Nov 27, 2020
KYMCO just unveiled 4 new scooters through a virtual launch earlier this week. One of the scooters that caught the eye of many of our readers is the KRV – a 175cc scooter loaded with lots of features which are usually reserved for the bigger, flagship models.
We're quite excited because KYMCO Philippines is set to unveil 2 new scooters on November 28, 2020. Chances are, it's one of these four. While they haven't said which one it is, we're really hoping one will be the KRV. Here's why.
Being a 175cc automatic scooter, Pinoy riders were very quick to compare it to Yamaha’s Aerox and Nmax 155. So should KYMCO bring the KRV to the Philippines, what is in store for the Pinoy rider?
Bigger engine
The KRV is powered by an SOHC 4 stroke, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder. It's actual displacement is 175.1 cc. It produces 16.7 PS at 7,500 rpm and 15.68 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. The new Nmax currently produces 15.4 PS and 13.4 Nm so it already has a leg up in terms of power.
Styling
Like most modern scooters today, the KRV’s styling cues possess aggressive lines. Its lights are powered by LED technology instead of conventional bulbs. These help to give it a distinct look on the road.
Flat floor
Compared to the Aerox or the NMax that have a mound in the middle, KYMCO opted to go with the traditional flat floor design to give the rider more legroom.
While manufacturers do not recommend using this space for storage, Pinoy tend to use flat footwells for items like a bag or groceries, and sometimes even a sack of rice.
Fuel tank capacity
The center mound is usually where maxi-scooters keep the fuel tank. Having a flat floor doesn’t mean that the KRV is short on fuel tank capacity, though. In fact, compared to the other scooters in its class, the KRV boasts a bigger fuel tank capacity at 7.2 liters, which couldtranslate to less visits to the gas station. The new Nmax only has 100 mL less at 7.1 liters.
Convenience features
Another feature evident is its keyless system. Like many of the newer scooters, keys are being ditched for a fob that broadcasts a radio frequency to the bike. This makes it harder to steal. In addition, it's also more convenient for the rider who no longer has to fumble through his pockets to start his bike.
It also comes with an integrated power socket for charging phones, which is now a standard feature on higher end 150cc scooters these days. Thankfully, it's not inside a compartment, letting you plug your phone while it's mounted over the handlebar.
If you take a good look at the upper right photo, you'll also notice the scooter has an integrated passing light on the left handlebar. This may seem like a minor addition but to many pinoy riders, this is invaluable, especially at night when riders can easily by cut off by cars that don't see them.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Traction control is a new feature we're seeing in more entry level scooters. It works by cutting off engine power in the event the onboard computer senses too much rear wheel spin, resulting in a loss of traction, which then could lead into an accident. The computer is always measuring the traction level and adjusts the throttle delivered to the rear wheel as needed.
This technology is usually reserved for bigger and more expensive expressways-legal motorcycles. If KYMCO opts to bring the KRV here, it could be one of the few pioneers for the technology in the sub -200cc segment.
From what we've seen, the KRV is pretty packed with features that are usually reserved for bigger bikes. If KYMCO decides to bring the KRV here, with all these innovations, it could give it a leg up over the current competition.
