As Taiwan’s No. 1 scooter brand and as the world’s 5th largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer, Kymco has been a staple name for reliability since 1963.

But despite this, there are some things about Kymco scooters that aren’t as well known. or example:

 

  • Is Kymco an acronym?
  • Has Kymco both worked with BMW?
  • Did Kymco seriously make a motorcycle called the “Hipster?”

#1. What does Kymco Stand For?

Yes, it might surprise you, but “Kymco” is an acronym (i.e., an abbreviation pronounced as a word).

In this case, “Kymco” stands for “Kwang Yang Motor Company.”

#2. Kymco & Honda = True?

Original image by Kymco.co.uk
What do Kymco and Honda have in common? Both are brands known for reliability and good build quality.

Coincidence? Hardly.

In the 1960s, Kymco had a close partnership with Honda as a parts supplier. 

And even after the Kymco brand launched in 1995, they still maintain their close relationship with Honda.

 

#3. Kymco Powered by Honda?

HugoRain, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Even though they stopped making parts for Honda in the 1990s, some Kymco models still use cloned Honda engines.

One such example is the Kymco Super 9 pictured above, which uses an engine that is based on the Honda AF18E/AF16E engine.

For more information about the Super 9, read the review for it on motorscooterguide.net.

#4. BMW & Kymco = True?

But Honda isn’t the only motorcycle manufacturer that Kymco partnered with.

In 2008, BMW approached Kymco to make the water-cooled, single-cylinder engines for the new BMW G450X Enduro motorcycle (pictured below).

Liesel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#5. The Kymco…Hipster?

Algont, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yes, I’m as surprised as you are to discover that there’s a motorcycle model called the “Hipster.” But here it is.

The Kymco Hipster is a 125 cc cruiser motorcycle with a thumper engine – (i.e., a single-cylinder four-stroke) made in 2003.

However, despite the baffling name, there’s not much other information available about it, apart from a spec listing on sites like bikez.com.

#6. What Does “AK550” Stand For?

In 2016, Kymco released a new 550cc maxi scooter called the AK550. 

And in case you’re curious about the abbreviation, the “AK” stands for “Anniverssary Kymco.” 

7. The Kawasaki J300 = Kymco?

“Wait a minite – Kawasaki? Wasn’t this list about Kymco?” Yes, it is – hence why I brought up the J300 maxi scooter.

Like the BMW G450X, the Kawasaki J300 was made as part of a partnership between Kawasaki and, you guessed it – Kymco.

If you look at the J300 and the Kymco Downtown 300i, you’ll see that they’re nearly identical.