Modern Vespa

You said: Which to me is a blanket statement implying that you do not trust the brand.
Maybe I'm mistaken, maybe you think the brand is ok but the scare just spooked you on them?
Anyway, glad you're ok. I've actually owned a Kymco - a Cobra 50 and never had any issues with it. I also did some online querying and the consensus is that the brand is considered 'bullet proof'.

Where exactly did this axle snap? In the middle? At the threads? At 50mph that would have been quite an accident. Why not fill us in on the particulars? Describe the accident. Model of bike, year, where it happened, who the servicing dealership was etc etc.
Sounds like one heck of a story.

You asked for opinions and I gave one.
I really didn't want to go into the details, but since your hell bent on embarrassing yourself, I will.
I was stationed in Cyprus in '99 to try and stop the different ethnic factions there from killing each other and bought a Kymco Zing 125 to see some of the country while I was there.
I'd had the bike for 2 months when the front axle broke, spilling me into a ditch. It was the 17th of March. I didn't take any names at the time because I was unconcious.
The axle broke because of a flaw in the steel it was made of, the fracture being on the right side just inside the bearing race.
I wonder why you asked for opinions then attack anyone who's opinion differs from yours.
If you really want it that bad, just buy the bloody thing.
I myself would not.

Dood, relax, I'm not attacking your opinion, I asked for the circumstances.
That sounds like quite a scare and I'm glad you lived to tell the tale. But it does seem like a freak incident, unless other Kymcos have done it too.
This actually has happened with the BMW F650GS, there have been a few accounts of the front fork snapping at the axle, due to airation in the casting. So with them it was not a one off.
Hopefully Kymco has improved their axles in the subsequent 11 years since your accident.

Wow... enough with the throwing of Poo!

I love my Kymco People 250 and I am considering upgrading to a downtown 300 when they are available.

I called Kymco's importer here in the US and asked when/if the People 300i (299 cc) will be coming to the states and they said its not likely at least for another year. They said it hasn't even been looked at by the EPA and that typically takes at least a year, if not 2-3 years.

So I think the Downtown 300i might be in the cards for me. The problem with the Downtown is the wheel size. I love the 16" wheels on my people and I couldn't switch to 12/13 inch wheels again anytime soon. They just feel squirrely to me now.
So ideally the People 300i will be my choice.... or if Piaggio makes a BV thats a true 300cc thats capable of true 85-90 mph

Umm, I think you're out of line here.

ANYWAY!....

So to muddy the waters, I happened to look at the Piaggio.at site (Austria).
First off, as everyone knows, Europe gets the coolest stuff.
Secondly, wow is the new Beverly 300 nice! No wonder that is the best seller in Italy (according to the last sales chart that Aviator posted). Is that coming to the US? That would be a really nice match to my Gts 250.
Does anyone know if the Beverly 300 has a tripmeter?

Torn here, I just love scooters to be scooter size..

Sorry, removed it.

And what size is that?

The size that is 'just right'!
I guess what I mean is that once scooters become as large as full size motorcycles, they then lose their carefree charm.
A bike like the Yam Tmax, Burgman etc are as big and weigh more than my Ducati St4s.
I'm not saying maxis aren't fun, I had a great time on a Tmax, it's just to me they have become automatic motorcycles.
Dammit, it looks like I'm talking my way out of the Downtown! But at least the Kymco is lighter than its maxi rivals..
I need to check one out and see which way it makes me lean..

Well looky here: I just happen to have a shot of the BV300 gauges and yup, there it is, a trip meter. I say from seeing the BV 300 in person it is a beautiful machine. The red is particularly nice.

These pics are of a BV just emerging from its shipping crate in Vancouver BC. I love Canada :









Dave

Strange, that looks a bit different to the Euro one I was looking at.
That one has a different shape headlight, relocated indicators and led running lights/indicators (turn signals)

http://www.piaggio.at/piaggio/modelle/beverly-300ie/galerie-beverly-300

The sportcity 300 looks pretty cool. Dual front disks.

*

Engine: Horizontal, single cylinder, 4 stroke. Forced liquid cooling with centrifugal pump. 4 valve head with overhead camshaft.
*

Fuel: Unleaded petrol
*

Bore x Stroke: 75 mm x 63 mm (300 cc), 57 mm x 48,6 mm (125 cc)
*

Total displacement: 278 cm3 (300 cc), 124 cm3 (125 cc)
*

Compression ratio: 11:1 (300 cc) 12:1 (125 cc)
*

Maximum power at the crank: 16,5 kw (22,5 hp) at 8.000 rpm(300 cc), 11 kw (14,9 hp) at 10.000 rpm(125 cc)
*

Maximum torque at the crank: 22 Nm at 6.500 rpm (300 cc), 11,7 Nm at 8.000 rpm (125 cc)
*

Fuel system: Electronic injection (300 cc), carburettor Keihin (125 cc)
*

Ignition: Electronic inductive discharge ignition with variable advance
*

Starting: Electric
*

Generator: 300 W
*

Lubrification: Wet sump. Forced circulation with mechanical pump
*

Gear box: Automatic torque converter
*

Clutch: Automatic centrifugal dry clutch
*

Primary drive: V belt
*

Final drive: Gearbox
*

Frame: Single cradle frame in high tensile strength steel
*

Front suspension: Hydraulic telescopic fork with 35 mm stanchions. Wheel travel 100 mm
*

Rear suspension: Engine unit acting as swingarm. Double hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable spring preload. Wheel travel 80 mm
*

Brakes: Brakes: front Ø 260 mm with hydraulic transmission (double disc 300cc/ single disc 125cc); rear Ø 220 mm with hydraulic transmission.
*

Wheels: Light alloy. Front: 2.5 x 15". Rear: 3 x 15".
*

Tyres: Tubeless. Front: 120 / 70 x 15". Rear: 130 / 80 x 15".
*

Dimensions: Overall length: 1985 mm Overall width: 890 mm (at mirrors) Wheelbase 1360 mm Seat height: 815 mm
*

Fuel tank capacity: Capacity 9 litres (including reserve of 1.5 litres)

Looks different than the Euro one. Check out the Euro's headlight shape and LED blinkers:

Oh, you mean the new to Europe BV, not the new to North America 300 which we probably won't see for a couple of years... (that's my guess anyway)


Dave

I am sure the BV300 (NA) that is being unwrapped in Canada meets the California CARB and US DOT standards.

To meet the DOT requirements the turn signals must be at least 16 inches apart and 15 inches above the road surface and I guess they are a little too narrow in the EU standard. I just looked, the BV300 passed the CA CARB testing on June 30th, 2010. They could sell the BV300 in California.