinking back on the purchase of my first replacement tire... I was half my current age and pretty tight with money. A local mc shop sold the Cheng Shin at half the price of the american made rubber, so I saved 50 bucks and let them install a rear tire. They warned me it would be slick for a few miles but being young I pulled out of the parking lot and almost lost it pulling into traffic as the rear slid out from under me.
The release agent on the tire eventually wore off but the handling never improved much, I drove scared for the next 3K until it wore out. In the meantime I had plenty of opportunity to ask around the mc community about a better tire... I will never make the same mistake again, there simply is no more important piece of equipment on a vehicle capable of speed than what is used to connect it to the road.
30 years later I have two minivans and a 1 ton utility van, and run two sets of Michelins and one set of BFGoodrich (a Michelin company). My Xciting will soon be receiving Michelins as well. YMMV.
The release agent on the tire eventually wore off but the handling never improved much, I drove scared for the next 3K until it wore out. In the meantime I had plenty of opportunity to ask around the mc community about a better tire... I will never make the same mistake again, there simply is no more important piece of equipment on a vehicle capable of speed than what is used to connect it to the road.
30 years later I have two minivans and a 1 ton utility van, and run two sets of Michelins and one set of BFGoodrich (a Michelin company). My Xciting will soon be receiving Michelins as well. YMMV.
471
Xciting 500 / Re: Rear tires
« on: June 25, 2013, 12:47:34 AM »
Oh, and the rear is 117.00 + tax from my local repair shop. Front is 98.00, for a total of 330.00 installed before tax. I probably could buy the tires cheaper online, but think is is important to support and develop a relationship with a local business.
472
Xciting 500 / Re: Rear tires
« on: June 25, 2013, 12:41:44 AM »
Well, I'm getting a set of Michelin Pilot Power Pures installed tomorrow. The concept of dual compound is a good one in that it helps keep the tire profile round.
Here is a picture of the Maxxis that came on my new-to-me Xciting with 5K and seven years on it, apparently mostly straight line riding from the looks of the flat spot. That flat spot makes handling tricky, especially low speed. Just my 2 cents.
I'll report on the new tires shortly.
Here is a picture of the Maxxis that came on my new-to-me Xciting with 5K and seven years on it, apparently mostly straight line riding from the looks of the flat spot. That flat spot makes handling tricky, especially low speed. Just my 2 cents.
I'll report on the new tires shortly.
473
General Discussion / Re: Be careful with sticky shoes...
« on: June 21, 2013, 11:24:55 AM »
Huh, being an experience mc rider but scooter virgin I would've never thought of that, although I have noticed it takes more effort to get the feet of the floor boards as opposed to pegs. Thanks for the heads up, Vivo!
474
Xciting 250 / Re: Bring a new owner up to speed
« on: June 21, 2013, 03:01:56 AM »
After having the Xciting for three days now I can definitively report that it is a chick magnet. It must be that this scoot amplifies the sensitive side of me. 
An update on the braking issue, and I feel almost embarrassed to admit this. After adjusting the brake lever position they work fine, the levers were set at 1, the position furthest from the grip, I changed them to 4, the closest. Apparently my grip is weaker with fingers extended, makes sense now that I've had the chance to think about it.
As for tires I think I'll be replacing the original Maxxis pos with front and rear Michelin Pilot Power Pure SC. I am a little concerned about the reported wandering in rain grooves and grated bridges, but everything else about the tire sounds like the cats meow. Will keep you posted.
An update on the braking issue, and I feel almost embarrassed to admit this. After adjusting the brake lever position they work fine, the levers were set at 1, the position furthest from the grip, I changed them to 4, the closest. Apparently my grip is weaker with fingers extended, makes sense now that I've had the chance to think about it.
As for tires I think I'll be replacing the original Maxxis pos with front and rear Michelin Pilot Power Pure SC. I am a little concerned about the reported wandering in rain grooves and grated bridges, but everything else about the tire sounds like the cats meow. Will keep you posted.
475
Xciting 250 / Re: Bring a new owner up to speed
« on: June 19, 2013, 05:48:47 AM »
I changed the oil twice today, dropped the screen and washed it in gasoline. The oil was still dirty after the first change so I ran it and dumped it again. Used 5w40 RotellaT, I'll probable change it again next week. I am guessing that oil was in there since October 2010. 
I have another question if I may. The brakes work fine and stop the bike quickly and smoothly. However I have to pull the levers quite hard to get results, substantially harder than I'm used to. Perhaps I'm not just getting older, but weaker as well?
I have another question if I may. The brakes work fine and stop the bike quickly and smoothly. However I have to pull the levers quite hard to get results, substantially harder than I'm used to. Perhaps I'm not just getting older, but weaker as well?
476
Xciting 250 / Re: Bring a new owner up to speed
« on: June 18, 2013, 01:00:28 PM »
Thanks! 
The no filter threw me, it just seems odd an "expensive" motor would just have a screen. And I'll pick up a measuring cup at Walmart today along with a quart of 10w50? oil... doubt they have that, will go with 10w30.
I am a huge fan of Michelin, just have never used them on a bike. Since its a low powered scoot I fully intend to do lots of peg dragging... I mean centerstand dragging , so grippy is good.
Took her for a ride around the block last night, the whir after letting go of the throttle is sooo cool I've always been a fan of quiet sports.
The no filter threw me, it just seems odd an "expensive" motor would just have a screen. And I'll pick up a measuring cup at Walmart today along with a quart of 10w50? oil... doubt they have that, will go with 10w30.
I am a huge fan of Michelin, just have never used them on a bike. Since its a low powered scoot I fully intend to do lots of peg dragging... I mean centerstand dragging
, so grippy is good.Took her for a ride around the block last night, the whir after letting go of the throttle is sooo cool
I've always been a fan of quiet sports.
477
Xciting 250 / Bring a new owner up to speed
« on: June 18, 2013, 04:11:09 AM »
Hi guys, I couldn't find an intro section here, forgive me if misstep.
Today I picked up a clean 2006 Xciting 250 with 5K on the clock, somewhat impulsive but at 1800.00 it seemed like a good deal.
There are a couple of maintenance items I need to complete right away, as the seller bought it used from a dealer two years and 500 miles ago and "thinks" the dealer took care of everything up to that point.
A couple of quick questions:
The Kymco driver's manual shows no oil filter for the 250, only the 500. Is this right?
I want to replace the rear tire, and possibly the front. Tread is ok but the rear is worn flat, which I assume is effecting low speed handling. I've always run Dunlop Elite's on my motorcycles, but is there a preferred tire for this bike? I'm going to teach my teenage boys to ride this thing, so no Cheng Shin's.
Thanks in advance.
Today I picked up a clean 2006 Xciting 250 with 5K on the clock, somewhat impulsive but at 1800.00 it seemed like a good deal.
There are a couple of maintenance items I need to complete right away, as the seller bought it used from a dealer two years and 500 miles ago and "thinks" the dealer took care of everything up to that point.
A couple of quick questions:
The Kymco driver's manual shows no oil filter for the 250, only the 500. Is this right?
I want to replace the rear tire, and possibly the front. Tread is ok but the rear is worn flat, which I assume is effecting low speed handling. I've always run Dunlop Elite's on my motorcycles, but is there a preferred tire for this bike? I'm going to teach my teenage boys to ride this thing, so no Cheng Shin's.
Thanks in advance.