The Kymco Quannon, sold as the KR Sport in some countries, was the Taiwanese manufacturer’s entry into the 125 cc sports bike class, where it competed with the Honda CBR125R. It was built from 2007 to 2014 and received a lighter naked version and, for the United States, a short-lived 150 cc model.
Kymco Quannon at a glance
| Maker | Kymco, Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Type | 125 cc sports bike |
| Also called | KR Sport in some countries |
| Built | 2007–2014 |
| Engine | 124 cc single, air and oil cooled |
| Valves | four, chain-driven overhead camshaft |
| Power (125) | 9.6 kW, 105 km/h top speed |
| Brakes | 276 mm front disc, 220 mm rear disc |
| Gearbox | five-speed, wet clutch |
| Fuel tank | 13 litres |
| Weight | 140 kg |
| Emissions | Euro 3, with secondary air injection and catalytic converter |
History of the Kymco Quannon
Engine and design
The Quannon was Kymco’s competitor to the 125 cc sports bike segment shared with Honda’s CBR125R. Its engine was an improved version of the unit used in the Kymco Zing II: because the Zing is a cruiser, the engine had to be reworked for a sports bike, and the Quannon version gained a chain-driven overhead camshaft operating four valves instead of the pushrods and two valves of the Zing. Together with changes to the ignition, exhaust and timing, this lifted output by a little over 2 hp from the 10.8 hp of the Zing. The higher revs required an oil cooling system, and Kymco added a secondary air injection system called SAS which, with a catalytic converter, allowed the bike to meet Euro 3 emission standards.
The 125 used double halogen headlights, an analogue and digital instrument panel, a 276 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear disc, a five-speed gearbox with a wet multiplate clutch, a 13-litre tank and a weight of 140 kg. Its 124 cc air- and oil-cooled four-stroke produced 9.6 kW at 10,000 rpm, and the top speed was 105 km/h. In Italy the bike was sold only in red, first with a half fairing and later also in naked form.
Quannon Naked and 150
In October 2008 Kymco made available a 125 cc naked version called the Quannon Naked. Compared with the faired bike it had an aluminium frame weighing 8.9 kg, 30 percent lighter than the steel one, and an aluminium front suspension whose diameter grew from 33 to 37 mm. Fuel capacity was increased by 1.5 litres to 15 litres, the gear ratios were revised with a shorter first gear, the rev limit rose from 10,000 to 12,001 rpm, the air filter intake was made quieter and the exhaust was redesigned in two segments so that aftermarket replacements are easier to fit. The Naked also brought a single headlight and a fully digital instrument panel with two LCD screens.
A 150 cc version of 149.4 cc (62 x 49.5 mm) was released mainly in the United States and some other markets with 14 hp, one more than the 125. The 125 was never officially distributed in the United States, being sold mainly in Europe, while the 150 reached America as the 2010 Kymco Quannon 150; sales were so poor that it was discontinued quickly and 2010 was the only model year. A fuel-injected Quannon 150 Fi was also offered.
Design and features
- Sports engine: a four-valve overhead-cam version of the Zing engine with oil cooling.
- Euro 3: secondary air injection and a catalytic converter.
- Light Naked: an aluminium frame 30 percent lighter than the steel one.
- Digital instruments: twin LCD screens on the Naked.
- Big tank for the class: 13 litres, 15 on the Naked.
Kymco Quannon versions
- Quannon 125: the main European model, built from 2007 to 2014.
- Quannon Naked 125: aluminium frame and single headlight, from October 2008.
- Quannon 150: 14 hp, sold mainly in the United States for 2010.
- Quannon 150 Fi: fuel-injected version of the 150.
The Quannon was Kymco’s small sports bike, a very different machine from the Super 8 and Agility scooters. More models are in the Kymco collection.
Sources
- Kymco Quannon, English Wikipedia: engine, Naked, 150 version
- Kymco Quannon, German Wikipedia: technical data, production years
- Kymco Quannon, Italian Wikipedia: tank, speed, Italian colours
