My United Motors Xpeed 250i Experience

[harrywr2]

I purchased this scooter used with 1,100 miles on it.

Well, managed to get the scooter trailered home. It's been raining all weekend .

I noticed the left headlamp only comes on at highbeam, so relying on my infinite ignorance, my first order of business was replacing the headlights. So a ride down to the autoparts store was the first order of business. So happens that the most expensive 55 Watt H7 halogen headlights were on sale for $40 a pair.

After having replaced them and gone for a short ride after dark, the left headlight is the high beam and the right light is the low beam.

Unlike a Bali where the front is split into two assemblies. On the Xpeed the front is a single fixed assembly . The only thing that turns with the handlebars is the wheel and fender.

The floor mat is rubber and held on with rubber plugs that are on the back of the mat, so at least pulling that up doesn't involve screws. In any case it's 20 or so screws to remove to get at the headlights. Everything has to come off including the windscreen, which could be a bit bigger. I'll have to invest in a full face helmet.

The radiator is mounted high in the front. The forks are comparatively short as the fork tree is only long enough to clear the tires and allow for some travel in order to make room for the radiator. In any case the shocks seem to be more than adequate, didn't experience the normal bone jarring I would have experienced going over the local 30MPH speed bumps.

Front brakes are dual disk. Worked fine after I went thru a minor flooding(4 or 5 inches of water across the road) on the way to the autoparts store.

The instrument cluster is nice, digital temperature and fuel gauge, clock, trip meter. Analog speedo though. It appears to have about the same error as my Bali. With the dual disk brakes on the front finding a place to mount the bicycle speedo magnet and pickup is going to be a challenge.

Temperature gauge goes fairly quickly to 2 of 5 bars. With some extended idling it did pop up to 3 of 5 bars.

The tires seem like they are more like motorcycle tires then scooter tires. 120/70-13 on the from and 140/60-13 on the rear. The bike doesn't want to track the ruts in the road caused by people riding around with studded snowtires anywhere near as much as the Bali with the 12x4. (It only snows here a couple of times a year and generally melts by noon, why people get studded tires is beyond me)

At idle the performance exhaust is loud. The exhaust manifold pipe is 1 1/2" in diameter if I measured correctly. In the garage the bike sounds like a Harley.

The bike has a real oil filter. The previous owners said the last time the oil was changed was 500 miles...it looked to me like it had just been changed.

The mirrors have the turn signals in them. However the arm is fully articulated...so adjusting them is a breeze and they hold their position. They have the standard 'objects may be closer then they appear" warning on them. Being able to see back a couple of hundred yards without a big blind spot is quite nice.

An 18 pack of ones beverage of choice will fit under the seat. And without a hump in the center a full back of groceries will fit between ones feet.

There is a 12 volt plug in the glove box...convenient for running a portable air pump.

Fit, finish and quality of plastics is better then a China Bike...but probably not up to the standards of a Sym.

I wish the rain would stop so I could take it out and put it thru its paces.

[hugh]

harry - Sounds like a nice scoot. What year is it? Did you get it from a dealer or private owner? And don't worry, the rain will stop by late spring .

[Gary]

Harry - sounds really nice. And the price you paid - wow, what a steal.
Gary

[harrywr2]

Nov 3, 2008 9:15:12 GMT -5 hugh said:

harry - Sounds like a nice scoot. What year is it? Did you get it from a dealer or private owner? And don't worry, the rain will stop by late spring .

It's a 2008. I got it used from an older gentleman(70ish) that decided scooting wasn't for him. Outer 3rd of the tire tread still had the factory nubs.

[allworld]

Hello Harrywr2:
Sounds like a nice scooter, I believe it is the same as a Hyosung.
I like the real oil filter and fuel injection
I wish you many trouble free miles., O and buy rain gear.

[oldnslow]

Congratulations on your good fortune. I've seen several ads of scooters for sale by owners who cannot ride any longer, for whatever reason.

The rain will stop, for awhile, in April; unless it snows. At which point the people with studded snow tires will . . . ah, I'm not even going to go there. That's a sore subject with me, too.

[jim63]

I look forward to reading about how this scooter performs for you. Especially in the area of highway type speed driving. This scooter looks like a good buy for my needs if the performance increase can justify replacing my 250B with one. If it can cruise 70mph flat terrain, and not be at max throttle, this could be the ticket. New prices seem pretty good, several hundred less than some other 250's from other higher end brands. I have backed off my 250B to 60mph on I-5 in hopes keeping it in one piece longer. Lower my rpms by 500 in doing that 65mph down to 60mph. 10mph dont seem like much, but in traffic can be the difference in keeping up with traffic flow, or having traffic go around you, which in the case of semi's can get alittle exciting at times.

[harrywr2]

Had a bit of trouble at the DMV...questioning value etc etc etc. Had to go back with a NADA valuation and pay tax on the NADA valuation.

Bicycle speedometer didn't work out, just couldn't get the sensor close enough to the magnet. So I got a cheap($159) Garmin. Hopefully this one will stay on, or better yet, I'll have to fashion some sort of clamp to keep it on.

Sunshine came out..a bit blustery. Decided to take a run at my favorite 10% grade hill. Managed 55 MPH GPS verified and climbing before the matter of a turn presented itself and I had to hit the brakes..coolant temp held at 2 bars out of 5. To be honest it probably wouldn't have went past 60 even if I had more straight away.

Took my first trip out on the Interstate..just one exit. Mr State Trooper was out with his radar gun...so 62 MPH was all I could do...somewhere between quarter and half throttle. I really need to get a full face helmet. Air hurts at 60 MPH, never mind bugs and rain.

[Gary]

Just called the dealer here in San Diego. The scoots are not in yet, possibly later in the week. The price will be $4599 plus tax and license, probably $5K out the door. Not quite the bargain.

My chinscoot is looking better ...

[harrywr2]

Nov 3, 2008 16:32:05 GMT -5 Gary said:

Just called the dealer here in San Diego. The scoots are not in yet, possibly later in the week. The price will be $4599 plus tax and license, probably $5K out the door. Not quite the bargain.

My chinscoot is looking better ...

Paid for has a quality all its own !!!

[haakon59]

Congratulations on getting your new scooter. It sounds like a good bike for the money. I hope you have nothing but trouble free miles from here on out.

[harrywr2]

Searched hi and low for a oil filter part # cross reference. Ended up back at scootdawq

scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.cgi?board=200cc&action=display&thread=15720&page=1

[harrywr2]

Got a full face helmet...and had my second ever foray onto Interstate Highway Scootering.
Got on I-90 East bound at milepost 15, got off at milepost 17. GPS says I topped out at 75.9 MPH.

The 75.9 MPH was a driver and conditions limit not a bike limit. Was pretty close to full throttle...was just not interested in hitting the off ramp at 80 MPH.

[Gary]

Very impressive. Its nice to know you can go on the freeway and not have to be WOT to keep up with traffic.

[yarddogbbq]

good speed,

so the next time you feel the need for speed, you got it!!

nice bike.

yarddog

[harrywr2]

Yes, very nice to have enough power to confidently move into the passing lane!!

I went to NAPA to try to get an oil filter, they didn't have a parts cross reference for a Polaris Pure# 0452462. So I went to the Polaris Dealer...filter had been superceded by Polaris Pure #2520724. Polaris dude was a bit puzzled that he had oil filters for my scooter...but was happy to take my $10.

[harrywr2]

Managed to get my hands on a Hyosung MS3 shop manual. Checking the valve gap is no big deal. Adjusting the valve gap involves shims and removing the cam shafts.

The I went for a ride...did I-90 out to Preston...up hill...speed limit 70 MPH...curvy. Managed 73...rider limit. Chicken strips on the tires are gone. 70 MPH in a straight-away is one thing..in a curve it is a whole new world.

Gotta go do some laundry now.

[harrywr2]

Iridium Plug arrived..so did a bit of PDI.

4 bolts to take off the entire rear body, seat box and all was nice. Didn't find any hoses that looked like they needed replacing. Throttle body and intake manifold are all metal.

Valve cover takes allen wrenches. Real large head bolts with a real rubber gaskets.
Mileage is 1,200. and I didn't see in the service records that valve gap had been inspected.

One problem with EFI is that is will mask a myriad of sins that would should up promptly in a bike with a carb.

Finding TDC in a dual overhead cam is a bit different.
The variator has an access cover..so one uses a socket wrench to turn the motor.

I never did find see the marking on the magneto for TDC thru the 'inspection port'. So i ended up using some marks on the cam gears. The exhaust cam has a mark that should be parallel with the cylinder then there should be marks on both cams at the highest point of the gears.

Valves were .003 and .004 on intake. .007 and .008 on exhaust.
Shop manual says .004 intake and .008 exhaust. To adjust takes shims and apparently there are 41 different sizes of shims. So I think I will leave well enough alone for the time being.

Changed the gear oil and it came out black as night. From the service records $37 the previous owner paid for a 600 mile service sounded a bit cheap. I guess it didn't include changing the gear oil.

Took the radiator cap off and radiator was full of nice bright green stuff. Same color as in the coolant reserve bottle. Coolant reserve hasn't moved and temperature guage stays where it belongs so I'll assume all is well there.

[Gary]

Harry -
Sounds like you are having fun with your new toy, even when not riding it. Your posts are interesting and I enjoy reading them. It's particularly intriguing to hear about the differences between the china-scoots and yours.

What do you think about parts availability? If you wanted to buy a set of valve shims, where do you get them, are the prices reasonable, and is delivery OK?

Sounds like you have a great machine. I could afford a new one, but don't really want to spend as much as they are asking for new ones. I might change my mind later. If a deal like yours came along, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.
Gary

[harrywr2]

I've done some poking around on parts issues. Definitely not a bike to be built from parts. Hyosung has an online parts list with MSRP. It would appear that the Koreans have learned something from the Japanese on how to price spare parts. It's definitely right up there with what a Honda dealer would charge for an equivalent spare part.

As it's not been in production that long there isn't much of an 'aftermarket' parts business. Cbxman has the parts...or can order them as well as any dealer.

I've got to work out the size of my shims at some point, there are different diameters. In a given diameter one can get a "Shop Set" of shims for somewhere between $50 and $100. This would include 3 of every possible thickness (100+ shims) or I can pay $5 plus shipping for 1 shim.

Some of the parts cost is justified, the valve cover as far as I can tell is cast aluminum. The rubber gasket is at least 1/8" thick. The one plastic part in the drive train outside of the airbox is a little cover over the variator, so one can access the crankshaft to turn the engine to adjust the valves. It has brass sleeves in the screw holes.

[harrywr2]

Rained stopped long enough to take the beast out for a 100 mile test drive. Quite nice to concentrate on driving rather then "Come on baby...gimme just 2 more MPH"....no problems in traffic..either interstate or state roads with speeds limits of 60+ MPH. Got 76 MPG on the trip.

Coolant temp never went over 2 bars out of 5. RPM's seem to stick around 5K at 50 MPH.

Only hiccups where i was impeding traffic a bit were on a section of Highway locally known as the "Highway of Death" and the twistys at snoqualmie falls...wet leaves on twistys was not a lot of fun..and I really didn't care what Mr Horn Blower thought other then his horn really needed to be relocated.

[Gary]

Awesome Harry. My (soon to be ex) wife is from the Portland area. Have been to the falls ... beautiful country.
Gary

[harrywr2]

Went out riding on an old fire road today trying to see if I could get someplace,map said I could. 8 miles down the gravel one lane fire road it started to rain. While these tires definitely work better on pavement, they are not at all too hot in mud.

I'm still trying to find mention of integrated brakes in the owners manual. I know I got them cause I managed to lock up both the front and rear wheels by pressing the rear brake level. That was exciting. What was it I the MSF said I was supposed to do if I lock up the rear? oh yeah..leave it locked...what am I supposed to do if I lock up the front? oh yeah..release and reapply.

I did verify when I got home that the rear brake lever does in fact operate the front and rear brakes.

[jim63]

Sounds like it working well for you. I read your posts on your experiences so far. My question is how would you feel about hopping on this scooter for a longer type getaway, to say Spokane or Portland and beyond. A trip that will involve some distance and some extended high speed (60+mph) travel. I realize you only just got it recently but this requirement is important to me if I was to consider buying one. My 250B can travel at 60mph just fine, but dont have a warm fuzzy doing it for multiple all day traveling.

[harrywr2]

jim63,

Once I get my "highway" legs...I don't think I would have any problem doing Portland. SR 203 from Fall City to Monroe has a 60 MPH speed limit...and that is pretty much a 'suggested' speed limit. I was okay with the trucks coming in the opposite direction...a bit breezy...but not 'blown off the road'.

Not sure about Spokane though...I don't know how much time you've done on I-90 but there are some serious wind tunnels between Seattle and Spokane...they aren't kidding when they say "High Crosswind Area". So performance wise I think it is enough. I'm just not sure weight wise.

[oldnslow]

Go East, young man! On SR 2, that is. ;D

Uh, wait a few months.

[harrywr2]

Nov 11, 2008 2:15:37 GMT -5 oldnslow said:

Go East, young man! On SR 2, that is. ;D
Uh, wait a few months.

Yep...seems its snowing in the passes today...have to wait till spring

In other events.

First problem with the scoot occurred
Starter wouldn't turn over.
Checked for a stuck brake light first...every there was okay.
So 4 bolts and off came the body. The previous owner had a new battery 'professionally' installed at Les Schwab. A type 9BS with a rated output of 8 amps. So I'm checked the connections...all seems good...then notice the sealing strip on the battery wasn't sealed.

Take the battery out and drop it in the trickle charger..thing won't charge beyond 12.4 volts and 7 amps.

The lighting circuit on the bike is DC and comes on when you turn on the key, rather then when the bike is running. Did some math, 55 watts for the headlight, another 10 watts for the position lights, 21 watts for the tail light. 86 watts total. 86/12.4 seems to come out to 6.9 amps. That's before even counting the EFI and fuel pump drain. Don't think the starter is going to turn with .1 amps.

So measure up the battery box as accurately as I can..and low and behold..it appears to be a perfect fit for a 10 AMP 12BS battery. So off to NAPA on my trusty CCS to get a 12BS battery.

As I had the body off I thought it would be a good time to replace the standard tail light with an LED light. Bulb was an 1157.

[Gary]

Glad you have the CCS as a back up.

[harrywr2]

Nov 11, 2008 9:38:41 GMT -5 Gary said:

Glad you have the CCS as a back up.

This little incident may be a blessing in disguise...just one more reason to present to the Mrs why I should have 2 bikes. Well 3 bikes, if I count the 50cc...but she likes to ride the 50cc.

[jaxco]

Hey there, been a while since I posted on this forum.
Glad my oil filter post did someone some good.
Was the service manual you got your hands on one that I posted as well. It is floating around on this board, KOrider, and powerscooters.org. I had linked it to an uploader service and someone at powerscooters.org seems to be hosting it as a pdf file.
Link here----> powerscooters.org/manuals/%5BMS3-250%5D%20Serive%20Manual.pdf (big file, might take some time to downoad-I reccommend saving a copy)

I dig my MS3, have had it about 3+ months and put 3,000+ miles on it.
Going to change over to synthetic oil when I get paid this week.
The gear oil came out black on mine when I changed it as well. It was changed at my 600 mile service that cost me about 50 bucks. I then changed oil and gear oil at 1000 miles. The oil filter only needs to be changed about every 2nd or 3rd oil change but I change mine out each time for peace of mind.
What did you pay for your scoot, I bought mine new for 3999+tax, tag, title and other crap.