Canadians now have a new maxi scooter to get excited about -- and not just because it's called Xciting 500 Ri. This machine is what Taiwan's Kwang Yang Motor Company (Kymco) believes will redefine the sport scooter segment.

The 2008 Kymco Xciting 500 Ri has many obvious qualities.

Market
At $7,995, the 2008 Xciting 500 Ri benefits from an enviable position in a market segment that continues to grow in Canada. It's a classic design intended for intermediate riders. Build quality, fit and finish leave little to be desired. However, given the size and weight of the scooter, smaller riders will have a tough time straddling it.

Frame
The Kymco Xciting 500 Ri is pretty interesting to look at. Beyond its classic lines, it projects a racy and aggressive look with a pair of red-colored air intakes near the turn signals. Designers also chose to incorporate red-painted brake callipers as a nod to premium sports cars. Clearly, the folks at Kymco understand how marketing works.

This scooter is built on a traditional steel frame. The front fork offers 110 millimeters of travel, while the four-position single shock in the back allows 100 millimeters of travel. You can further stiffen the rear suspension for two-up riding or when you want more rear-tire grip on slick pavement.

Dual front discs using two-piston callipers team up with a single rear disc to take care of stopping the scooter. Optimized coupling ensures solid braking performance. Handlebar tension and length are both adjustable, allowing riders of all shapes and sizes to feel at ease on this Kymco. The aluminum wheels (15 inches up front and 14 in the back) meet the standards for maxi scooters.

The Xciting 500 Ri weighs at least 215 kilograms. Therefore, extra effort is required to put the machine on its center stand. Fortunately, the side stand is quite easy to use.

Dual front discs using two-piston callipers team up with a single rear disc to take care of stopping the scooter.

Kymco equipped its full-size scooter with a nifty hand brake located in the front fairing. Simply extend your arm to pull the lever up or push it down. I found it pretty helpful when stopping or parking on sloped ground.

The passenger will feel comfortable thanks to a firm seat and conveniently-positioned footpegs.

Engine
The 498.5-cc, single-cylinder engine produces upwards of 35 horsepower. Some sources argue that up to 40 ponies are available but, based on my road test, it felt more like 35-38 horsepower. The engine relies on a fuel injection system instead of carburetors.

Like all maxi scooters, the Xciting's CVT transmission is fully automatic and belt-driven. Meanwhile, the large muffler meets EuroIII noise and emission standards.

Storage
The ignition key is required to open the under-seat compartment. Some full-face helmet models will fit in there, but don't get your hopes too high. Sure enough, you can store your backpack or grocery bags. Kymco even added a compartment for your cell phone while making it possible to connect a communication system.

There's also a small cargo bin just ahead of the seat and a second one in the front fairing.

Interestingly, you can fill up the tank while sitting on the scooter since the fuel cap is located on the right of the front cowl. Smart move.

Passenger
When riding with a passenger, he or she will feel comfortable thanks to a firm seat and conveniently-positioned footpegs.

Ergonomics
The step-through design makes straddling this scooter very easy. I liked the riding position and the grip of the handlebars. The adjustable backrest allows long-legged riders to find a decent position. Those who are shorter have to sit closer to the front due to the significant seat bulge. The latter makes it harder to keep both feet flat on the ground despite the relatively low seat height (780 mm).

The ignition key is required to open the under-seat compartment.

As mentioned earlier, the 215-kg Kymco Xciting is a load to handle. Stay focused and strive to keep it perfectly upright at idle. Also, watch out for sudden stops in traffic and parking maneuvers downtown.

The comprehensive instrument panel will satisfy most users.

The comprehensive instrument panel will satisfy most users. My only complaint here is the speedometer: the digits are too small to ensure easy reading at a glance.

Riding dynamics
In the city, the Xciting 500 Ri is able to thread its way through traffic with no major hesitations. Takeoffs are reasonably quick, but they could definitely be quicker.

The engine works best once you reach 60 km/h, allowing smooth and safe passing maneuvers. The quality brakes also help make the riding experience safer.

On byroads, the Xciting cruises at decent velocity. It easily leans into corners and regains momentum like a true touring scooter. When you get to the highway, it has no problems keeping pace with cars and trucks. However, crosswinds are a concern.

Due to an unreliable speedometer on my tester, I was unable to record any kind of performance data, like 0-100 sprints and top speed. To give you an idea, while I was tackling regular traffic (110 km/h) on Highway 640 on Montreal's North Shore, the speedometer read... 140 km/h! It didn't make any sense! Turns out the company gave me a non-calibrated model that had arrived from Italy just a few days earlier.

The Xciting 500 Ri offers relative comfort. While the ride is fine on highways and well-maintained byroads, it becomes hard on the spine when you step on most city streets and bumpy roads. The front damping system is too stiff and does not provide sufficient travel. Moreover, the rider's seat is a bit too firm to make up for the hard ride.

On byroads, the Xciting cruises at decent velocity.

Verdict
The 2008 Kymco Xciting 500 Ri has many obvious qualities, particularly with regard to braking. It's also a solid and thrifty performer considering the size of the engine (4.78 L/100 km). While fit and finish are well above average, the front fork and the seat both need improvements.



Overall performance
Brakes



Weight at idle
Limited under-seat storage
Stiff front fork
Wide, firm seat



Speedometer