Rider RSS 2026 Kymco Downtown GT 350i Preview

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2026 Kymco Downtown GT 350i

The new Kymco Downtown GT 350i is a middleweight scooter designed for urban commuting. It’s a step up from the brand’s existing Downtown GT 125i, featuring more power and tech to handle serious commuting duties.


The Downtown GT 350i has a seat height of 31.9 inches and a dry weight of 437 lb.

Kymco, which stands for “Kwang Yang Motor Company,” is a Taiwanese manufacturer founded in 1964. Its U.S. operations are located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Kymco USA has a network of more than 500 dealers. The Downtown GT 350i is one of nine scooters offered, and the brand also offers ATVs and side-by-sides.



The Downtown GT 350i is designed for those commuting farther than a few city blocks and offers capabilities to handle longer distances and higher speeds. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 321cc engine producing 28.2 hp at 7,500 rpm and 32.1 lb-ft of torque at 7,500.



The scooter includes a two-up saddle, and under the seat is a storage compartment large enough to fit two full-face helmets. A glove box provides extra storage.


The under-seat storage compartment holds two full-face helmets.

Safety systems include ABS and traction control, as well as an emergency stop signal that flashes the taillights during sudden braking to warn following drivers. Keyless ignition and a USB port are standard. The dash features a 7-inch TFT display.

The Kymco Downtown GT 350i is available in Starry Night Blue, Flat Brown, or Black, and pricing starts at $6,599. See the Kymco website for more details.

Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2026 Motorcycle Buyers Guide

The post 2026 Kymco Downtown GT 350i Preview appeared first on Rider Magazine.

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[Erdoc48]

A) Had no idea Kymco meant Kwang Yang Motor company so you learn something new every day.
B) Scooters in the US really get not a lot of respect (UK has a much greater selection than we get here in the US), and with owning one, this is unfortunate since they are a great way to get around and if the engine is strong enough (and a 300 cc single should be more than highway capable), they are very highly capable bikes. Not as fast as motorcycles so you have to plan your passes on the roads a little better, but quick enough for most jobs.

In a warmer climate (like where I am), I do see some midsize scooters from time to time (so likely Burgmans and TMax’s as well as a few Kymco’s).

 

[Daboo]

I had two Suzuki Burgman 400s. I bought the second one because I found a leftover a year newer and had quite a few miles on the first one...and could sell one and buy the other for an outlay of only a couple hundred dollars.

My 400 had 34 hp. Not a lot, but given enough time it got me up to 100 one day. That was indicated, but it was still accelerating at the time. It was perfect for commuting. The front fairing kept most of the direct rain and wind from my body. No side cases were needed. My work laptop backpack fit nicely in the 62 liter underseat storage.

I also had a 2006 Kymco Bet&Win. Pretty decent bike. Great quality. Kymco used to make Honda motorcycle engines, which gives you an indication of their quality.

For what they are designed to do, scooters are pretty decent rides.

Chris

 

[ST Gui]

Scooters in the US really get not a lot of respect

Agreed. I'd like to seem (more?) options in the 500cc range. A 300cc scooter may be highway capable, but if I had to spend time there on a regular basis, I'd want more ccs.

I'd like to see them a bit narrower. They're a little narrower than my ST though.

I seldom see scooters near me though they've been plentiful in S.F. I see more eBikes than scooters. As much respect as I have for eBikes I seldom have any for the riders. The overwhelming majority ride without safety or regard of others around them.

Yesterday I'm the second car from the limit line at a stop. We get the green just as an eBike splits lanes at speed and whips a right turn in front of a truck in the #2 lane. The truck stops in time and the rider flips him off. This is fairly common place. While I don't wish harm to anyone I'd gladly give a statement about the rider's deliberate actions that got him struck. Preventable collision with the rider as Driver #1.

Ok I recognize it appears as though I do sort of want some harm to befall him. But only in the TV kind of way when someone engages in wholly out of character behavior gleefully visiting comeuppance on an errant individual – only to snap out of it the moment the semi slams into and carries him away revealing it was only moment of blissful fantasy.

I feel better now.

 

[ST Gui]

I thought scooters had lower seat heights. He needs Big Shoes.



I may be in error. His foot looks like it could be on a running board and not hanging in space. A very cool feature of scooters.

 

[ST Gui]

I stipulate this is just an INSHO but I can't find a single positive thing to say about this bike. Well styling-wise anyway. OK one — I don't own it.

 

[Daboo]

His foot looks like he needs some riding gear. Maybe on the hands too. And the pants. And the sweatshirt. Typical. It's not a real motorcycle afterall.

Chris

 

[Erdoc48]

I stipulate this is just an INSHO but I can't find a single positive thing to say about this bike. Well styling-wise anyway. OK one — I don't own it.

I can say it does look big and likely powerful, but definitely heavy. Likely more of a drag bike vs one that handles well.

Speaking of proper gear, around here, very few wear it. Most HD riders have shorts and maybe one of those non DOT ‘brain buckets’ or no protection at all. It’s bike week this week (and I assume next), so I do my best that if I’m riding to go well out of town to stay away from them all.

 

[Daboo]

FWIW, I think @rjs987 has a Kymco he's trying to sell.

Chris

 

[rjs987]

Already sold a few months ago.

 

[dduelin]

I thought scooters had lower seat heights. He needs Big Shoes.



I may be in error. His foot looks like it could be on a running board and not hanging in space. A very cool feature of scooters.

Scooters often have seat heights that exceed the 30.5" quoted for the ST1300 seat in low position. My Honda ADV150 has a seat 31.3" off the ground. I'm tippee toe on it just like the NT1100 or NC700X.

 

[Daboo]

Seat width is a consideration too. I had a Kymco Bet&Win 250 when a version much like the Kymco AK550 came out, but with a 250cc engine. The specs said the seat was lower and with my short legs, that was a plus for me. Imagine getting on the seat and finding the seat is so wide, that you're even farther off the ground at a stop.

 

[jdmccright]

I'm not up on scooters, but seeing one with that big an engine AND with ABS is news to me. 437 lbs? It's practically a motorcycle with those specs.

 

[Erdoc48]

Like everything else, bigger and heavier is the norm. My Silverwing is a porky 540 lbs but compared to the ST, it’s quite svelte.