2009 Kymco 500, I've attached a link are these worthwhile upgrades?

[coldsteel45]

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=Parts+by+Brand+of+Scooter%3AKymco+Scooters:Xciting+500cc

On this site, they list a clutch spring, variator, clutch, belt and pulleys.  On another site it talks about a Leo Vance replacement exhaust.

Are these worthwhile upgrades, any of it anyway?

Can these be installed at a Kymco dealer and be covered under factory warranty if they do the work?


Thanks.

[OldGuy]

Are they worthwhile? That question begs a subjective answer. My answer is no. I prefer scootin' to wrenchin'. Others will disagree.

Changing the exhaust is a common upgrade and sometimes require that the carb be rejetted to make it work right and avoid engine damage due to running lean.

As for the clutch springs, variator, clutch, and pulleys, changing that is a real pain and getting the right mix of parts can take a lot of time. Many have started this project and given up after weeks of tinkering and lots of $$$$'s and went back to the stock setup.

As for the Kevlar belt, I bought one once and had a really(!) bad experience. I recommend the stock belt from Kymco. If anyone expresses interest I'll start a thread on that subject. If you go the Kevlar route expect a slight performance loss. The belt is a bit stiffer.

"Can these be installed at a Kymco dealer?" Depends on your dealer, but I'd say yes. Things are slow in scoot shops at this time of year and they'd probably be glad to have the work and your money.

"And be covered under factory warranty?" No, not the 'factory warranty'! Your warranty specifically excludes parts that have not been approved by Kymco and may void the warranty.

http://www.kymco.ca/contentfiles/2007%20Warranty%20Certificate_Scooters%20&%20Motorcycles.pdf

(Note: This is the Kymco of Canada warranty, but I believe it to be the same wording as the US version. It's difficult to read because of the "COPY" watermark, but it's the only one I can find on line.)

If you purchase the parts through your dealer (and accept his markup) he may be willing to give you a warranty. Customarily, such warranties  are 30-90 days, but he doesn't have to give you one at all. Performance enhancing parts normally have no warranty. Talk it over with him.

For these reasons I'll have to say forget it, at least until your warranty expires and probably not than.

DISCLAIMER:
The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author and are not necessarily those of Kymco Forum, it's management, membership or anyone in their right mind.

[coldsteel45]

I'm going to be purchasing a Kymco 500 within the next few months and wanted to get an idea of what can be done to them.  A few of my friends who ride regular motorcycles are absolutely against the fact that I won't have the passing power, acceleration at standing at stop signs or stop lights and that a scooter tends to hesitate when you hit the throttle before actually beginning to move.

With my current honda scooter that is definitely the case.  I want to kick back and just cruise around but still have the power to do what it takes to keep me safe, and having the power to do when you need it most it what I have experienced so far.

I was wondering more than anything on the low and midrage power band what the 500 can produce.  I don't want to raise my expectations too much if the scooter inherently does not have what it takes, if you know what I mean?

[geezerbob]

You can avoid the lag when starting off at a light by giving the bike just enough throttle to engage the clutch when the opposing light turns yellow.  Your start will then be immediate and smooth.   Heck, even my little 250 has enough power to more than hold its own in normal driving and the 500 should be even better. 

Everything I've read about the 500 indicates that it's fully highway capable right out of the store, well past legal speeds.  If you need even more power, why not just get a Silverwing or a Burgman 650?  You'll probably have less money in one of those than you will if you modify the X500, unless, of course, you just like turning wrenches.

[bongoman]

I ride an 'o7 X500 and have no problem on the interstates, although I prefer back roads; more fun and interesting vistas.

I rode from San Antonio, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana for my son's wedding. All interstate on the return leg and in one day, a total of 574 miles. My X500 is carburetor not f.i., and is stock, and goes faster than I need to.

As far as standing lights, I always - at least so far - leave the bigger cruisers playing catch up. I find the X500 surprisisngly quick off the line. It doesn't snap your head back, it just scoots rapidly down the road.

Then again, I am prejudiced towards the fine ride I have.