Kymco is gradually revitalizing its range, and if the DTX 125 (tested here last month) is a very avant-garde scooter, this X-Town City plays it safe. A very practical and functional scooter, especially due to its flat foot platform, ensuring easy rides in increasingly chaotic urban centers.
Normally, 125cc scooters are divided between those that are completely urban and maxi-scooters. This X-Town City combines features from both areas – even in terms of price – because while it is true that it has larger dimensions and more refinement than traditional urban proposals, it lacks some equipment and technical features to compete head-to-head with maxi-scooters, the most luxurious automatic models we can find. In the Kymco range, this model can stand out in the following aspect: among the proposals with a flat foot platform (something almost extinct nowadays), this is the most modern scooter from the Taiwanese brand. This does not mean that it does not draw inspiration from other models from the past.
PAST AND PRESENT
This X-Town City is a scooter with very pleasant lines, featuring a beautiful gray decoration and spectacular LED headlights in the front and rear. But upon closer observation of the model, we notice that there are somewhat outdated details, from the controls, to the ignition format, and even the instrumentation that is too simple in design and content. The geometry of the ensemble and the riding position also do not hide the age of the project, since the seat is low and the foot platform is somewhat elevated, causing the legs to be somewhat bent and the back to suffer from impacts. We are also too close to the handlebars and the lumbar support does not allow us to move further back, which can complicate the task for a tall user. In other words, this X-Town City is clearly a “fresh face” of a Kymco base that has already proven itself but has been active for several years, and even gave rise to the J models from Kawasaki, which do not have the flat foot platform and have since been discontinued.
With all of this, we end up having a space for the feet that is an added value, both when getting on and off the scooter – especially for users with reduced mobility or women wearing non-pants attire – as well as when it is necessary to carry bags or larger objects, with the help of a hook to secure them. A bag with several tennis rackets, for example, fits perfectly in front of us in a safe way.
EQUIPMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Under the seat, which has a hydraulic shock absorber, the space is limited, so it is possible to fit a full-face helmet and little else, as the space is not very deep. In the front, there is a keyless glove compartment and a USB port in the center of the handlebars, and the instrumentation could hardly be simpler, with two large analog displays and some digital information in the center, although without a onboard computer. In the rear seat, the passenger has a good seat, well-designed handles, and plenty of space.
THE BEST Flat platform for the feet; suspension comfort; aesthetic details TO IMPROVE Ergonomics; level of equipment and instrumentation; ground clearance
In terms of performance, this liquid-cooled engine that delivers 12.7 hp needs to rev up quite a bit to get moving. Therefore, it is not the quietest single-cylinder on the market, but it ensures good starts and a speed of 110 km/h, actually 120 km/h if the X-Town keeps going. More importantly, the engine has plenty of power and even on steeper uphill sections on highways, it holds up well at 100 km/h. The throttle has a very light touch and the levers have adjustable distance to the grips and a smooth feel, which is not always the case in this segment or even in higher ones. The front brake ends up being a bit spongy, but overall the deceleration power on both wheels, with a combined system, is more than enough.
DETAILS AND DYNAMICS
We liked the presence of side “pipos” on the 13-inch wheels, making it easy to check the tire pressure, which in this case are from the CST brand and, at least in dry conditions, work well. The suspensions are soft and quite comfortable, and the rear suspension is even above average in terms of performance. The front windshield offers plenty of protection but also slight turbulence, and overall the dynamics of the scooter are very positive, with a good compromise between agility and stability, although the low ground clearance in curves at low speeds sometimes limits a livelier pace. In terms of fuel economy, we can say that according to our calculations at the pump, this X-Town City consumed exactly 3 liters per 100 kilometers traveled, which is within the average. This scooter has several very positive aspects but is also somewhat limited due to the initial age of the project, so it all depends on whether the user wants an automatic scooter with a flat foot platform. If that’s the case, then this model is worth considering! The price is acceptable, but for this value, we would like to find some details in this scooter such as keyless ignition, a start & stop system, or an onboard computer in the instrumentation.
KYMCO X-Town City 125
ENGINE single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT 125 cc
POWER 12.7 hp @ 9,000 rpm
TORQUE 11 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION automatic CVT
FRAME steel tubular
FUEL TANK 10.5 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION conventional telescopic fork with 37 mm, 110 mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION double shock absorber, 100 mm travel
FRONT BRAKE 260 mm disc, 3-piston caliper, CBS
REAR BRAKE 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper, CBS
FRONT TIRE 120/70-13
REAR TIRE 150/70-13
WHEELBASE n.d.
SEAT HEIGHT 765 mm
WEIGHT 179 kg
MSRP (from) €4,790
