Quad Review

Kymco MXU 500 Review

Quadsales takes an Kymco MXU 500 for a splash.

Nic Wilke

Before developing its first-ever full-size ATV chassis, Kymco spent a long time studying the competition. As it turns out, the design of the 2010 MXU 500 looks to be inspired from the Honda TRX series. The lines are sleek and modern.

Build quality is on par with Japanese leadering brands now, and Kymco is showing a real commitment to higher-quality fit and finish. It becomes increasingly difficult to criticize this Taiwanese manufacturer with regard to overall styling, plastic finish and ergonomics as build quality is fantastic. We only had one small quality problem, and that was the previous demo rider knocked the rear left mud guard, and popped out 2 bolts. A quick visit to the workshop to re-bolt it (and spray some matte black paint on the bolt heads) and she's as good as new. We love tinkering and fixing little things, make reviewing more personal.

Good Equipment
In terms of equipment, the 2010 Kymco MXU 500 boasts a digital instrument panel with speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, clock and various lights. Similar to its rivals, it features two cargo racks, perfect to strap on a riffle or two, or a bail of hay or lucern. The 17-liter fuel tank allows a usable range, while the large protective floorboards and wide, comfortable seat make the MXU 500 very comfortable to sit and ride all day long. The wide handlebars are just the right height and width, and leverage for turning while in the ditches is assisted with this width.

Good Donk
The Kymco MXU 500 is powered by a 4-stroke, single-cylinder. This 499-cc, 36hp liquid-cooled donk is fed by a 36-mm carburetor. Power is interesting, with a strong dose of low & mid-range torque. The engine sounds way tougher than it actually is though, probably just a baffle anomaly on our demo, but it did sound tough (and that's OK with us). Taking off is brisk and the acceleration to 80 km/h is extremely effortless. The MXU 500 even manages to get to 100 km/h without much fuss. What's more, engine operation is very quiet and vibration free.

Power is distributed to the wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This fully-automatic transmission is spot on with takeoff and steady during the entire acceleration.  A push-button near the throttle allows the rider to shift from 2WD to 4WD (see video). Despite the lack of a locking differential, the MXU 500 fared great in the mud and sand in Lake Hume. The limited-slip diff up front significantly improves traction.

Great Ground Clearance

The braking system of this Kymco ATV meets expectations. The discs are controlled separately by a pair of levers on the handlebars. You can also actuate the rear brake with your right foot since the calliper uses dual pistons.

The MXU 500 relies on a double-wishbone front suspension and a solid rear axle with dual coil-over shocks. This setup is oddly similar to the one found on the Suzuki KingQuad 400. It offered reasonable comfort on rough terrain however, the front suspension felt stiff (rigid) when the going got tough, which also makes the steering a bit jerky at times, but lets face it, this quad is made for the land, and if some sooky farmer needs softer front end suspension, then they're in the wrong game! In tight turns, the weight of the vehicle proved to be a little hard, the front wheels requiring above average effort. As a result, riding the MXU 500 got a little challenging. Ground clearance is generous, though, and the abundance of torque allows you to overcome obstacles with ease (See Videos above, and keep an eye out for how well it handles the ditches).

Conclusion
Aside from a couple of soft plastics, the 2010 Kymco MXU 500 feels very solid and turns out to be equally surprising. This well-bred Quad is also available at a very competitive price. With modern styling cues, decent instrumentation, nice racks and a tough engine, the MXU 500 stands up to its rivals. The MXU 500 is ready to take on any contender, especially the fierce Japanese, and should be seriously considered when you are looking for a Farm workhorse.

We anticipated this model would be good, considering our knowledge of its more than capable younger brother, the MXU 400, but were amply impressed with the features and capability.

• Shaft driven
• Smooth-shifting CVT
• Automatic transmission
• Backlit digital dash with Clock, Speedometer, Trip, Fuel, Odometer
• Heavy-duty front and rear equipment racks
• Front brush guard
• Dual A-arm suspension
• Disc brakes
• Forestry approved spark arrestor
• 2-Year Limited Factory Warranty

published 5/08/2010