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KYMCO?

Discussion in 'Other 250's' started by Benimino, Jul 28, 2012.

  1. Artemis

    Artemis Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    of all the chinese (well this one is technically Taiwanese) bikes, Kymco seems to be the only one making bikes that you can count on being somewhat reliable. Also it's a bit heavier than most 250's and has a drum brake not a caliper-disk on the rear wheel. 
    However, it's a first bike. It's very pretty, a quick google search didn't turn up anything major in terms of endemic issues and it puts out a bit of power for it's size so that should be fun.

    My sis is thinking of a pretty cruiser, I might have to show this one to her :p
     
  2. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    There is a review of the Venox on Bikepoint that gives it a pretty good wrap - see http://www.bikepoint.com.au/reviews/2009/road/kymco/kymco-venox-250-16911
    When your ready to buy, I'd suggest identifying your top 3 or 4 bikes that grab your fancy and test ride all them in a day.... you will know then which one gets the juices flowing and you can take it from there. 
     
  3. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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    hi all

    don't know if it's way too late to respond to this one. I just bought a brand new venox 250 after a long break from riding. have had it since february and done 3500 kms. it's a great bike. rides beautifully, sounds good and is amazingly quick (but won't keep up entirely with a 250 sports). certainly looks much larger - more like a 500-650 cruiser. had a few queries from other riders at traffic lights and they are all surprised at it being a 250. all have been impressed by the styling (if they are into cruisers, at least). i would recommend it to anyone. cost me $3990 all up for the new 2011 model
     
  4. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Isn't kymco originally scooters?
     
  5. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    I do believe you are correct macca
     
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  6. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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    kymco made the motors for the honda magna. i can't remember where i saw it but a magna and the venox were photo'd side by side and only the cosmetics are different
     
  7. TechHeadFred

    TechHeadFred Well-Known Member

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    Stay Upright ACT has mostly Honda CB250 or Kymco 125 and 250 cc bikes for their Pre-Learner/Hire Bikes.

    I was on a Kymco 125 when I did my L's again last year and it wasn't too shabby for that.
    Being 6'1" (or thereabouts) and probably over 100kg at the time it would have been a bit small for me under on-road conditions.

    I remember talking to the instructors about the Kymcos - they described them as "Ag bikes that are street legal" and mentioned that the fuel taps were all automatic.
     
  8. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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  9. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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    I'm 5'3" and 58 kg. The venox 250 could be quite a different experience for me than for many other people!
     
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  10. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    Everyone I know who has owned a Kymco (I won't exaggerate it, it's 3 people) have had nothing but issues with 3 different models. Money better spent elsewhere - a used Japanese bike would be more worth it. The latest one had the bike literally seize a piston in the engine at moderate speed (70km/h ish) on a country road. Caused him a bit of pain but nothing serious. The bike was 3 months old with barely 1500kms on it. Dealer tried to weasel their way out of everything to do with the bike. Not sure if he resolved it or found the cause I haven't seen him in a while now.

    We can talk it up and assume that maybe they're good, but the sad reality I think we all know what we'd rather be riding. No disrespect to those who bought them, or the magazines who get incentives for good reviews but honestly... I think you can do better.

    Sorry to be a downer but I'm pretty black and white with this kind of thing.
     
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  11. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Yer stu going from scooters to road bikes is a leap
     
  12. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Hyundai achieved it going from machinery to cars, it has taken them several years but they are getting a lot closer to the other makers now :), I don't think from scooters to motorcycles is as big a leap as that. Give them time and a chance and we may be surprised with what they come up with. In saying that though I have ridden a kymco scooter and was terrified the whole time lol
     
  13. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Yer I just mean in reliability sense it a leap and need time to perfect things! Just like I wouldn't buy a great wall atm don't wanna be the guinea pig but I'm sure they will come good to
     
  14. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Definately don't want a Great Wall haha
     
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  15. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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    I don't have particular argument with this opinion, but it is difficult to justify it in the overall scheme of things. My interest in riding a bike stems from a group of friends that were in my karate club back in the late 60's. I thought they looked so cool - I was going to get one. The trouble was they rode BSA's, Triumphs and Nortons and there was no way I could afford one of those. I bought a little red Suzuki 100 cc road bike (can't remember the model) and so did my cousin. We had a GREAT time on those bikes. But, I do remember a couple of slightly disapproving tut tuts from my mates - not because of the size but because I'd bought 'Jap crap'. Since then I've ridden tried-and-true Yamahas, Hondas and Suzukis with no concerns.

    However, your point is well taken. I wasn't going to throw my money away on something I'd not heard of either. I saw one advertised when I was looking around to buy and I went to look at it. It gave a really nice ride and had about 40 000 km. Unfortunately, the owner had customised the hell out of it with a load of stuff I would have to have removed. A couple of weeks of internet research (forums, not reviewers, in USA, Canada and NZ in particular) seemed pretty good and I was happy to see that Kymco has been making Honda parts/motors since 1963 so it does have a reasonable pedigree. I am not sure about parts, but I'm happy to shop online anyway.

    Bottom line is that alternative manufacturers cannot improve if there's no market. Some members may be long enough in the tooth to remember the Leyland P76. That car was born a lemon, lived a lemon and died a lemon - it never improved. I don't think the relative newcomers to the bike market are the same.

    Bottom, bottom line. For under $4k I could get a bike with no prior unknown bad history, performed well enough for my liking and if(when) I lose half of the value in selling or trading it's not too much. If I keep riding, I will probably buy a 650 cruiser (my favourite size and best suited to my physique) for longer runs but still commute on the venox.

    For me, so far so good! I'll let you know if mine blows up.
     
  16. risky

    risky risky

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    i lkiked my p76. had better handling than opposition but was let down by lucas electrics.body panel fit was iffy but car was comfortable and went well apart from starter and relays. lucas went out of business and was known as the prince of darknes. in regard to the kymco i would suggest the jap bikes could be[would be] more reliable. could i sell you a megelli??
     
  17. physicist

    physicist Active Member

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    Wow! You're actually the first person I've heard of who liked the P76. I wanted one when they first came out, but was put off by everything I heard. I guess if there's one hard and fast rule in life it's that there's no hard and fast rules in life.

    By the way, what's the story with Megellis? I've heard mixed reviews but I didn't check them out properly when I started looking around because I've never ridden a sports (I presume it's a sports) bike. The body position always looked uncomfortable/unstable to me. I know it can't be, it just looks it to me. Maybe I should try one day.
     
  18. risky

    risky risky

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    sporty appearance, unique exhaust sound,revvy single cylinder ,copy of early honda single.unique frame.likes -appearance and sound.dislikes-tyres and brakes.
     
  19. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    from memory you could fit a 44 gallon drum in the boot, or 7 bodies
     

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