The Grand Dink upclose

People who ride big bikes are seldom attracted to scooters. For them, scooters are more like toys for little boys. They may be fun to ride, but they are too small for those, say six-footers, to be comfortable mounts.

Now comes a scooter that can rival the big bikes. The Grand Dink, with its massive frame and imposing stance, is undoubtedly the biggest scooter available in the local market today.

Manufactured by Taiwanese scooter giant Kymco, the Grand Dink is the big brother of the Dink, the 150-cc favorite of local scooter fans. The Grand Dink has a 250-cc engine, a luggage space big enough for two helmets, and wide and comfortable leather seat with backrest that is a luxury for those who often go on long rides.

The Grand Dink’s liquid-cooled engine is the same powerplant fitted on the Bet&Win, Kymco’s racing scooter. It churns out 18.3 horsepower at 7500 rpm, taking the 169-kg machine from zero to 100 kph in a couple of seconds.

Unlike other scooters, however, the Grand Dink is completely stable, especially on highways. It is made in the tradition of the Honda Silver Wing and the Yamaha T-Max, with 600cc and 500cc engines. Measuring two meters long and 1.3 meters wide, and with a 120/70x12 and 140/70x12 front and rear tires that are fitted with ventilated disk brakes, the Grand Dink feels like a heavily-set cruiser on the stretch.

For added comfort, the Grand Dink has power side mirrors that fold up at the touch of a button. It also has digital instrumentation, muffler heat shield, and a 12-volt outlet and cell phone holder so you can charge your phone even on the move. The fuel lid is even placed in front of the rider so there is no need to lift the seat during gas-ups.

The Grand Dink is now available at S.C. Kymco Pilipinas, the subsidiary of Kymco Taiwan in the country, with assembly plant and offices at Multinational Village Access Road, Parañaque. For inquiries, call 822-1053.