SBF Kymco Downtown 125/200/300/350i Cafe 2013

[topgearalwaysrock]

The needles poking your ankles are not due to the air vent. Is that what you mean?

 

Erm, the hot air coming out from the slots at the sides where we place our foot, felt like needles poking my ankles. Haha.

 

That's one problem with the DT125i. Don't know about DT300i though. Problem can be prevented by wearing a pair of riding boots I guess. Haha.

[Doremi]

Yes. you should be riding proper touring boots when you ride up north. All this nitty gritty stuffs will not be present

[parotae]

...................

Edited May 16, 2012 by parotae

[topgearalwaysrock]

Yes. you should be riding proper touring boots when you ride up north. All this nitty gritty stuffs will not be present

 

 

Haiyo. How I know sia. I didn't experience such problems in Singapore, and I hadn't anticipate this to happen while riding in Msia, cos I first time mah.

 

But fortunately, it wasn't burning my foot. Just a little warm, that's it. But once bitten, twice shy.

[topgearalwaysrock]

The vent are for air to go into the engine head area and exhaust from the rear. Don't think hot air can flow in the opposite direction of airflow. Maybe there a vaccum effect?

 

 

I also don't know leah. But there's a possibility that hot air can be blown outwards too.... Haha.

 

Like laptop, hot air suppose to come out from bottom and sides, but my keyboard gets hot after a while.....

[topgearalwaysrock]

Anyways, I've covered 8888km already.

 

Here's pictorial evidence!!

 

[Doremi]

Haiyo. How I know sia. I didn't experience such problems in Singapore, and I hadn't anticipate this to happen while riding in Msia, cos I first time mah.

 

But fortunately, it wasn't burning my foot. Just a little warm, that's it. But once bitten, twice shy.

 

Common sense will tell.. ......you are going to clear at least at least 350km in a day and at the mercy of the weather. Yet you wear slipper/crocs/normal cover shoes? Surprisingly all your online researches didnt include proper touring riding gears

 

Next time ask when you are not sure. I am sure someone out there will be please to help. And..........Please dont use your book theory and television programe to counteract other people ON ROAD REAL EXPERIENCES.

[topgearalwaysrock]

I didn't do any online researches. Hmm....

 

Just too bad, people like me no common sense in this long trip riding area lorh. What to do?? So gotta learn from experience.

 

Now I learn I can't expect everybody to have the same standards as me. People working for me in some organization I'm in also no common sense with regards to what I expect and know, and the way I do things.

 

So yeah.

[Doremi]

So gotta learn from experience.

 

Now I learn I can't expect everybody to have the same standards as me.

 

 

FINALLY. A lost soul has been found

[topgearalwaysrock]

What are your opinions on the future of Chinese scooters??

 

Will they make it to Singapore?? Their domestic branded cars are making hayway in South America, etc. Haha. That's gonna be scary.

 

**One brand that I can think of now, that's selling in USA is BMS Scooters. If the current lineup is like their first attempt, what would be their subsequent attempts at making scooters be like??

 

Haha.

Edited February 28, 2012 by topgearalwaysrock

[juanpauk]

After your many trips I would like to ask you, how do you guys find the noise levels when riding at high speeds. In my case it is a bit uncomfortable the problem I have is that the windshield throws the air straight into my helmet, I have 2 helmets one is a bit noiser than the other but still quite a bit of noise. I might have to invest on one Ermax shield, it is 10 cm taller and I think that will be enough for me.

 

http://www.same-same.fr/pare-brise-scooter-hp-10cm-dink-street-downtown-20092011-p-683.html?language=en&zenid=3d22490fbbe3f788adc05330d31800a3

[topgearalwaysrock]

After your many trips I would like to ask you, how do you guys find the noise levels when riding at high speeds. In my case it is a bit uncomfortable the problem I have is that the windshield throws the air straight into my helmet, I have 2 helmets one is a bit noiser than the other but still quite a bit of noise. I might have to invest on one Ermax shield, it is 10 cm taller and I think that will be enough for me.

 

http://www.same-same.fr/pare-brise-scooter-hp-10cm-dink-street-downtown-20092011-p-683.html?language=en&zenid=3d22490fbbe3f788adc05330d31800a3

 

 

 

Hi! This has been what I've been looking for ages! The Givi&Kappa ones look weird, and are wide.

For me, speaking with a stock windshield, the wind buffetting is ok, as even at 120kph, my helmet still felt pretty stable, with a little buffetting here and there. But other than that, noise is definitely tolerable. I'm 1.68m tall by the way.

 

A taller windshield though does increase drag quite a bit, and 10cm is a lot. Haha.

 

And the price is expensive. Factor in shipping to Singapore, that'll cost a bomb to me. =(

[topgearalwaysrock]

Hmm.... Upon closer inspection (from the product brochure),

 

 

I still personally think the stock windshield that what we have on now, still looks the most balanced. Haha!

 

Anyways, to Juanpauk: Do people there actually ride the DownTown 125i?? And how fast do traffic in UK go on the motorways/ dual-lane A-Roads?? The speed limit there is 70mph, but I'm sure people do speed past it right??

[Doremi]

I installed aftermarket shield on my pcx. The tallest type.

 

The tallest windshield blocked all the incoming wind. During my ride upnorth, since my top speed on highway is only 100kph, i was "suffering" from lack of fresh air. The bike is also greatly affected by the cross wind, somehow rather the bike aerodynamics seems out. Constantly i have to hold onto the throttle grip tightly on NSHW. Acceleration is also compromised.

 

Rather to get the windshield for the wind noise, my recommendation is to get a good full face helmet. Long term investment.

Edited February 29, 2012 by Doremi

[topgearalwaysrock]

Haha. Yeap. Fresh air also very important for ventilation and breathing.

 

The picture on the website still looks ok, but having seen the brochure pics, nah. Haha. Looks like the wind has bent the windshield out of place.

 

=D

[Doremi]

In my opinion, as long you dont cruise 140km and above, no need to change wind shield.

[parotae]

After your many trips I would like to ask you, how do you guys find the noise levels when riding at high speeds. In my case it is a bit uncomfortable the problem I have is that the windshield throws the air straight into my helmet, I have 2 helmets one is a bit noiser than the other but still quite a bit of noise. I might have to invest on one Ermax shield, it is 10 cm taller and I think that will be enough for me.

 

http://www.same-same.fr/pare-brise-scooter-hp-10cm-dink-street-downtown-20092011-p-683.html?language=en&zenid=3d22490fbbe3f788adc05330d31800a3

 

I am thinking of using an ear plug next. The noise became so unbearable that i have to duct behind the windscreen.

 

I guess it's generally my HJC flip up helmet Symax is to blame also. I get slightly lesser noise with the visor up. I guess the large helmet shell size created a lot of spaces and pocket for flowing air to generate a lot of noise. Lots of buffeting too. My head gets throw around suddenly some of the time with cross wind. When I review some video taken by my pillion, it's is obvious that my head seems like its having a spasm, vibrating all over.

Edited February 29, 2012 by parotae

[topgearalwaysrock]

Lol. My helmet is the cheap helmet. Quite ok leah.

 

Used to wear XL, but after the sponge seasoned, my helmet became like a wobbly head. Could also hear the wind blast/ flow, and tyre rubbing the road noise from other vehicles. So then I got another L size one instead. Now the sponge also starting to be seasoned already. But so far so good lah. haha

[parotae]

ER6 accident in malaysia.

Do not watch if you have weak stomach.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=e0XY9zoHJbk

 

Saw a lot of ER6 on malaysian road. Very popular don't know why.

Even saw a big group passing by on highway and at MotoXpo too, infact everywhere.

[juanpauk]

Hmm.... Upon closer inspection (from the product brochure),

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]237430[/ATTACH]

 

I still personally think the stock windshield that what we have on now, still looks the most balanced. Haha!

 

Anyways, to Juanpauk: Do people there actually ride the DownTown 125i?? And how fast do traffic in UK go on the motorways/ dual-lane A-Roads?? The speed limit there is 70mph, but I'm sure people do speed past it right??

 

The Downtown 125i was launched in the UK market last month, to be honest I think that there is no market for it in here. There area lot of 125cc scooter in London but I would rather go for a slim one. I used to have an Agility City 125 which was just about perfect for filtering traffic, with the DT300 I struggle a bit sometimes.

The 125cc market is owned by the Vespas and Piaggios over here.

 

I am 1.72 cm tall and to be honest with you I think the price is okish, when you compared it with the transmission belt 100 Euros the cheapest I can find .

I am planning a 2 weeks trip to Europe, France and maybe a bit of Spain and I can see myself suffering with the noise so I don’t mind to compromise a bit with the drag 10cm isn't that much , and as you said the Givi windshield destroys the look of the bike. This Ermax keeps the same fancy look

 

In the UK motorways max speed limit is 70 m/h, A roads single lane non rural is 60 m/h, and A road rural 50 m/h and the rest is 30 or 40 m/h. In Europe max is 80 m/h.

 

To be honest I don't really enjoy going in Motorways on my long trips i rather take the A roads and Enjoy the little towns and stop here and there.

 

 

I am glad I am not the only one complaning about it, can't imagine what the taller guys have to say.

Edited February 29, 2012 by juanpauk

[juanpauk]

In my opinion, as long you dont cruise 140km and above, no need to change wind shield.

 

Doremi, I don't know how does the windshild of the MyRoad works, but on the DT it throws the air straight into your helmet, it depends on how tall you are so in my case being in the middle of the scale I get the worst from both worlds . But you are right I can feel a difference between my two helmets.

[juanpauk]

I am thinking of using an ear plug next. The noise became so unbearable that i have to duct behind the windscreen.

 

I guess it's generally my HJC flip up helmet Symax is to blame also. I get slightly lesser noise with the visor up. I guess the large helmet shell size created a lot of spaces and pocket for flowing air to generate a lot of noise. Lots of buffeting too. My head gets throw around suddenly some of the time with cross wind. When I review some video taken by my pillion, it's is obvious that my head seems like its having a spasm, vibrating all over.

 

That is the other option Earplugs but being a person without much sense of orientation I need to be able to hear the GPS telling me where to go using my bluetooth helmet, with earplugs I might get lost

[topgearalwaysrock]

ER6 accident in malaysia.

Do not watch if you have weak stomach.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=e0XY9zoHJbk

 

Saw a lot of ER6 on malaysian road. Very popular don't know why.

Even saw a big group passing by on highway and at MotoXpo too, infact everywhere.

 

 

Darn! Actually ok lah. At least the rider still alive. Just broken leg, with the internals exposed.

Youtube have live heart transplant operation videos. That's more sickening to me. Hehe.

 

The ER6 is popular cos its the cheapest there since its locally assembled in Msia, CBU/ CKD. The other similar bikes there are imported, hence they attract higher taxes.

[topgearalwaysrock]

The Downtown 125i was launched in the UK market last month, to be honest I think that there is no market for it in here. There area lot of 125cc scooter in London but I would rather go for a slim one. I used to have an Agility City 125 which was just about perfect for filtering traffic, with the DT300 I struggle a bit sometimes.

The 125cc market is owned by the Vespas and Piaggios over here.

 

I am 1.72 cm tall and to be honest with you I think the price is okish, when you compared it with the transmission belt 100 Euros the cheapest I can find .

I am planning a 2 weeks trip to Europe, France and maybe a bit of Spain and I can see myself suffering with the noise so I don’t mind to compromise a bit with the drag 10cm isn't that much , and as you said the Givi windshield destroys the look of the bike. This Ermax keeps the same fancy look

 

In the UK motorways max speed limit is 70 m/h, A roads single lane non rural is 60 m/h, and A road rural 50 m/h and the rest is 30 or 40 m/h. In Europe max is 80 m/h.

 

To be honest I don't really enjoy going in Motorways on my long trips i rather take the A roads and Enjoy the little towns and stop here and there.

 

 

I am glad I am not the only one complaning about it, can't imagine what the taller guys have to say.

 

 

Haha. If you're struggling with the DT in UK, I think it's no better here in Singapore. Can understand why the DT125i has no market there. People rather be seen in something smaller and easier to handle, plus Vespa and the likes are more or less the same price there.

 

The motorways are jammed up most of the time too right?? From some videos I see, the A roads are truly beautiful =D Great sceneries and all !!! =D

 

The authorities there are clamping down strictly on speeding with hidden speed cams and all right?? And what's with the average speed limit of 50mph if there're road works on the motorway?? TopGear has been complaining all these while. Haha.

[topgearalwaysrock]

To Juanpauk: How do you find the seat comfort of the DownTown?? Ever rode for about 1.5hrs without stopping?? Haha.

 

I realised during my trip to Msia, the seat really isn't great at all for comfort. I had to fidget all the way till the next rest stop. Then again, I have problems with tight/ restricted seating posture for long durations (more than 1hr).... So yeah. I Gotta stretch out or move about, or else my body will start to have cramps, aches, stiffness, etc.... Hehe