2009 Kymco FREE LX 115 Ride Review: Smooth and Agile
Share this
Launched in late 2007, the Free LX 115 initially attracted good reviews from users for its quality level, reasonable pricing and advanced styling compared to its main competitors at that time. Kymco Philippines made a bigger impression in the market a few months later with its Super8 125 scooter because of its sporty European styling, impressive over-all performance and even more value for money. While the Super8 success overshadowed its older brother in terms of media attention and sales, the Free LX is by no means a lesser product for it offered a good balance of quality, performance and price. It still does.
KYMCO is the leading scooter manufacturer not only in Taiwan but all over the world. They offer a complete line of scooters from small tiddlers to maxi-scooters. A few years ago, they launched the Free LX 115, their interpretation of an automatic scooter designed for the ASEAN market.
Although it is actually slightly bigger and wider than the other automatics in its segment, it still looks quite compact and narrow. It’s easy to maneuver around traffic (a very strong preference by many riders!) and easy to park. Small people will feel at home on the Free LX but taller riders will find it too small. Not only will tall people feel uncomfortable, they will also look awkward on top of one of these.
It is powered by a Euro 2 compliant, 4-stroke, single cylinder, OHC, 111cc, air-cooled engine that develops a max power of 8.5 PS and max torque of 8.3 Nm. Engine operation is very smooth and composed despite being only 115cc. It may not be the strongest in its class but its refinement is the same as any of its Japanese competition. Fuel efficiency is also one of its strength. Combined with a big 5-liter capacity fuel tank, the Free LX can go farther than most automatics between fill-ups.
The Free LX is equipped with standard 14-inch size mag wheels driven through a twist-and-go CVT. It can easily reach a maximum speed of more than 100kph while giving excellent fuel consumption. Acceleration is not mind-blowing but spirited enough to keep you with the fast group on a moderate ride. You will also end up filling up fuel the least amount of time than your buddies.
Being small and equipped with small wheels, expect the handling to be light and super quick. It is easy to play in the twisties (like our test road!) with the steering almost telephatic. The sporty suspension (i.e. hard) also helps in giving the aggressive rider more confidence as it rails the fast corners.
However, like any small-wheeled scooter with narrow tires, small bump absorption is poor and it is compounded by the hard suspension. But on smooth (and twisty!) roads, the Free LX is a charm to ride.
It has many unique and practical features that differentiate it from the other competitors in its class. One is the front location of its fuel tank that can be accessed by a key-activated fuel filler cap. Refueling is done easily and more comfortably although the big tank’s location does influence the overall handling of this small bike. You can feel the change in handling as the fuel is consumed.
The flat floorboard gives it the advantages of the classic scooter hauling versatility but the floor height is rather tall. It is also equipped with a push button operated passenger pegs. The underseat compartment is spacious and bigger than the other automatics in its segment although it still cannot swallow a full-face helmet.
The Free LX may be in the market for some time now, but despite newer competition, it still manages to sell to people looking for a quality but reasonably priced automatic. With practical features, easy handling, smooth performance and fuel frugality, it’s an ideal everyday scooter that can also be used for sporty riding or for long range touring. Although an upgrade will be good in terms of looks and engine performance, a Kymco-quality bike for P 58, 500 is a steal as it is.
Al Camba:
“Even though the Free LX is already almost two years in the market, it’s only now that we were able to test it. The engine power for a 115cc is only average but it has the typical Japanese engine smoothness. Our test unit had adequate “break-in” mileage already, more than 3,000 kilometers so I think it’s a good engine. The handling is very quick and light because of the small wheel diameter. I find the suspension of the Kymco Free LX on the sporty side or a bit hard. At high speeds you can feel the small bumps on the road. The front brake is very strong but the rear is not that strong. I noticed the flat floor is not completely level, it’s inclined towards the front. Because of this, the foot space seems a bit reduced but this might have an advantage when the floor is used to haul cargo. A nice touch is the fuel tank’s location at the front which allows refueling without lifting the seat. Also the spacious under seat compartment can be opened via the ignition key. Styling is on the sporty side. Its small and elegant instrument cluster is usual for a Kymco. It even has the novelty of the push button activated retractable passenger foot pegs. Overall, even though it’s already a two-year old design, it’s still very much competitive especially when you consider the price.”
Philip Bonza:
“Aesthetically, the color combination is not that attractive for me. The magwheels give this bike a distinct look but the simple design of the speedometer panel is not up to par with the new generation designs. The engine power is a little disappointing for me during uphill rides. However, the front brake is excellent and it feels like it has a bigger brake. Handling-wise, it is very easy to maneuver due to its small size and its narrow handle bar. What I don’t like about this bike is the height of the floorboard relative to the seat. It is too high for me to get the right geometry for my tall height. I also find the front and rear suspension too hard for the small bumps of city riding but they are perfect for aggressive riding on the twistes.”
Ricci Abrina:
“Even though the bike we tested was old, it still feels solid. The power is not impressive for me but the braking is good and handling is lighter than its bigger brothers in the Kymco scooter line-up. The design is small and the mag wheel design looks appropriate for its small-sized tires. But since it’s small, it tends to be very twitchy when riding in sporty mode. One thing I don’t like is the high floor board. It’s just too high for when you want to put your feet up when attacking a corner. I like the ignition key port that incorporates the gas tank that is conveniently situated in the front. However, its twitchy behavior might also be due to the additional weight in front because as soon as you lose some gasoline and become very light in the front, the handling becomes stable.”
*This article was published in InsideRACING’s Volume 7 Number 8 2009 issue.
