I've just put a MYR 500 (that's about US$150) deposit for a brand new Like 150 and I'm excited as all hell! Though I have to wait for about a week for the dealer to order the bike from the supplier, sort out the paperwork, registration, and all that jazz.
For weeks, I've been actively looking at Vespa LX150 and Honda PCX 150 for my short daily commute in the city. I have a beloved old Aprilia Moto 6.5, but it really isn't suitable for stop-and-go traffic and daily commuting to work. I love her with all my heart, but she gets extremely hot (temperature-wise) in the already hot and humid Malaysian traffic.
I needed something that's nimble, cheap and easy to maintain, has ample storage (this is important), and looks good.
By chance, I came across this little Taiwanese machine on mudah.my, the Malaysian version of Craigslist. I have heard of Kymco before, but never paid them much attention because they're not marketed well in these parts. Taiwanese brands are oft looked down upon in Malaysia.
So after two days of gruelling research, I've decided that the Like is perfect for my needs. The Kymco is cheaper at MYR 6600/US$2000 than the Vespa LX150 or the Honda PCX at US$3300 each. It looks good and if you guys are to be believed, performs admirably for a city commuter.
My only gripe is that the top box does not come standard and the Like only comes in beige or white. I picked the latter, and plan to get a nice 40L top box for my helmet, riding jacket and other stuff. Down the road, I also plan to paint the scoot British racing green, something along these lines:
Anyway, that's the gist of it. I hope to contribute and share my experience riding the Like in and around Kuala Lumpur. I'll post updates and pictures when my new baby arrives, but for now, here's one from the dealer when I booked it at lunch earlier. Ride safe!
