Kymco has had a presence in the US market far longer than SYM. Then add the disaster that was the Carter Bros, then the somewhat shaky startup of Alliance and SYM has work to do.They are building a new dealer network and a financing plans are coming.
I own both Kymco and SYM scoots and love both. The SYM HD/RV200 is in a class by itself. There is not another 171cc scoot that can compete with it.
I feel the same way about the Dowtown 300i. Other scoots in its class need to be put on a diet. The 300GTi is also in a lass of its own, big wheels, step thru and good looking.
I'm lucky as my Kymco dealer is also my SYM dealer. They stock all models of both lines in multiple. They also sell Genuine and assorted budget china scoots. Service is great on both SYM and Kymco.
SYM isn't the only one with some parts issues as we know.
http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=11387.0Both have plenty to offer but Kymco is far and away a better seller than SYM and that's reflected by traffic on the SYM forums.
Its nice to have choices!
Be Big,
AMAC