KymcoForum.com
Scooters - 125 to 300 => Downtown 300 => Topic started by: duesouth on September 20, 2011, 02:19:01 PM
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Just finished a 700 mile trip through desert, mountains, lots of rain, and even slush at elevation. The Kymco was stellar...mostly. The rain protection is very good. With a rain jacket, full helmet, rain pants, pressure suit, I was very comfortable and felt safe. The rain went around me and I didn't get pelted. I can't say the same for my riding partner. He got pummeled on his 1200 Suzuki Bandit. We traded off, you can't compare the two, they are too different, and weather protection is one. I got more wet and cold riding his bike for 15 minutes than I did in hours of rain on the Kymco. I was able to keep up, on the top side, but obviously it's not a crotch rocket and if he truly wanted to (at the risk of his license) he could loose me. However, it will out corner any cruiser, their were even a few corners I could see the Bandit start to waver. But then I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years and have owned or ridden a lot of bikes and he's only been riding street bikes for about a year. I didn't setup right for one turn and did drag the kick stand, which was a bit scary, a mistake I didn't repeat. (yes, me and my riding partner get twice as stupid together as we would be separate) It could hold 80 through the freeway parts. On the mountain passes 9k+ in elevation, the 300 started to really suck wind. Despite it, I don't have complaints. It was respectable, I bought it knowing I would sacrifice power for MPG. It's why I didn't get a tmax, although that would've been more of a riot for this ride. My one true gripe is the seat, or rather the lack of leg room. The seat comfort is fine. But I think it would be nice if Kymco would've taken an inch or two from the passenger seat and gave it to the driver. I don't think it would really detract from the passenger that much, but would mean tons for the rider. One last thing, on throttle wide open, be it going up the mountain, or on the flat, the mpg's get shot (55mpg) to the point a Tmax probably wouldn't have gotten worse ( the bandit only got 45mpgs at best). However, if I calmed down a bit and didn't push it, which is hard when your partner has a 1200cc, I got 70mpg. Their aren't many scooters that can do what I did and still get 70mpg for commuting. There is no better commuting scooter, or motorcycle, IMO. Although, I think when the Kymco 700i comes out, I'll add that to my stable for the longer rides and save the 300 for commuting and my wife...If I have the money, and she'll let me stable 3 motorcycles, but she's awesome so I don't think that will be a problem.
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Interesting read.
Thanks for sharing.
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400 miles this weekend, mostly interstate, not a true pleasure ride. I wanted to test the mods. Returned at night, the high beams are adequate, I see a future change for the low beams. Next mod are the 14 gram sliders. I like the hand protection from the Givi WS. I did not track MPG, but roughly I would guesstimate around 40 MPG at 75 MPH indicated.
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if only 40 MPG that is really bad...............
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400 miles this weekend, mostly interstate, not a true pleasure ride. I wanted to test the mods. Returned at night, the high beams are adequate, I see a future change for the low beams. Next mod are the 14 gram sliders. I like the hand protection from the Givi WS. I did not track MPG, but roughly I would guesstimate around 40 MPG at 75 MPH indicated.
The low beams are actually really good when adjusted properly. They come quite low from the factory but are very easy to adjust.
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The guesstimate at 40MPG is from constant running at 75 MPH.
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The guesstimate at 40MPG is from constant running at 75 MPH.
Even at a constant 75 MPH I'll get at leat 65 MPG if not better. Then again I'm not pushing a Givi.............
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The low beams are actually really good when adjusted properly. They come quite low from the factory but are very easy to adjust.
The other night I had my first night ride and also noticed the near setting. Haven't checked how to adjust the lights. Do you need to remove the tupperware to adjust ?
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You don't have to remove anything, with a short screw driver you can adjust them. Here is a manual (in Italian) in page 59 they give you a recommended adjustment.
http://www.kymco.it/media/schede/allegati/Downtown%20125i/manuale.pdf (http://www.kymco.it/media/schede/allegati/Downtown%20125i/manuale.pdf)
And a picture to make it clearer (screws inside blue square):
(http://i45.servimg.com/u/f45/13/35/68/82/lowb10.jpg)
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Hello,
dear juanpauk or anyone, is there anywhere to find this amazing manual in english?
i do have a manual that i purchased through a website for 10 euro if i am not mistaken.
thank you
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I haven't seen an english version of this manual but the one that comes with the bike is very similar.
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well not all owners/users manuals are alike....took italian for 2 years in college and my family 1st generation...is Italian so i can read and understand a good deal of it,,,,it is written in tuscany/tuscano the country's official language which is a little more difficult than the dialect i am familiar with..
this manual contains a lot more info and illustrations than the one that came with my scooter.....as for not having to remove anything to make the adjustments you speak of...don't see how this is possible....are you talking under the seat perhaps....?
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@roboscoot
To adjust "the low beams" you don't need to remove anything, the picture that I posted is just to show where the screws are. All you need to do is to position your bike facing a wall where you can see how high they go. You may have to sit on the floor to be more comfortable and to be able to see where the screws are. I have done it myself and you can notice the difference straight away.
They are not the easiest screws to reach but they are the first thing you see when looking through the hole.
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Roboscoot
I have adjusted mine. All i did was put my hand up behind the fairing, located the low beams and adjusted with small plain head screwdriver For the nearside go oppsite lock and vica versa for offside. It took me all of 3/4 minutes to complete. Need to do main beams now.
Good luck
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Hmm. Sitting down facing the headlights no screws are visible.
I am assuming the hi-beams (lowest to the ground) are the two screw you can feel
, right next to the horn. I used a phillips head screwdriver and just tried turning
in both directions, I did not notice any difference in the beam pattern. I will
try again tomorrow.
I also assume the red box on top of your picture is the adjustment screws for
the lo-beams, these are very hard to get a screwdriver on.
thank you for the information
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Hi,
In your opinion, is the 300i suitable for 70 MPH cruising then or would people recommend something a bit bigger? I'm in the UK where 70 MPH is the current legal limit on motorways, though they are proposing an increase to 80 MPH.
BikerDude.
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Handles 70 here no problem, 80 might be crowding it a bit.
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A bit simplistic perhaps, but does it take much more from 70 to 80 compared to 60 to 70, or are you starting to have to push it much harder at this point given that you are approaching its maximum speed?
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70-80 as notes is slow, 80 and up is lethargic................
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OK! Thanks! 8)
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IMO, you can run sustained 75MPH indicated. I don't know how accurate the speedo is compared to actual true speed, its "supposed" to be much closer than the usual optimistic readings. I think you need a larger bike if you were to carry a passenger. Mountains will slow it down, but how much time do you spend climbing mounains.
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In the UK - generally never, though we do have some rather steep hills (1 in 4, though I think I have seen a 1 in 3 gradient).
I don't know how accurate the speedo is compared to actual true speed, its "supposed" to be much closer than the usual optimistic readings.
I'd prefer if it was correct - I always drive a couple of MPH below the speed limit, to ensure I am below it. If the speedo is lying to me then I am going even slower than I need to. ::)
I think you need a larger bike if you were to carry a passenger.
I was wondering about this. It is just me at the moment, but I don't intend being single forever. :D If I got a bike it would be my only transport (unless any possible future Mrs. BikerDude has a car of course! :D ).
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I can't predict my future and I think the same may be true for you. Plan just for you and an occasional short rider with her, this bike would be fine for that. If this is your main transport I would try some sort of backup 'car', an old clunker or someone who would lend you one in bad weather.
Don't worry a future Mrs BikerDude will 'guide' you on your transportation plans in the future. lol
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:D :D
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Hi Bikerdude
I cruise on motorways at 85/90 indicated on the speedo with no problem. Did reach an indicated 92but the scoot is still loosening up.
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hey thanks for the clarification and info re beam adjustment ... i will check it out now if someone can give some teeth to valve adjustment on the 300 that would be fine......
re is it big enough fast enough (can i ride two up),,,,,can i really tour/cruse with it etc. this is all "up in the air" as i would say...and depends on what floats your boat!......anyone trying to punch out 90 mph on the 300 (must weigh about 125 lbs) or has seriously modified it etc....is clearly ....flirting with the devil....that's just me talking...i am very conservative ...and haven't gone over 65.....on mine ....you can do some two up riding if your companion is a light weight ..i guess...but as others have stated you probably need to move up to a 400 cc at some point,,,,
as for substitutability(if there is such a word)....a car is a car and a bike is a bike....you probably need to get a cheap cage.....good luck
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as for substitutability(if there is such a word)....a car is a car and a bike is a bike....you probably need to get a cheap cage.....good luck
As far as winter I just purchased a fully loaded KIA Sorento SX AWD. Getting a tow hitch etc so it will be my bad weather and utility vehicle.................