KYMCO continues refining its all-terrain products and broadening its lineup with each model year. The Taiwanese company’s recent efforts included the so-so MXU 500 utility quad for 2007 and revamped 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads. This time around, KYMCO is getting even bolder, with the highly anticipated UXV 500 UTV and MXU 375 utility ATV.
What comes next out of the company is unclear, but one thing is for sure: KYMCO is taking notes and making serious strides to match its American and Japanese competitors in style, performance and product offerings.
We traveled to South Carolina, in the backyard of the company’s American headquarters, to ride KYMCO’s full line of 2008 products, and spend some time behind the wheel of its first side-by-side.
A Carolina Adventure The setting was Carolina Adventure World, a still growing privately-owned off-road riding area with more than 100 miles of trails, a mud bog and three motocross tracks. We’ve been there before, and, just like KYMCO, it keeps improving as the new facility continues to grow.
Temperatures could have been a bit warmer, but skies were clear and conditions were ripe for some mud-splattered off-roading.
ATV Sport
UXV On The Loose Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki have their recreational side-by-side players in place. Honda’s Big Red is on the way soon, and Can-Am recently announced plans for what we expect to be a very athletic (RZR beating?) UTV. There had also been speculation KYMCO was readying its own entrant into the exploding category. Those rumors became fact last fall after the company took the wraps off its new UXV 500 at the EICMA powersports show in Milan, Italy.
Then we got to see it for ourselves. Going off appearance alone, it seems the company had the Rhino, Teryx and Prowler in its sites. Its traditional design suggests a UTV capable of splitting the difference between work and play, like the biggest players in the segment and in line with the new Honda.
The specs showed a 500cc four-stroke engine, independent suspension, locking front differential and a large tilting cargo bed capable of hauling 420 pounds.
A few minor specifications on the prototypes were still subject to change before final production.
Workin’ It We didn’t get the chance to haul around any cargo, but our brief ride time gave us the much-appreciated chance to peek under the hood and go trail riding.
Improved lateral stability has become a significant design element on several UTVs. To this end, KYMCO decided to up the ante with a wide, stable platform that measures 59 inches wide. For comparison’s sake, the Prowler is 61.3 inches wide and the Rhino measures 54.5 inches across.
The UXV’s extra girth translated to flat, predictable handling that’s more reassuring than some of the narrower competitors in high-speed cornering. It made winding through tight woods trails somewhat more challenging, though, and will also make it tricky to shoehorn the UXV into the back of some pickup trucks.
EFI wasn’t included — like the Kawi Teryx — and seems like a cost-cutting decision to help KYMCO compete on price. Without any need for the dash-mounted choke, our UXV fired up quickly.
On the go, its 500cc engine is taxed by a 1,157-pound (dry) weight, but was enough to surmount moderate hills and power the big guy through some impressive mud holes.
A little vibration was present, but engine refinement is par for the course in the sport utility segment. The exhaust note sounds more agricultural than sporty, another common trait shared with nearly every side-by-side.
It’s all business inside the cabin, with frills kept to a minimum. A center-mounted gauge cluster displays all the usual information, and the shifter is mounted on the center console between the seats. Shift action was spotty, as reverse gear didn’t always engage when the lever was moved to “R.” Hopefully this can be cleared up before final production.
Top speed is estimated to max out at 45 mph — close to industry standards, and ideal for a vehicle of this size and purpose.
The brief ride revealed a competent work vehicle that should have plenty of playtime capability. Pricing is still not finalized, but we expect it to fall below the competition. Time will tell.
ATV Sport
New Mongoose: Take Two Our previous test of the new-and-improved Mongoose 300 (“The ’Goose Is Loose,” March 2008) detailed an ambitious roster of changes that polished the entry-level CVT sport quad. KYMCO added a much-needed sturdier chain and a larger carburetor, stretched the wheelbase with a longer swingarm, widened the track by a whopping five inches and softened up the overly-stiff front end with progressive-rate springs.
The ‘Goose tore through the tight trails of CAW with eagerness and balance. Listening to riders, taking notes and constantly evolving has served the company and its products well.
Power from the liquid-cooled 270cc engine could be stronger, especially at the top end, but vibration wasn’t an issue. Body roll is reduced and the progressive rate springs produce a ride that’s more comfortable than the ‘07 model. The changes are especially noticeable over harsh trails.
A CVT tranny in a sport quad is still fairly uncommon, but did the job on the slower, winding trails we rode. Spunky performance, predictable handling and a affordable sub-$3,800 price make this entry-level quad a smart choice for riders who need a gas-and-go transmission.
While we didn’t get the opportunity to ride the Mongoose 250, it receives the same updates made to the ‘08 Mongoose 300.
We said it before and we’ll say it again — the pair of Mongooses (Mongeese?) is now up there with the best entry-level CVT sport machines in their class.
ATV Sport
MXU 375 Our stay at Carolina Adventure World also included time on prototypes for KYMCO’s newest utility quad — the MXU 375.
First up, its solid-build quality, competitive features and smart design once again prove that this company is fully in the running with its North American and Japanese competitors. This is a no excuses mid-displacement utility quad.
While company officials won’t confirm it, the new MXU’s platform and engine are both shared with Arctic Cat’s new 366 4x4 utility. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke, is adequately potent and smooth, a perfect match for its intended purpose.
Handling was a mixed bag, as different machines had different configurations. One thing’s for sure, the front-end handling was more unpredictable than the Mongoose 300, producing too much body roll and steering that is easily thrown off-kilter.
A few features on our test mules, like turn signals and hazard flashers, won’t reach the final U.S. version and company engineers are still tweaking the final braking setup.
The somewhat sporty MXU will make a solid competitor in the entry-level class, with a nice engine leading the way. For a full review of the MXU 375, check out our sister publication (ATV Magazine, July 2008).
