Both machines will get you to about 65 MPH, but the 700 will do it much quicker. Both machines are based on same platform, but the 700cc engine definitely gives you more bang for the buck and is 20 pounds lighter that the 500 and performers much better. There is a price difference of $1100 between the MXU 700i EPS and the MXU 500i EPS, but if it was our choice to buy, we would certainly spring for the extra cash for the 700 model.
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For a value priced machine, the 2015 KYMCO MXU 700i still has plenty of power for those who want to use it for both work and play! |
Big Buck is a pretty brutal place for an average rider, and we figured it would be a big test for the suspension of the MXU 700i EPS. This machine is equipped with independent double A-arm suspension with 6.2 inches of travel. In the back is an independent double a-arm suspension with 6.8 inches of travel accompanied by a sway bar. The overall ground clearance is 11 inches, which enables it to clear many obstacles. The suspension worked well at Big Buck, and is more than adequate for the average rider, but we want to emphasize that these machines are made more for everyday use, such as working on a farm, hunting or general trail riding and are not high performance.
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The KYMCO MXU 700i is ideal for those who work on a farm or are simply into trail riding with their family or friends |
Another good feature of the MXU 700I EPS is the 4WD, which works awesome and even feels smooth when turning. The 25” tires offer good traction and hooked up even in slick conditions. Some of the downhill sections laid out for us were very steep and a great place to test the braking.
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The 25" tires are predictable and provide a good amount of traction |
Slowing down the 806-pound machine was easy with hydraulic dual discs in the front and a shaft mounted hydraulic disc in the rear. Plus the 700 has a small amount of engine braking that came in handy in a few places. The large 4.4 gallon gas tank is another feature we like as it allows for longer trips which is a huge bonus for hunting and just going out to explore trail systems.
We also liked the instrumentation on the MXU 700i EPS. The digital speedometer, odometer, and gear indicator were well done and very easy to read. All the 4-wheel drive switches and the gear shift selector shifted smoothly as well. Switching from 2WD to 4WD on the trail happens quickly with KYMCO’s on-demand drive system, and the full differential lock was real handy in a few of the tougher sections at Big Buck.
Overall the Kymco 700i EPS and 500i EPS are great ATV’s for everyday use on the farm or for hunting trips. KYMCO gives a lot of bang for your buck, and that is very welcomed considering the price of many other manufacturers’ utility ATV lines. Kymco has been producing dependable and affordable products for 50 years now and we hope they keep this trend going for many years to come.
