I am the unhappy owner of a '07 kymco 500. I also own a Chinese 257 linhai powered scooter. The China one is better overall.. except ride. The ergonomics of the kymco is terrible. Not just my opinion but others who have ridden mine. Annoying things like hard to read (mph) and inaccurate speedometer. A fuel guage that has a mind of it's own,,, not real good to tell how much fuel is left. Ya have to calculate in your head to figure when to fuel up again. The scooter is heavy and doesn't produce good fuel milage.. tire wear (stock tires) not good either. Parts ie: oil filter and others are way overpriced compared to even "hard to find" chinese parts. The dealer I bought mine from is really a farm store and know nothing about scooters.
I would not spend the money on one again,, selling in the spring for whatever I can get, then off to the Japanese scooter store.... Just tellin' like it really is with Kymco's..