It's official.....I'm addicted!!

[Mscmkr]

Had my second ride last night since buying my Like last Saturday. Had to work since then so i only had a chance to get one ride in. I have to say that I am completely addicted to this little scooter. It is nothing but great fun ridding it. Before I bought it I was a little nervous that I might not like it. I was thinking I would be a little afraid to go any faster than about 30 mph on 2 wheels without a car around me. Turns out all I want to do is go faster. I hit 40 a couple times for about a half mile and loved it. Going to have to wait until I'm done with the breakin period to get it any faster than that.
     Well, I'm off to take another ride around the neighborhood. Hope everyone is having as much fun with there scooters as I am. Be safe everyone and have a great day, mscmkr

[Stig / Major Tom]

Good for you!
Which 'break in' are you doing?
The ride it like you stole it, or as the Kymco owner's manual instructs?
You will get all kinds of responses to this question, and they will give you "years of small engine experience" and go on for quite a few paragraphs, etc.
(even saw a fellow in the Philippino LIKE Club doing the hard break in - so that idea does get around....)
Me, I just followed the manual - which was not always easy in the city.
Turned 1900 miles this morning - uses no oil between changes. Running strong and smooth.
So, here's my 2 centimes worth: Kymco wrote the book and designed and built the scooter.
Have fun - ride safe.

[Mscmkr]

I'm going by the book on my break in. Just like you said, they wrote it and I'm gonna follow it. I did watch some videos on YouTube on oil changes and valve adjustments and that kind of thing. I thought that it was going to be much harder but it doesn't look bad at all. I will probably buy the manual and get out my metric tool set and do a lot of things myself. Looking forward to that. I think it's going to be fun.
    Hey Stig, what speed did you try to stay around during the first 500 mile break in? Half throttle is a bit of a loose description so I thought I would ask.

     Thanks folks and as always be safe, mscmkr

[Stig / Major Tom]

during the first 500 mile break in? Half throttle is a bit of a loose description so I thought I would ask.

     Thanks folks and as always be safe, mscmkr
[/quote]
Yes, good question.
I just did a LOT of church parking lots, school lots, state parks,etc. within a mile of my house for 200 or so. In the evenings. Travelling there and back stayed at 35mph - with no long stretches of that. Or long stretches of 20mph, either. Vary the throttle. Now, to clear some intersection turnings you do have to goose it a bit - but nowhere near WOT (learned here that means wide open throttle)
None of this was particularly hard on me - as I was getting used to two wheels again, while the scoot was getting settled in.
With the engine off I turned the throttle to see where full throttle was - then estimated where my wrist should be for arounf 1/2 throttle.

I took out the gear oil and the engine oil pretty early - maybe aroung 60 miles. Then again at 200.
The concern voiced was that there might be lousy oils in there - but I can't see Kymco doing that. And there might be some metal shavings in there.
But I'm an oil changer by nature....plus it's fun - helped me bond to my new scoot.
Watched a very good (German) valve adjustment on youtube - and then figured out how to find TDC (top dead center for the valve adjustment) and posted it here w/photos. Also a good valve adjustment here by an actual LIKE owner. (though he is Canadian - he still speaks pretty good english :-)

while I was in there I installed a NGK Iridium plug on the advice of some senior scooterists. Did make things better once I got used to the slightly increased idle speed. (DIY photos here)

A lot of folks just ride their Kymcos, it seems, and take her in for service arounf 600 miles. And are having no issues. But I'm a Virgo....I don't abuse engines and they last a heck of a long time for me. (sold a 24 yr old Jetta to buy this scooter. And it never used oil
either.)
FYI: I bugged the HECK out of this forum with questions, before and after buying my scooter. So far they've been very patient. !

[Mscmkr]

It's funny Stig you sound like me. I have always been good to my vehicles engines and have had very little problems with them over the years. I had a Nissan Hardbody P/U that had 225 thousand miles on it when I finally got rid of it. Been regretting that one ever since.
     Thanks so much for all the great info as well. This is definitely the best forum I have been on. Great people with great info here. I will be haunting these halls for a long time to come. Seeing that I get more and more hooked on my little scooter every time I ride it.

   Thanks again and be safe, mscmkr