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Post by windwheeler on Nov 22, 2012 16:15:56 GMT -5
I have a 2005 Kymco GrandVista 250 and I was eying with a newer 2012 Downtown 300i, test drove it and saw the good and the ugly. I am not really tall, 5'10", 32" inseam. My biggest complaint is the seating position on the 300i. The G/V is not too great either, but without the backrest at least "better" and more leg stretch possible. The 300i seat does not allow to take anything off and I felt cramped with the legs in right angle position. On top of that I slid always forward on the seat while riding it on the interstate. Otherwise, the 300i is the much more modern scoot and has a great engine, but if it is uncomfortable it spoils the whole thing.
Any reasonable fix to the seat? All comments in comparison and as alternatives would be appreciated.
Eric
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Post by howardr on Nov 22, 2012 17:54:03 GMT -5
I was really looking forward to the Downtown 300. As soon as our dealer got one, I raced down to try it. It took all of 5 seconds for me to realize that the bike is designed for people with very, very short legs. I was so disappointed because it is such a sweet looking bike.
Good luck with the seat. Take it to an auto ulphosterer and see what they can do with it.
Howard
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Post by prodigit on Nov 22, 2012 22:11:31 GMT -5
Get a Suzuki burgman, or the Aeolus 300; or if you're more into fuel efficiency, the BMS 260.
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Post by jwalz1 on Nov 24, 2012 12:22:21 GMT -5
I own a Downtown and it is a great machine. I am, however, 5'6" with a 30 inch inseam. I do not feel cramped although some people over 5'11 seem to complain about that. I think you might find that question can be best answered on the Kymco forum as there are more owners there.
You could try the People 300, which is basically the same powertrain in a more upright style scooter instead of the touring style. Sportier ride but less storage and bigger wheels on the People.
The Downtown/People are great performers for the engine size and price. A Downtown with some $40 slider performs to 60 mph pretty close to a stock TMAX 500. The 300cc engine is quiet powerful for its displacement.
And you won't find better fuel efficiency on the BMS 260. I get mid seventies and am always at full throttle. 80mpg is possible, and one of the more acctive people on the Kymco board got 75mpg on a two-up trip with a big topcase.
The engine is fairly advanced for a scooter, and Kymco makes engines for the new bimmer scoots.
If you don't find any answers on the Kymco board or like the People, you may have to get custom seat work or choose a different scoot. But trust me, you should be able to talk your dealer down AT LEAST $500 off sticker for either.
I am really impressed with my Downtown and it has been fantastic for the only 1000 miles I have on it, but am led to believe by long time Kymco owners that trouble free experiences up to 50,000 miles are not uncommon. Pretty much just oil changes, an occasional belt, battery and tires. The engines, transmissions and electronics are solid. I am a first year rider and have not topped it out but had it up to 85mph a couple times. It will go faster, up to about 95-100 depending on your weight, but you obviously need some room to get it there and I am not sure anyone really wants to. 70-75 are no problem. Cruises at 65 without effort.
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Post by jwalz1 on Nov 24, 2012 12:28:51 GMT -5
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Post by mrnoitall on Nov 30, 2012 12:50:38 GMT -5
I love scooters and I've owned a handful but i have yet to find one that is as comfortable as a motorcycle. All of them I've owned need a backrest. Two Helixes, a Morphous, a Silverwing.. All of them remind me after a while why I'm not a huge fan of the feet forward design. it's an odd position to be in without something supporting your back. All of them are comfortable for very short trips.
I was very interested in the 300i as well, I'm 5'9" and the one thing I did not like about my Morphous was the scrunched up position the ergonomics put you in. I have a felling the 300i will be similar.
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Post by Globs on Nov 30, 2012 16:46:46 GMT -5
I was really looking forward to the Downtown 300. As soon as our dealer got one, I raced down to try it. It took all of 5 seconds for me to realize that the bike is designed for people with very, very short legs. I was so disappointed because it is such a sweet looking bike. Good luck with the seat. Take it to an auto ulphosterer and see what they can do with it. Howard I had to pull off the 'adjustable' seat back on my GTS300 and replace it with a small pad. Try the Piaggio X10 for size, I fitted on that Ok and it looks a much better scoot than the burgman. |
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Post by prodigit on Nov 30, 2012 18:13:46 GMT -5
And you won't find better fuel efficiency on the BMS 260. I get mid seventies and am always at full throttle. 80mpg is possible, and one of the more acctive people on the Kymco board got 75mpg on a two-up trip with a big topcase. Depends if you're talking about the fuel injected, or the regular BMS260. I have the fuel injected, and get over 80MPG on average. I could get even more if I'd put premium BP fuel in it, but for now only filled her up with mid-grade. |
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Post by jwalz1 on Nov 30, 2012 19:56:17 GMT -5
And you won't find better fuel efficiency on the BMS 260. I get mid seventies and am always at full throttle. 80mpg is possible, and one of the more acctive people on the Kymco board got 75mpg on a two-up trip with a big topcase. Depends if you're talking about the fuel injected, or the regular BMS260. I have the fuel injected, and get over 80MPG on average. I could get even more if I'd put premium BP fuel in it, but for now only filled her up with mid-grade. That's why I said you won't get better mileage, it will be very similar, but with twice the horsepower. Globs, too bad we don't get the GTS 300 over here. That was my first choice on looks alone. |
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