Review of 2008 KYMCO ATV, UTV range

Anyone doubting KYMCO's commitment to off-road powersports market only needs to browse the company fast-growing range.

KYMCO has steadily refined its off-road products and expand its offerings to each model year. The Taiwanese company's recent efforts include so-so MXU 500 utility quad in 2007 and renovated in 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads.

This time, KYMCO is even bolder, came to the table with the highly anticipated UXV 500 UTV and all new MXU 375 utility ATV.

We recently went to the back of the U.S. division of the company, scenic South Carolina, to ride KYMCO The range of products in 2008, and also spent some time at the wheel of his first UTV. At this stage, one thing is certain: KYMCO is the note-taking and serious progress at the height of its American and Japanese in style, performance and product lines.

Set the table

The framework was Carolina Adventure World, a growth still deprived off-road with more than 100 miles of trails, a swamp of mud and three motocross tracks. We set up before when visiting intros Polaris and Kawasaki, and KYMCO as the establishment continues to improve as he continues to mature.

Temperatures may have been a little more spring-like, but the sky was clear, the grass was green and the conditions were met for a few splashes of mud off-road.

UTV is UXV

Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki have their big-selling entertainment alongside players. Honda work more spirit Big Red was on the point quickly, and Can-Am has recently announced plans for what we expect to be a very athletic (RZR beat?) UTV. There was also speculation KYMCO was preparing its own entrant in the category to explode. These rumors were confirmed after the company took the veil of its new UXV 500 to the motor show EICMA in Milan, Italy, last fall.

Then we got to see for ourselves. Purpose of the appearance alone, it seems that the company had a Rhino, Prowler and Teryx firmly in its sights. Its design suggests a traditional UTV machine to split the difference between work and pleasure, as the players most successful in the segment.

The data sheet lists a 500cc four-stroke engine, independent suspension, locking front differential and a tilting cargo bed capable of hauling 420 pounds - the main ingredients for us when making a UTV.

The price has not been finalized at press time and some specifications on the prototype are still subject to change before the final production.

Behind The Wheel

Time is limited, but we had the chance to experience the KYMCO UTV's driver and passenger seats, and the thick mud on the steep slopes and wading through deep water.

We have no means of transporting cargo around, but our trip gave us time very appreciated the chance to look under the hood and a few miles with the rack UXV.

Lateral stability (ie rolling over) has been a thorn in the foot several UTVs. To this end, KYMCO has decided to up the ante with a wide, stable platform that measures 59 cm wide. For reasons of comparison, the Prowler is 61.3 inches wide and Rhino measures 54.5 inches in diameter.

The extra girth translates flat, predictable that the more reassuring that some of the closest competitors in the high-speed corners. He winding through the park riding tight woods trails a little more difficult, however, and also the delicate UXV shoehorn in the back of a truck.

Like the new Teryx, EFI is not included - obvious reduction in costs to help KYMCO price competition and precipitate its model on the market. Without the need for the dash-mounted choke, our heated UXV fired up quickly.

Here, in gas, liquid-cooled 500cc four-stroke DOHC considered moderately taxed by the 1157-pound (dry) weight, but the power is sufficient to overcome the steep slopes and power by the great man of impressive holes mud.

A little vibration was present, but the refinement of the engine is in line with the bulk of the SUV segment. The exhaust note is more agricultural and sports, another common trait shared with nearly every other side by side.

That is inside the cab business with kept embellishments to a minimum. A center-mounted gauge cluster displays all the usual information, and the shifter mounted on the center console between the seats. Shift action was irregular, as reverse does not always engage when the lever is moved to "R." Hopefully this can be allowed before the final production.

Accommodation places are right on the side with enough money to keep strengthening the runners up. Foot room positioning and the dash is also the target - better than some of its competitors.

Top speed is estimated at 45 mph - ideal for a vehicle of this size and purpose.

Suspension is a double A-arm design that provides 7.5 inches of travel at both ends and 12.2 inches of soil. The transmission of high and low ranges, and also includes a differential lock. Stopping the action just two discs in front and a single disc brake at the rear.

Tilting cargo bed is large enough size to handle loads up to 420 pounds, and the tailgate has a simple locking system, like the Rhino.

Our brief tour of competent work revealed that a vehicle should have sufficient reading ability. The price is not yet finalized, but we expect to undermine competition in a certain extent. Time will tell. The UXV 500 4x4 will be available in red, green, gray and camo, with a 1-year factory warranty.

MXU 375

Our adventure Carolina on prototypes of the new quad KYMCO utility - the MXU 375.

After being underwhelmed by the company of the utility last fall, the MXU 500, we were pleasantly surprised by a package this time. However, like the 500, MXU 375, the summary before the end of the handling features are a disappointment for aggressive trail riding.

Style and quality of construction is solid, with competitive features and intelligent design to prove that it is entirely at the North course with its American and Japanese. Even with the chassis open before the end from time to time, it remains a no-excuses mid-displacement utility quad.

While company representatives will not confirm, the new MXU engine is shared with the new Arctic Cat 366 4x4 utility, and the base of the platform for the two models are surprisingly similar. We believe that the KYMCO is the most beautiful twins. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke, is strong enough and good, a perfect match to its destination.

As mentioned previously, the treatment was a mixture, and place on different machines have different configurations. The front-end handling is just as volatile as it is on the Arctic Cat variant on hilly terrain - too much body roll and steering that is easily thrown off kilter.

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

Some characteristics of our test mules, as turning signals and hazard lights, will not be made to the latest version and the U.S. engineers are still changing the final stop.

The main statistics of the production will be unchanged - a double-arm front suspension and rear (7 inches of travel), a CVT with high and low speeds, and hard braking at the front and back.

When it comes to working titles, the little strap can MXU 225 books to its supports, and two books of 1050 in its wake.

This new 375 will make a strong competitor in the entry of the class, with a big engine of the track. Like some other manufacturers whose products have features of manipulation, KYMCO should focus on building vehicles that keep their calm in the corners and uneven terrain. His motor skills and style offer a sport utility quad that of genes in DNA. This is not really the case, but it is not far from the mark.

New Goose

Our previous evaluation of the new and improved Mongoose 300 last fall, the mountain bike test event showed a list of changes that massaged the company at the entry level sport quad CVT into something more desirable than the original.

KYMCO added a (very necessary) solid and a great chain of carburetor, the wheelbase with a longer swing arm, dug through a huge five inches and relaxed before too steep progressive rate springs.

In our last test, the "Goose torn short trails Carolina Adventure World with alacrity and balance. CVT provided surprisingly Snappy response - more aggressive than expected. Listening to riders, taking notes and constantly evolving, has served the company and its products well.

Power of the 270cc liquid-cooled engine could be even stronger, particularly at the upper end, but the vibration of power has not been a problem, it is therefore pleased to be pushed hard. Body roll is kept at bay and the progressive rate springs that produce a much more comfortable around the modèle'07. The changes are particularly noticeable on hard tracks.

A CVT tranny in a sport quad is still relatively uncommon, but it is well suited to the rigor, we walked the winding trails. Strong spunky performance and affordable treatment sub-$ 3800 price makes this entry quad a good choice for sport riders looking for the ease of a CVT.

While we have not had the opportunity to drive the updates to la'08 Mongoose 300 have also been applied to the 250.

This pair of Mongooses (Mongeese?) Is now in place with the best machines in the class.