If you're looking to try your hand at motorcycles, but you are not really sure if they're right for you, you can always start with a more manageable alternative, such as a scooter. Scooters are easier to use and safer than most motorcycles on the market.
One of the most popular scooter brands is the Kymco Scooter. These scooters are made by Kymco, which is an acronym for a Taiwanese motorcycle company that stands for Kwang Yang Motor Co, Ltd. Kymco was founded in 1953 and is based in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The company came to be after parting ways with Honda. Before 1963 Kymco, was a Honda subsidiary that only made parts for Honda. In 1970, the company built its first scooter. However, it was not until 1992 when Kymco scooters were sold under the company name.
By 2002, Kymco was the biggest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan and the fifth worldwide.
In '08, the company was chosen by BMW to supply engines for their G459 X Enduro bike.
To get a better understanding of what makes this brand so popular, here is everything you should know about the Kymco scooter.
History Of Kymco
When Kymco broke off its engagement with Honda, it evolved from a parts making company to a fully-fledged motor company. The company is known for its wide range of scooters, but it has also tried its hand at motorcycles and ATVs.
This does not mean that Kymco does not take parts jobs every once in a while. One of their latest parts jobs involved building an engine for the BMW G459 X Enduro bike in 2008. Since the company produced its first scooter in 1970, it has gone on to build and sell over 63 scooter models throughout the world.
Today, the company is the second-largest in Taiwan and sits on over 2 million square feet, and they conduct business in over 107 countries globally. The scooter that started it all was the Kymco C200 that was unveiled in 1964.
Two years before Kymco was fully independent of Honda, they built the Hao Mai 125; this was the scooter that made a name for the company. This beauty sold over one million units hence setting the pace for all other Kymco builds.
There Are Many Kymco Scooters
Kymco scooters have become a favorite for anyone looking for a sturdy and well-built scooter. Kymco scooters generally come with a 24-month unlimited miles warranty, which many customers find useful.
Some people across different markets think that Kymco scooters are built by Honda. But based on the dates given by the company, in 1963, Kymco broke off any engagements with Honda, but it was not until 1992 that the company could sell its products under its own name.
While many scooters have been known to trace their roots back to China, Kymco is one of the many exceptions. However, the company does have manufacturing and assembly facilities in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
A New Era For Kymco Scooters
With so many motor manufacturers looking to make their products as green as possible, Kymco has not been left behind. In 2019, the company announced that it would be making five new motorcycles. Many saw this as the beginning of a new era for the company.
This is because success on the electric motorcycles would translate to success with electric scooters that not only looked good but performed better. In 2021, the company launched two new scooters that promised to deliver, and so far, they've lived up to everyone’s expectations.
These scooters were the Agility 50, which has a starting cost of $1,879, and the Agility 125 that comes with a base price of $2,199. Other 2021 scooters include the A Town, Super 8 50X, Super 8 150X, the People S150, and the X-Town 300i.