2018 KYMCO Spade
 

Yesterday, I went to the AIMExpo in Columbus, Ohio. I did direct comparisons between all the small motorcycles in the playbike category. The KYMCO Spade is the clear winner. I compared the Honda GROM, Kawasaki Z125Pro, SSR Razkull 125, Vader125, Boom125, American Lifan KP150, Benelli TNT135 and the KYMCO Spade. The only feature that I do not like on the Spade was the rear drum brake. The handlebar risers are a little too high but a new top clamp is available. I was told that the rear brake will be addressed by the aftermarket and possibly the factory at some point.

The Spade has a 150cc counter-balanced, 4-valve head, vertical cylinder-single engine, w/efi, and a 5-speed transmission. The styling is perfect with the retro cafe racer look and the bodywork is minimal. Just a fuel tank, fenders and side panels. It even has right side down forks and twin rear shocks. Ohlins rear shocks are already available for it. MNNTHBX has 19 aftermarket parts available for this bike with more to come.

My previous list was topped by the CSC TT250 but honestly, I like the KYMCO Spade much more. It has the speed, looks and power to do what I want. It's the perfect platform to build upon. A Spring purchase is most likely in my future. If you are looking for a bike is this category you need to look at the Spade. The Benelli runs a very close second and has an even better 6-speed transmission. Sadly, the Benelli 135cc engine is not counter-balanced. A counter-balanced engine is high on my list of desirable features. The biggest engine in the class doesn't hurt either. There is talk of a 200cc big bore kit other performance parts. The Ohlins rear piggyback shocks lift the rearend of the bike to a nice level.

I am very excited about this bike. The SSR was at the top of my list but the Spade beats it hands down. The KYMCO Spade is priced at $2999, same as the Honda Grom but the engine and tranny make the Spade the better deal in my opinion. The Spade is in no way a GROM clone or similar to a GROM. It is in the same motorcycle category and that's where the comparison ends.

The Spade deserves it's own thread within the Street section. Technically it is a Chinese bike as Taiwan is the (PRC).

SamM

wow that is a great looking bike!

The Spade has a longer wheelbase than most Grom clones, so larger people can still get comfortable on it.
-I will be going to the Lone Star rally next month on Galveston. I hope the Spade is among the new bikes available for test rides there.

At the AIMEXpo I was able to spend a good bit of time on the Spade. It is much more comfortable than the other playbikes. It is and does feel bigger. The longer wheelbase is 47” I believe. The Ohlin rear shocks would make a huge difference in ride height. Lifting the bike would aid in that bigger bike feeling. KYMCO really got this bike right. The styling is right on the mark.

SamM

That's the coolest playbike I've seen so far. I have no problem with a rear drum brake at that weight level. My TW has drum brakes on both ends.

So far, I’ve got 2k saved up for a playbike or a cool toy. All the Hemi engine parts are on the way for my CT200U. I’m considering the KYMCO Spade, the CSC TT250 and possibly a new Zodiac inflatable. It’s going to be a tough choice.

SamM

The Lifan KP150 Mini fits in that price range; 2 year warranty as well.

The Lifan KP150 is a great bike but it feels very small to me. It’s more like the GROM in size. The Lifan engine has a 2-valve head and no counter-balancer. The Spade has a longer wheelbase which should make it more stabile in the tight turns. Also, the KYMCO engine specs are perfect. 150cc, 5-speed trans, efi, 4-valve head and counter-balanced.

The owner of MNNTHBX returned a call to me today. They have some great things coming for the Spade. I can’t say much but if you want a serious playbike, save for the Spade. Trust me!

SamM

Which bike?
 

My dilemma now is that I really like the KYMCO Spade. I also, really like the SSR Razkull 125 and it’s time to place an order. Unfortunately, I am forced to make a choice. You see my problem. Below are the pros & cons of each choice.

KYMCO Spade 150i:
Pros: Very nice 150cc engine, 4-valve head, efi, 5-speed transmission, cafe racer styling, 12.5 hp, nice seat. The aftermarket will be huge for this bike.

Cons: it has a rear drum brake, 1.6 gallon fuel tank, needs rear Ohlins shocks ($1350), needs handlebars, pegs and exhaust. Higher $2999 MSRP.

SSR Razkull 125:
Pros: Lower $1999 MSRP, great dual disc brakes, 3.2 gallon fuel tank, GROM exhausts fit, nice seat, Ducati type stylings.

Cons: engine needs mods or I would need to change the engine ($1000), gearing needs changed, carburetor, 4-speed transmission.

Basically, I like the Razkull but I would want to mod it beyond the price of the Spade to make it better. The $1999 cost makes it very attactive and I could do the mods at my leisure. I’m trying very hard to just go ahead and purchase it.

The Spade is very cool but I hate the rear drum brake. It already has most of the features that most people want. It really is the perfect bike for me. I really should just pony up the money and get the Spade and live with it as is. Change the exhaust whenever. The counter-balanced engine will sway my choice.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

SamM

2018 KYMCO Spade 150i
 

I have decided to buy a 2018 KYMCO Spade 150i for $2999. Picking it up out of state next week. I’ll post pictures of the purchase and pick up. I hope to get the brown colored Spade. If they don’t have it Tuesday. I will just order one.

The modifications will start this Winter. Handlebars, pegs, grips and levers are first. A tuner and exhaust from MNNTHBX will follow after that.

Sam

I really look forward to seeing the bike and all your mods. I think i would like this bike better than my vader just because it doesn't have all the plastics to remove if you need or want to do some work.

It looks like I am going to purchase my new KYKCO Spade Tuesday morning. I put a deposit down on it today. They had the root beer colored bike that I wanted. Hopefully, everything goes well Tuesday. It will be hauled home on my motorcycle carrier with my Wrangler. I’m very excited about getting it.

I’ll be posting about the bike in this thread, so keep looking here, if you are interested in the Spade. This is going to be a great little bike.

SamM

Nice!

Thanks jsumd! I’m really excited to get it. My plan was a Spring purchase but I just wanted to get it done and over with. It’s going to be a great bike for me.

Dropping some weight off the Spade will probably be the first thing to do. The other mods that I listed should be done this Winter as well. The center stand has no real use for me. All the guards on the pipe will come off. I’ll gut the pipe and cut a bigger opening in it or buy a slip on. MNNTHBX has new heavier front springs for the Spade and some other cool parts.

Some new riding gear is in the works for me. I have a list.

SamM

My next bike is on layaway at venom until springish. It wouldn't do anything but sit anyway. I'm going to do more mods on the vader this winter.

Any gear in mind? I'm in the market there myself. My old scorpion textile is beyond old.

The Bilt riding gear is looking good to me. They have a nice range of products at good prices. I have some ICON Super Duty apparel that is great and I’ll continue to use that. Especially, the Super Duty Kevlar pants. The Bilt Trojan riding boots look identical to the old Super Duty 2 boots from ICON. I loved those boots but wore them out.

SamM

The only thing I wouldn't recommend im bilt is the helmets. I bought one new and within a month or two it didn't fit right anymore. Not to mention the wind noise was really awful in it.

Thanks! I do like the Scorpion helmets. I was wearing a Scorpion Commander jacket when I had my accident. It worked great. My Nolan helmet saved my noggin too.

The Bilt explorer jacket in Sand will be my next jacket. I’ll go with tan ICON Super Duty gloves. The bike is brown or root beer, so it will look great.

SamM

My jacket is a scorpion and I've really enjoyed it. It's still holding up after 5 years but I just feel like it's time for a new one. I'm really digging the looks of that bilt explorer. I may end up with one myself! Nice find! :)

Attachment 11132

I Iike the bike and the jacket, after a little research I decided not so much

$1200 touratech jacket alone . Always pick the most expensive thing on the rack:ohno:

That jacket is "worth" more than any of my bikes :lmao:

Haha, exactly. Thats what i thought too :lmao: mine was $1150 so the jackets more expensive

We are leaving tonight at Midnight to go get the Spade. My buddy Rob is going with me. It’s about a 7 hour trip.

SamM

Safe travels! Dont forget those pics! :tup:

Waiting here with my popcorn, I'm looking forward to seeing some pics :clap:

Picked the bike up this morning. It was a very painless transaction. The guys at Team Powersports were great. It’s great to buy bikes from enthusiasts. We left at Midnight. Slept about an hour before the dealership opened. Headed home now. Stopped at Denny’s for a great breakfast.

My first impression of the bike are, that it is the best playbike in the category. I have big plans for it but I need to get my Coleman CT200U finished up first.

The young man in the picture is my salesman Dylan.

SamM

Nice! I really like the looks of it! Let us know how the maiden voyage goes!

Makin memories !

Well, today I’m back in the world of the living. Just slept for over 12 hours after that flyin’ trip to North Carolina yesterday. The guys at Team Powersports were great to work with. It was a very simple process and efficient. I took a nice test ride and I can honestly say that I love the bike.

As I said before, I do plan some modifications. All the lights will be replaced with LEDs, the centerstand will be removed, new handlebars, mirrors, grips and levers. The seat may get thickened and recovered in tan leather to match some tan grips. This would really set the bike off aesthetically. The stickers will all be removed today.

The bike spent the night outside on the rack that I hauled it home on, with the Jeep. I’ll get it inside shortly and clean it up.

There are several companies looking at doing rear shocks for the Spade. Progressive and RFY are the latest names that I have heard. I’ll be calling MNNTHBOX and making an order with them soon. Thanks for watching. If you have any questions, suggestions or thoughts please post and I will answer them.

SamM

A new CREE LED headlight, new LED turn signals, a muffler, and piggyback rear shocks are on the way for my Spade. Handlebars, front SS brake cable, grips and mirrors will be next. It’s been too cold to do any riding with it. Hoping for warmer temps in the next week or two.

Yesterday, I purchased a new 5’X8’ enclosed trailer for the Spade. Next June, we will be going down to the Smoky Mountain Crawl sponsored by MNNTHBX. The trailer will be the base of operations. Tie downs and a few other things need to be purchased for the trailer to have it ready to go. We have a lot of time.

SamM

Im going to be attending on the vader. Hope to see you there!

Really looking forward to going to the SMC. It’s been a few years since I’ve ridden in that area.

Not the best picture from Team Powersports, but they took this one when we were picking up the bike. It’s a nice sized bike. New shocks are on the way that will lift it 1.5” in the back. Should be about right. The new muffler, turn signals and LED headlight should be here this week as well. A buddy is going to help me fab an adapter for the new muffler.

The goofy header shields and mounts are being removed from the pipe, as it will be kept on the bike. The passenger pegs and mounts have been removed too. These are basically useless on this bike. No passengers will be on the Spade. The centerstand is coming off. It’s just too heavy and unnecessary for such a light bike. The header will be repainted and wrapped. More pictures soon.

SamM

The new black and gold RFY 15” shocks fit perfectly. So glad that the Root Beer Spade was available. This sets it off nicely. Looks killer. The centerstand is now useless but it was coming off anyway. The headlight bulb has been swapped for an LED bulb. It’s super bright. New shocks and bulb went on yesterday. LED turn signals go on today.

Renthal handlebars, a Galfer front brake line and KYMCO K-Pipe pegs will go on next.

SamM

The Spade fender eliminator kit from MNNTHBX was on my list of mods but I have decided to make my own fender parts from steel and buy a longer plate mount. I purchased a black Bates LED tail light from Carpy’s Cafe Racers. The Spade fender is a bit flimsy so, I’ll reinforce it and add a steel support for the light. My thought is to do all the work on the inside of the fender and protect the paint to keep from needing to repainting it. The rear fender and plate mount have been cut off the bike along with the helmet lock and the two small steel brackets near the fender. That area still needs cleaned up with a sanding disc.

The seat has been taken to my local seat maker. His work is very nice. He will recover the black portion with brown material and the gray section with black up to the second black angled seam at the rear of the seat. The seat stitching will be black as well to stand out. Carpy’s is also sending brown Kung Fu grips. I’ll post pictures as soon as I get the seat back. The new muffler has not arrived yet. I’m hoping to get that soon. The handlebars still need to be purchased. Not sure what I want yet.

A good bit of weight has been removed from the bike. The next thing to go will be the centerstand and I’m trying to decide whether or not to keep the rear grab handle. The Spade looks really clean without the grab handle. The side stand will need to be lengthened an inch or so.

It’s coming together and should look pretty sweet. The brown grips and seat will look great on it.

SamM

Got a little work done on the Spade and my Bravo trailer today. New tie downs were mounted in the trailer. I cut holes and installed them with backing plates through the floor. The inside and bottom wood was treated with waterproofing stain and paint last week, when we had some good weather. The factory trailer jack interferes with the rear door on my Wrangler, so I’m looking to replace it with a fold up jack that I have. I purchased a mount for that over the weekend. The trailer will probably get a new axle as well. It has drop spindles with 5x4.5 hubs and I’d like raise it a few inches and run Jeep Rubicon wheels and tires. This would allow me to use the Jeep spare and not have to buy and mount a spare tire to the trailer. An aluminum tongue box would be more useful than a spare tire mounted there in the way. Dexter axles and hubs are reasonably priced and I’ll keep the factory leaf spring suspension. The new axle will be purchased from eTrailer.com. They always have good prices.

A few tabs were cut from the exhaust pipe on the bike. The pipe will need removed in order to finish the sanding, painting and wrapping. The two piece rear fender was taped together and glued. It didn’t turn out bad but glue leaked onto the outside paint. I may need to have it painted after all. Still waiting on the seat and new handlebars. The headlight brackets will be finished up tomorrow and painted. The Yoshimura muffler and bar end mirrors arrived yesterday. They look amazing. Here are a few pictures.

SamM

Worked on a new front fender today. The new fender bracket in the pictures is off a Harley V-Rod. It will be used to reinforce the new front fender. The stock KYMCO fender is somewhat flimsy and needs reinforced. The steel fender bracket will stiffen up the fender. I hope to get to the headlight and muffler brackets tomorrow. Didn’t quite get to them today.

SamM

Keep the updates coming!

Sorry for just catching this, but congrats on the new Spade!! You were interested in in this thread's infancy, but nice to see you got your hands on your very own!

Thanks culcune! It’s a great little bike. Mine is coming together nicely. There are some new parts on the way for it and it’s only going to get better.

Stay tuned!

SamM

The Spade was going to be a cross between a Tracker and a Scrambler. I love the styling of these motorcycles. However, the Brat Style bikes are really starting to grow on me because they are so different. Lower handlebars, new levers, a flat Brat Style seat and a few other parts have been ordered. The recovered stock seat, fenders and all the factory takeoff parts are going on eBay. The centerstand is next to come off the bike. New Pirelli SL60 dualsport tires arrived a few days ago. They look awesome. When the new seat gets here I’ll be making a fender eliminator plate, a license plate mount and installing the rear LED tail light and turn signals.

This bike project is evolving as I go. It’s a lot of fun for me and great to be working on a bike again. Once this is done, I may just dig that a Buell S1W frame and parts out of my shop and look for a cool engine to go into it. Do you think a Versys 650 engine would fit into it? I just happen to have one. I also have a couple KLR frames.

More pictures after the snow stops.

SamM