First time off?
Fun, ain't it!?
Yep, vespbretta found one tap point through the rear wheel spokes.
Me, I finally got it loose by doing all of your stuff (make SURE you've removed all hold-down screws!) and carefully tapping a thin putty knife into the rear edge of the stuck cover. If you can get it started, ......you can wiggle it loose. Blasted things are really stuck on a LIKE200I !
I replaced with new kymco gasket (glued onto cover, then lubed up so it will never stick again to case.
Hang in there, it WILL come off!
Stig