Motocross Bedding Twin

2008 review KYMCO ATV, UTV lineup

Anyone doubting KYMCO commitment to the market for off-road motor only needs to take cognizance its fast-growing company cartel.

KYMCO has improved its off-road products and expand its offerings in each model year. Recent efforts Taiwanese company includes the so-so MXU 500 utility four for the year 2007 and renovated 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads.

This time, KYMCO is becoming increasingly bold, and has come to the table with the highly anticipated UXV 500 UTV and brand new MXU 375 utility ATV.

We recently traveled to the backyard of the division U.S. company, scenic South Carolina, to assemble the full line of KYMCO, 2008 products, and also spent some time behind the wheel of his first UTV. At this point, one thing is certain: KYMCO is taking notes and making serious strides to match its American and Japanese competitors in style, performance and product offerings.

<b> set table </ b>

The scenario was Carolina Adventure World, a private property continues to grow off the court by area with more than 100 miles of trails, a swamp of mud and three motocross tracks. We traveled there earlier in his visit to Polaris and Kawasaki intros, and, as KYMCO, the facility continues to improve as it continues to mature.

Temperatures could have been a little more spring, but the skies were clear, the grass was green and conditions were ripe for a bit of mud dotted with off-road.

UTV is <b> UXV </ b>

Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki have their big sale of recreational players side by side instead. more work-minded Honda Big Red is coming soon, and Can-Am has recently announced plans for what we hope to be very athletic (RZR shocks?) UTV. There was also speculation has been KYMCO was preparing its own entrant in the category of the explosion. The rumors were confirmed after the company took the wraps off its new UXV motor 500 in the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, last fall.

Then we have to see for ourselves. Mere appearance goes, it seems that the company had the Rhino, Prowler and Teryx firmly in its sights. UTV traditional design suggests a machine designed to split the difference between work and fun, like most successful players in the segment.

The spec sheet lists a 500cc engine Four-stroke, independent suspension, locking front differential and a tilting cargo bed capable of carrying 420 pounds – the main ingredient we call when making a UTV.
Prices had not been finalized at the time of the press and some minor specification prototypes still subject to change before final production.

<b> Behind The Wheel </ b>

The time was limited, but we have the opportunity to experience UTV KYMCO from the driver's and passenger, as well as thick mud, hills and harder to wade through deep water.

We had the opportunity to transport a shipment of around, but our travel time gave us much appreciated the opportunity to look under the hood and accumulate a few miles to the UXV.

Stability lateral (ie, roll) has been a thorn in the side of UTVs number. To this end, KYMCO decided to up the ante with a wide, stable platform that measures 59 inches wide. To sake of comparison, the Prowler is 61.3 inches wide and Rhino measures 54.5 inches wide.

The extra thickness translated into flat, predictable handling is reassuring that some of the closest competitors in high speed corners. They torture through woods down the park, riding the trails a bit more difficult, however, and will also make it difficult to shoehorn UXV in the back of a truck.

As the new Teryx, EFI was not included – KYMCO obvious cost reduction to help compete on price and hasten their model to the market. No need for the dash-mounted choke, our hot shot UXV quickly.

Upon entering the accelerator, liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 500 cc was moderately severe by the 1157-pound weight (dry), but the power was sufficient to overcome steep hills and the power of the great man through mud holes impressive.
A little vibration was present, but engine refinement is consistent with most sport utility segment. The exhaust note sounds more agricultural than sports, other common trait they share with almost all of the other side to side.

It's all business inside the cockpit with fly minimized. A center-mounted gauge cluster shows all the usual information, and the shifter is mounted on the center console between the seats. shift action was irregular, such as walking back does not always engage when the lever is moved to "R" Hopefully this can be clarified before final production.

reasonable accommodation to be in the face enough money to keep strengthening the drivers in place. foot space and positioning script is also in white – definitely better than some of its competitors.

Top speed is estimated at 45 km / h – ideal for a vehicle of this size and purpose.

Suspension is a double wishbone design that provides 7.5 inches of travel at both ends and 12.2 inches of ground clearance. The transmission includes high and low ranges, and also includes a differential lock. Stop the action comes from two discs in front and a single disc brake in the rear.

Tilting cargo bed is sufficiently large enough to handle large loads up to 420 pounds, and has a single rear door latch system like the Rhino.
Our brief tour revealed competent work vehicle, which should have a lot of playability. The price is still not finalized, but expect it to undermine competition some extent. Time will tell. The UXV 500 4×4 Camouflage will be available in red, green, gray and with a factory warranty of 1 year.
MXU 375

Our adventure Carolina also includes the time of the prototypes for KYMCO ATV's newest utility – the MXU 375.

After being overwhelmed by the participant the utility company for the last time, the MXU 500, we were pleasantly surprised by a competent package at this time. However, like the 500, MXU 375 schematic handling features front-end is a disappointment for aggressive trail riding.

Style and build quality is solid, competitive features and intelligent design to prove this company is in full operation with its U.S. and Japanese competitors. Even with the end Front chassis from time to time outstanding, no excuse remains a half-cylinder quad utility.

While company officials not confirmed, the new MXU engine is shared with the new Arctic Cat 366 4×4 utility, and the base platform for the two models are strikingly similar. We KYMCO's version is twice as good player. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke is powerful and smooth enough, a perfect fit for their intended purpose.

As mentioned, the handling was a mix, and handheld machines had different configurations. The front-end handling is as unstable as it is in option Arctic Cat on undulating ground – too much body roll, and the direction that is easily thrown off center.

The performance of the engine carburetor fan-cooled is better – smooth, with a refined exhaust note and power delivery of torque.

Some characteristics of our test mules, the Like the turn signals and emergency lights are not going to make the final U.S. version and company engineers are still adjusting the final configuration of braking.

The main statistics will be output unchanged – double wishbones front and rear suspension (7 mm long), vocational training Standing with high and low gears, and disc brake front and back.

When it comes to work credentials, little can MXU 225-pound belt to their racks, and tow 1,050 pounds in its path.

This new 375 will be a solid competitor in the entry-level class, with a great motor to the head. Like some other manufacturers whose products share similar traits handling KYMCO should focus its efforts on building vehicles that keep their composure at all corners and rough terrain. Your competent engine and attractive style suggest a utility quad has some athletic genes in their DNA. That's not really the case, but is not far off the mark.

<b> A fresh goose </ b>

Our preliminary evaluation of the new and improved ATV Mongoose 300 in case the test last fall showed a significant list of the changes that a sports massage company's entry-level vocational training yard into something more desirable than the original.

KYMCO added robust (as necessary) chain and a larger carburetor, stretched wheelbase with a long swinging arm, the track was expanded by a whopping five inches and softened up the front end too hard with a progressive rate springs.

In our last test, the "Goose crossed paths Carolina narrow world of adventure with interest and balance. The CVT provides throttle response surprisingly agile – more aggressive than expected. Listening to brokers, taking notes and constantly evolving has served the company and its products as well.

270 cc engine power and cooling liquid could be stronger, especially at the upper end, but the vibration of the propulsion system was not a problem, so it's happy being pushed hard. body roll is kept under control and the progressive rate springs produce a ride that is much more comfortable than the '07 model. The changes are especially notable for difficult trails.

A CVT tranny in a sport quad is still uncommon, but is well suited to the narrow, winding trail ride. Brave performance management of solid and affordable sub-$ 3,800 price makes this entry level of the garden a smart choice for sport riders looking for a training facility ongoing professional.

Although we did not have the opportunity to ride, updates made to the Mongoose 08 300 applies to the 250.

This pair of mongooses (Mongeese?) is up there with the best machines in the class.

About the Author

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