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• NEW RIDER INFO
  
• RIDER GEAR
  
• MOTORCYCLE ACC.
  
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• HYOSUNG GT's
  
• KYMCO VENOX
  
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Author unknown...

 

''A motorcycle is a joy machine.

It's a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized ..... CONTINUED

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• Hyosung-Kymco-Qlink/CFMoto-Johnny Pag-Rhino /Blog/Forum: GUESTS
  Guest posting permissions enabled on select forums, try it out !!
  

A Market Report About The Chinese Motorcycle Industry
Well, we all talk about China. But what do we know about their motorcycle industry? A Chinese Market Report was just released and you will, like me, learn a few interesting things. (FYI, CNY or internationally RMB are the symbols for the Chinese Yuan also called Renminbi.). As of today, 1 US dollar = 6.8268 CNY.

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• 1- From January to May, 2009, the sales revenue of Chinese motorcycle industry totaled RMB 78.785 billion, dropping by 1.01% YOY (year over year, same period)
  
  
• 2- The growth rate fell by 25.42% YOY 3- From January to May, 2009, the profit of Chinese motorcycle manufacturing industry was RMB 3.321 billion, increasing by RMB 592 million, YOY. At the end of May 2009, the asset of Chinese motorcycle manufacturing industry reached RMB 125.537 billion, increasing by 9.57% YOY. 4- There were 2,029 motorcycle manufacturers, growing by 250 manufacturers, YOY.
  

FULL SCREEN VERSION ^here

Honda Cub is the number one motorcycle in the world

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• Mess up the egine:
  By draining all the oil and replacing it with normal cooking oil, the engine should crack up. Fortunate for the CUB it still manage to work even after riding a couple of miles.
  
  
• Overload:
  In the next effort to destroy the CUB, it was overloaded with 200 kilograms, which it could withstand flawlessly.
  
  
• Drastic measures:
  In the final attempt to kill the CUB, it was thrown of a 22 meters tall building. When the CUB collapses it hit the ground with a staggering 54 Mph speed.
  Although part of the framework and the wheels get severely damaged, the true measure of its quality is to try to get the engine running... it may not surprise you that after inserting the ignition key and gently applying the kickstarter, this incredible strong vehicle starts without a cough.
  

     ....the show in April 2009 to start his own shop, Paul Jr. Designs, and the show hasn't been the same since without the fiery relationship between father and son. The two men instead are left to sort out legal matters after Paul Sr. filed a lawsuit in December.

     Fans have also recently expressed dismay at the redundancy of the series, and complain that the "contrived" process and custom-built bikes "a conglomeration of mistakes and fixes." They also tired of the assembled "pre-fab" motorcycles as fans would much rather watch real choppers built from scratch.

     The finale is set to air February 11.

Here is a video clip of father and son fighting (as usual):

FULL SCREEN VERSION ^here

Footage from season 6 of American Chopper (Season 6).
It's the biggest blowout EVER between Junior and Senior!

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• [google]American Chopper Series[/google]
  
• [yahoo]American Chopper Series[/yahoo]
  
• [photobucket]American Chopper Series[/photobucket]
  
• [youtube]American Chopper Series[/youtube]
  
  
• [piwyr]American Chopper Series[/piwyr]

S&T Motors Korea

 

At the last EICMA 2009, the most popular model ST7 was the traditional cruiser motorcycle which is more perfect for long distance cruising than the sports cruiser Aquila 650.

The name ST7 is derived from the initials of ‘SUPER & TOP’, ‘SAFETY TRAVEL’, ‘SATISFACTORY TOUR’, ‘700cc engine solely developed by S&T Motors R&D departments’ and ‘symbol of lucky’. So the ST7 represents safe travel, and that is what brings lucky driving to you. And the ST7 is stresses the best performance and top quality in its class.

ST7 has the unique appeal of a mixed classical and sports style. Installed is a DHOC 8valve 90° V-TWIN engine with expanded displacement from 650cc to 700cc. This gives impressive low and mid-range performance fit into the theme of tour/cruising.

The frame of a traditional cruiser will give a comfortable riding position, neutral handling with a powerful engine.

Twin muffler, multiple LCD meter on fuel tank (17L), clear lens multi reflector headlamps, LED etc gives ST7 a combined style of modern functionality with a classical image.

ST7 will be released and will begin exporting at the end of January. There are two type of models; Standard and Deluxe (Deluxe comes installed with full accessories), and both come in black, red and white color.

Gone in 55 Seconds
Every 55 seconds, someone somewhere around the world is purchasing a Kymco.

www.kymco.com.au

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• Kymco is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of power-driven products
  
• Kymco manufactured their first scooter in 1970 and began marketing under the Kymco brand name in 1992·
  
• Kymco has manufactured over 4.5 million vehicles this decade alone·
  
• Kymco sold over 570,000 vehicles last year·
  
• Every 55 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is buying a Kymco·
  
• Kymco is one of the few “self-sufficient” companies across the globe, manufacturing almost all of its own components, including carburetors·
  
• Kymco has been awarded ISO 9001 – the world manufacturing quality assurance rating·
  
• Kymco manufactures components for Arctic Cat·
  
• Kymco manufactures engines for BMW (the G450X enduro engine)·
  
• Over 17% of the substantial Kymco workforce is dedicated to research and development·
  
• Kymco’s headquarters are in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and the company manufactures through five production factories across Asia·
  
• Kymco was the fourth largest scooter manufacturer in Australia last year – AND GROWING FAST!!!
  

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• CLICK HERE to view Kymco’s scooter range
  
• CLICK HERE to view Kymco’s BRAND NEW range of motorcycles
  
• CLICK HERE to view Kymco’s BRAND NEW range of ATVs
  

• 
  
• Toronto National Motorcycle Show
  Where & When: Exhibition Place, Toronto (Mar 27 - 28, 10)
  Website: http://www.nationalmotorcycleshow.com
  
  
• Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show
  Where & When: Toronto International Centre, Toronto (Apr 10 - 11, 10)
  Website: http://www.supershowevents.com/spring/index.html
  
  
• BRO Niagara Cover the Kids Ride
  Where & When: Niagara Falls, Ontario (May 1, 10)
  Website: http://www.bro.on.ca
  
  
• R.O.C.K. - Ride for Our Cancer Kids
  Where & When: Sarnia (Jul 3, 10)
  Contact: (519) 464-7627
  Website: http://www.rockride.com
  
  
• Ride for Sick Kids Hospital
  Where & When: Oshawa (Aug 22, 10)
  Contact: (416) 895-5215
  Website: http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/ride
  

2010 KYMCO Quannon 150 First Ride
''What we’d really like to see is KYMCO toss a 250 motor in the Quannon, with the extra 100cc of grunt giving it some freeway credibility and a friendlier powerband. The chassis certainly seem capable of handling more power.''

Bart Madson

Managing Editor - MOTORCYCLEUSA.com

     Way over in the land of Europe, they got this thing called graduated licensing. The idea is folks learning to ride a bike, in particular young folks, have to prove their riding ability by sampling horsepower-restricted small-displacement motorcycles. After a couple years, they can then move up to the bigger, meaner monkeys in the motorcycling kingdom, but this licensing requirement necessitates an entire 125cc class of entry-level motorcycles, including sportbikes pretty much unheard of in the US. The Yamaha YZF-R125 and Honda CBR125R all deliver sportbike looks in a newbie-friendly package. Another such ride is the KYMCO Quannon, only this little learner’s actually available in the States.


It may be just a 150 but the Quannon's $2999 MSRP makes it one of the most affordable entries into motorcycling.

Bringing its Quannon to the US as a 2010 model, KYMCO upped displacement to 149cc and slapped it with a low $2999 price tag. Its only real stateside competition comes from a pair of 250cc models: the hardly-seen Hyosung GT250 and the stalwart Kawasaki Ninja 250 – with the little Ninja effectively sewing up the U.S. entry-level sportbike market since… forever!

     So how’s the little Quannon stack up? It’s a question we were eager to answer for ourselves during the 2010 KYMCO press launch in Asheville, North Carolina. What we discovered of an odd little bike that makes for an interesting ride.

As far as appearances are concerned, riders do get a racey-looking little bike with the Quannon. It may not measure up to the latest refresh of the entry-level market from the Japanese marques, but if it were judged to the pre-2008 Ninja 250, the KYMCO looks more authentic. Fit and finish is decent for a 3K bike. In particular, the instrument cluster with an analog tach and electronic speedo with fuel gauge all look good. At $2999 the KYMCO retails for more than a grand less than the Ninja 250 and comes with a year-longer, 2-year warranty.

Toss a leg over the 31-inch seat and riders immediately notice the slender feel. A slim air/oil-cooled Single powers the Quannon, so there’s not much internally for the steel frame to wrap around. With the claimed 299-lb curb weight (conveniently just under 300 lbs), the result is a machine that feels trim, light and easy to maneuver.

True, the KYMCO feels quite small for a rider of my 6’1 dimensions, with cramped pegs. However, the small size feels less dramatic than a small-displacement scooter or past recollections riding the Honda Rebel and Yamaha Virago 250. Handlebar placement is pleasant and the riding position fairly upright, making city commutes (the Quannon’s true calling) and the accompanying frequent stops less awkward.

At low speeds, the Quannon cuts in and out of traffic with ease. Parking lots are not a problem either. There is one exception to its low-speed highs, however, as a tall first gear requires some judicious clutch work when starting from a stop - an odd trait for a beginner mount. I stumbled to a stall more than once and noticed a couple other hiccupped starts from fellow motojournos. The remainder of the Quannon’s five-speed gearbox works well enough.

Getting past city commuting speeds and the Quannon’s chassis surprised us, in a good way. Expecting a flimsy ride, the frame and suspension felt solid and reassuring, transmitting an unexpected amount of feedback. Raking our way down a steep and winding North Carolina side road, the Quannon made for some smiles in the bends. The 17-inch wheels deliver a regular bike feel while the short 53.3-inch wheelbase, combined with its feather light lbs, makes for effortless tosses around the corners. The front fork and rear monoshock certainly aren’t ready for the racetrack, but the overall rolling chassis holds up its end of the performance bargain. Where the Quannon falls short is in the motor and braking departments.

First, the brakes need improvement. There’s not a whole heck of a lot of feel and very little bite up front from the 2-piston / single rotor configuration. The rear’s doesn’t redeem things either. In unison they slow things down… slower than we’d like. For a beginner mount, a little beefier grip up front would be preferred.

The engine, however, is the Quannon’s biggest question mark. Our test unit had just single-digit mileage on the odometer before hopping on for our quick ride. The little 149.3cc Single struggled to deliver much more than anemic power. Sluggish in the lower half of its 10,000 rpm rev range, the claimed 14 ponies don’t kick much to speak of until 7K, with the real hit between 8-10K. Only problem, 8-10K is in the red line…

Tooling up the Blue Ridge Parkway the Quannon lagged up inclines, with even moderate upward pitches dramatically reducing top speed. On flat surfaces, the KYMCO toted our 205 lbs up into the indicated low 60s on the speedo. One of my KYMCO testing colleagues, MCUSA Contributing Editor Gabe Ets-Hokin, saw near 80 mph down one particularly steep hill with a Rollie-Free-esque full body tuck – but the freeway is ill-advised aboard the Quannon. It would be interesting to give the Quannon another fair shake with a fully broken in motor.

No freeway-use makes the 149cc motorcycle on American roadways a hard sell to many, but the Quannon’s engine performance is well suited to urban/surface street commutes. Plus, the little Single promises to be a gas-sipper. Though we didn’t measure fuel efficiency, judging from eyeball estimates of odometer and fuel gauge, we see no reason to contest the 70 mpg claims. Factoring the 3.6-gallon fuel tank equates to a 250-mile range, so it will be a commuter riders can fill up and forget about.

What we’d really like to see is KYMCO toss a 250 motor in the Quannon, with the extra 100cc of grunt giving it some freeway credibility and a friendlier powerband. The chassis certainly seem capable of handling more power. Give the front brake a little more bite and the KYMCO may have a mount fit to challenge the best of the 250 ranks

Criticisms aside, KYMCO deserves credit for expanding the entry-level motorcycle pool with its Quannon. In its present 150 form the little sportbike can still be sourced as a fun, if modest, commuter for those riders who want a bike, not a scooter. Beginners on a budget should consider a test ride.

Bart Madson Managing Editor

motorcycleusa.com

     When Motorcycle USA arrived at Asheville, North Carolina to sample the 2010 Scooter lineup from Kymco, we had no idea how robust the Tawian manufacturer’s scooter line actually was. Ranging from 500cc maxiscooters to 50cc 4-strokes, with plenty of mid-displacement offerings on hand, Kymco has added four new models this year: the Downtown 300i, Like 200i, Like 50 and Super 8 50 2T.

There were too many rides and not enough time…

Spoiler: click to toggle

But we did our best, scooting along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the uber-sheik grounds of Asheville’s private Biltmore Estate to get a taste of the 2010 Kymco scooter line.

Kymco Xciting 500Ri - $6299, ABS $6799

As if testing a score of scooters in a 1.5-day window wasn’t daunting enough, we complicated things by arriving late thanks to multiple flight delays and a fitful night of shuteye in the Atlanta airport (Thank You DELTA!!). Literally a day late, we dropped our bags in Asheville, plopped on a helmet and ran over to a waiting Kymco 500Ri. Our testing group was “somewhere south on the Blue Ridge Parkway,” so we twisted the grip and went lookin’.

The solo saddle time made for a grin-inducing jaunt, flogging the most performance-oriented Kymco scoot down the famed southern byway to catch up. The 498.5cc DOHC Single fairly rips in a scooter context and 70-plus mph cruising speed is a simple lickety-split right hand twist. Granted, the large Xciting can feel every bit its 473 lbs (claimed dry weight), yet the chassis and its telescopic fork, plus dual preload-adjustable rear shocks are game enough for spirited riding – though you’re not going to confuse its handling with a street bike anytime soon.

The dual disc front binders teamed with the sturdy rear disc, do a competent job bringing the near 500-lb scoot to a halt. And, yes, the optional ABS is a worthy investment despite the extra 15 lbs and $500.

Riding position is cush, with the feet-forward footrests quite relaxing and making long-distance treks a pleasant affair. Our only real gripe with the Xciting is its lengthy 61.8-inch wheelbase, large size and hefty weight, making low-speed maneuvering more technical than on its smaller, more nimble, siblings. As for fit-and-finish, the inclusion of a tach on the control panel doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but we’ll forgive ‘em for it – our high-speed scoot down the Blue Ridge will definitely get scratched into our cranial hard drive for a long time to come. (Long-term opinions on the Kymco 500Ri are available in our 2009 Kymco Xciting 500Ri Review.)

Kymco Xxciting 250Ri - $5199

As for the 250Ri, we jumped aboard the 500’s kid brother further down the Blue Ridge, once we caught up with the rest of the testing crew. The rolling chassis on the two Xcitings are identical, from physical dimensions, to brakes, to suspension; that is until the eye rolls down the spec sheet to the 67-lb lighter dry weight! And in a 407-lb scooter that makes for a BIG difference.

A liquid-cooled Single like its sibling, the 72.7mm x 60mm bore and stroke add up to a 249cc displacement (92mm x 75mm for the 500). The smaller SOHC engine pares down the pounds, but definitely gives up some of the oomph compared to the 500. However, the 250 still gets up to speed and should be okay on the Superslab – the power loss is felt mostly under acceleration, particularly at higher speed. Cushioning some of the performance drop is an efficiency claimed at 61 mpg, far greater than the observed mid-30mpg from our previous test run with the larger scooter. Oh, it’s also a full $1100 less than the 500.

Aside from the engines, the two units as a whole felt quite similar – the 250 perhaps more deft at lower speeds and easier to manhandle thanks to the lighter weight.

Kymco Downtown 300i

We spent the most time during our North Carolina testing run aboard the all-new Downtown 300i, which resides between the Xciting 500Ri and 250Ri in the maxiscooter lineup. At first glance the Downtown appears to be just a rebadged Xciting, but while similar in appearance, its differences become apparent behind the controls.

First, there’s the 299cc Single. The nearly square configuration of the 72.7mm bore and 72mm stroke seems a stroked out version of the 250 powerplant, yet Kymco assures us the 4-valve SOHC mill is a totally new design. The assertion is backed up on the road, where the 300’s power and acceleration feel far closer to the 500 than the 250. Top end performance isn’t quite at the 500’s level, but the freeway is fair game, as well as hustling along backroads at a respectable clip.

Perhaps one reason why the engine feels so spunky is it’s pushing only 367 lbs – a full 106 lbs less than the 500Ri (40 lbs less than the 250). We assumed this was a spec sheet blunder, but Kymco promises the new engine and chassis have made the weight reduction possible. And speaking of chassis, the Downtown is more compact – two inches shorter in length with a corresponding one inch-shorter wheelbase at 60.8 inch. Seat height is a quarter-inch higher than the Xciting, and the cockpit feels tighter. While the seat itself is comfy, the close quarters first become apparent when pitching the feet forward, the footrests too close to use on the Downtown – at least for taller riders, myself standing 6’2”.


The Kymco Downtown 300i is a 2011 model that will appear in the second quarter of 2010. The telescopic fork and preload-adjustable dual shocks can get jarred by road imperfections transmitted by the 14-inch front and 13-inch rear tires (an inch smaller on each wheel than the Xcitings). Still, the handling is on par with Xcitings, transitions being a little quicker on the lighter Downtown.

Although using the same braking components as the Xcitings - wave rotor and two-pot calipers - the Downtown sports only a single-disc configuration up front. While delivering less initial bite there’s plenty of stopping power at the ready when jamming down on both the front and rear single-disc units. (Kymco purchases suspension and brake parts from major suppliers in enough volume to brand them themselves – though Kymco reps do confirm ABS is from Bosch.)

Dealers are quick to point out that Kymco is from Taiwan, not China, and doesn’t carry the dubious stigma attached to “cheap Chinese scooters,” the quality of Kymco scoots apparent while riding and backed by a two-year warranty. (Though the Made in China/Taiwan saga and what’s made where, by all manufacturers, is worthy of an article – or even series of articles…) The overall fit and finish on the Downtown may be the best of the Kymco line. Our only minor quibble is the KMPH speedo, with small MPH numbers that are hard to read, and also there’s that analog tach – looks alright, but why exactly am I looking at it?

Overall the Downtown 300i was our pick of the Kymco litter. While price is still pending, the Downtown is actually a 2011 model, which should be due in dealerships by the second quarter of 2010.


Kymco Yager GT 200i - $3499


Out of the 150-250 Kymco class, the Yager 200GTi was the best standout, ample performance and comfy ergos. In the 150-250 class, the star in our opinion is the Yager GT 200i. The biggest reason being its liquid-cooled 175cc Single, which felt comparable to the Xciting 250 and provided plenty of pop on surface streets and backroads. We didn’t approach freeway speeds on the Biltmore Estates (the Vanderbilt overseers would surely release the hounds if we were too obnoxious, or at least the private security force), however, we feel confident the Yager could handle interstate traffic.

The 13-inch front wheel and 54.7-inch wheelbase make for a quick-turning yet stable handler, while the single-disc brakes front and rear also deliver pleasing performance. The quirkiest trait is the oddly shaped handlebars, which look something like seagull wings ready to take flight but make for plenty of legroom – the comfy ergos another big plus in our book. The $3500 pricetag isn’t half bad either, and a lot of bang for the buck – a better deal in our estimation than the Xcitings.


Another standout was the Super 8 150, which delivers the sharp-turning maneuverability of its smaller 50cc kin but with much more palatable performance out of its air-cooled 149cc 4-stroke. The 14-inch wheels and single disc front/drum rear brakes match well with the urban intentions of this metro commuter. Our favorite trait? Has to be the $2299 MSRP.

Kymco People 150 - $2799

An honorable mention in the mid-range scoots goes to the People 150. Freeways are a no go, but the 152cc air-cooled motor seemed game enough for larger surface streets and make the People 150 a proper little city scoot. The skinny 16-inch hoops are easy to turn yet deliver a motorcycle feel and the riding position isn’t as cramped as we expected. However, is it worth the $500 premium over the Super 8 150? Not by our brief saddle impressions.

Kymco Like 200i

The biggest disappointment in the 200 class was the new 2011 Like 200i. We rode it only a short while on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where it did not belong. The all-new air-cooled 163cc motor was sluggish, struggling up inclines and from standing starts. The most unnerving trait, however, was the cramped riding position, with our knees effectively acting as the steering lock and making it a dicey proposition for taller riders. Unless the pending MSRP is rock bottom, we don’t see many riders opting for the Like when there are better options in the Kymco arsenal.

Kymco People 250 S - $4499

Unfortunately, we didn’t spend more than a few minutes aboard the intriguing People 250 S, but we did enjoy the time. Short review, motor feels similar to Xciting 250Ri with more compact dimensions and handling characteristics. Would like to get a second ride, until then…

Other notes from the 250 Kymco line, the quirky Venox cruiser? It’s gone baby, gone – dropped from the 2010 lineup.

SOURCE:HERE

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• quote from dealernews ,Publish date: Sep 2, 2008:
  
  KYMCO Stoked By Venox Sales
  '' and KYMCO USA says retail sales of the Venox 250 for the first six months of 2008
  were up 50 percent compared to the same period last year. ''
  
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• KYMCOUSA 2010 SCOOTERS & MOTORCYCLES;
  PDF FILE
  
  ATTACHMENT KYMCO_OnRoad_2010_Web.pdf (4.05 MB)
  
  And of course the Venox is not listed....
  
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• From another source:
  

  motorcycledaily.com

   

  I was also eager to try out the Quannon, Kymco's 150cc sportbike. It's now Kymco's sole U.S. motorcycle offering, as the Venox, a 250cc cruiser, was dropped for 2010.

  
  source: Kymco 2010: Do You Know Kymco?
  
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