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Messages - jas67

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1
General Discussion / Re: Advise on kymco scooters
« on: December 07, 2011, 02:35:31 PM »
I cannot get a legal 110 plate here due to the cost so I have to ride ilegally.  Most of the riders that ride the larger bikes are illegal  because a plate cost 8,320.97usd and not many would buy one.

OMFG!!!!     $8320.97 to plate a bike bigger than 50cc !?!?!?!?

Is that an ANNUAL cost?

And I thought the US liked to use taxes to force, or at least modify certain behavior.


How 'bout a 50cc with a big bore kit?   Can you get a 110cc bike that looks like a 50cc and get away with plating it as a 50cc?    Our how 'bout an engine swap (can you even get things like bare engines in China -- sorry don't know much about what it is like to live there).

What city and province are you in?    I deal mostly with people in Shanghai, and my company hires drivers to drive our people around there.   None of them have their own means of transportation.

2
People 250 / People S 250 Alternator Capacity & Heated Gloves + Liners
« on: November 22, 2011, 11:04:55 PM »
I just got heated gloves and a heated jacket liner.    The gloves draw about 27 watts, the jacket about 75.    I was wondering if anyone here knows how much power the stator/alternator is rated for on the People S 250?      I'm thinking it'll be OK to run the gloves, but I question the jacket (which my other bike, a Moto Guzzi V7 will have no problem with).

Thanks,
Jay

3
General Discussion / Re: Ehaust smell...
« on: November 17, 2011, 12:01:58 AM »
My wife says she smells like exhaust everytime she rides on the back.  Mine is an older people 50.  Is there a cure?


Yea, leave the wife at home.
(sorry, couldn't resist).

4
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 15, 2011, 12:45:58 PM »

One question I cannot believe I didn't think about before I left and hit the road,,, but I'm sure I'm probably right about,, I assumed the right brake lever is the front brake? I unconsciously braked like I was on a bicycle the whole time with both brakes all the time and of course I tried to maintain speed or slightly accelerate in turns. I should have made sure but I just thought the front brake is always right? I guess in some other countries that's not it and when there was big KMH's looking at me instead of MPHS I started to wonder what else I didn't think about.

Scooter brake levers are opposite those on a bicycle, typically right=front, left=rear (my PS250 is this way, anyway), but if your scoot has linked or integrated brakes, then it varies.    On many scoots with dual front discs, and "linked" brakes (I think Aprilia Scarabeo 500's are this way), the right lever is one from disc, the left the other front disc, and the rear.    Check your manual to be sure how yours are configured.   You are doing the right thing by always using both -- they taught you that in the MSF course.   You get the most effective braking, and there is less chance of locking up a wheel when using both brakes, because you are asking for less stopping force from each wheel.

As for the speedometer, I don't know wha tthe Xciting's speedo is like, my PS250's speed only backlights the kph #'s, so the already small and almost unreadable (dark red) MPH numbers are not even visible at night.     Also, you might want to use a GPS, or one of those handy radar-speed signs to "calibrate" your speedo.   The one on my PS250 reads about 10-14% high, and that varies with speed.    It is typical for speedos on all makes of scooters to be off between 5 and 15%, and it isn't even consistent with a given model, as the review I read on the PS250 said the speedo was off by 6%.    So, at least on mine, and indicated 80 KPH (50 MPH) is 43 MPH.    100 KPH (62 mph) indicated is 54 MPH, 120 KPH (75 MPH) is 65 MPH.


5
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 14, 2011, 08:42:06 PM »
You will get used to the speed of your scooter soon enough.     I am also an avid cyclist (although, I don't do nearly the miles you do; 1200 miles in a year is a good season for me).     The thing you'll love about your scooter, is once you get used to the speed, you'll find, in some ways it is much safer, as you are flowing with traffic, and not having cars blast past you with inches to spare as you ride on the very narrow shoulder, or share the lane with them because there is no shoulder. 

As a bicyclist, resist the habit to ride in the right third of the lane all the time, and remember what you were taught in the MSF course about using the entire lane, and pick the third of the lane which gives you the best margin of safety, AND makes you the most seen.    I usually use the left third, which puts me in the mirror of the driver in front of me, and, also right in front of the driver behind me.    It also makes drivers less likely to try to pass on your left in your lane if you are going slower than they want you to go.

Also, don't let the driver behind you pressure you to go faster; esp. if you are already doing the speed limit.   As you get more comfortable, and if conditions permit you to do so safely, you'll want to go with the flow of the traffic, which may mean exceeding the speed limit by 5-10 MPH.     This helps reduce your exposure to other drivers making unsafe passes.

You already seem to be very safety conscious, so AGATT (all gear, all the time) should already be in your mind.   If you're going to do much  freeway/highway riding, get yourself a full-faced  helmet.

Enjoy your new scoot, and RIDE SAFE!
Jay

6
Xciting 700i / Re: New News on the BIG one?
« on: November 01, 2011, 02:37:47 PM »
The MyRoad has already been introduced to Europe. You can see it on kymco.it, kymco.de etc.
It is a real lardass. :-( I'm waiting for the BMW scooter!

292 kg !?!?!   (that's 642 lbs for those of us in the US).     That's definitely a lardass   :(

7
General Discussion / Re: Scooter rider killed
« on: October 30, 2011, 10:51:47 PM »
drive the road like you own it dont give cars the right to pass you in the same lane a lot of scooter riders ride to far to the right and when cars pass they are right next to you not giveing you no room.

If you are on a 50cc scoot on a road with speed limits above your max speed, then you likely should yield to cars to pass when you can, just as you wood on a bicycle.   Or, better yet, keep it on roads 40 MPH and less.    If you need to frequently travel roads with > 40 MPH speed limits, it is probably time for a 125/150cc or 250cc scoot, because it is better if you can go the PREVAILING speed of traffic, so that no one is tempted to try to pass you.    Keeping up with traffic at least (usually) eliminates the danger of traffic trying to pass you in the same lane.

8
Downtown 300 / Re: weather conditions - how do they affect performance
« on: October 30, 2011, 05:51:22 PM »
to kanbisk

I am not sure whether you are answering for others. As i have said i am a kymco downtown owner myself.

Anyway i see i am not very welcome.

You are welcome here, and it is OK to mention non-Kymco scooters too, esp. in comparison to Kymco scooters.

The link to your eye wear ebay store amounts to SPAM, and it NOT welcome.

So, keep the scooter posts coming, please leave out the SPAM though.

Regards,
Jay

9
Technical | How To / Re: any mod ideas??????????
« on: October 29, 2011, 02:22:12 PM »
There are a lot of 125cc-150cc scoots that don't weigh much more than a 50cc.    I occasionally see Agility 125's being sold with low kms/miles for under $1,000.    It would probably be cheaper to sell your 50 and buy a used 125 than to mod the 50, and you'll end up with a faster AND more reliable scoot.

If you're trying to avoid having to get a motorcycle endorsement, then you shouldn't be going faster anyway.     Learn the material, get your permit, and take the MSF Basic Rider's course.   It'll make you a better and safer rider, thus making it more likely you'll be around to enjoy your faster scooter for years to come.

Otherwise, the best way to go fast on a 50 is a 2 stroke model that has been derestricted, has a set of Dr. Pulley weights, and a tuned pipe.   Again -- this will all cost you more in the long run than a 125 or 150 stock.

Just my humble opinion.

Good luck, and RIDE SAFE!
Jay

10
Xciting 250 / Re: Just got to have one
« on: October 25, 2011, 11:55:28 PM »
You could also try the People GT 300i, which is a little larger than the Downtown 300i, and has the same engine.    The price is, I think about the same as the Downtown as well.   

Of course, as you've discovered, the 300i models are new models, and are going to cost about $2k more than the 250's, because the 250's are leftovers.

Also, if you want more of a "standard" larger scooter, than a maxi like the xciting, then look for a leftover People S 250, you should be able to find one for the same price as the Xciting.

Of course, if the Xciting Xcites you, then, definitely buy it.   And, as you said, it complements the Reflex well.

BTW, great deal on the Reflex (as I'm sure you know).    I don't even need another scooter, and if I found that deal, I'd have to buy it.


11
General Discussion / Re: Well its winter.
« on: October 24, 2011, 12:41:42 PM »
Living in Phoenix Arizona, helps to keep us riding all year. Our riding weather starts now for both classic cars and bikes. It's the summer heat of June-Sept that keeps us off the roads...

Although I would hate the heat of the summer there, I envy your weather the rest of the year.    Esp. since during the summer here, it is usually very humid, and thunderstorms are always a threat.     You can always head up to Flagstaff to escape the oppressive heat in the summer.

12
People 250 / Re: People S 250 goes 90 MPH (indicated) !
« on: October 22, 2011, 07:19:02 PM »
OK, so now I'm a little disappointed.    The reviews that I've read on this model state that the speedometer is 6% optimistic.    The local PD put one of those radar-speed signs down the road from where I live.    I went past it on the way home from a ride on my Guzzi, the speedo and the sign agreed dead-on.

So, after I got home, I took the PS250 past the sign.     It is 13% optimistic  >:(

60 MPH indicated = 53 MPH on the sign.    So, the 90 MPH indicated is more like 80 MPH, and not 84.    Still respectable, but, I'm a bit pissed the speedo is off so much.   No wonder people are still blowing past me when I am doing an indicated 60 MPH on a 50 MPH four lane road.    Well, now, at least I know.    Next time, I'll do an indicated 69 MPH for my intended 60 MPH (which is the defacto speed on that road).

This speedo error isn't just with this model, or this particular scoot.      If you look at the reviews on www.justgottascoot.com, David GPS checks all the scooters, and 10% or more error is typical, and they all read high.    Looks like false marketing to me.

13
General Discussion / Re: Well its winter.
« on: October 22, 2011, 01:35:31 PM »
I've ridden a couple of 40 degree mornings.   I have a 25 minute commute.   I think with my current gear, I'm good down to freezing at least.  And that is on my Moto Guzzi V7, which has no wind protection.    I might be able to go even colder on the PS250.

14
General Discussion / Re: New scooter owner in Central Texas
« on: October 21, 2011, 10:46:02 AM »
I just had a Kymco Xciting 500 drop in my lap....

Nice; if I could be so lucky  :)
Congrats, and welcome.

15
Yager GT 200i / Re: Used price/value for a Yager GT200i
« on: October 20, 2011, 09:11:29 PM »

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