Woops sorry PIWYR family.

George is usually the man about posting articles so I assumed he had already posted it.

from:ACD Topic: An afternoon with Kymco

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Kymco USA had a sizable display at the 27th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show this year. The event stops in 13 cities across the US. Dave and I were lucky enough to attend the Atlanta show held at the Georgia World Congress Center. If you ever go to an event at the GWCC be sure and bring a map. To say the place is huge is an understatement. Thankfully there was a friendly GWCC staff member around every corner to help compensate for my lack of directional sense. 

For those of you not familiar with Kymco, they are relatively new to the US market but have been around for quite some time. Kymco was initially founded in 1963 as Kwang Yang Motor Company, Ltd in Taiwan. What is now known as Kymco USA was established as STR Motor Sports in 1976, the exclusive US distributor of the Tomos lineup of scooters. In 1996 Kymco USA was formed with headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In July of 2007 a new partnership was formed between Kymco USA, and Kymco. Kymco bought a 50% stake in Kymco USA. This partnership has allowed Kymco USA to bring more products into the US, as well as bolstering the marketing presence.  Currently Kymco USA has 600+ US dealers carrying a variety of the product line.

The Kymco display held some prime real estate showing their best offerings in scooters, ATV’s and the charismatic Venox motorcycle dead center in the event hall. You couldn't really ask for a better spot. The constant stream of people kept the Kymco show staff busy, the Kymco model deservedly getting the bulk of the attention.

The scooter and ATV markets have been flooded with low cost, low quality products from China. This environment would make it seemingly impossible for a company with the name “Kymco” to separate itself from that crowd.

Kymco’s scooter showcase includes models ranging from 50cc 2-stroke machines all the way up to a 4-stroke 500cc touring scooter. Close inspection of any of the models Kymco had on display revealed surprising results. These scooters are well put together and feel solid to the sit down test. Plastics and switches feel substantial, unlike the thin flimsy plastics found on inexpensive Chinese imports.



The 500cc Xciting (also available with a 250cc engine) peaks my interest for a couple of reasons. First and foremost the 498.5cc liquid cooled DOHC power plant, yes that’s right a 500cc scooter. Taking into consideration that my current motorcycle displaces only 250cc, I can only imagine what cracking the throttle wide open feels like. Secondly, the Xciting comes equipped with 120/70 tires on a 15” rim up front and 150/70 tires on a 14” rim out back. That’s a lot of rubber on a scooter. Typically scooters have a much narrower and smaller rim/tire combination. The smaller tires on some scooters can make them very unstable at higher speeds. This certainly must make handling very similar to a motorcycle. The stopping looks to be very similar to a motorcycle as well with dual discs up front and a single unit in the rear all with 2 piston calipers.

The dash is fully equipped with digital gauges including trip meter, tachometer and even a clock. The Xciting has enough storage to suit a day trip or a quick trip to the grocery store for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. This thing even has a 12v dc adapter to plug in the cell phone. The windscreen looks to be capable of directing the majority of wind blast at highway speed away from the rider and passenger seated comfortably in the well padded seat. So sit back, relax and enjoy the fully automated glory of a continuously variable transmission. All in all, this model really is the scooter equivalent of the sport touring bike. Oddly enough this scooter has all the features I wish my current motorcycle had.

The People S Model of scooter, available in displacements of 125cc, 200cc, and 250cc are the answer for the urban commuter. It’s a smaller scooter weighing in at a significant 125lbs less (People S 250) than the Xciting 500. The People 250 S also comes with an impressive wheel/tire combo in 16” sizes 110/70 Front, and 140/70 Rear (100/80F 120/80R on the 125cc and 200cc).



The Kymco scooter showroom also includes the retro looking People scooter and the racy Super 8 and Super 9 models. If you’re looking for a scooter Kymco has something that will suit your styling desires. If 500cc doesn’t satisfy your desire for displacement supremacy, hold on to your shorts there’s a 700cc scooter model on the way.



The ATV pen is equally as impressive with the Mongoose and MXU lines available in displacements of 50cc’s up to 500cc’s as well. The Mongoose models look fierce and ready to tear up the local motocross track or your favorite trail. The MXU models have a more utilitarian approach with factory equipped front and rear racks as well as a towing hitch. Never had the opportunity to ride a Kymco ATV? Perhaps you have and didn’t know it. Rumor has it Kymco manufactures ATV’s for some of the mainstream manufacturers.



Last but certainly not least at the Kymco display, the Venox. The Venox is just about as solid a 250cc cruiser as you’ll find. Sitting on the Venox can be deceiving. When you pick it up off the side stand you’ll soon forget that you’re sitting on a bike displacing a mere 250cc’s. Don’t let the size of the motor fool you, the Venox is capable of cruising as long as you are. This was my first up close and personal experience with this particular bike. It’s easy to see why the Venox riders are as passionate about their bikes as they are.

Dave and I had the opportunity to sit down with Kymco USA’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bruce Ramsey. Bruce joined Kymco in 1996 with a strong background in sales and marketing. Apparently they picked a good guy for the job; Kymco’s presence and sales have been growing in the ATV and scooter market.



According to Bruce, Kymco, like all in the motor sports industry, have seen a decline in sales lately. Some manufacturers have reported even double digit declines in sales. Kymco has weathered the recent storm posting nominal increases in sales. While this may not sound impressive, it really is. If everyone else on the block is selling less and you’re selling just a few more, you are grabbing a hold of some of their market share. Bruce is well aware of this fact, and told us that we will soon see an increase in the marketing of the Kymco product line. Kymco is also actively getting involved in partnerships with major motorcycle manufacturers to create opportunities to share technology and engineering. This could make for some interesting new designs in the future.

Venox owners have had a lot of questions as of late in regards to upgrades to their favorite 250cc cruiser. The number one most asked question is “when are we getting the fuel injected model?” Bruce confirmed what most of us already know. While the Venox is a lot of bike for the average 250 cruiser, the price is on the high end. Bruce stated that EFI could add a few hundred dollars or more onto the existing MSRP of $4299. The push for EFI on all models has been primarily to meet ever tightening EPA and Euro emissions requirements. Bruce reports that the Kymco is well within the EPA mandated requirements for at least the next two years with the carbureted version. Not to say that we won’t see EFI sooner, but at this point Kymco USA doesn’t feel the added cost to MSRP would encourage more sales. Currently Bruce estimates the Venox sells approximately 300 units a year, including bikes sold for MSF training use.

When asked about additional accessories for the Venox, Bruce gave a bit of background on the problems with earlier accessories. It seems Spaan,the company who was manufacturing accessories previously, couldn’t maintain the level of quality demanded by Kymco USA. As opposed to selling an inferior product Kymco opted to minimize the accessory line until they can find suitable quality products at an affordable price. They are in the hunt for a replacement.

What? A company that’s worried more about quality than the profit margin??? This must be some kind of new fan-dangled marketing strategy. What will they think of next?

Another commonly asked question is “will there ever be a larger displacement motorcycle?” Bruce reports at this time there are no plans to move in that direction. While it seems logical to utilize one of the larger displacement motors already in production on scooters or ATV’s, Bruce stated that those engine packages were engineered specifically for those models and wouldn’t crossover well to a motorcycle.

The Quannon 125 from Kymco drew a lot of attention around the internet for its unique styling. Kymco USA, not one to rest on its laurels, brought out a Quannon 125 to last year’s FEM MOTO event to get some feedback. Bruce said the feedback they received was pretty good, and that they had noticed the interest around the internet and at forums like ACD and PIWYR. Of course at this point they are just seeing what people say about it, nothing else.

Yes folks that’s right, Bruce is familiar with and visits the site from time to time to get the vibe of the consumer and riders around these parts. Bruce explained that while he'd love to contribute he feels that his already overflowing email inbox along with the potential flood of emails and questions might not get answered in a timely manner as he would like. Also he felt like he would be taking away from the dealers ability to better develop the relationship with their customers.

Bruce also mentioned to keep an eye out on the Kymco USA website as it will be getting a makeover in the near future.

I have to say the meeting with Bruce was one of the highlights of the show for me. It’s refreshing to see a knowledgeable sales and marketing executive who has a real passion for his work. Keep your eyes focused on Kymco, I suspect their name will carry the same weight as some of the majors in a few short years.

Nice write up, Thanks for the forward...

Nate and Amish thanks for the info. I have to admit I am sad they are not looking into a bigger displacement bike. I am glad to hear that Kymco is doing better than some. And with the possibility that they will get a partner ship with another company. Who knows maybe in the near futur they will change their mind about a bigger bike.

:old: Good article, Had I known their lack of intrest in the Venox I would not have bought one. It is a shame it really is a great bike.

It's not so much their lack of interest in the Venox, it's more joe consumer's lack of interest in the product. Gotta sell more than a couple hundred bikes a year to make it worth developing further. Not to minimize current owners desires for more, just comes down to business...

Nobody at Kymco has said they aren't interested in going larger on a motorcycle. The more you guys with the Venox's spread the word and get your buddies to buy em up the better the odds are.

Completly understand and agree to a point.Sales are the result of many factors.

The amount they sell is also dictated by the product placement , lack of a range of different cc sizes and lack of advertising. Its different in some EU countries like Spain.

The distributor carries the complete lineup, advertises the product and participates with the CLUBVENOX forum.

RESULTS: have sold over 5,000 units vs less then 1500 units here as of a year ago.This is just in Spain !!

Plan to sell only a few and your plan will come true.

I don't really blame KymcoUsa for this one. I do wish they could get through to the home office though.

If Kymco wants to sell motorcycles in America they need some larger displacements. Sure the 250 makes a great commuter and is all anyone really needs for short trips. Americans want overkill though. Most people are very interested in the Venox. In fact a few harley and honda riders have tracked me down and asked about the bike. I can see them mentally sign off once I tell them it's a 250. In Europe and especially Taiwan the 250 is good size bike. Over here a 250 is looked at as a little "chick" bike or "beginner" bike.

I am glad Kymco brought the bike over. I love mine and I am not hung up on the displacement. Heck in town it will give lots of the 600 cruisers a run. I can appreciate the bike. Most people will just not give it a chance though.

They are starting to get the picture on the ATV's and scooters, but I just don't get their "myopia" condition regarding the motorcycle market.

:old: They could sell more if they would back up the model and advertise it more. I have seen plenty of adds with scooters and four wheelers but not the Venox. But this tunnel vison with motorcycles. The big scooters are nice if that is what you want and they are for the most part relieable but not all of us want a automatic scooter. I like to go out and ride in a little comfort and on long highway run the venox falls short.

Sure the 250 makes a great commuter and is all anyone really needs for short trips. {Quote}
Has anyone had any experiences using the Venox for more than a commuter or a day rider? I would bet that they would do a pretty good job at normal posted speeds. Just don't pack it too heavy.
I know during the 50s my wife and I toured much of Germany on a 350 Horex with no problems. I don't know what the HP was for it but it done well. Only tried to seize while being run wide open , I had the attitude 'if it hurt when you do that, don't do that. With a water cooled motor I don't think seizing would be a problem.
BTW- At that time BMW R50s were barely fast enough to be allowed on the Autobahn.
Like it was stated before here, it is an American mind set, bigger is better to some people, but is it really needed? But again ,to 99% of people that ride it is for enjoyment, not because they have to.
I am having a few medical problems as of now, but should be OK by spring and plan on buying a Venox, not because I can't afford more/bigger, but because I want one. And I plan on doing some exstended rides cross country.

I have been on many camping trips with the NOX extremly overloaded and enjoyed every minute.

Would take all back roads where the speed limit was never over 65 and enjoyed every minute. I take back roads by choice...as ''its the trip not the destination''.

Zackly my goal OBXB, I don't believe that I ever made a road trip without a destination, or a time schedule to meet. I would like to change that now that I am retired. 3 or 4 hundred mile days is all I would use it for, anymore than that and I can ride one of the Guzzis.

I worked on a unit that had been round triped from Houston to Canada a few times. It had more miles on it than it needed for it's age. Broke a rocker arm, most likely due to long high speed stints with a load. It did not break on the road. A couple bought it and it broke on them pulling into their driveway.

I want to make a long trip on a bike this spring with my pops. We will probably ride a couple of 250 xciting's though. Pretty wimpy huh!

My Nox is just too loud for a long trip. It wears on me after about 2 hours. It is a blast on the back roads. Ride them about 3 times a week weather permitting.