We’ve put some mileage on the Kymco. Editor Ross elaborates…
Large scooters are nice. They’re sensible, comfy and fast off the road – and but, within the UK, we don’t purchase them in something just like the volumes as our European counterparts. Perhaps it’s the climate; possibly it’s as a result of children right here can solely begin using at 16 (at which level they may as properly wait and do their automotive licence); or possibly it’s an ego factor, with British bikers largely forgoing scoots in favour of one thing a bit of extra horny, one thing a bit higher suited to a selected job. One thing like an journey bike, for instance…
However what if you happen to’re too quick, outdated or lazy to clamber on a whopping nice ADV with a tall seat and lengthy journey suspension? What if you’d like one thing that gives prime climate safety, an excellent whack of space for storing and is fast sufficient to carry its personal on motorways? Kymco’s DTX360 320 is likely to be the machine for you.
Kymco has been doing its factor within the UK for years, making its identify as a dependable purveyor of value-for-money commuter machines. However not content material to relaxation on its laurels, the Taiwanese manufacturing facility has raised its profile and stepped up its sport, constructing a small suite of mid- and large-capacity scooters that are ok to problem among the best-selling machines from the ‘huge identify’ producers.
Its AK550 has Yamaha’s good, however severely costly TMAX in its sights, and does a reasonably good job of holding its personal within the battle for maxi scooter superiority. However the newest agency on its hit record is Honda, and it’s ADV350. Is Kymco’s newly-released adventure-crossover scooter ok to swipe some gross sales from Honda and tempt a number of others that scooters are an effective way to get about? Solely time will inform. However after spending a month placing it by its paces, I can verify the DTX360 is greater than as much as the job – though its credentials as a go-anywhere machine are doubtlessly up for debate.
An journey scooter? Autos with some off-road capacity have been about for years, although Honda’s re-ignited some curiosity within the class and carved out a little bit of a distinct segment with its X-ADV and ADV 350.
That’s why Kymco has determined to re-imagine its current Downtown 350i – including a number of bolt-on components, making a number of tweaks, and becoming some new bodywork to create its new DTX 360 320.
It’s value noting that the 360 within the identify doesn’t seek advice from its engine. It’s meant to be a intelligent reference to its globetrotting (360 diploma) capabilities. It’s really powered by a 321cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, four-valve single-cylinder engine. It’s nothing groundbreaking however delivers a pleasant punch of clean, accessible, usable energy. It kicks out 28.2bhp at 7,500rpm and 22lb-ft of torque at 5,750rpm and is up for bombing alongside at 80mph all day lengthy (with a prime pace of round 95mph).
Kymco claims it will probably do round 65mpg, which suggests it is best to have the ability to handle properly over 130 miles from a single top-up of its 12.5 litre gas tank. And on reflection, that’s round about proper – although with extra aggressive using you would possibly get that determine nearer to 100 miles.
It’s a disgrace the tank isn’t greater, notably when you think about the scoot’s journey intentions, however in fact, it’s unlikely you’re going to ever be that removed from a petroleum station (and you may at all times chuck a jerry can underneath the seat).
Whereas we’re on the topic… scooters are sometimes famend for his or her under-seat space for storing, however the DTX is a little bit of a disappointment. There’s an affordable quantity of area and there’s an computerized gentle that will help you see what you’re doing at nighttime, however you’ll battle to get a full-size adventure-style lid (or perhaps a commonplace full-face one) in there. It’ll take a helmet, however you’ll want one thing rather less chunky. There may be additionally a double glove compartment up entrance, to throw the stuff in you’ll want to hand.
Again to the using expertise – and stopping energy comes from a pair of 260mm floating discs with three-piston calipers up entrance, whereas on the rear a twin-piston caliper bites a 240mm disc. There’s a Bosch ABS system, too. It’s all fairly commonplace, however it does an excellent job of hauling the 194kg scoot to a halt rapidly and safely.
The 37mm diameter forks (with 110mm journey up entrance) and twin shocks (with preload adjustment and 108mm journey on the rear) are a lot better suited to tough Tarmac than any critical off-road terrain. They do a pleasant job of guaranteeing that the scooter is each comfy and poised underneath strain.
Credit score should even be given to the 14-inch wheel on the entrance and a 13-inch on the rear, that are shod in some knobbly CST dual-sport rubber. They provide loads of grip on the highway in each dry and damp situations, however I’ve little confidence of their skills on something aside from bone-dry off-road sections.
And I’ve ridden the DTX off-road. The authorized lanes round me are fairly tame and the climate’s been principally good of late, so I haven’t actually had the prospect to slosh round on slippery stuff and see the way it handles that. However for gentle lane work the Kymco’s fairly succesful. I do know that’s not precisely an amazing quantity of reward, however in fact you could possibly take a sportbike down a inexperienced lane with sufficient talent and willpower. The Kymco is a bit higher suited, and the knobbly tyres, soft-leaning suspension and switchable Traction Management assist make it enjoyable to journey within the dust. I’d simply not fancy taking up something too difficult on the threat of bashing the plastics to smithereens.
You may anticipate a snug journey, because of the plush 800mm tall seat, roomy cockpit and two foot positions. There’s additionally an honest measurement display and a set of knuckle protectors, which assist to deflect the worst of the climate away from the rider.
It feels a lot spacious for my 6ft and a bit body and I’d fortunately spend all day using it. Elsewhere, there’s a easy LCD sprint, a few USB ports and keyless ignition. It’s all straightforward to navigate and function, though its switchgear arguably doesn’t have fairly the identical stage of sheen because the extra established competitors.
It’s additionally value mentioning that the battery of the scooter we rode ran flat after per week of standing nonetheless. It’s not the tip of the world, and it occurs, however to entry the unit and pop it on cost, it’s important to take away the display and entrance fairing. It’s a little bit of a ache, although if it have been your individual bike you could possibly feed a cable by into considered one of its pockets for simpler entry.
The Kymco DTX 360 320 is a cracking scooter. It’s fast and succesful and really properly put collectively, and priced at £5559, I reckon its excellent worth for cash too. The one downside? It’s solely a few hundred quid lower than Honda’s £5799 ADV350. Is that sufficient of a saving to tempt punters to significantly contemplating shopping for Taiwanese and never Japanese? I’m not so certain.
Tech spec
Kymco DTX 360 320
Value: £5559
Engine: 320.6cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single cylinder
Energy: 28.2hp @ 7500rpm
Torque: 22lb-ft @ 5750rpm
Weight: 194kg
Seat Top: 800mm
Gas tank: 12.5 litres
Contact: www.kymco.co.uk
#kymco #dtx360 #morebikesyoulike #bikes #readersrides #bike #ukbikers #bikelife #bikers #motorcyclists #morebikes #morenews #motorcyclenews #motorcyclegear
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