Threatened by extreme weather conditions, and a possible fever, a team of motor bike enthusiasts, with journalists among them, braved heavy rains and flood waters to ride the new Kymco Xciting 500 jumbo scooter, one of the first batch of nine units imported from Taiwan.
While scooters are now an ordinary scene in many parts of the country, seeing, much more riding, a 500cc fully-automatic is rare.
From the Parañaque plant, we mounted assorted Kymco scooters for our drive to Tagaytay. Under the protection of raincoats, we sneaked through heavy traffic at Sucat and West Service Road, making a brief stop at the Caltex Station in Alabang.
There we saw the monster Kymco Xciting 500. Yet, no one was allowed to ride the giant — which was securely tied onto a six-wheeler flat bed. We had to earn that privilege after we went through the trail to Tagaytay.
Compared to the back-breaking, muscle straining AXR 110cc which I was driving, the Kymco Xciting 500 appeared like a super touring bike without gear and clutch. By its looks, the Xciting 500 exuded power.
At this point, we were all anxious to take that monster for a ride. Everyone squeezed the throttle despite intermittent rains.
As we reached Tagaytay for a quick lunch, Dino Directo of Manila Standard and I attended to our soaked socks and pants before we joined the group now busy deboning the Crispy Pata. I was now feeling a chill.
Finally, as we walked out of the restaurant to meet our "dream ride," the skies suddenly cleared.
Gilbert Limjoco, Kymco Philippines vice president for operations, briefed us on the special specs of this new bike – the huge double disc and single disc brakes at the front and rear, respectively; and the integrated brake system when the front brake lever is pressed.
Because of its huge dimensions (90 inches in length, 32.6 inches in width and 56 inches in height) with a dry weight of 473 pounds, the Kymco Xciting is equipped with a hand brake.
For safety, the engine will not start unless the center bike stand is already in folded position.
The Xciting 500, Gilbert pointed out, is basically a scooter with automatic transmission and is belt driven.
Its 498.5 cubic centimeter power plant can unleash 38 galloping horses @ 7,500rpm.
The Xciting 500 tires might look big with a size of 120/70-15 in front and 150/70-14 rubbers at the rear mounted on stylish mag wheels for the authentic scooter look.
Fuel tank capacity is 12.8 liters and Kymco executives declared that it can run some 40 kilometers per liter on clear highways.
It has a big cargo space although it is a bit smaller compared to the Kymco Dink 150cc. The reason — the big engine ate up some cargo space.
Its body shows a dominant European design. Gilbert said the design was made by an Italian bike designer but the bike was made in Taiwan. "It was launched for the European market," Limjoco explained.
For him, the introduction of the Xciting 500 in the Philippine market is just like testing the waters for Kymco. At
