The Kymco Exciting 500. That's the Venox 250 behind it to the rear.
I've never owned a scooter, but I have ridden a couple and I have to tell you, they're fun. Maybe some "bikers" turn their nose up at these things but for some people they make a lot of sense. And did I mention that they're fun? Anything wrong with fun?
I had the opportunity to demo ride a Kymco scooter, the Exciting 500, and their only motorcycle, the Venox 250, at the International Women & Motorcycling Conference last week. This was one of those things I discussed previously where you don't necessarily ride what you want to ride, you ride what is available. It's probably no surprise to anyone that you could walk up to the Kymco truck and get a demo ride on whatever you wanted right away. Everyone else except Harley/Buell was booked all day so I rode the Kymcos.
Exciting 500
Karen (I thought sure I had her last name but now can't find it) took me out alone first on the Exciting 500. This is their top-of-the-line scooter. With 500cc, it has a speedometer that hits 100 and Karen said the scooter will indeed go that fast. This is a serious scooter.
The riding position on a scooter is so different from a motorcycle that it takes some getting used to. You don't use your feet; the front brake is standard but you power the rear brake with your left hand, where you normally engage the clutch. Of course, there is no clutch, the scooter has an automatic transmission.
On the way out Karen took it a little easy, not sure of my riding preferences, as she told me when we pulled off. I said I'd like to pep it up a little on the way back so we did, and I really enjoyed leaning into the curves.
While the front brake, as usual, has the greatest stopping power, I found that the rear brake seemed to grab even harder. Karen speculated that it was because I'm used to squeezing the clutch lever with force and therefore I wasn't modulating the grip as well as I do with my right hand. Makes sense to me. Whatever the reason, this machine has very good brakes.
The seat is broad and comfortable, and there is some range of location, so you can move your feet around, rather than keeping them in one place all the time. As with all large scooters, it has plenty of storage space under the seat.
All in all, if I was in the market for a scooter, this is one I would definitely consider.
Kymco Venox 250
Venox 250
After riding the Exciting I wanted to try the Venox 250, Kymco's only motorcycle. Karen tells me the company may not bring it back next year because sales have not been particularly good. After riding it I could understand why that might be.
The Venox is a surprisingly large bike for a 250cc. From the size of it you would think it had at least 500 cubes in there. And Karen explained to me that it needs to be kept at high revs. "Wind it out to what you think should be fine and then wind it out some more," she told me. Otherwise it will bog down.
That proved to be the case. Our route going out was uphill and as I snicked through the gears it seemed to lack power. Then I remembered and downshifted and off we went on a much more spirited ride. But having that thing revving like that just didn't jibe with what I think of as normal. I suppose you'd get accustomed to it after awhile.
The riding position was familiar and quite comfortable, and the seat was good. It was a little uncomfortable for me that the instruments were right at the top of the fork, and I really had to look down to see them. On both my bikes the instruments are a lot more forward and I can see them as I ride. I prefer that arrangement. I know a lot of bikes have the instruments in that position, though, so it's probably, again, just something you get used to.
Although the riding position was comfortable, the pegs were moderately forward. That made for comfort, but it also made it difficult to stand up on the pegs when I hit a bump. That's one objection I have to cruisers in general. I want my pegs directly underneath me so I can stand on them and let my legs absorb the bump.
Bottom line, if I was buying a scooter I would definitely consider the Exciting 500. But if I was buying a motorcycle, the Venox 250 would not be on my short list. There are just too many other good small bikes out there. Time to go back to the drawing board, Kymco.
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Comments
Please elaborate on this list of other bikes that knock the Venox off your list??? I know of only one with more or equal power. My other bikes include ones of greater than 1000 cc's but I still enjoy riding the Venox...it's not made to be a power cruiser, so do not expect it to be!
I'd say the best bet in the 250cc class would be the Yamaha V Star 250. The Honda Rebel 250 is another good choice. And then there's the Suzuki GZ250. I'm not saying the Venox is a bad bike, I just have a problem with the size and weight when the displacement is so small. Plus, that high-rev thing puts me off. But the Venox was a very comfortable bike to ride. If you're happy with yours, that's terrific.
I have owned my Venox for 2 years now. I got a great deal on a 2006 that the dealer knocked about $1000 to get it off the showroom floor. lets face it not too many 250cc out there, this one is a lot of fun. I use it to commute in the Boston area and the gas and insurance is great too, its fun for weekend rides as well! I am 34 and have no loyalty to brands, so i thought why not try it. The little 250 is fine for the highway as well, i do agree that 5th is not that great on hills but its a 250cc. I think as Americans we have been riding bigger displacement bikes for too long and we forget what the rest of the world rides everyday for transportation. I can not believe Kymco is replacing the Venox 250 with the Quannon 150. If they had problems competing in the market with the Venox - which really had no competition, what makes them think they can compete with the completely re-engeneered Ninja 250?
Agre with the Venox/quannon issue
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