Kymco Like 200i Rider Update

[BWLucky13]

The Kymco Like 200i was very impressive from the start. It is the only NEW bike that I have purchased in nearly a half century of riding. After a few months of riding, it is time to give an update on my experience with the scoot.

Performance has continued to be outstanding. Cranking, running, steering, and braking are first class. I frequently have a passenger and find little difference in performance. There have been no fit & finish issues. People of all stripes seem to admire the style. I have trouble imagining a better performing town scoot for speeds up to 45 mph. That's about as fast as I want to go on a small wheel scooter. The Like is capable of much more speed, but I neither need or want to go faster in town. For the highway, the Harley can handle that assignment.

Problems and issues are limited, but important. The scoot came with one faulty brake caliper, and the replacement caliper developed a leaking seal. Both issues were fixed swiftly by the dealer under warranty. With fuel injection, you are at the mercy of the battery. I use a permanent trickle charger for the battery (and my peace of mind.)

On one occasion the scoot lost power and slowed to a stop. After a couple of tries, it cranked and slowly regained its composure and power without further problem. I had just filled the gas tank to the brim (something I don't normally do). And, I may have hit the starter before the fuel injector pressure light had signaled ready. In any event, I have not been able to duplicate this problem. Vapor lock?

Kymco offers a lot of performance for the dollar. But, there is no substitute for a great local dealer. I have both and that is really the best of both worlds.

[hexnut]

Nice scooter. My Kymco People S 250 has not given me any problem with the exception of a bad battery that was replaced under warranty. Kymco is a good company. My dealer is pretty good, glad you have a good dealer as well.

[cbolling]

Glad to here that you are enjoying your scooter.

Any pics that you can share?

[hexnut]

Yeah, we need pictures.

[gogogordy]

I wish KYMCO were a little more, err accurate with their naming conventions. People assume its a 200cc scooter, when in reality its 163cc. They also did that with the People 200S which wasnt fuel injected, as the Like 200i is but still 163cc.

Thats not to say these aren't great scooters, they are and they're also a great value. Nor am I saying that KYMCO is being untruthful, they really by fine definition aren't....as there is no specific regulation or ruling saying the naming needs to equal (at least closely) the displacment of the vehicle.

But...it IS genarally accepted that the naming of the vehicle is close to, within a few cc's anyway, the actual engine size and with that I give them a "fail".

I work at a shop that sells these, and it's always a matter of detailed discussion/objection fielding.

[hexnut]

They are not the only manufacturer that does that. But I too wish they would at least get a little closer, My 250 is 249 and the new 300i is 298 so its not all of them.

[tortoise2]

Originally Posted by BWLucky13

On one occasion the scoot lost power and slowed to a stop. After a couple of tries, it cranked and slowly regained its composure and power without further problem. I had just filled the gas tank to the brim (something I don't normally do).

Per the Caution Notice on page 12 of the owners manual . . .

"Do not overfill the tank. There should be no fuel in the filler neck. Excess fuel can contaminate the evaporative emission canister, resulting in poor driveability."

[gogogordy]

Originally Posted by hexnut

They are not the only manufacturer that does that. But I too wish they would at least get a little closer, My 250 is 249 and the new 300i is 298 so its not all of them.

They DO push the envelope more than a "bit" by percentage...1cc, 2cc...chalk it up to engineering-mathmatics.

37cc....thats a large percentage and NOT just an engineering-matmatics deficiency.

Ducati is probably the most truthfully named product in the industry.

[hexnut]

Well SYM HD200 is 171 and even the Vespa 300 is 278, not as bad but still not close. And even the old Honda 350 twin was only 324.

[tortoise2]

Originally Posted by BWLucky13

Kymco offers a lot of performance for the dollar. But, there is no substitute for a great local dealer.

Related article . . KYMCO to add 500 more dealers

[gogogordy]

None of them ever have MORE cc's than advertised?

Originally Posted by hexnut

Well SYM HD200 is 171 and even the Vespa 300 is 278, not as bad but still not close. And even the old Honda 350 twin was only 324.

[hexnut]

Originally Posted by gogogordy

None of them ever have MORE cc's than advertised?

Kymco has one that has more CCs than advertised. The GT200i is actually 205CC.

And since we have hi-jacked the OPs thread on how much he likes his Like and obviously the 163 is just enough for him. I turn it back over to the subject at hand.

[vader1]

The only issue I had with mine so far was a hard start nearing the bottom of the tank. People suggested opening the fuel cap, which sucked in a big gulp of air and problem solved.

I really like my Downtown and it gets stronger each day. Not quite at the 600 mile first service yet. Averaging over 70 mpg.

[ruckuschick]

I almost bought one of those. Really like the style. Got a CSC 150cc instead and am similarly just as happy I think though. Maybe if I win the lottery I can get one of these too :)

[damasovi]

bmw

so how big-tall are you? do you know if you could do 55 mpg? this scooter is my 1-2nd option so that is why I am asking, how about mpg? and pics!!!

sorry if this is too much! i just have to know!!! lol!!!

Damasovi