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Messages - rjs987

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1
For Sale / Re: SOLD! 2022 Kymco AK 550
« on: February 19, 2026, 02:29:30 PM »
Great news Bob.  Hope you got a fair price and that it goes to a good home.

The couple who bought it paid the requested price listed in the OP. The husband rides and the wife wanted her own bike to keep up with him on the highways. She just wasn't comfortable with manual shifting. So the AK is perfect for her.

2
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550
« on: February 18, 2026, 12:41:19 AM »
Sale pending.

3
First time posting on the forum for my 2022 AK 500 that I've had for about 18 months. Last year, when I was away for the first time and not riding for about 8-10 days the battery became low (below 9-10v) and the bike wouldn't start...no engine noise just clicking. I used the tender for the first time, and it started right up. Months later, this situation happened a 2nd time when gone 6-7 days and I did a tender charge again with no problem. Then a 3rd time just last month over Christmas with a 6-day absence and it started after a charge; I successfully turned it on/over (to test it) but did not actually ride. 6 days later (after that), it wouldn't start again. After putting it on the tender it still won't start. When I turn the power on, dash panel shows 12.4 v, but after I try starting it (with engine noise/power trying to turn and lights on) it drops to 11.7 v. Do I keep charging it on the tender more even though the light (on it) is green? Does it need a jump from a more powerful battery starter, say from a tow truck? Or does it need a completely new battery itself since I assume this is the original? Again, there is def. more power showing on the dash, voltage and sound than the first time when it was just 'clicking' but it's not starting up.

Also, for context, I have always turned it to the RIGHT side to shut off the engine after each ride thinking that was OK. Just learned from reading in the forum that apparently, I needed to turn off power to the LEFT to get the red ring light to completely shut it off. Perhaps this has contributed to the issue?? Appreciate feedback on what's going on and my options to remedy. Thanks.

Yes, Turning the knob only to the right will not fully shut down the AK. It is possible that can cause the battery to run down faster than normal. Turning the knob to the right only turns off the engine and the lights but all other systems are still being powered. This is to ensure safety when refueling since that is the same direction to open the fuel door. I have sometimes turned the knob that way when stopping for a photo op while riding on a trip since it is just a very short stop. Never when going into a store though since the remote fob is not needed to turn the AK back on and ride away... which any thief can do if they are aware. Turning to the left ensures that the remote fob must be near to turn on the bike.

I tested my AK just after I bought it to see how long it would hold a charge if left properly shut off and not attached to any battery maintainer and found that it can go about 5-6 days, maybe 7 before the charge state of the battery is too low to start it. All modern vehicles have excess phantom loads that will run down a battery while the vehicle is just sitting. My 2017 Subaru Legacy would only go MAYBE 2 weeks and it would be too run down to start. My 2015 Rav4 will go 5-6 weeks before the battery is too run down. All while just sitting in the garage properly shut off.

What you describ could likely be that your battery has a bad cell. I've seen brand new batteries develop a bad cell when only days old. Normal battery life in any motorcycle is between 4-5 years at best IME. I have had one battery last over 7 years and another last only 3. How old is your AK battery?
A bad cell typically shows as the battery indicating full charge when at rest but as soon as any load is applied, such as starting the engine, the voltage drops dramatically and it is unable to start the engine. Sound familiar. I'd suggest you take the battery to a battery store and have them load test it. Most don't charge for this service.

It sounds like you don't always connect your Battery Tender when the AK is parked. Stop that. I ALWAYS connect my Battery Tender Jr. (NOT a trickle charger or charger but a true maintainer) every time my AK is parked in the garage. A battery will last longer that way. I've done the same with all my other bikes I've owned since 2003.

4
General Discussion / Re: more snow....sigh.....
« on: December 13, 2025, 04:57:45 PM »
Looks like out my window. We already have more than 3 inches... maybe 4 inches. I just cleared the driveway and side walks yesterday from what fell the day before.

The Coldest Ride Contest was started on the ST-Owners forum. I'm in second on the list at only 42*F. Normally I'd have already been out on the bike at temps colder than that... more like somewhere around 25*F. But for the snow. But for the snow that keeps dropping when the temps also drop. I don't ride unless the streets are clear and dry. I don't care if there is 10ft of snow on the ground as long as the streets are clear and dry where my tires track. I've had many people who don't ride exclaim horror about that just because there is a little ice along the curb but I tell them I don't ride against the curb and it is simple to avoid the visible ice. I can also tell the difference between dry and what looks like wet that usually indicates ice. I am also very aware of the presence of black ice where it may be. I grew up around this stuff so not as hard as some think it is. And I also don't tear around on the roads like the middle of summer but ride very very cautiously. Dress for the weather at 60 mph and stay to commonly traveled main roads.

5
General Discussion / Re: miles ridden this year?
« on: November 26, 2025, 03:18:45 PM »
Not my shortest (miles) year but not my usual.
I only rode about 4500 miles this year. Still riding though so will be a few more. I've installed my Kemimoto handlebar muffs to keep my hands warm when the temps drop. Kemimoto calls them winter touch sensitive "gloves" but they are really bar muffs. Like Hippo Hands but better.

6
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550
« on: October 10, 2025, 12:57:47 PM »
-

7
Technical | How To / Re: AK 550 weak fob battery
« on: September 25, 2025, 02:42:36 PM »
I've had the AK for a little over a year and it's been just excellent. Yesterday, a strange thing happened. I went out to run an errand on it and it was completely dead. The ignition switch was inoperable. I had two thoughts, maybe disconnect/reconnect the battery (I knew the battery was fully charged) or maybe check the fob battery. There had been no warning about the fob battery so I wasn't sure. The fob battery is a 2450, 3V coin battery. It checked 2.65V so I still wasn't sure that was the problem. Anyway, I put in a new battery and voila, everything came back to life. Happy Day! Lesson learned! Even a somewhat weak fob battery on this bike can leave me stranded! I suppose the smart play is to keep a spare fob battery onboard.

In future be advised...
The factory fob battery may or may not last more than a year. The batteries in both my new fobs died almost exactly one year after buying my AK. I replaced the battery in one fob and it has lasted fine since Nov 2022 until now.

There IS an indicator that shows if the battery in the fob is good or not. When you press the silver button on the fob and see the LED light flash on/off then the battery is still good. If no LED light then it is a bad battery.

There is also an alternate way to start the AK if the fob battery is dead. If you look on top the panel over the right glove box you will see a symbol of concentric circles. Place the AK molded logo of the fob directly on that set of circles and press the startup button on the ignition knob and the bike will start. NOT the Kymco logo but the AK logo. This will only work if the battery is actually dead since the system is smart enough to sense a fob with any amount of battery charge left. When replacing a battery in the fob there is a foil antenna sticker on one of the shells of the fob. DO NOT LOOSE THIS. It is needed to start the AK using the fob with a dead battery.

This feature of starting the AK with dead fob is the same feature as almost any vehicle with keyless start. My Rav4 will do that also. That is why I only put the battery in one fob. The other spare fob I keep without a battery in it and I keep that one in the storage box of the AK so I don't waste a battery. I also installed an emergency seat latch release on my AK so there is no need to turn on the AK to open the seat. It is hidden so can only be used if someone knows exactly where it is. I posted how to do this on this forum a few years ago. I actually use that latch release for much more than emergencies since it is so easy to get under the seat without turning on the AK.

8
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550 - $5000
« on: August 26, 2025, 07:56:44 PM »
Added photo of the EasyBoost tool used when replacing the CVT belt.

9
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550 - $5000
« on: August 20, 2025, 02:16:10 PM »
I doubt many of us owners in the USA think of our KYMCO scooters as solid financial returns on our investments.
The return on our investment is the fun we have in owning and riding these well-built and dependable KYMCO scooters.

  KYMCO brand preference is not a thing in the USA.
Also - it's not just Vespa slander that a good many KYMCOs are "made in China".

"don't mean a thing!"
- I still enjoy my LIKE200iLX.

Stig

And THAT's the problem for Americans. Too many of us think in terms of "investment" for everything rather than what we get from something OTHER than financial. That diminishes the joy in life.
And that is a huge mistake. NO vehicle of any kind is a good investment. You will always always always lose money on any vehicle. This compared with "real" investing that will actually make you money or increase your Net Worth. ALL vehicles are simply expenses the same as the food you buy or your LCD TV or furniture, etc.

Oh, and don't forget that there are a great many well known brand named vehicles, including Vespa, that are "made" in China. As long as the brand controls the quality that is followed. Even Tesla, which has the top 2 spots for the most USA made vehicle on the road today and has claimed 3 of the top 5 spots (containing the most parts sourced within the USA) has many parts from China. Ford has only ONE model in the top 5. Chevy and other so called USA brands are not in the top 5 for being all USA made. Only one of those are in the top 10 or even the top 15 of vehicles with the most USA sourced parts. China and Mexico and Korea and India are major sources of parts for all these vehicles.

10
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550 - $5000
« on: August 15, 2025, 01:29:40 AM »
As he said - it's not for sale in Europe.
We don't do scooters in the USA, and if we did we'd be looking at the known brands of Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki. Vespa if we're image conscious.....all of which are recognized names and thus hold a predictable resale value when used.
Kymco makes a fine $10,000 scooter. Reselling a used one puts the burden on the seller, with little help from the name - KYMCO.
It's different with the Japanese 3.
Stig

Even the Japanese 3 big names have problems selling in the USA. It's about the stigma so many have against scooters in general. Only those who know the value of this platform are wise enough to buy one and actually ride one for more than just a curiosity about it.

11
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550 - $5000
« on: August 12, 2025, 05:47:47 PM »
Price adjusted to lowest yet! Too bad I'm not in Europe.

12
For Sale / Re: Uni-Go motorcycle trailer- $1500
« on: August 11, 2025, 04:25:25 PM »
Decided to try to sell the Uni-Go after all.

13
For Sale / Re: 2022 Kymco AK 550
« on: July 15, 2025, 01:10:53 AM »
Price update.

14
Technical | How To / Re: Final drive belt adjustment for AK550
« on: July 10, 2025, 11:36:14 PM »
While reading through the service manual I've found this:
18.8mm +/-0.5mm
This may come handy if nether the overpriced sonic tool nor the spring loaded gauge are available.

What he said...
That is provided only as a STARTING point to get you close. I found that doesn't even get the belt evenly adjusted on the rear sprocket at all. Do that adjustment and then readjust A LOT as needed to finish properly aligning and putting the right tension on the belt.

15
Not to mention the 230+ kgs weight!

One reason I've been on a quest to downsize from my Gold Wing from some years ago at 405+ kgs to my AK 550 at 226 kgs and now my Vulcan S at 224 kgs. That's about right for me at the moment. The heat at stoplights hasn't been an issue on any of my bikes... so far.

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