KymcoForum.com

Guess you are getting a different page loading than what I get.  The link I posted takes me right to the current models which has the 700 as well as the "New" 50th anniversary version of the "Like 200i".

Clicking on the link doesn't show me that and is the same in IE, Chrome, Mozilla. If I click on the Non-current Models tab it shows me the 50th Anniversary version of the Like 200i. By all sources the 50th Anniversary is a 2015 model (which is weird because according to Wikipedia Kymco was founded in 1963) not a 2016 model. Click on the Current Models tab on that screen, scroll to the bottom, and you will see there is no 700i shown. They show a 2016 Xciting 500 Ri ABS as their top model currently.

Somehow I'm not surprised as I thought they were asking a bit much to jump in on comparable pricing with BMW (sister bike and Suzuki. My last '09 Burgman 650 I bought new OTD for $7,500. I think most dealers didn't carry them because its so much more expensive than Kymco's other offerings. Had the at least offered 1.9% interest for 60 months might have be a better seller.

Just checked the US web site and they show no MyRoad 700i for 2016 apparently.

The 650 Burgman's CVT belt is a "lifetime" belt according to the factory and it is a non maintenance item. Being a LONG time member of the Burgman forum, if I remember correctly, the belts were lasting more than 100,000 miles-some less, some more. The CVT belt is constructed more heavy duty like the ones in CVT cars. It is expensive and time consuming to replace but so is a new belt @ 10 to 15,000 miles, on most scoots, if done by a dealer.

We had lots of discussion on the drive belt back in the day. True Suzuki doesn't have a recommendation on belt replacement but they don't last for ever. I think most Burgman owners (or most any other scooter likely generally to ride it that much based on used ones for sale) aren't likely to ride/own them long enough to where the belt fails. My personal feeling is that they would need a belt between 50K and 75K mi which in a normal weighted CVT would had several belts and other items replaced by then. It is quite a bit easier to change something like a belt on a weighted CVT in most scooters though.

Most car CVT's use a steel belt in a oil bath.

What I meant about the 650 burger being to costly is that I would only purchase a 2013 year model year and up, because of the fact that they did some updates and the new models get 15% better gas mileage. So I would be looking at $10,000 easy out the door for even a used 2013.

Not sure where your located but a quick search on Cycle Trader shows lots of 2013's new in the range of $8,000-$9,,000. I gathered from a local Kymco dealer that the 700 cost them somewhere around $7,600. I would really like to try one out.

Sadly I don't speak any French at all so I'm not sure if this was a positive review or not.   We also have to remember that each county and state has it's own laws and rules.  Perhaps they allow lane splitting in France?

What's not to love for the French, it should look cool parked in front of a Cafe' and you can carry baguettes under the seat!

Lane splitting is legal here in California. In some places in the world its not only legal but required like in the United Kingdom (called filtering) so I have been told.

I have been to Los Angeles several times in the last couple years and I have no idea how motorcycle riders don't get hit all the time with this lane splitting thing? They fly by my car just inches from my door while on the freeway. I have almost hit more than one because you don't see them until the last second. If I'm about to make a lane change and I look over my shoulder the bike is right next to me. I am not for this. Have to see how this turns out as time goes on.

I do somewhat frequently lane split (on a Burgman 650) either in freeway traffic or sometimes up to traffic lights. Doing so requires ones full attention and anticipation of what someone in a car/truck might do. There are many on crotch rockets that do lane split at stupid speeds for sure though I believe the law in California recommends something less than a 30 mph difference between traffic and the bike. Another funny thing I see here are bike riders splitting lanes on the freeway in traffic when the carpool lane (motorcycles are allowed to use the carpool lane in California even if its just the rider on it)  is open and moving.

I have been considering a new 700 Kymco but I had a question:  What prices have you seen for the scoot? Nobody pays retail that I know of and I never will. I am interested in sales prices in the United States only and the Dealers names and locations.

CycleTrader is a great source (range from $7,800-MSRP) and of course it depends on where in the US and dealers sitting on one are more likely to discount unless the factory offers an incentive down the road if they are sitting in warehouses. I have over the year bought new bikes that were sitting in the warehouse unsold like the new 1986 Honda Helix I bought in 1989 for a sweet deal or my most recent purchase of a new 2009 Suzuki Burgman 650 std model for $7,500 OTD in 2010. I might be interested in one myself however the price needs to be at least around that $7,800 figure for me.

I don't care how they want to portray them... Anything over 250cc is not a scooter IMHO.

I somewhat agree with that though I think it should have more to do with the physical size like my Helixes were large more like a bike but with only a 250cc engine.

Please help me understand this... Why would someone want a 700cc machine that has a crippled transmission, and reduced handling abilities that also goes way to fast for any piece of hardware on the machine.

For ONCE I am not try ing to be a smart ass. I really don't understand. Why buy a sub par death trap compared to a REAL motorcycle. Physical limitations of the rider excluded... No one that can not walk goes out and buys a McLaren f!, and adds handicap controls.

My point is you cannot down shift in emergency situations so you are relying on brakes made a cheap as possible. The tire size speaks for itself. the frames are supported by plastic. The lighting sucks. Center of gravity is designed for rider stance, and has nothing to do with handling yet people buy these things, and insist they are Fantastic on the HIGHWAY!

Honestly I believe they should be, and eventually will be banned.

Trust me... I am not trolling for hates sake. I am trying to understand if people really understand what they are getting themselves into with these "maxi scoots".

Sounds like you have never ridden one let alone ever owned one. Firstly the center of gravity on most maxi-scoots is lower than that on many "motorcycles" and what does it matter if you can't downshift (nevermind the fact that the bike does this on its own just like an automatic in a car)  if the brakes do their job? In fact the brakes on these bikes are much better than most with dual front/single rear discs. You really should read some of the motorcycle reviews on these "scooters" from even sport bike riders.

I have seen a steady conversion of cruiser/touring bike owners (everything from BMW's, Goldwings, Harleys, and even sportier bikes) moving over to maxi-scoots (in fact I was just reading a post on a Burgman forum of two Harley riders who moved over, not that Harleys "handle" lol) because they are so easy to ride, handle great, etc... The fact that on some of these maxi-scoots you have better weather/wind protection and get things like ABS, power folding mirrors, power adjustable windscreen, heated grips/seats, and that along with most have a very large usuable trunk makes them all the more appealing for all around use.

Frames supported by plastic thats just too ridiculous. As far as lighting goes I doubt you could find better than my Burgman 650 on a "real motorcycle". It has dual H4 bulbs (the same as many cars) for lighting, both work on low and high unlike some of those European models. It has enough room under the seat for two full face helmets, great wind/weather protection, radial tires, a ECVT I can change ratios if I so desire or even put in a mode to keep the RPM's higher for twisties, and cruises all day at any speed I want twist and go. The bike is more capable of being pushed harder than I do not that I'm real easy on it.

But the Honda NC700x DCT is cheaper and more handsome.... my two cents...

Altough I love the look of the NC700x the problem with it is the height/lack of weather protection compared to the maxi-scoots and you have to add storage just to equal them. If you got the inseam and are used to riding dirt bikes then is would be fine but at 30" inseam I can't even have both feet flat on my Burgman 650. Funny though that BMW builds the awesome K1600's and on those the seat height are perfect for me though.

For those bothered by the seat Height of 32.7 inches which is cumbersome for most people, Honda has rolled of for 2014 the CXT700.  Same engine and DCT automatic tranny, however it is cruiser styled at 28.3 seat ht. with feet forward pegs like a cruiser.

A really laid back seating position, lack of weather protection and have to add bags just to equal maxi-scoot storage.