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2009 KTM 505SX & 450SX Motocross ATV

2010 KYMCO UXV500 LE UTV Test Ride / Review

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KYMCO UXV500 LE – ENGINE
2010 KYMCO UXV500 LE UTV
The KYMCO UXV500 LE's 498.5CC non-EFI motor cranks out 36 horsepower & features water cooling, electric start and dual overhead cams
Borrowed from the lighter MXU 500 4x4 utility quad, the UXV’s 489.5cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine is fed by a 38mm CVK carburetor and supplies a claimed 36 horsepower. The California Air Resources Board (CARB; www.arb.ca.gov) figures show the UXV 500 LE measured around 33 hp (24.3kw converted) at the crank in October of 2009. We’ve pushed the UXV to the rev limit both during this test and other rides. It sputters once we hit 45 mph on the speedo, just as KYMCO said it would. Still, 45 mph is a fairly decent number, especially for a machine designed for work first and recreation second. Even without electronic fuel injection — a highly desirable feature — the UXV started without incident at the N.C. test facility.

2010 KYMCO UXV500 LE UTV
We pushed the UXV500 LE to the limit on our tests and noticed it had great midrange power despite it being under-powered compared to other UTVs on the market
The engine is average on the bottom end, though in low range it has enough oomph to tackle chores and keep everyone except a racer happy. The midrange is the machine's strongest spot, but even then it’s not as impressive as some UTVs we’ve piloted. The Land Rover test course wasn’t loaded with challenging hill climbs, steep slopes or slow-speed rock sections to truly test the machine’s power output, but one particular climb and the gradual road climbs gave us enough of an impression. Steeper grades create a serious dip in power, but that doesn’t mean the KYMCO can’t tackle a slope. On the park’s tallest obstacle, we just kept it pinned and the machine did the rest. Clearly, in four-wheel drive and low range, the UXV was more impressive on the same climb. We noticed the most significant dip in power on hill climbs.

Conversely, going down the park’s steepest grade wasn’t enough of a test to truly test the UXV 500’s engine braking. However, earlier tests have shown it’s better to switch to low range and alternate between coasting and braking to best control hill descents. At this location, that wasn’t possible. Even so, you must remember the KYMCO has a full hydraulic disc brake system and steel braided brake lines for proven stopping power.

KYMCO UXV500 LE – TIRES
2010 KYMCO UXV500 LE UTV
KYMCO supplies the production UXV500 with Maxxis 25-inch tires but our test UTV came with the Kenda version as seen above
Our test unit was outfitted with 25-inch Kenda tires. However, KYMCO said the production UXV LE wears 25-inch Maxxis bias-ply tires. Those are the same tires we tested on the stock UXV. The Maxxis rubbers offered a good mix of sliding (depending on the trail conditions) and straight-ahead traction. However, when we pushed the UTV in the corners, there was a noticeable amount of body roll, which could be attributed to both the tire’s softer sidewall and the front shocks. On the other hand, the tires pulled the heavy machine through the site’s mud holes rather easily.
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