10 Things We Love About Kymco’s New CV-L6 Adventure Scooter

Kymco, or Kwang Yang Motor Co, Ltd, is a Taiwanese two-wheeler manufacturer that makes cool maxi scooters. While the brand was formed in 1954, today, Kymco is known globally for its scooters, especially since all its products come with a two-year, unlimited-miles warranty, which stands out among two-wheelers.

This year, at the EICMA 2023, Kymco unveiled its new and upcoming adventure scooter, the CV-L6, designed to be tough, rugged, and thrilling. For those who love adventure motorcycles but feel a little overwhelmed, given their physical features or even budget, the Kymco CV-L6 seems like the perfect alternative.

Of course, what makes it even better is that it follows the ethos of an ADV motorcycle, being perfect as an urban commuter but also capable of taking free rides off the unpaved road. So here are ten things we love about the Kymco CV-L6 because it sounds like the perfect ride if you prefer scooters to motorcycles.

All specs, information, and figures come from Kymco’s official website and other authoritative websites like TopSpeed and MotorcyclesData.

10 The Kymco CV-L6 Boasts Cool Performance

As per Kymco, the CV-L6 comes powered by a 550cc parallel-twin engine, which also powers its well-known AK 550i maxi-scooter that arrived in the US in 2023.

This liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine makes more than 50 horsepower, which means there’s enough oomph in the CV-L6 for some thrilling speeds on the road. Plus, more than 40 lb-ft of torque ensures a good and powerful ride off-road.

Kymco CV-L6 Performance Specifications

9 Kymco Promises The CV-L6 To Fit All Riders

A maxi scooter’s best advantage over a traditional ADV motorcycle is that it not only comes with better utility but also greater riding comfort. Built with a light chassis for easier handling, an important aspect of the CV-L6 is the low seat height.

Kymco says this ensures the scooter fits riders of all sizes and makes it a comfortable choice for anyone who finds a motorcycle unwieldy or tough to handle. Given it’s a scooter, it also comes with a more comfortable riding aesthetic, even if the ride is a little less thrilling than what most expect from an impressive, multipurpose ADV motorcycle.

8 The CV-L6 Comes Built Tough For Off-Roading

For now, Kymco hasn’t revealed too many details about its new model, the CV-L6. For instance, while it talks about this scooter having a “long travel” suspension, no other details are available, which makes us think of something strong but basic. We know that the frame is aluminum to save weight and match up to easy-handling motorcycles, with upside-down forks in the front and an offset rear mono shock.

It rides on alloy wheels wrapped in all-purpose tires, although details are under wraps again. Twin Brembos in the front and a single disc in the rear handle the braking more than adequately.

Kymco CV-L6 Suspension Details

7 The CV-L6 Comes Loaded With Tech & Amenities

Much like an ADV motorcycle, Kymco adds a big TFT to the dash featuring all the information about your ride at your fingertips. It also has switchable traction control for off-road use and navigation capabilities at par with ADV motorcycles.

Despite being a scooter, the CV-L6 also features cruise control and a heated seat, making it comfortable for long-distance rides. A roomy under-seat storage area also adds to the Kymco CV-L6’s utilitarian nature.

Kymco CV-L6 Top Features

• Heated seat
• Cruise control
• Digital TFT instrument cluster
• Under-seat storage compartment
• Traction control

6 The Kymco CV-L6 Is Designed Like An ADV Motorcycle

Given that it’s a maxi scooter, a two-wheeler meant to emulate all the reasons why ADV motorcycles are so popular, albeit more comfortably, its design is inspired by the same. A tallish windshield ensures the wind does not turn into your enemy during long rides, and a broad handlebar adds to riding comfort.

The design is such that during tougher terrain, your legs can hold on to the curved insides of the frame, letting you steer this scooter much like a motorcycle. Plus, the tires also seem to bear a somewhat aggressive tread, declaring their adventure readiness.

Kymco CV-L6 ADV Design Highlights

• Tall windscreen
• Broad handlebars
• Long-travel suspension
• All-purpose tires

5 Kymco Adds Bagger-Like Motorcycle Accessories

During the EICMA 2023 presentation, Kymco officials were proud to showcase their association with Givi, a brand known for its premium motorcycle accessories that every rider needs. For future buyers of the CV-L6, this partnership brings about useful luggage solutions that are perfect for long rides.

This gives you enough storage space for adventurous rides, given there is a pair of side panniers and a top case, which you can take off for your urban needs, taking the stress off traveling that bit more.

Kymco CV-L6 Accessories

• Handguards
• Aluminum pannier boxes by GIVI
• Aluminum Top rack by GIVI

4 The CV-L6 Competes Against Established Biggies

Regarding the features and everything else that the CV-L6 brings to the table, it can stand well against established scooters from the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and even BMW. There’s Yamaha’s TMAX Tech Max 500 scooter that often tops the list of the best in the market, carrying a 562cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with 46.9 horsepower.

BMW offers the C 400 GT as a 350cc, 34-horsepower tech-loaded alternative, while the Honda ADV 350 is a 330cc, 29-horsepower alternative that comes rather affordable. Kymco will likely take on the Yamaha model the best, with comparable features and even more power.

Kymco CV-L6 Vs Competition: Performance Compared

3 Kymco CV-L6 Outshines Competition In Warranty

All Kymco scooters come with a standard two-year factory warranty, regardless of the miles the rider accrues. Once the CV-L6 arrives in dealerships, it will also get the same warranty conditions, outshining all competitors, except perhaps BMW, which offers a three-year coverage.

This also shows that Kymco believes in the robustness of its scooters and that the CV-L6 will also be a long-term companion for any buyer. There’s a reason why a Kymco scooter is often on the top ten best scooters lists.

Kymco CV-L6 Warranty Comparison

2 Kymco Carries Honda Genes

Till 1963, Kymco was a subsidiary of Honda and made parts for the Japanese giant. By 1970, it began to make scooters and, since then, has made more than 60 models, many of which sell globally. It has a record sale of more than half a million scooters and was a domestic leader till 2022, after which SYM took over with cheap electric scooter options.

Sales in the first nine months of 2023 stand at 270,000 and are likely to go further, with the debut of the CV-L6 along with existing bestsellers like Agility 50 and AK 550i ABS. That said, there are still some hurdles the CV-L6 would need to cross to obtain its goal of becoming a bestseller in the US.

The Kymco CV-L6 Faces Some Challenges

• Despite being light, the CV-L6 makes for a heavier rider, given it’s a maxi scooter.
• It may be fairly expensive due to premium features and placement.
• Within the US, the idea of an ADV motorcycle alternative hasn’t quite taken root, and scooters aren’t very popular to begin with.
• For now, delivery and price details remain under wraps.

1 Kymco CV-L6 Likely To Be A Global Hit

Given the success of the AK-550, it seems the CV-L6 will have a bright future, not just in Taiwan and China but globally. That said, prices and expected rollout remain under wraps for now, so fans of this maxi scooter can only wait. While the AK550i with ABS retails for $8,999 and the CV-L6 bears the same engine, adding features may take its price higher than expected.

It seems to be a great alternative to an ADV motorcycle, but riders can form a true opinion when the first deliveries start. Until then, there are plenty of beginner adventure motorcycles for riders.

Advantages Of The CV-L6

• The CV-L6 is a dual-purpose scooter, straddling both urban and off-road riding.
• Its 550cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor will likely have plenty of power for all-terrain riding.
• The light chassis and low seat height make it ideal for all kinds of riders.

Sources: MotorcyclesData, Kymco, Top Speed