Twist-N-Go anywhere, anytime

With fuel prices going up so much this month (and the public transport still not "there" yet), it’s time to pay more attention to two-wheeled transportation. Consider the latest Modenas duo of Karisma 125 and Elegan 250, and the Kymco DownTown 250i by the national bikemaker’s Taiwanese partner...
MOTOSIKAL Dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd, better known as its portmanteau/brand “Modenas” made me and a few other journalists ride on some scooters to Malacca in the rain, recently. I’m not sure about my counterparts but I truly enjoyed the outing, where the ride took us on a long, fun, 230km route to Melaka City.
We rode the Modenas Karisma 125 and Elegan 250, which the bikemaker simultaneously launched in November last year, together with the Kymco DownTown 250i, by Taiwanese manufacturer Kwang Yang Motor Co Ltd. The triple-launch was shortly after Modenas’ distributing arm, Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (Emos) was appointed as the exclusive distributor of Kymco motorcycles. Kymco is the largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan and the world’s fifth largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer, by the way. Also, both Modenas scooters are “Powered by Kymco” (wink, wink!).
All three scooters we rode are twist-and-go machines, i.e. they do not require any gear-shifting by the rider. We took off from Modenas’ office in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, one rainy morning to Malacca via the North-South Expressway up to the Pedas (Negri Sembilan) exit, before taking on the more interesting rural roads, all the way to Melaka City. We made a few refuelling stops, simply because of the Karisma 125’s little tank. We had lunch by a windy, wet and chilly beach in Pengkalan Balak, Malacca. Along the way we swapped rides, so that everyone could experience riding all three machines.
As for the rain, each of us was given a pair of its latest rain suit by the ride’s sponsor, Givi Asia, the motorcycle accessory company synonymous with its ubiquitous, super-useful black polymer top boxes seen on so many motorcycles in Malaysia. The rain suit proved to be very effective in preventing us from being drenched throughout the wet joyride.
Modenas Karisma 125
Let’s start with the little one – this scooter’s 124.6cc engine has enough grunt to perform what it is made for. It’s no sportsbike and neither is it an adventure rig. It can proudly traverse the highways, albeit on the slow lane, if needed. Still, it serves its purpose more than well enough, which is to transport its rider (and pillion) from here to there, doing errands, short commutes and quick dash to the shop, preferably within the city. Its seat isn’t made for even half-long distances, unless you are used to tiny bicycle saddles like me!
With quite a stylish look, it should appeal to the young ones. And with its Kymco engineering, huge headlights, modest under-seat storage capacity and load-carrying floor, complemented by a very competitive pricing, it is definitely worth considering as a practical tool.
Modenas Elegan 250
This one is the most popular scooter of the three we rode. With all due respect to the DownTown 250i, the Elegan’s local bike status makes it a bit more special than the better-styled Kymco, although it is based on another Kymco scooter. Also, the “Elegan” badge has been around since 2004, with two 150cc variants and a 170cc model preceding the 250, which now brings the badge into the maxi-scooter territory (scooters with 250-850cc engines).
Comfort is the first thing you associate it with, simply by looking at its plush stepped seat, a big windshield and a large windblast-deflecting “face”. Naturally, it is a comfortable scooter to be on, especially for long rides that involve the highways and also trunk roads. It’s not the perfect machine to deal with the congested inner-city traffic due to its 810mm width, but it’s definitely all right in smaller cities and big towns in Malaysia.
Those of average Malaysian height like me will appreciate the effectiveness of the windshield, even with just wearing an open-faced helmet without a visor. The handlebar reach-foot rests-seating arrangement is perfect for me. The mirrors are very effective, with slight vibration at speed, which is expected. As for load-lugging capability, the chunky rear grab rail has mounting points for a top box, there’s a glovebox (but not lockable) and the large under-seat storage more than make up for the absence of a flat floor that has been replaced by a hump that houses the 12.5-litre fuel tank, among others.
Performance-wise, the engine has more than enough “kick” for point-and-shoot overtaking manoeuvres in off-highway traffic. I wish it had another 10-15km/h top speed, but after a couple of hundred kilometres riding it (I used it for a week after Malacca), I started to enjoy riding it without crazy full-throttling it all the time.
I only have one complaint: The dashboard’s backlighting is just too bright at night, to the point of being overly glaring. Modenas has admitted to this flaw and “the production department is doing something about it”.
The Elegan 250 is worth a serious consideration – it is easy to operate, its centre-stand is perfectly pivoted on its fulcrum (despite the 193kg dry weight), the headlights work very well on dark roads, all that at an attractive price.
Kymco DownTown 250i
You can’t help comparing it with the Elegan – it is longer, narrower, lower, and also two kilogrammes lighter. With those physical dimensions, it looks sleeker. But somehow it feels larger and heavier.
However, its four-valved engine provides a bit more power, much nicer acceleration and also a smoother feel to its rider, as it breathes better than a two-valver.
Other than those extra valves (over the Elegan), it has one more glovebox, there’s ABS and five-position adjustable twin rear shocks (the Elegan’s are fixed). It is not really an enjoyable ride in city traffic, due to its size, but out of it the DownTown is a nice tourer – its longer wheelbase gives it more stability – with that plush seat, relaxed riding position and very good wind protection. At night, its huge pair of headlights that dominate the front work very well.
It is not a tough decision to make, when you have to choose between the DownTown and its Modenas rival, simply due to the Kymco’s much higher price, thanks to excise duty by being a Taiwanese. Also, the DownTown’s aforementioned extras give it a big advantage. At the end of the day, it’s up to your taste.
KEY SPECS
Modenas Karisma 125
Engine & Transmission: 124.6cc, 9.4hp @ 7,500rpm, air-cooled, carburetted, single overhead camshaft, single cylinder, continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Features: 1,930mm long, 690mm wide, 1,120mm tall; 1,310mm wheelbase, 113kg (dry), 4.6-litre fuel tank, 80/90-14” front wheel and 90/90-14” rear, 220mm front disc brake and 130mm rear drum brake, five-step adjustable rear suspension, twin halogen headlights, USB charging port, LED rear brake light with LED tube strip, carrying hook under handlebars, underseat storage can accommodate a full-sized helmet, toolset and some knick-knacks.
Colours: Bright Red and Pearly White.
Retail price: RM4,980 (GST included).
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Modenas Elegan 250
Engine & Transmission: 249.1cc, 22.1hp @ 7,000rpm, liquid-cooled, single overhead camshaft, two valves, single cylinder, electronic fuel-injection, continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Features: 2,235mm long, 810mm wide, 1,375mm tall; 1,540mm wheelbase, 193kg (dry), 12.5-litre fuel tank, 120/80-14” front wheel and 150/70-13” rear, 260mm front disc brake and 240mm rear, four-way brake lever adjustment, hazard lights, LED rear lights, white-backlit analogue speedometer and tachometer with central multi-information LCD display, glovebox with USB charging port, underseat storage can accommodate a full-face helmet and a half-helmet.
Colours: Matt Black and Matt White.
Retail price: RM12,830 (GST included).
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Kymco DownTown 250i
Engine & Transmission: 246cc, 22.9hp @ 7,750rpm, liquid-cooled, single overhead camshaft, four valves, single cylinder, electronic fuel injection, continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Features: 2,250mm long, 780mm wide, 1,310mm tall; 1,553mm wheelbase, 191kg (dry), 12.5-litre fuel tank, 120/80-14” front wheel and 150/70-13” rear, 260mm floating brake disc and front floating calipers with three pistons; 240mm rear disc brake, Antilock Braking System (ABS), H7 high-output headlights, automotive-grade dual tail lights with LED guide light, hazard lights, blue-backlit analogue speedometer and tachometer with central multi-information LCD display, dual glovebox with a USB charging port, underseat storage can accommodate a full-face helmet and a half-helmet.
Colours: Black and White.
Retail price: RM21,500 (GST included).