Kymco 700cc Class Likely in U.S.

The long-rumored Kymco 700cc twin maxi-scooter likely will be reaching U.S. shores sooner rather than later, and ScooterMaxi has learned it will have a familiar-sounding name.

In an unrelated development, Honda might be claiming the title for largest engine size for a maxi-scooter in the U.S. market a year from now - or they might have simply goofed off. In any event, we’re not much into the “who has the biggest” debate here at ScooterMaxi.

Europe knows that the Kymco Myroad 700 is arriving soon with an unveiling in November at the Milan show. It has been our experience that Kymco is eager to go global quickly with new products, and that’s what ScooterMaxi has confirmed with the U.S. distributor regarding the new 700cc twin.

Kymco USA Marketing Communications Manager Rick Pawelka told ScooterMaxi, “I’m sure that we’ll bring it into the U.S. marketed as the Xciting 700i.”

Clearly, Kymco is aiming far higher than simply making a claim on the maxiest of Big Maxis. The new model will feature: fuel injection; dash-mounted electronic rear suspension adjustment with soft-medium-firm settings; keyless ignition; LED turn signal indicators in front; theft alarm; ABS disc brakes; and electronic tire pressure sensors.  

As for Honda, the Silver Wing 750 was briefly announced for unveiling at the show in Tokyo next month, then the Honda international website suddenly dropped all references to it. All we know for sure is that the 2008 Silver Wing in the U.S. is listed with the venerable 582cc engine, and it remains entirely possible that the 2009 U.S. model might feature a 750cc engine. At ScooterMaxi, we do not buy for a minute the idea that Honda in Japan typed in "Silver Wing 750" by mistake and just left it there for a few days. Perhaps a few bugs are left to be worked out. In any event, an official explanation from Honda is overdue.

Score one for Kymco here. They seem to have their act together.