new guy

[airshot]

  Wanted to say hello to all, New guy here just purchased a UXV 450i and so far so good. Did an awfull lot of research before I pulled the trigger on it.  Even went to the competitors forums and searched for other manufacturer owners comparing their model to a friends Kymco.  I have to say about 95% were very impressed at the Kymco quality when they compared it  to their own brand of side by side. The most common complaint is the shifter which I am sure we all know is a pain in the behind.
Hope to hear from other Kymco 450i owners on what you have done with your machine and how things are working out.

[CROSSBOLT]

We were thinking about a s-by-s to criuse around all the trails around here. Could not justify the $8k for any of the Kymcos and was looking at one of the chinese knock-offs for about $4k. I am not really impressed with public opinion of the chinese machines so are really interested in your experience with your 450i.

Karl

[Coach]

Bought my 450i in November. It has been great. Everyone that owns another brand has been impressed with it. It cost a little but not like the "big name" machines. You won't go wrong with the Kymco 450i.

[airshot]

We were thinking about a s-by-s to criuse around all the trails around here. Could not justify the $8k for any of the Kymcos and was looking at one of the chinese knock-offs for about $4k. I am not really impressed with public opinion of the chinese machines so are really interested in your experience with your 450i.

Karl

I was in the same situation and have been researching this for about 4 months. Looking at the Chinese knockoffs, I found many shortcuts in their build quality including quality of welds as well as parts availiability. Not many positive reviews!! Especially those owning for more than 6 months. ON the other hand the Kymco quality is quite good, I have dropped the skid plates in preparation to add a snow plow and have been quite impressed with their build quality. All frame members are closed tubing unlike some with U shaped frame and their welds are continuous all around rather than intermittent welds. Kymco builds engines for Honda and has for many years, builds the complete drivetrain for Artic Cat ATV and UTV's. They also build engines for Kawasaki ATV's and UTV's. They offer a full year warranty where others are only 6 months. Take a ride in one of the Chinese units and you will find they rattle your teeth. Having driven a number of UTV's I can safely say the Kymco does have one of the smoothest rides of any I test drove. The only complaint I have is what others have said and that is the shift lever....hard to find the gear selection...gets better with use, but still finicky. According to my insurance company, the average cost of a UTV has been over 15000.00 according to sales records and the Kymco can be had for at least 40% less. Read in the forums for other manufacturers and search for those that compared their brand to a Kymco....almost all of them say they were impressed at the quality, especially when the cost is 30% less for the Kymco. Search and take a couple test drives and I think you will come to the same conclusion I did. Some dealers do not allow test drives so beware....what are they hiding?

[airshot]

   Just an update to the uxv 450i, about 200 miles on her now and have switched all lubricants over to full synthetic. Still have not been able to acquire the factory service manual, cyclepedia is supposed to be working on it but have not heard from them yet. Finished the windshield top half today, brackets came in to complete my homemade polycarbonate upper for the cold winter months, it will come off when the weather warms up a bit and just the bottom half will stay on. Also put the finishing touches on the plow mount, will probably have to wait until next winter to see how it works. For what is supposed to be a quick release plow it sure is difficult to attach and remove, damn thing is really heavy, and I do mean really heavy. It is a very nice well made unit by Quad Boss, great design with mid frame mount but is supposed to be quick release and attach but due to the weight it nots very quick for this old body. Mabey with some practice it will become easier. My state requires a small license plate similar to a motorcycle license plate and I was looking for a mounting place....looked at the back of the machine and soon realized the rear cross brace support where the head rest supports cross is a perfect place to mount the plate. Drilled and tapped two threaded holes and the plate fits perfectly and jonny law should have no problem seeing it there. Shifter mechanism is getting better with use or I am getting used to it but it is shifting much easier now. Looking forward to other 450i owners to chime in on what they are finding with their machines.