Meldrew wrote: ↑Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:27 am Toyota Pious? Is that a special version of the Prius that Toyota made for the clergy?

Here is a link to the KYMCO.UK website.

https://www.kymco.co.uk/kymco/scooters/ ... s-400i-abs

The KYMCO 400i ABS weighs exactly the same as the BMW 400X (which is actually ONLY 350cc ), has the same horsepower and torque, has much bigger front brakes, has much more storage whilst riding it, has easy-to-adjust valve lash rockers like a Toyota 22r, is not running in as highly-tuned state as the BMW, has a much better-looking (IMHO) symmetrical front end, and is only £5,781.00. The 400X lists at £6,200, the better-looking 400Gt is £7,050, and the SE is £7,955. That's more than £2,000 MORE than the KYMCO.

BMW gives you a third warranty year though. H-m-m-m...

Meldrew wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:40 am
Kymco are so low profile over here as to be almost invisible. They changed importers a few years ago and big things were promised, but the current nationwide dealership network is still a mystery to most.

Its worse than that, the dealer network seems mostly fictional! I checked out where Kymco dealers in the NE are a couple of weeks ago from the Kymco website and it told me that York Suzuki are dealers - but York Suzuki obviously sell Suzukis and there's no mention of any other brand on their website! Also they list some dealer out in Driffield, again who make no mention of Kymco on their website! The only people who really do appear to be Kymco dealers are some place I've never heard of at Willington Quays, Tyneside.

MrGrumpy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 4:26 am

Meldrew wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:40 am
Kymco are so low profile over here as to be almost invisible. They changed importers a few years ago and big things were promised, but the current nationwide dealership network is still a mystery to most.

Its worse than that, the dealer network seems mostly fictional! I checked out where Kymco dealers in the NE are a couple of weeks ago from the Kymco website and it told me that York Suzuki are dealers - but York Suzuki obviously sell Suzukis and there's no mention of any other brand on their website! Also they list some dealer out in Driffield, again who make no mention of Kymco on their website! The only people who really do appear to be Kymco dealers are some place I've never heard of at Willington Quays, Tyneside.

Yes this is a continuing source of anxiety for me, I am completely at the mercy of my local dealer and all attempts to communicate with Kymco are futile. The only good thing I can say is that the product itself is of very high quality and less likely to go wrong than almost any other make. But if my local dealer disappears I am up the creek without a paddle. Its a high risk strategy but I do get to ride what is easily the best scooter I have ever had.

In the UK the best way to get a Kymco with dealer support and spares supply...

...is to buy a Kawasaki.

roadster wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 4:44 am Yes this is a continuing source of anxiety for me, I am completely at the mercy of my local dealer and all attempts to communicate with Kymco are futile. The only good thing I can say is that the product itself is of very high quality and less likely to go wrong than almost any other make. But if my local dealer disappears I am up the creek without a paddle. Its a high risk strategy but I do get to ride what is easily the best scooter I have ever had.

Oh! I didn't realise that someone on here actually had an AK550! Obviously you like it - if you have a moment can you give us your impressions of it and maybe how it compares to other maxis you've owned??

I haven't bought MSL for years! There again, I haven't bought any Magazine in paper format for years! And if I did, no doubt the Kymco story would actually be only a couple of hundred words telling me nothing I didn't know anyway.
Motorcycle Monthly is OK, especially as it's free! Usually contains the stories that are / were in MSL or On2Wheels anyway.

Meldrew wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:40 am Kymco are so low profile over here as to be almost invisible. They changed importers a few years ago and big things were promised, but the current nationwide dealership network is still a mystery to most. Even authorised dealers will only have a couple of small capacity models on show if you visit one. In contrast go over to mainland Europe where Kymco are well established and popular, and you see all the desirable Kymco maxi scooters that they don't or won't import here.

Pretty much how I would respond too. The Kymco scooters are excellent, from my limited experience of seeing them, hiring them on Greek islands, and borrowing one briefly. The support via dealer network and distributors in the UK is a joke, and a bad one at that.

MrGrumpy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 4:26 am Its worse than that, the dealer network seems mostly fictional!

Yup, the two 'dealers" closest to me are a parts and accessories shop and a quad specialist. Neither have any Kymco scooters in stock. One doesn't even have a showroom.

MrGrumpy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 7:05 am

roadster wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 4:44 am Yes this is a continuing source of anxiety for me, I am completely at the mercy of my local dealer and all attempts to communicate with Kymco are futile. The only good thing I can say is that the product itself is of very high quality and less likely to go wrong than almost any other make. But if my local dealer disappears I am up the creek without a paddle. Its a high risk strategy but I do get to ride what is easily the best scooter I have ever had.

Oh! I didn't realise that someone on here actually had an AK550! Obviously you like it - if you have a moment can you give us your impressions of it and maybe how it compares to other maxis you've owned??

Here's a start:

http://www.maxi-muppets.co.uk/forum/vie ... ilit=AK550

capitano wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:32 am
Yup, the two 'dealers" closest to me are a parts and accessories shop and a quad specialist. Neither have any Kymco scooters in stock. One doesn't even have a showroom.

The alleged Kymco dealer in the Harrogate area appears to be a secondhand car dealer.....