KAIFA 41 mm telescopic fork with S, M, H electronic
damping
Rear Suspension
KAIFA twin shocks with S, M, H electronic damping
Front Brakes
280 mm disc, Heng Tong, ABS Bosch, 4-piston radial mount
caliper
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc, Heng Tong, ABS Bosch, 2-piston caliper
Wheels
5-Spoke aluminium alloy
Front Tyre
120/70R15 M/C 56S, Radial, tubeless
Rear Tyre
160/60R14 M/C 69H, Radial, tubeless
Dimensions
Length: 2329.0
mm / 91.7 in
Width:
830.6 mm / 32.7 in
Height:
1508.8 mm / 59.4 in
Wheelbase
1615 mm / 63.6 mm
Seat Height
780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight
275.8 kg / 608 lbs
Under Seat Storage
50 L / 13.2 US gal
Fuel Capacity
15.1 L / 4.0 US gal
The first thing anyone sitting on the MyRoad will notice is
the compactness of the rider triangle and generous width of the seat. The seat’s
backrest doesn’t allow enough rearward movement, making you feel as though
you’re tyrannosaurus-rexing the handlebars. There’s also insufficient legroom
for taller riders. Both front and rear brake levers are adjustable, but we had
them at the closest setting leaving the remaining three settings for people with
giganto hand syndrome.
All the information’s there, even the unnecessary tachometer, but a simple task
like resetting the trip meter requires pushing two buttons simultaneously. Yes,
we’re nitpicking, but only because it took us a while to figure out what should
be a no-brainer. In the age of Apple, we expect intuitive design.
Gauge cluster arrangement includes an analog speedo and tach separated by a
small digital display – informative but nothing fancy. The ignition switch is
multi-functional, as it opens the fuel lid and unlocks the seat, but the
operation is somewhat complicated. On the left side of the dash is a small,
unlockable storage compartment, while above the rider’s right foot resides the
parking brake that requires an exceptionally hefty tug to release.
The fuel-injected, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel-Twin fires easily and settles in
to an audible, vibey idle. “The engine’s a little sluggish off the line and
annoyingly buzzy at freeway speeds,” says Associate Editor, Evans Brasfield. To
which Scooter Boy Editor, Troy Siahaan adds, “I expected more power from the
700, it feels like it lags a bit finding the right transmission ratio, say, when
trying to overtake another vehicle.”
In the handling department the 633-pound (wet) MyRoad skillfully masks its girth
and displays commendable chassis stability – especially notable considering its
scootering tires sizes of 15 and 14 inches, front and rear, respectively. The
MyRoad’s greatest handling compromise is the unsorted damping of its suspension
and ill-functioning electronic damping adjustments.
Despite the disappointing performance of the MyRoad’s suspension components, it
remains a good handling scooter. The only thing restricting its cornering
ability is limited clearance by way of centerstand and exhaust can.
“I was looking forward to experiencing the joys of electronically adjustable
suspension on the Kymco but was mostly frustrated with it,” says Chief
Scooterist, Kevin Duke. “It was surprisingly harsh on its softest setting, so
there was no reason to adjust it firmer. After reducing rear shock preload to
the lowest setting, overall suspension compliance improved. However, the front
end still displays a harshness I’d blame on excess high-speed compression
damping.”
The MyRoad’s braking system has unusually high specifications for a scooter. It
boasts dual four-piston radial-mount front calipers and a two-piston rear
caliper, both with steel braided brake lines and featuring standard ABS. Braking
power, while not mind blowing, is ample for a 600+ pound scooter, with a firm
lever but a soft bite. Toothier brake pads could prove to be a performance gain
considering the high-end components.
2014 Kymco MyRoad 700i Storage
Until then, Duke best sums up Kymco’s 700i saying, “The MyRoad is a solid effort
in this segment, but it’s relatively unrefined next to its challengers. Another
six months of R&D – improving mirrors, turnsignal-indicator noise and engine
vibration – would’ve been time well spent.”