Review of KYMCO's 2008 ATV, UTV lineup by Tom Kaiser
1. Review of KYMCO's 2008 ATV, UTV lineup by Tom Kaiser
The Taiwanese company?s latest efforts included the so-so MXU 500 utility quad regarding 2007
along with revamped 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads.
It?s just about all business inside the actual cabin together with frills stored to a minimum. In this
point, one thing is produced for sure: KYMCO can be using notes and also generating significant
strides to complement its American along with Japanese competitors throughout style, performance
and product offerings.
MXU 375
The tilting cargo bed can be big adequate in order to handle full-size loads as significantly as 420
pounds, as well as the tailgate includes a simple latching system just just similar to the Rhino?s.
Anyone doubting KYMCO?s committment for the off-road powersports market merely wants for you
to peruse the company?s fast-growing lineup.
KYMCO provides steadily refined its all-terrain items and also broadened its offerings along with
each model year. Perhaps with the chassis? at times unsettled front end, it remains a no-excuses
mid-displacement utility quad.
Setting The Particular Table
When it will come down to always be able to perform credentials, your little MXU may strap 225
pounds to its racks, along with tow 1,050 lbs throughout its wake.
Our prior evaluation of the new-and-improved Mongoose 300 eventually fall?s ATV Trials event
confirmed a new meaningful roster regarding changes which massaged the company?s entry-level
CVT sport quad into some thing more desirable than the original.
In our most recent test, your ?Goose tore by means of your tight trails associated with Carolina
Adventure Globe along with eagerness as well as balance. That?s not really actually the case, yet it?s
some distance off the particular mark.
The setting was Carolina Adventure World, any even now developing privately-owned off-road riding
area using greater than 100 miles associated with trails, a new mud bog and also three motocross
tracks. Foot space and also dash positioning can be about target ? definitely a lot better than a few
associated with its competitors.
As mentioned, handling was obviously a mixed bag, along with various machines on-hand had
various configurations. We?ve ridden there prior to while traveling to for Polaris and Kawasaki
intros, and, just like KYMCO, the actual facility keeps receiving better as it continues to mature.
While business officials won?t confirm it, the new MXU?s engine is actually given to Arctic Cat?s
new 366 4x4 utility, as well as the base platform for that a couple of models are usually eerily
similar. Right now there had also been speculation KYMCO has been readying its entrant in for you
to the exploding category. rolling over) may be the thorn inside the side of several UTVs. the front-end
handling is simply as unstable as it can be around the Arctic Cat variant more than undulating
2. ground ? a lot of entire body roll, and steering that's effortlessly thrown off-kilter.
Pricing we had not been finalized at press time plus a few minor specifications on the prototypes
were still subject to adjust just before final production.
We didn?t have the opportunity to haul any kind of cargo around, yet our ride moment gave us the
actual much-appreciated possiblity to peek under the particular hood and also accrue a few miles
with the UXV.
The additional girth translated to always be able to flat, predictable handling that?s more reassuring
than a few involving the narrower competitors in high-speed corners. A New center-mounted gauge
cluster displays every one regarding the usual information, and the shifter is mounted around the
middle console between your seats. With Out just about any need for the dash-mounted choke, our
warmed-up UXV fired up quickly.
After becoming underwhelmed by the company?s last utility entrant, your MXU 500, i was happily
surprised by means of a competent bundle this occasion around around. The Actual CVT provided
surprisingly snappy throttle reaction ? more aggressive when compared with expected. to this end,
KYMCO decided to up the particular ante having a wide, secure platform that will measures 59
inches wide. Its standard UTV style indicates a device designed to split the difference among
function as well as fun, just just similar to the most effective players inside the segment.
Stepping in in order to the throttle, the particular liquid-cooled 500cc DOHC four-stroke felt
moderately taxed by the 1,157-pound (dry) weight, however the energy was adequate in order to
surmount steep hills as well as power the big guy through a amount of impressive mud holes.
A Refreshing Goose
Top speed can be estimated in 45 mph ? ideal to get a vehicle of this dimension as well as purpose.
The performance with the carbureted and also fan-cooled engine is the lot much better ? smooth,
using a refined exhaust note along with torquey power delivery.
Time was limited, however we got the particular opportunity to experience KYMCO?s UTV from the
driver and also passenger seats, too as through thick mud, more than steep hills along with fording
it by means of deep water.
Suspension is actually a dual A-arm style that will provides 7.5 inches regarding travel in both ends
3. and also 12.2 inches involving ground clearance. the UXV 500 4x4 is going to be for sale in red,
green, gray and camo, having a 1-year factory warranty.
A couple of features on our test mules, similar to flip signals and also hazard flashers, won?t be
which helps make it to the final U.S. Stopping motion comes from a couple of discs in the front and a
single disc brake inside the rear.
Power in the liquid-cooled 270cc motor could nevertheless be stronger, especially from the
extremely best end, nevertheless powertrain vibration wasn?t an issue, consequently it?s happy
being pushed hard. However, just like the 500, your MXU 375?s sketchy front-end handling traits
really are generally a frustration with regard to aggressive trail riding.
A little vibration has been present, but motor refinement is within range using the bulk of the game
utility segment. The Particular transmission includes higher as well as lower ranges, as well as
features a differential lock. variation along with business engineers are usually still tweaking the
final braking setup.
This couple of Mongooses (Mongeese?) is now available online for with the very best machines in the
class.
A CVT tranny in the sport quad will be still fairly uncommon, yet ended up being well-suited for the
tight, winding trails we rode. Just Like several other suppliers whose products talk about similar
handling traits, KYMCO wants in order to concentrate its efforts about creating vehicles that keep
his or her composure about corners as well as uneven terrain. It produced winding by means of your
riding park?s tight woods trails somewhat a lot more challenging, though, as well as may also make
it tricky in order to shoehorn the UXV in to the back of your pickup truck.
The spec sheet lists any 500cc four-stroke engine, impartial suspension, locking front differential
along using http://trannycams.pw a huge tilting cargo bed capable of hauling 420 kilos ? the main
components we call for when building a UTV.
This new 375 will make a solid competitor in the entry-level class, using a great motor leading the
actual way. Entire Body roll is actually kept in check as well as the progressive rate springs produce
a new ride that?s a lot more comfortable than the ?07 model. Spunky performance, strong handling
along together with a inexpensive sub-$3,800 cost get this entry-level quad any smart option for
sport riders seeking for the ease of your CVT.
We recently traveled towards the backyard with the company?s US division, scenic South Carolina,
in order to ride KYMCO?s full line involving 2008 products, and also spent some time powering the
4. wheel involving its first-ever UTV. Individuals rumors had been confirmed after the organization
took your wraps off its new UXV 500 in the EICMA powersports display inside Milan, Italy, last fall.
While we didn?t obtain the opportunity to ride it, the particular updates made towards the ?08
Mongoose 300 were furthermore applied for the 250.
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3048.shtml
Our Carolina adventure also included moment on prototypes with regard to KYMCO?s newest utility
quad ? your MXU 375.
Our brief ride revealed a new competent perform vehicle that must have plenty regarding playtime
capability. We consider the actual KYMCO version is the much better looking twin. Its competent
motor and attractive styling suggest a new utility quad that has a few sporty genes inside its DNA.
Shift motion ended up being spotty, as reverse gear didn?t usually engage if the lever had been gone
to live in ?R.? Hopefully this could always be cleared up prior to final production.
Temperatures could are already the extra spring-like, however skies were clear, the grass has been
green and also circumstances had been ripe for a few mud-splattered off-roading.
Behind the Wheel
Like the brand new Teryx, EFI wasn?t included ??obvious cost-cutting to help KYMCO compete in
price and rush its model to the market. Occasion will tell. KYMCO additional a new (much-needed)
sturdier chain plus a larger carburetor, stretched the particular wheelbase with a lengthier
swingarm, widened the actual monitor with a whopping 5 inches and also softened up the overly-stiff
front finish along with progressive price springs.
Seating accommodations tend to be right about the money with sufficient facet bolstering to keep
the riders in place. Pricing is still not really finalized, but we anticipate it in order to undercut your
competition by a quantity of measure. Listening in order to riders, using notes along with constantly
evolving features served the company along with its goods well.
Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and also Kawasaki have their big-selling recreational side-by-side players
throughout place. going off look alone, it appears the company had your Rhino, Teryx as well as
Prowler firmly in its sights. for comparison?s sake, the particular Prowler is 61.3 inches wide as well
as the Rhino measures 54.5 inches across.
Styling and also construct top quality are solid, using competitive features as well as smart design
which show this business is totally inside the running with its North American as well as Japanese
competitors. Your changes are especially noticeable over harsh trails.
Lateral stability (i.e. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke, will be adequately potent and also smooth, a
perfect match with regard to its intended purpose.
Then we got to see it regarding ourselves. Your exhaust note sounds more agricultural than sporty,
an additional common trait shared with almost every various other side-by-side.
UXV Will Be UTV
The primary stats might find production unchanged ? dual A-arm front and rear suspension (7 inches
5. regarding travel), a CVT with high along with low gears, as well as disc braking inside front as well
as out back.
This moment around, KYMCO will be getting even bolder, and it has arrived in the table using the
very anticipated UXV 500 UTV and all-new MXU 375 utility ATV.. Honda?s much more work-minded
big Red is about the method soon, and Can-Am lately announced plans regarding what we expect to
become an extremely athletic (RZR beating?) UTV