Modern Vespa

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/06/md-first-ride-kymco-myroad-700/

Interesting. Reviewer was positive, but only just so - not effusive in his praise. Would have liked him to at least offer his view of the Kymco compared to the BMW or the TurboMax. Thanks for posting.

That's a Big One! It will have a hard time competing with BMW, Suzuki and Honda in that maxi market at that price.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/top-stories/2014-kymco-myroad-700i-first-ride.htm/

A slightly more comrehensive review.

I don't think it looks as good as the BMW, but it's 2/3rds the price, so I'm sure it will attract some sales.

Still too big for me.

I will keep my BV 500.

I would love to get more ccs and stability but its not worth all that weight.
It looks just plain awkward to me. But I am sure it's good competition for the Burgy market.

It's so huge it completely negates the idea behind riding a scooter IMO. As far as looks it's like comparing modern midsize cars. Meh. Equally uninspiring. Yeah the BV is far more attractive. BTW who is pictured riding the 700? Looks like a size match for Peewee Herman.

Horrid. It looks like a bit fell off it.

Nasty.

Bill X

In this, Bill and I are in agreement.

The design doesn't flow at all. Lots of sharp looking angles in odd areas.

Can someone tell me the value of all the batcycle faring on these bikes? I have a wee amount of faring on my BV 500. I go at least 82mph a couple times a day for an extended time, and I don't feel the need to have all that stuff up front.

It has to be useful for something right?

It's also too fat in the ass and it looks like a committee designed it.

Cold, boring and lacks any kind of consistency.

Bill X

It's Stealth. The sharp corners screw with radar.

Ugh... What a beast. It looks like the Aztec of the scooter world.

I've got it.

It looks cheap.

Bill X

What is the size of the engine you need just to get a couple hundred more ccs?

Seems like it's double the size of my 500's engine. Why so clunky? It's like a boat?

I just want to know why the engineers and designers chose this path and not another.

What is Kymco (a scooter company that I actually like) bringing to the table with this design? Why even broach the market if you aren't going to do something noteworthy? Not just a cheap looking, clunky repeat of a Bergman.

Look at the new vespa design. It's surprisingly elegant and smooth looking. A bit on the "futuristic" side with the seat design and rear end. But they totally avoided the "Batcycle" look and went for something slightly tweaked, different.

I like that Vespa took a chance with the new design. You get no where playing safe. If you are going to go out, go all out big, I say. Otherwise what is the point.

Unfortunately it's probably for the same reason Honda dropped the SH line and brought the PCX; We like our Barcaloungers in the US.

Man you guys are harsh. It's not that bad. The only thing that should be changed is maybe the size of the muffler. But for the price you could get a Honda CTX 700 with an automatic transmission.

Now that I would look into.

That I WILL look into.

I've been looking for a nearby Honda dealer with one but I guess there not fully out yet or will not be that popular. For some reason a read a lot of people putting down automatic motorcycles.

rrrreallly? 8)

If I like it, I will ride it.

Automatic motorcycle? who'dathunk? My wife just found out the other day that scooters were automatic! She was hesitant about riding, and now that has been solved.
I like Kymco because they are an NHRA Sponsor, and John Force rides one. (a 150) But that thing looks huge. I still like my farkled up BV500 better. Was that monstrosity wind tunnel tested? and what about extra carrying capacity like side bags and a trunk? The extra cc's are necessary because the scooter is heavier?

I bet Kymco was trying to earn some kind of bigger/badder street cred with that behemoth.

All the while the interesting motorcycle class is less than 700cc's these days.

unless you count the awesome CB1100

Harv

I'd feel like I was riding one of those Transformers. UGLY! There are so many angles on that thing there is no place to rest the eye.

For that kind of $ I would want it to have the BMW name on it.

$10k and Kymco just don't mix.

.

The CTX700N and CTX700ND are out - the naked bikes with/and without ABS and DCT transmission. Both my local dealers have them on the floor. The CTX700 and CTX700D, the faired bikes, will be available in July. As the bikes come with or without the DCT transmission, the popularity of the bike is going to have little to do with how many riders like the DCT - though IMO, what's not to like? (and how many people do you know that have any experience with dual clutch transmissions? my car has one BTW)