New Kymco Grand Vista 250

[blackc]

I'm picking up my new Kymco GV tomorrow morning from Encore Performance in Prescott AZ.

The only problem I have is the mirrors. They are located below the handlebars which requires you to look down to see them. Is this a problem with anyone else?

I'm a little nervous about this. I hope they clear the luggage.

Other than that, I think it will be a good addition. The Rocketa Bali 250 will go on the block. I don't have a good reason for switching rides. The Rocketa has been pretty solid up to now. I just get nervous about setting out across all that desert in two weeks I guess.
The Kymco just seemed like good idea.

[scooterollie]

Blackc;
Great choice! Put some miles on it for break-in and trouble shooting before your trip. I was told all KYMCOs come from the factory with synthetic oil.

[tispectrum]

Good choice. I have more than 5000 miles on my GV. I prefer the mirrors above the bars, but haven't had a problem seeing behind me.

[bigiron]

My concern would be will your arms get in the way?

[blackc]

We're going to find out this morning. It's a 50 mile trip home from the dealer.

If it doesn't work I'll have to find some after-market mirrors and a way to mount them.

Thanks for the tip on the oil. I'll check to see if the dealer did anything with it.

[blackc]

Well, the bike is home. The 50 mile trip over the mountain went OK. Couple of observations:

1. It doesn't stear as well as the Rocketa. Seems heavy and a "little wooden" on the reponse.
The switchbacks on the mountain tended to under-stear. It seemed an effort to get around. That may just be me not be used to the bike and may be better with experience.

2. It doesn't "hold" as well as the Rocketa. I was using brakes more often on the downhill.

3. It seemed more stable at speed and the speedo was more accurate according to the guy following me.

4. The mirrors are no problem at all. You're looking over your arms and the mirrors are reflecting under your arms if that sounds reasonable, but it works OK and is not an uncomfortable feeling.

5. Sits a little hard and is a bit tight as far as leg room is concerned but we have a fix for that too. Overall, I think it's going tp be a great success.

The oil in it is not synthetic and since you should change it every couple of thousand miles (since there's no oil filter) they don't recommend synthetic

[scooterollie]

Interesting, a KYMCO dealer, recognized on this forum, told me last year that the Bet & Win 250 came from the factory w/synthetic!

May be you just need more experience on the new scoot. At first, I thought my Linhai SS300 was a little twitchy compared to my Bali 250 but that all changed as I put miles on it. I now have +200 miles on the SS300. Last weekend I rode the Bali for the first time in 3 weeks - what a difference! The Linhai is much more stable at speed as well as cornering and slow speed maneuvers.

[tispectrum]

To nit pick, engine oil should be changed every 2000k, 1200 miles.

[TeamTEOR]

Hey Buddy, where across the desert are you going to? I am down in Scottsdale with a Xciting 500. I can't drive up that way yet, I still need to get my safety course out of the way, but I am curious if there is a ride going on or something.

As for the oil thing, I would tend to think that the shipping oil in the motors might be a heavy weight synthetic of some type, but that is changed prior to riding while prepping the scooter. My dealer said that the synthetic thing might be a little much to spend since the oil is changed so early on the scooters with no actual real oil filter. Now on my third oil change on the Xciting I'll have them put in synthetic oil, but by then I'll have quite a bit of miles on it.

Check eBay for Airhawk seat pads, they are cheaper there than any other online retailer. I picked one up for about $140 shipped or so. You might want to check out if the dealer has on hand the optional seat that is made for the Grand Vista.

Take a look at it:


I think that you can find handle bar risers to get a little more leg room with the handle bars. Check the tires for air, and put some miles on her, enjoy!
Tom

[blackc]

Thanks TeamTEOR
The ride across the desert is my own. I'm planning a ride along the route I rode on bicycles in 1990 from Anacortes Washington to Boston. This time I'm going up to Maine to visit an old colleague. To get there I have to cross a lot of desert and I want reliability under me. Thats why the Kymco. Then I have to get home. That's another trip.

The oil thing seemed OK. They evidently changed the oil during the dealer prep.

If you ever get to Cottonwood look me up.
blackc@commspeed .net

Good luck with the safety course.

[TeamTEOR]

Enjoy it and be safe buddy! Carry your cellphone and a motorclub card (with scooter coverage) with you as well. Don't forget the camera! There has got to be lots of picture taking ops.The spare little extra gallon of gas in the lockbox will help you out when you might need it most.
Looking forward to the report when you get back home.
Tom