250 or 400?

[michaelphillips]

the weight is very low down and easy to manoeuvre, the scoot your after has all the good points that you want, enough power, fully serviced, etc.. not high mileage, given 2+ years old.... so its up to you ... you wont find an abs model from kymco elsewhere.. so will hold its value better... now its out of warranty you can do the servicing, oil changes etc yourself, and muppets are always here to advise...
One more last thing... dont forget to haggle ... if its still available for sale start lower say 400 euro and see the reaction you get... then meat half way

[MrGrumpy]

I did drop into a Kawasaki dealer today to check out a new J300, more to get a feel for what a Downtown would be like.
Maybe it's me being used to a small 125 scooter but the size of the thing struck me! Probably get used to it but first impressions are it'd need quite a gap to filter in traffic.

Find a Suzuki dealer and sit on a Burger 650 (or even a 400) - THAT will strike you as big! it obviously depends on what you are used to - being used to the Tmax when I saw a J300 in a showroom it struck me as being on the small side! I'm sure after 5 minutes riding a Downtown you'll have become totally used to the size and have no trouble filtering - after all, the widest bit on most scoots is the handlebars and human physiology dictates that they can't be too wide!

[zenith9]

I suppose when I think back, I thought the 125 was too big to get through gaps that I fly through now!
Downtown is 130mm wider according to specs so theoretically shouldn't be too different.

Probably going to take a look at the weekend, have the seller down to £2,100 equivilent in € and includes a few things for next service (oil, filters and new front tyre).

[anonstarter]

Might be worth a HPI check - and find out where the frame number is and double check it's the same as the Documents!

Have a glance at these for more info:
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/used.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/buyin ... 0_tips.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.visordown.com/features/visor ... 19818.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck, happy hunting and let us know how you got on!

[michaelphillips]

Might be worth a HPI check - and find out where the frame number is and double check it's the same as the Documents!

Have a glance at these for more info:
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/used.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/buyin ... 0_tips.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.visordown.com/features/visor ... 19818.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck, happy hunting and let us know how you got on!

great advise... the frame number is under the seat.. half way down under a plastic flap.. the engine number will be on a small metal plaque below the nearside, side stand area

[zenith9]

So I made the journey down to Tralee yesterday and am now the proud owner of a Kymco Downtown 300i!
Previous owner bought from new, as mentioned, but is having to return to Poland for lack of job opportunities. Shipping costs were around €700 so not economical for him to ship to back to Poland.

Scoot is mint, everything 100% and it came across quite readily that he kept it immaculately and was very sorry to see it go. The guy was very genuine and paid the tax for the year online (€88) after I agreed to buy and filled it with petrol for my journey back to Dublin. I was happy with the price too, paid £2,100 equivalent in € which I thought was a bargain considering the bike's condition, tax for year and the few bits and bobs he gave me (2 air filters, oil filter, new Pirelli front tyre as current is nearing tread limit & 4L Castrol oil - all of which he had pre-purchased for next service in 4,000km.)

Had a three hour drive to get familiar with it, it was a delight on the motorway, easily sustains 120-130kph and topped out around 145kph. Its definitely a step up in terms of size from the Suzuki 125 but first impressions is that it should be manageable once I get accustomed to it.

The only concern I have is that the drive belt is due for replacement at the next service. Sourcing the parts shouldn't be a problem, rather the actual work to replace it.
As I'm fairly new to two wheels so my maintenance experience has just been basic tasks such as oil and air filter changes.

Anyone have any tips on changing the drive belt on these bikes? If this is a fairly complex procedure, I'll probably source the belt myself and see if the mechanic that does the major services for my Suzuki could fit it for me.

[MrGrumpy]

The only concern I have is that the drive belt is due for replacement at the next service. Sourcing the parts shouldn't be a problem, rather the actual work to replace it.
As I'm fairly new to two wheels so my maintenance experience has just been basic tasks such as oil and air filter changes.

Anyone have any tips on changing the drive belt on these bikes? If this is a fairly complex procedure, I'll probably source the belt myself and see if the mechanic that does the major services for my Suzuki could fit it for me.

Congrats! I knew you'd like it!
Belt change? Its not a monstrously difficult job, but probably suitable for someone with some experience rather than a novice. The belt drives on smaller scoots are more or less the same idea, so any mechanic could probably do it.

[pikey]

Its worth buying some tools watching a few you tube videos .Be expensive first time but once you have them easy .Plus by time it takes you to drop off and collect scooter back you can have it done and do it at your own convenience.


£50 in last 10 years Ive spent at a dealers on labour charges .

[pikey]

Ive just had Stebel horn apart I brought off Earl it had lost its Italian sound bit flat .Sprayed some wd40 where air goes into trumpets sounds like a Lamborghini again now on my Vespa .Its all about having a go is what Im saying

[michaelphillips]

well done i knew youd like it, you soon be able to compensate for the weight, great news