Kymco Like 200i making odd mechanic noise

[Cen1295]

I recently got a Like 200i about 1.5 months ago, and have around 620 km on it.  I changed the oil after 300, but can't afford to take it in for the first service just yet.  The dealer said I should have it in by 900 for sure.

Anyway, today after my ride home from work I noticed it was making unusual repetitive mechanical noises, whether the engine is started or off, as long as the key is in the ignition.  I tried looking it up but so far haven't had any luck.  I can't really afford to get it serviced until January so I'm hoping it isn't anything major.

[de-dee]

  to save some money I changed the oil and tranny before and told the dealer not to do it again , all he charged me was the inspection,  saved about $ 100.00,.   

[big blue]

You say that the noise continues when the key is in the ignition is it in start position? The sound could be the electric fuel pump cycling. With fuel injection (which you have on your 200i) the pump runs whenever the key is in the starting position.

[Cen1295]

That makes sense.  I guess I  never  noticed it before  and  panicked.

[Stig / Major Tom]

For the  600 Mile Service
My dealer quoted me $372, which includes:
replace oil, clean screen
replace gear oil
replace air filter
replace spark plug
adjust valves
look at 'carburetor' (! didn't know I had one of those with EFI ~!?) and  brakes, wheels, nuts and shocks
Total: $23.52 for parts
Labor & tax= $349.40

This is more than 10% of what I paid for the scooter.
After checking the prices of Kymco parts - I decided 3 things:
The parts are fairly cheap.
As long as I don't abuse the scooter and do regular oil changes and valve lash checks this engine and transmission is not going to break in 2 yrs - but if it does - I'll take it to the dealer and we will commence to negotiate, with my receipts and maint. log book in hand.
Anyone who says it takes over 2 hours of shop time to "get down through all the plastic " to check the valves - has not worked on a scooter like mine. (it took me a 1/2 hour to get to the valve cover the 1st time and I'd never seen a scooter's guts before)

The short version of this is: I learned to do all the regular services my self. And will learn to do the brakes and rollers and belts when the time comes. I bought the on-line manual, as well.
Doing my own servicing saves $, time and aggravation.....and it is fun and helps me 'bond' with my scooter!
Stig

[200i]

I couldn't agree more Stig... I think most dealer maintance service fees are bunk. 

[tclhb]

I agree too Stig. I'm no mechanical wiz, but this scooter is easy to work on. My first valve clearance check was 1 1/4 hours watching that excellent YouTube video. Spark plug is right there when you do that procedure. Engine oil is 20 minutes. Trans maybe 25. I love simple and low stress projects like this. It's an easy way to feel like I accomplished something. I also know it was done right. Save $ too!

[TroutBum]

Dealers here in California charge around $85 hour for labor. They also markup parts significantly. Because most service will require an hours worth of labor and parts it will cost you at least $125. That is why on standard service I'll do it myself and save the money for those times tools and equipment cost exceed the cost of taking it to a dealer. Besides no dealer is going to work with kid gloves like you would. The ones that do are a rare find. I take my time and insure things are done right and without damage. A buddy of mine brought his Honda MC to a dealer for service. When he picked it up he found an inch long scratch on his tank. Needless to say he was peeved.