Review - Kymco KR125 Sport

[Wise1]

Thought I would do a review of my not so well known 1st bike, first off here it is so you know what it looks like.

https://wise1host.co.uk/bike/CIMG0703.JPG

Bit of background first:

Kymco -

They are a a Taiwanese firm, largest producer of scooters in Taiwan and have branched out into our market with this bike, more scooters and Quads. They were originally setup in 1963 to make parts for Honda before eventually moving on to building their own machines. Their first scooter was produced in 1970. They have 3,000 employees turning out 1/2 million machines a year.

Honda has a fairly substantial financial stake in the firm, the honda influence is pretty clear when you look at the picture below with mine next to the CBR.

Bikes Spec -

Engine
Type - 124cc 4 Stroke Oil Cooled
Power - 9.6kW @ 10,000rpm
Transmission - 5 Speed Manual
Max Speed - 65mph
MPG 75

Chassis
Frame - Lightweight Steel/Alloy
Tyres - Fr 110/80-17 Rr 140/70-17
Suspension - Front Hydraulic Forks
Single Rear Damper

Dimensions/Weight
Length - 2080mm
Width - 710mm
Seat Height - 780mm
Net Weight - 140kg

Equipment
Front Disc Brake
Rear Disc Brake
17” Painted Alloy Wheels
Side Stand
Rear Grab Rail
Fuel Gauge
Electric Start
Lockable under seat storage box
2 Year Warranty

OTR Price

Between £2,399 - £2,599

The price does appear to have went up recently hence the price difference. Some are selling at the lower and some at the higher

Ok then, what about my view of the bike?

Performance

If your looking for a quick bike either off the line, top end or both then this is not it Claimed top speed is 65 mph which appears about right, although to get that I was on a very long straight heading to Stewarton (glasgow area) and just managed to push 69 mph. Almac (from the forum) was on his CBR and managed to put a bit of distance between us as he was hitting 70+

I am sure though that my speedo is running over a bit so take 5 mph off that I reckon.

Off the line its not that bad but again next to almac's CBR 125 I was left behind on more than 1 occassion.


Road Handling

This is one of the best things about the bike, the weight makes it very comfortable and stable, cornering is really smooth, it grips well on the road, especially around roundabouts where I have seen other bikes struggling and ending up wide.

We were out last week on some pretty curvy country roads and took some really wierd routes such as pedestrian footbridges and such (cheers almac, ) and it handled everything really well.

The only time it felt like taking its own route was on a recently resurfaced gravel road (which is to be expected).

Looks & Equipment

For the money its a big bike, and I dont think its a 125cc just trying to look big, Kymco themselves state that the design is meant to be big and stable but also with a sports appeal. And that it is.

I have been stopped at lights to be asked what the bike is and that it does not look like a 125, there is a certain flair around it that many other bikes just dont have for the same money.

The front panel is basic, Indicator lights, ignition light, Neutral light, Analouge Rev counter and digital speedo showing, odo, fuel, oil, time and a couple of others. But that said its suffient and perfectly readable.

It also has a warning light telling you the stand is down and wont start if it is.

The pillion seat has a small storage area under it with a standard toolkit in there, not much else will go in apart from your chain/lock but I think most bikes are the same in this regard.

The not so good

Cant really say I have found much that I dont like but there is a couple.

The bike red lines at 8k, not so sure thats correct, it quite happilly runs along at 10k and its difficult keeping it below 8k going up through the gears. Ok I am hammering a bit but still.

The clutch cable looks really nice on the bike, I can say that because I have to spent a lot of time looking over it to see the Neutral light. It really needs to be shortened a bit to prevent it covering things you need to see.

My Reasons for buying?

I looked at and nearly bought a CBR125 before I saw this, also looked at the CG 125 but after I sat on this one and got it going I just knew it was right. Ok it looks very much like a Honda but hey they own part of Kymco so its understandable.

The build quality was the other reason, no chinese quality issues, its using the same parts as a Honda and other bikes.

A 2 year warranty which again is basically the same as Honda's also gives a degree of confidence. My bike is 1 year old but I still have the remainder of the warranty to fall back on should anything happen.

So there you go, a quick and dirty review of the bike. The only thing left is to show you more pics.

Bear in mind the bike is bright red and Black, but for some reason it looks Orange in some pics.

https://wise1host.co.uk/bike/CIMG0689.JPG
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https://wise1host.co.uk/bike/CIMG0702.JPG
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[bigup]

nice review mate

have fun on the bike and be careful!

[AppleJoe]

Looks a nice bike, but seems quite expensive for a non-jap-4 125...
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Full licence from 16/4/08
Previously: '56 YBR125 - Current: K1 SV650S

[Wise1]

Price wise yes it is, however There is not a review out there and there are a lot which put it right up there with the jap bikes for quality and design.

You need to see it to appreciate it I suppose.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Wise1]

On a side note, what simplistic things could I do to boost the power a bit more? Suggestions seems to indicate a K&N filter but I am a complete noob when it comes to the mechanical side of bikes.

Putting oil in is as far as I go usually.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Knacker]

Get the clutch cable shortend first lol
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[Wise1]

[Fahd]

[Wise1]

Sounds logical, cheers for that.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600