The new Kimono Downtown 350 is under test

The Downtown facelift may be modest, but three small letters TCS make a big difference in the safety level of the popular scooter

The aggressive design remains, in light of the company's AK550 we would be happy to have a little more daring

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

Thanks to the combination of performance, comfort, sporty design and high marketability, the Kimono Downtown 350 has been one of the best-selling scooters in Israel for years. The new Downtown 350 model is tuned even higher thanks to a number of changes compared to the previous model and mainly thanks to the addition of the slip control system. A system that raises safety levels and enables safer riding in poor grip conditions, such as rainy days, even for riders with relatively little riding experience.

Downtown's sporty / aggressive design remains as it was and although sales data is probably good, I personally would prefer something a little more unique and different from the rest of the East scooters, including the Japanese in the bunch. Only those who search well can find the TCS lettering on the front fork protectors, which actually indicates the presence of the rear wheel slip control system.

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Plenty of cells and USB socket for mobile charging

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

Terms of Service

The new seat is softer than the previous one and together with its huge dimensions, it allows for very comfortable seating and especially noticeable for the rear rider. The height of the seat is 77 inches from the ground and thanks to a narrower structure of the footpath in the area below the front of the seat, even lower riders will feel comfortable in slow maneuvers that require lowering of legs. The handlebars are positioned at just the right height and distance from the rider's body and with the addition of steerable brake levers, a comfortable riding position is obtained which allows excellent control of the scooter. Because of the short distance between the seat and the footpath, I found myself traveling between long urban routes moving my legs to the front of the road to avoid prolonged kneeling.

After moving my legs forward, I felt a slight bending of my back, which made me move my legs back to straighten up a little and straighten my back. As in the design section, it is likely that even in this section most customers prefer a riding position where the feet are far in front and therefore the Downtown is built in this way, to the displeasure of those who prefer to sit upright.

Large storage compartment under the seat, with hydraulic piston

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

Lifting the seat reveals a very long compartment that easily stores a full helmet along with a winter coat and gloves, but not two full helmets due to its height at the front. For safety and comfort, the seat is secured in the open position by a hydraulic reliever, but in my opinion a few more degrees at the opening angle were harmless. An interesting novelty is the seat sensor's opening sensor, which operates with a light sensor and not a button, and this is to prevent a problem that was in the previous model - the accumulation of the battery after the cell lighting remains on. In addition to the compartment under the seat, there are two very useful storage compartments on the front of the scooter, one of which also has a USB socket for charging mobile devices.

The classic dashboard features two large and round indicators, illuminated with elegant blue light, speed and rpm, and a plethora of indicator lights and buttons. The lighting system includes a pair of round headlights that alternate in the high and low light and LED lighting in an interesting rear arrangement. The mirrors are very high quality and allow for good backward vision even at high speeds and completely shaky.

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

Downtown Ink

The 321 cc engine, coupled with a well-tuned transmission system, is surprisingly good for leaps and bounds, mid-speed and maximum speed. Downtown is undoubtedly a very high-performance scooter and together with high quality camera tires, it allows to ride at extremely high speeds with no special problems. I stiffened the rear brakes slightly, to fit my weight about 90 pounds and riding style. Under these conditions, Downtown was very stable and comfortable on bumps.

The engine provides sufficient cruising capabilities and very good acceleration from the scene

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

After getting used to the tire grip level and understanding how the engine and transmission function, I began to enter the quarry more aggressively for quarries, and Downtown cooperated exceptionally well. Even in cases where I had to change the line while facing it, or the Downtown brake was not very excited and definitely inspired confidence. Riding on urban roads can easily be cruised at speeds of 130-140 mph on the clock and the only thing that bothered me in this situation was the wind coming from the front reflector right into the helmet. Personally, I would prefer a slightly higher reflector, or alternatively, a lower reflector that would make the wind reach the jacket rather than the helmet. Ascending and descending from the sidewalks, I was surprised by the limited ventral spacing, which in a number of cases caused me to descend much more slowly and cautiously than I am used to.

TCS traction control is very effective and important

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

TCS - Three letters, lots of grip

The TCS system is designed to prevent a situation where the rear wheel loses grip while accelerating, a phenomenon that occurs primarily on wet roads, crosswalks, or exit turns with aggressive opening of the gas handle. The operation of the system is also felt by acceleration on potholes and deceleration bars and prevents the grip from being lost as soon as the wheel is returned to the road. For those who like to feel the tail come out on turns, or flutter over the crosswalks at leaps and bounds, you can turn off the system with a button on the left side of the handlebars. At the time of braking, the new BOSCH ABS system can be relied on, which is characterized by a uniform and almost imperceptible operation and certainly a significant addition to the overall safety.

In a number of cases I have canceled the system with the switch on the handlebars, to allow for particularly strong accelerations even when there are large potholes in the road. Because of the momentary disconnection between the rear wheel and asphalt after the pass on the pothole, the rear wheel loses its grip and the ASR system intervenes, causing the engine to suddenly shut down and the acceleration stops abruptly. In those instances when we disconnected the system, the rear wheel began to zigzag sideways, especially leaping from the spot on crosswalks, and creaking and protesting from the rear tire.

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

To make the system more difficult to test, we decided to take the Downtown to the kurkar surface and try to accelerate once with the system and once without. It should be borne in mind that the level of grip on the kurkar is particularly low and certainly much lower compared to the grip of the tires even on a wet road, which for most riders is the poorest grip position possible. Although it was clear that it would be much easier to accelerate with the system, the results surprised us greatly. Without the rear wheel system interference immediately thrown aside decisively and correct handlebars, fail to align the scooter in the desired direction while the rear wheel does not stop gravel in all directions and make us want to stop and return to full control. In each of the attempts I almost fell and if it wasn't for the field riding experience, I would almost certainly crash. When the system is running and the rider opens the gas with the decisive decisiveness almost never progresses because the system stops the engine almost completely, until the throttle is returned to a closed position. In addition, during the many attempts at acceleration and braking attempts at the end, I felt well the operation of the wheel lock prevention system in braking. The system allowed me to get off my mind, at least the worry of losing grip on the brakes and concentrating on keeping the scooter perpendicular to the ground.

Adjustable brake knobs and pull-out switch of the pull control

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

My conclusion is that a mid-sized / large-scale scooter like the Downtown System is undoubtedly a must for less experienced riders, but also for skilled riders it may be helpful in most situations. The system actually informs the rider by exaggerating the gas and allowing him to emerge unharmed from situations that would put his riding skills to the test.

Road test: Kimco Downtown 350 TCS (Photo: Reuven Savio, Keenan Cohen)

Summary

The Kimco Downtown 350 with the new grip control system is not only a high-quality, high-performance scooter like it was the previous model, it is now safer to ride for novice riders as well as for experienced riders who love to look for the thrill of riding. The new model has fixed a number of deficiencies found in the previous model, such as the lighting under the seat and the narrow legway that now makes it easier for low riders to reach the ground safely. Thanks to the new control system, a further 3% discount on compulsory insurance, in addition to 3% thanks to the ABS system, should add an average fuel consumption of 28 kilometers per liter during the test, a perfectly deserved result.

The Downtown price is NIS 32,000, which is undoubtedly one of the most interesting scooters in the category that also includes the slightly cheaper Sun Young Kurz 300, the Yamaha X Max 300 and the Honda Forza 300 dearly priced, and in any case is a great value for money thanks to performance, level of comfort, comfort and level Safety.

It is suitable for a very wide range of riders and very convenient for use in the city and also on interstate highways. The new TCS system is a very important addition and, to our delight, it has also not increased the purchase price.

From now on, a loan of up to NIS 100,000 for each purpose and the customers of all banks is the same

Subject to the terms as Financing Ltd / Diners Financing Ltd and compliance with the underwriting conditions. Failure to pay the loan may result in a charge on arrears and execution proceedings

On the technical side: Kimco Downton 350 TCS

Engine
Single cylinder, 4 pulses, 4 valves, upper camshaft
Volume: 321 cc
Fuel Feed: Injection System
Starter: Tram
Ignition system: electronic

Chassis and assemblies
Chassis: Steel pipes
Front rack: hydraulic telescopes
Rear rack: 2 absorbers mean 5 modes
Front Brake: 260mm disc with Bush ABS system.
Rear Brake: Disc with Bush ABS system.
Rear wheel TCS skid control system

Sizes and weights
Wet weight: 189 lbs
Fuel tank: 12.5 liters
Height: 1,310 mm
Front tire: 120 / 80-14
Rear tire: 150 / 70-13
Length: 2250 mm
Width: 780 mm
Wheelbase: 1553 mm

Price: NIS 32,000