2011 Kymco Sting Review

Intro

The Kymco Sting, also known as the Sting 50, was introduced in the United States in 2009. While the 2011 Kymco Sting marks the last year for the scooter, it has been sold for a longer time outside the country and will be expected to continue being sold elsewhere. It is, in fact, one of the Kymco’s older model designs and the scooter shares a lot of similarities like the engine, frame, and several components to other 50-cc scooters produced by the company. In design, the 2011 Kymco Sting is very similar to its four-stroke sibling, the Sento 50 scooter. Both of them share the same retro styling, but the main difference lies in the Sting’s use of a two-stroke engine. This engine has been a part of Kymco’s lineup for quite a long time, and the presence of a two-stroke engine rather than a four-stroke one makes the Sting peppier than the Sento. However, it also has a lower mileage than the Sento 50.

Weighing at around 220 pounds, the 2011 Kymco Sting is not exactly the lightest scooter around. In fact, the heavier than usual weight can make it less appealing for smaller drivers. Amenities are fairly standard too. The Sting offers a decent amount of storage but the small dimensions of the scooter mean that it lacks a glove compartment. The front wheels get a disc brake, which is a rare but very useful addition that adds a lot in terms of safety. Although the 2011 Kymco Sting is affordable and the retro styling is appealing, the scooter is still an old design with old components. The engine’s basic design is around two decades old, and the suspension and gauges have been considered old and substandard even when the Sting was introduced in the U.S. two years ago. However, the low cost of these scooters makes these tradeoffs a bit fairer.

Of course, there are more refined and modern scooters available from Kymco itself, like the Like 50 and 200. They have the same retro styling too, but those who want other options other than Kymco may have to settle for four-stroke engines. Most of Sting’s competitors are fitted with four-stroke engines, although there are some bikes available with two-stroke engines as well. For example, the Vespa ET2 and the Yamaha Vino 50 are not only two-stroke engines, but also come with the same retro styling. There are some less powerful four-stroke scooters available too, and they make up for the power by offering better fuel economy. Examples of such scooters include the Honda Met and Vespa LX 50. Although the front disc brakes are a big positive aspect of the 2011 Kymco Sting, the scooter still offers less storage space than most of its competitors. The under-seat storage box is also smaller than most other scooters today. Moreover, the aging engine from the 1990s makes a big difference in terms of refinement.

New For 2011

  • A top speed of around 40 miles per hour that is restricted by an artificially low redline and a variator.
  • A high seat height of 32.6 inches that makes it less suited for riders having short inseams.
  • Oval shaped headlight similar to the popular Vespa ET series
  • Two-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is also used in other Kymco scooters like the
  • Agility 50, Cobra Cross, ZX50, and Super 9. The engine delivers four horsepower at 7000 rpm and 3.3 lb-ft of torque at 6000 rpm
  • Telescopic fork suspension up front and adjustable single shock suspension at the rear

2011 Kymco Sting Specs

  • Model: Kymco Sting
  • Engine Type: 49.4-cc single-cylinder
  • Bore and Stroke: 1.54 inches and 1.63 inches
  • Compression ratio: 9.4:1
  • Valve Train: Reed Valve
  • Induction: Two-stroke
  • Ignition: Electric/Kick
  • Transmission: Continuously Variable (CVT)
  • Final Drive: Belt
  • Fuel Capacity: 1.4 gallons
  • Estimated Fuel Economy: 87 mpg
  • Brakes (Front): Hydraulic disc
  • Brakes (Rear): Drum
  • Suspension (Front): Telescopic Fork
  • Suspension (Rear): Twin Sided Swing Arm
  • Wheelbase: 51 inches
  • Rake: N/A
  • Trail: N/A
  • Seat Height: 32.6 inches
  • Curb Weight: 220 pounds
  • Tires (Front): 120/70-12
  • Tires (Rear): 130/70-12

Accessories

  • Three color combinations of light blue/silver, light green/silver, and rose/silver
  • Sport windshield
  • Touring windshield

Key Competitors For The 2011 Kymco Sting

  • Vespa ET2 50
  • Yamaha Vino 50
  • Yamaha Zuma
  • Peirspeed Key West
  • Genuine Scooter Roughhouse