No Love For The Like 200i?

[MrKymco]

I noticed no forum for the Like 200i exist here, and just wanted to touch base with some owners or people with experience with this scoot. There is a Like 50cc forum, but i believe that scooter was released first in the U.S., so that makes sense. But no traffic in that forum, either.

So what's up with the Like 200i? I have read a couple of conflicting reviews on it (one generally good, one generally not so good) but it doesn't seem to be a very popular scooter. I saw it at my dealership and instantly liked its looks, styling, and design. It's fuel injected, nicely equipped, and is a good sized scooter, to boot. So why not even enough owners or interest to sustain it's own forum on the Kymco board?

I am pretty sure I want a "classic style" scooter like this within the next couple of years, and the Like 200i is in the running in my mind. But if its undesirable for some reason I sure would "Like" (you see what I did there lol) to know why?

So, why no love for the Like 200i or otherwise?  Is it just a matter of Kymco offering too many scooters so this one has gotten overlooked? I have read in some quarters that Kymco offer too many scooter choices, so sometimes buyers just get confused and overlook some models all together. But of the other "full size" classic style scooters from Taiwan I would consider (the SYM Fiddle II and Lance Cali Classic 125's, respectively) the Like 200i has them beat in my mind and otherwise, even at it's more expensive price. Fuel injected, bigger engine, nicely packaged.

So, who has one and what do you think? Or at least who has piloted one? Impressions when compared with others in its class?

Thanks  

[axy]

I like Kymco Like concept, but do not appreciate marketing lie behind claiming that 150-160 air cooled scoot is 200 cc scoot.
When you see 200 cc, you expect 20 hp scoot (Piaggio, Aprilia etc.), not 12-13 hp scoot and lower performance.
This is one of the reasons why I do not like Kymco's 200 cc scoots marketing...

[jprestonian]

It's not a bad scooter, but it has a lot less speed/power than I would have anticipated. Two things that annoyed me about it right off the bat was the backwards-ass fuel gauge, and the super-flimsy rear grab bar.

At its price-point, this is a favorable competitor to the Genuine Buddy International scoots -- it's got a (slightly) larger engine, fuel injection and a free top case, all at about the same MSRP. Still, the Buddy 150 blows it away in top speed and acceleration. I'm guessing the Like returns a better MPG, though.

As an inner-city commuter, it's worth a look, but so are the two SYM models you mention (yes, the Cali Classic is a SYM Fiddle II with different body panels and a 13" wheel on the front). Be advised that both those SYMs are built on the mainland, and not in Taiwan.
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[TechGuy]

I like the Like. I find the styling to be appealing and reminiscent of the Lambrettas. The flat floor and flat seat looks like would fit a wide range of riders.

[jprestonian]

The style reminds me of very modern Vespa... but looks don't tell you a lot about the ride, handling, etc.

I find it to be a decent little scooter, but not sure I wouldn't rather have a Buddy 125.
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[axy]

The style reminds me of very modern Vespa... but looks don't tell you a lot about the ride, handling, etc.

I find it to be a decent little scooter, but not sure I wouldn't rather have a Buddy 125.
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Many people from the States mention Genuine scooters.
Just wanted to say that they are largely unknown in Europe, almost unheard of.

[ts1]

Imho genuine too means original or brand - in opposition to (chinese) copies.
Or does it only mean a special manufacturer (nearly unknown outside North America and South Africa [and ..?])?

[jprestonian]

Genuine in this case = Genuine Scooter Company, Chicago, Illinois.

Importer of PGO (Taiwan) and LML (India) scooters.

The Genuine Buddy 125 is known outside the U.S. as the PGO Bubu.  The Genuine Stella is knows as the LML Star, everywhere else.
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[ts1]

Thank you!
I couldn't believe the "homeland of the big V8 engines" have an own "small scooter" industry.
As an importer of PGO/LML/... it makes sense to me.

[axy]

At the end of 90's, we had some PGO presence here.
Now, they sell a few scoots per year in the whole country.
However, they have somewhat strong presence in the segment of small RWD buggies (125-150-250 cc).

[jprestonian]

Really fine li'l bikes. The Buddy 125 is Nashville's top seller. You see them everywhere, and there's only the one dealer, too.
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[MrKymco]

thanks for the replies, guys. set a few things straight for me concerning the Like 200i

i really do like it's styling and looks. it has its drawbacks such as lack of storage, but i could work around that. i really like the "classic" (Vespa?) styled scoots, and could justify the cost of a VESPA if i wanted one...

...but when thinking i could probably wrangle up a new Like 200i in a deal for under three grand, or maybe slightly used for two grand,  and be perfectly happy....well, that all metal Vespa body and high service and repair costs begin to not look so great

a black Like 200i may be somewhere in my future, yeah

[jprestonian]

Keep in mind -- the "black" really isn't. It's a deep metallic midnight blue. You need to see it in direct sunlight to see, but... anyway...
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