Motor Scooter Guide

KYMCO XCITING 250 / 500

Originally launched internationally for 2005, the Xciting was Kymco’s first maxi-scooter and remains their flagship maxi offering in North America (the MyRoad 700 takes this title overseas).

Models
The Xciting first entered the USA market as a 500cc model for 2006 (right). A year later Kymco added a 250cc variant, which was the same scooter aside from the smaller displacement engine.

Part way through its lifecycle, Kymco replaced the standard version Xciting with a new ‘Ri’ denoted edition (top photo). This 2009 Xciting Ri (available in 250cc and 500cc variants) added fuel injection, a reworked seat and sportier styling touches. A tinted windscreen replaced the regular one, the brake calipers were dipped in red paint and a number of blacked out components (including the rims) were added for a more aggressive look. The Xciting Ri also came with the option of ABS (+$500), which was a first for Kymco.

Canadians got a look at the Xciting Ri a year earlier, when it was introduced there for 2008. This was the first time Canadians were offered the Xciting scooter, although the 250 variant was never imported. The Xciting 500 Ri remains on sale in Canada as of 2013.

Ri or not, the Xciting 250 was never a top seller for Kymco USA, perhaps due to the high number of 250cc displacement scooters competing for attention in Kymco’s showrooms. Kymco sold four other 250’s in the USA during this period. After a five year run (2007 - 2011), Kymco withdrew the Xciting 250 from America shores.

With the eight year old Xciting showing its age, Kymco gave it a nice update for 2013. The front end of the scooter was restyled with a switch to dual headlights (below) that are reminiscent of Kymco’s mid-sized Maxi, the Downtown 300. Kymco also gave the brakes some attention, with a new generation of ABS replacing the older system.

With the update, the $6399 non-ABS Xciting 500 is no longer being offered,

so $6899 is the price of admission for the updated and ABS equipped edition. In some literature this revised Xciting is being called the ‘Xciting 500 ABS SII, while other Kymco writings continue to call it the Xciting 500 Ri ABS.

Motors
The larger Xciting 500 gets its own unique motor from Kymco - a 498.5cc DOHC mill. This single cylinder thumper puts out 40 HP at 7500 RPM, which is good enough for a 10.3 second jaunt up to 60mph on its way up to a 100mph top speed. It’s not as fast as the parallel twin motors found in Honda Silverwing and Yamaha’s TMAX, but it sips gas with the best of them - typically posting economy between 45-50 mpg. For comparison, the TMAX reaches in 60mph in just over 8 seconds.

With the Ri update, the Xciting scooters were the first North American Kymco scooters to use fuel injection. The smaller Xciting 250 used a fuel injection version of 249cc motor also found in the Grandvista 250 and Bet & Win 250. This single cam, liquid cooled single cylinder motor hauls around the same frame and body as the larger motor, so performance is predictably slower while milage is higher at 55-60mpg.

Brakes / Suspension / Handling
The Xciting uses dual disc brakes up front, which is pretty standard for the scooters of this size. A single disc brake can be found in the rear. The Xciting added the $500 option of ABS for 2009, which became a standard feature for 2013. Non-ABS braking performance models is said to be fair, while lagging the Yamaha TMAX and Suzuki Burgman 650 by a small margin. ABS typically doesn’t reduce stopping distances a lot, but it makes hard stops much easier to do without worry of losing control.

Handling of the scooter is said to be fine under normal use, but a bit unpredictable when the scooter is pushed hard. The Xciting uses adjustable rear shocks and four position adjustable brake levers, so there’s some room to dial in the suspension for your body.

Storage & Convenience
The Xciting’s instrumentation is based around a symmetrical three gauge cluster. An analog speedo occupies the center position, while a tachometer and fuel/coolant temp gauge reside on its flanks. Stylistically, the gauges are nice

without breaking any new ground. Below the speedo, a small display offers information on miles travelled, engine diagnostics and the time of day.

Elsewhere, the Xciting boasts a pretty full list of features. The seat boasts a cavernous storage area replete with a 12V power outlet and storage area light. On the seat itself, an adjustable backrest is equipped for the driver. Auxiliary storage exists up front in the form a nicely sized and lockable glovebox. Other nice touches include a side stand and center stand, a parking brake and rather nice folding passenger pegs.

Discussion
The Xciting 500 takes on other popular maxi-scooters using a value focused approach that delivers a lot of features for a low MSRP. Kymco USA has priced the Xciting at $6299 (non-ABS) and in later years it crept to $6399 or $6899 with ABS (now the only option for 2013). Canadian MSRP is $6995 without the optional ABS. These prices are typically about two grand less than competing scooters including Suzuki’s Burgman 400 / 650, Honda’s Silverwing, Piaggio’s X9 500 and Yamaha’s TMAX.

Kymco’s value oriented approach makes these scooter an appealing ride for a lot of customers. The single cylinder motor lacks the outright power of the competing parallel twin motors, but it still offer ample power and saves quite a bit on the MSRP. Similarly, the brakes are more than adequate for the job, while not matching the TMAX’s brakes which were taken almost unchanged for Yamaha’s R1 sportbike.

Side by side, the Xciting lacks the polished refinement of its competitors (and quite a few other Kymco’s that have been released in the years since the Xciting’s 2005 debut), but it’s still a quality machine. Ultimately, the Xciting is a good fit for riders who don’t demand a lot of performance from their machines. This Kymco trades a bit of refinement and prowess in the braking, handling and acceleration departments, for a much lower MSRP. Buyers looking for a capable scooter with an affordable MSRP will find nothing not to like with the Xciting 500 and as such, it represents a great value option in the maxi-scooter class.

The Xciting 250 was a bit less clear in its purpose. It’s got the looks, comforts (and weight) of a maxi-scooter but the 250cc engine isn’t well suited for high speed touring. On level road it can achieve 75mph, but it’ll lag behind faster maxi-scooters up hills or on windy days. If you keep the speeds down then milage is better, but if you’re flogging it to keep up then you won’t notice much of a savings at the pump. Ultimately the choice depends on your intended use. 250cc will definitely be enough power for non-interstate cruising and the $5249 MSRP (non ABS) saves another grand over the already affordable 500cc model.

If you’re looking at the Xciting 250 then a few other touring oriented alternatives include Kymco’s Grandvista 250, Honda’s Helix and Yamaha’s Morphous.

Please consider adding an owner review of your Xciting. It greatly benefits other readers and improves this site.

REVIEW - Add Your Review of the Xciting 250 / 500

Pros:
- Great value for a maxi-scooter
- ABS

Cons:
- Below average fuel milage
- Heavy and slow (for a 500cc) motor
- Below average refinement

Links:
Submit Review - Own this scooter? Add your thoughts to this site.
MotorscooterGuide Forums - Visit the forums on this site to chat about this scoot.
KymcoForum.com - A good place to learn more about Kymco's
JustGottaScoot.com - Nice reviews of the Xciting 250 and Xciting 500
CMG Review - Canadian Motorcycle Guide reviews the Xciting 500
Xciting 500 Review - Nicely done review by TheScooterReview.com
Xciting 500 Shoot-Out - Comparison to the TMAX and Burgman by Motorcycle-USA.com
OEM Kymco Parts Look Up - Nice for viewing exploded diagrams and ordering parts.

Key Specs - Xciting 250:
* Engine: Liquid cooled, 249cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke
* Transmission: CVT
* Bore & Stroke: 72.7mm x 60mm
* Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection
* Drive: Belt
* Wheelbase: 61.8”
* Weight: 407 lbs
* Starter: Electric
* Seat height: 30.5”
* Fuel Tank: 3.4 gallons / 13 liter
* Brakes: Dual Disc/Dual Piston (Front), Single Disc/Dual Piston (Rear), ABS Optional
* Front Suspension: Telescopic Fork
* Rear Suspension: Dual adjustable shocks
* Tires: 120/70-15 (Front), 150/70-14 (Rear)
* Years Sold: 2007 - Present (USA)
* MSRP: $5249 (2011)
* 2010 Colors: Blue, Pewter

Key Specs - 2006 - 2012 Xciting 500:
* Engine: Liquid cooled, DOHC, 498.5cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke
* Power 40hp @ 7500 RPM, 30.1 ft/lbs torque @5500 RPM
* Acceleration: 0 - 60mph = 10.3 seconds
* Transmission: CVT
* Bore & Stroke: 92mm x 75mm
* Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
* Fuel Delivery: Carb (2006 - 2008), Electronic Fuel Injection (+2009)
* Drive: Belt
* Wheelbase: 61.8”
* Weight: 521 lbs
* Starter: Electric
* Seat height: 30.25”
* Fuel Tank: 3.4 gallons / 13 liter
* Brakes: Dual Disc/Dual Piston (Front), Single Disc/Dual Piston (Rear), ABS Optional
* Front Suspension: Telescopic Fork
* Rear Suspension: Dual adjustable shocks
* Tires: 120/70-15 (Front), 150/70-14 (Rear)
* Years Sold: 2006 - Present (USA), 2008 - Present (Canada)
* MSRP: 2012 = $6299 (add $500 for the ABS model)

USA Colors:
2006 - 2012: Red, White, Pewter (ABS Only)
2013: Gold, Gray

Canada Colors:
2008 - 2012: Red, White, Pewter (ABS Only)
2013 - Red, Grey, White