YMCO - or the Kwang Yang Motor Company - burst onto the UK biking scene just a few years ago with the firm pledging that it would become the largest manufacturer of small-capacity bikes in the world, writes Simon Nix.

Never heard of it? Nor had I until a year ago. But there is more to the firm than you would imagine.

Twelve months ago it was ranked 28th in the UK's mopeds, scooters and motorcycles (up to 125cc) sales league table. This year the firm is 14th.

The industry's current overall market growth for mopeds is 35 per cent. Kymco is currently running at 186 per cent.

Simon Nix takes to the road on the Super 9

The privately-owned company was founded in February 1963, with Honda claiming a 22.5 per cent stake.

Twenty five years later more than two million bikes had poured out of the factory gates. Huge amounts have been spent on automation, with much of the welding now carried out by robot machinery.

In Taiwan there is a population of 21.6 million. There are also now more than 10 million scooters jamming their roads.

With such a choked home market, Kymco turned its attention towards Europe and crated up over half of all the bikes it made last year for export.

At first the Taiwanese firm, having gained a toe-hold in Britain with over 50 dealers, initially launched a small selection of bikes in the 50cc to 125cc range.

With derivatives of proven Honda engines - thanks to the link to their big shareholder - what arrived was efficient, reliable and affordable.

The only real disappointment with the early machines was a rather bland Far Eastern styling. And, with scooter sales in the UK soaring to record heights, something had to be done to lift its models out from an ever more competitive market. The answer was simple - let an Italian design house cloak your scooter with a sexy exterior.

A corner was turned and the new top-of-the-scooter range "Super 9" was born.

It has everything you could desire and more. Those racy louvre vents that cover the radiator - yes, the 50cc two-stroke engine is water-cooled - merge into the wrap-around front light to create a stunning nose.

Those perfect final touches include a cheeky upswept rear end, with a practical rear-wheel hugger, a subtle chequered Kymco flash on its belly and neat "sword-point" guard for the clocks. Once on board and settled into the wide, comfortable seat, the performance does not fail to impress either.

The twist-and-go Super 9, with a constantly variable transmission that is designed to restrict the full-power 3.6bhp engine to a learner legal 30mph, just loves to race away from the lights.

And you can do it again and again, covering over 100 miles, before the seven-litre fuel tank runs dry.

And should you upgrade your licence, a extra 15mph is easily available, after a quick and cheap visit to Kymco dealer Crowmarsh Classics, of Didcot (telephone 01235 212727). Handling, thanks to the 12-inch wheels and a solid suspension, is impressive. Quick changes of direction through the traffic are a joy as you throw the 100kg bike about.

And should a gap close suddenly, there are excellent disc brakes, both front and back. Apart from throwing a chain and hook around a lamppost, I can't think of a machine that can stop so instantly. On the dashboard, beside the necessaries like speedo, fuel gauge, and warning lights, there is a rev counter.

Of course, once you have got there - stress free, I might add - it is odds-on that you will have to carry something home.

The Super 9 can cope. Under the seat there is a cavern for shopping or helmet, a lockable easy-to-get-to glove box and an additional hook for the pillion's helmet or bag.

To recap, the latest Kymco scooter has drop-dead style, performance and reliability. But the knockout blow is the Super 9's price - 1,745 on the road.