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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 24, 2014 20:25:57 GMT -5
No, I traded it back to the dealer on the Electroglide. The quality in it would make a Chinese 50 look like a Cadillac.
Whew, how WELL I remember the old Harley Topper! ...AND those old Harley "Hummers"...
Remember? Those marvelous old mixes of a Sportster-style set of wheels, front fork, tank and WWII era rigid frame of unknown origin... All powered with a HORRIBLE copy of some kind of stone-age European 2-stroke engine from the turn of the century... LOL! At least they LOOKED cool... And SO appealing to a 13-year-old about to take advantage of the 1950's Illinois moped law allowing 14-year-olds to ride such things... Only to have the law changed back to 16 just days before my 14th birthday!
And Dad was going to get me my CHOICE of a Topper, Hummer or a Cushman Eagle! How I LONGED for that EAGLE! I could hear the cackle of that big flathead in my adolescent dreams!
Neat avatar! I'm guessing you got it from JR? Guess who drew it up... LOL!
Ride safe, and be thankful that modern stuff (even Chinese) is better than "back in the day"...
Leo in Texas
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Post by metrodee on Mar 3, 2014 3:55:33 GMT -5
Given that my Kymco Agility 125 will soon hit 25,000km mark soon (on its original stock configuration), I have to agree with Leo. The streets of Richmond have improved recently (we get the UCI Cycling Championships next year, so there you have it) but there are many streets throughout the metro with jarring cracks, bumps, potholes, dingholes, and metal plates in some areas.
"Metreaus" ate through them and was like, "That's all you got, punk!?!?!". Even had a nasty slide after hitting black ice early last month. I got back up and so did Metreaus after two taps on the start button and we trudged home safely. Had to patch up the left turn signals with some tape, but everything else was perfect (upon further inspection by a mechanic).
I love the firm suspension of my bike, the responsive "featherweight" handling, the high ride height, and sweet punch power from the engine. Creep when I need to, fly like a bat out of when I feel like it and Metreaus carries 'er weight regardless. Fuel economy could be better, but is satisfactory given that it uses a 37mm Keihin carb.
This Kymmy hauls major butt for a 5 year old sco...I can't even call it a scooter. The damn thing's a tank! I understand why parts are difficult to find because you may never need them to begin with. Age is starting to catch up on 'er, though...
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Post by jwalz1 on Mar 3, 2014 9:59:56 GMT -5
I don't have very many miles on my Kymco but it has some pretty obvious quality. I did a lot of research before I purchased, and I did come across a couple that had 70,000 miles on a pair of older Kymco 150's, I forget the model.
I am very impressed with the power, quality and steady 75 mpg on my 300.
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Post by metrodee on Mar 4, 2014 22:11:15 GMT -5
Honestly, I wanted a Super 8 before going with an Agility, but there weren't any within my reach (sellers were too far away) when I bought Metreaus. Besides, I was made an offer I couldn't turn down from the previous owner. $425, and got a cover and extra helmet with it. I was NOT gonna turn that down.  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 6, 2014 2:35:41 GMT -5
Sounds like we have a Kymco fan club here!
My old Grand Vista, "Minnie Mouse" I call her because of her big-ear, distinctly "rodent-like" nose, just turned 15,000 miles. The only repairs it's had since new, were new battery, new tires, new belt, brake pads and a new muffler. These repairs were made by the dealer after taking it in trade on a new 300, just before I bought her. He sold it new to the former owner, and maintained it, and the first 14,000 miles were mostly long-distance highway travel, 70mph or better, riding two-up with a load of luggage. Hard miles, but the old gal seems to have stood up to them well.
Like myself, the first owner needed a flat-floor scoot because of arthritis and when he saw the new fuel-injected, 4-valve 300 he just couldn't resist! Don't blame him a bit! I test-rode one, and like the old Grand Vista 250, the new 300 still has the nimble handling of a 150, but will solidly nudge the century-mark on the speedo, cruising fine at 90mph... AND still give near 100mpg gas mileage! SWEET! But over my budget! The old one will do me fine! Besides, I sorta lke the old-fashioned small-wheel scooter look anyway.
I've now put 1,000 miles on her so I've pretty well "shaken her down". Not a rattle, squeak, leak or problem. I do know what others mean about the stout suspension on these Kymcos. They definitely ride HARD, but yet firm, with enough give to not be fatiguing. More like a sports car, than a truck... LOL!
Mine is the older carbureted, 2-valve 250 and with a mix of about 70% city and 30% freeway riding she's giving right at 75mpg... Better than my old Chinese 150 would do. It seems that liquid-cooling may allow for a bit more efficient engine, possibly offering a little more hp per cc and slightly better gas mileage.
The scoot has been hibernating under a couple of tarps through another two weeks of below freezing temps, but next week is supposed to bring some warm days... So... I'm hoping to get Minnie back on the road.
Whatever you ride, ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 4:53:00 GMT -5
This is a great example of how exporting manufacturing to Taiwan also required them to use approved quality control systems like Six Sigma.
In the electronics and computer industry, it took us years to get the suppliers to comply until they realized they could compete with Japan using new factories and real quality control with actual revision control and 'end of life' management for components. Stuff we take for granted.
Ten years ago I took a class on working with Chinese vendors, both in Taiwan and Mainland China. They used a car as an example. If you ordered a car in the U.S. you expect the car to have tires and wheels. You would also expect the same tires and wheels throughout the mfg contract unless changes were approved. We don't even think about it. Not so in China 10 years ago. You could get tires and wheels, but not the same size tires and wheels consistently. You got what the market provided in China at the time.
I am glad Taiwan is producing quality products that we can expect to last, and be repairable if necessary.
I suspect we should watch what happens in South Korea in the next 5 years. I suspect we will see real quality products from Korea. Can we import them? Another question.
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Post by metrodee on Mar 10, 2014 10:43:18 GMT -5
Another reason to be amazed at the awesome Tawainese quality...  Yep! Last night (03-09/14), Metreaus turned 25. 25,000kms (between two owners, me and the previous) later, and it still holds its ground. Before it turned 25, I rode down south to Petersburg to burn up some time and get back out after being sick for a few days. What a difference a scooter ride makes! And now to replace tires...  |
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