KYMCO Debuts Myroad 700i Touring Scooter at Tokyo Motor Show

Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), the largest manufacturer of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Taiwan, once again proved that it can ride at the head of the pack with the world's best by premiering several new models at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 in Japan.

The 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007, one of the largest and most important trade fairs for wheeled vehicles in the world, was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26 through November 11 in 2007.

KYMCO was the only Taiwanese motorcycle company, and one of the only four international major players outside Japan to meet stringent qualification certifications set by the show organizer to showcase their products on the same stage as the top-four Japanese motorcycle brands, including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. The other three famous foreign brands are Harley Davison of the U.S., Triumph of the U.K., and Ducati of Italy.

KYMCO debuted the Myroad 700i, a 700cc electronic fuel-injection (EFI) high-end scooter, one with the biggest engine ever produced by a Taiwan PTW company, at the show.

In addition, KYMCO also unveiled to the world its 400cc ATV, the MXU-400 at the motor show. The MXU-400 has been developed in response to significant demand generated worldwide by earlier 250cc and 500cc models, predecessors to the new 400cc once.

Impressive PTWs debuted by KYMCO also included the Super 8 high-end sport 125cc scooter and Quannon 125cc street bike. One expects that the PTW and ATV sectors will be fully convinced of KYMCO's capacity to turn out world-class vehicles for the top end of the market. Plus KYMCO showed the G-5 to confirm its savvy to serve niche markets. The G-5 is designed specifically for the Japanese segment, where a scooter is needed for urban commuting and transporting over short distances, with a 12hp motor that is superior to almost all counterparts.

Myroad 700i

The Myroad 700i is KYMCO's brand-new flagship scooter featuring all the best in styling, engine performance, and equipment. The company claims that it has spent three years developing the advanced 700cc liquid-cooled EFI engine as well as many other sophisticated equipment on the scooter, such as the electrically-adjustable rear suspension that lets the rider choose the most suitable dampening mode for different road conditions, or the automatic ABS for excellent braking safety.

KYMCO developed the high-end touring scooter by focusing on several design criteria, including technology, luxury, comfort, styling, and safety. With a powerful 700cc EFI high-tech engine, the Myroad is capable of keeping up to big bikes on long rides on the open road, as well offering elegant styling, comfy seating that allows for prolonged cruising; while the anti-theft system, anti-lock brake system (ABS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), etc. round out its lengthy list of standard equipment, requisite on any large-displacement scooter targeted at upmarket consumers.

The following profiles the other outstanding features on the new Myroad 700i.

Myroad 700i Specifications
Dimensions L / W / H (mm)	2330 X 830 X 1510
Weight (kg)	268
Engine Type	EFI 4-stroke, parallel twin cylinder
Cooling System	Liquid
Transmission	CVT
Displacement (c.c.)	699.5
Max. Power (kw / rpm)	40.5 / 7250
Max. Torque (Nm / rpm)	63 / 5500
Front/rear brakes	Disk / Disk
Tire size front/rear	Fr：120 / 70-15
	Rr：150 / 70-14

Engine

The 699cc four-stroke DOHC high-performance engine (Euro 3) features liquid-cooling, eight valves, 10.5 compression ratio, 55ps maximum power, and maximum torque at 6.5kgf-M. The Euro 3-compliant powerplant adopts a closed-loop EFI system, enabling a top speed of over 170 km/hr, while its idle speed control (ISC) system enhances the cold-start performance.

The engine has a twin balance-shaft design to reduce engine vibrations and improve riding comfort. Its advanced continuous variable transmission (CVT) transmission system adopts the all-new high-strength belt to match the short CVT layout for upgraded transmission efficiency.

Electronic Dampening System

A switch on the Myroad's handlebar allows the rider to easily adjust the rear suspension to suit the road condition, including soft, medium, and hard, with the chosen mode displayed on the digital speedometer. The best part is that a rider can adjust it even on-the-fly.

Car-like Features

One of its car-type features on the Myroad is the state-of-the-art keyless ignition system that replaces traditional keys. With a very compact keyless ignition IC sensor in your pocket, a rider can fire up the scooter by simply pushing a starter button on the handlebar.

Another auto-grade feature is the TPMS on the Myroad, which checks the tire pressure on both wheels constantly to warn a rider with flashing light on the instrument panel when the tire pressure stray from acceptable settings.

Matching its powerful engine are the high-end floating-caliper disc brakes, 280mm up front and 240mm in the rear, providing reliable stopping power via the ABS system, while the extra handbrake, another car-type feature, offers better parking safety.

Night riding is made safer with the triple-eye headlamp adopting H4 halogen bulbs and advanced LED tail-lamp, so the Myroad not only offers that high-tech look but also excellent safety with much brighter illumination.

MXU 400

According to KYMCO, the design of the latest MXU 400 ATV integrates robust, classic American styling cues with the practicality and functionality of modern sport and recreational ATVs, or in short, toughness and style in one.

The MXU 400 fully complies with all European standards and meets the high expectations from the increasingly sophisticated global ATV market. KYMCO claims that the MXU 400 has design features incorporating subtle yet instantly-recognizable cues of classic design: ribbed hood lines, characteristic wheel arch flairs, and ultra- modern diamond-style headlights, just some of the key features making the new ATV a unique concept.

The MXU 400 is powered by a 366.7cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, and oil-cooled engine with CVT transmission and carburetor. The high-efficiency engine is rated at a maximum power of 27 ps at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 3.3 kg-m at 5,500 rpm, as well as meeting the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of the U.S. and European Union (EU)'s emission standards.

Other notable features on the high-grade ATV include the steel cradle chassis, front/rear cargo racks, four-wheel independent suspension, front/rear disc brakes, mechanical parking brake, large-capacity fuel tank (15 liters), digital instrument panel, and dual front headlights.